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Massage Therapy Resources
Online Articles"In the Service of Life" Article by Rachel Remen, MD. I first read this article about 10 years ago and it has become the framework for my writing. In it she says "Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between equals. When you help you use your own strength to help those of lesser strength. If I'm attentive to what's going on inside of me when I'm helping, I find that I'm always helping someone who's not as strong as I am, who is needier than I am. People feel this inequality. When we help we may inadvertently take away from people more than we could ever give them; we may diminish their self-esteem, their sense of worth, integrity and wholeness."The Ethics of Touch by Lauel Katherine Green. (go to articles for professionals or search for "The Ethics of Touch") Very informative article discussing the body's self-regulating core. In each of us is the ability to heal. As bodyworkers, our touch connects to the deeper wisdom of the body.Quotes directly from the article: "Ultimately, it is the client’s body that tells us what is needed, and to receive this message our minds must be open and our hands receptive. When we touch, thinking we know what needs to be done, we can not receive this information." "In my experience, the desire to help others is always a double-edged sword. The altruistic, humanitarian side is present and real, but behind that often lurk far less noble motivations. Being able to "alleviate" some one else’s pain is an enormous power trip, and a boost for the practitioner’s self image. The savior personality draws much of its sense of self worth from the positive effect that it is able to "produce" on others."
Jack Blackburn has been instrumental in providing bringing supervision to the massage profession. His articles were also what started me on my search for learning about helping and why we do help.
Recommended WebsitesExplorations in the Theory and Practice of Massage/Bodywork Complete online resources for the practicing Massage Therapist and Bodyworker or student. Massage Marketing Articles,Help with Tests, Studying Massage,Pathology, Ethics, Building Your Peer Group
Professional MagazinesMassage Magazine - School resources, training information, articles on practice building, practice issues.Online and printed magazine.Massage and Bodywork Magazine - Magazine of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. School listings, articles on business related topics, techniques etc. Money Issues - One of the challenges for massage therapists is how to make a living doing something they love. Your beliefs about money will affect your success as a massage therapist. So many massage therapists say they come to the massage profession because it is not about the money and then fail to make the money they need to succeed. Having a business or working as an employee is about the money Following Your Calling- Many massage therapists come to the massage profession to follow a calling - a deeper need of wanting to help others or have a more meaningful career. There is always a hidden unconscious agenda that is also the reason why so many leave the profession after 5 years or less. The Call to Help- Being a massage therapist is not about helping others contrary to what many may think. It is about learning to take care of yourself first so that you can be present with others in their healing process The E-myth and Massage- Working as a massage therapist you need to be able to separate yourself from the business. You are not the business even though it may feel that way because you work so closely with clients. The Search for Freedom - The idea that you may have more freedom to do what you please, work when and where you want is a big draw for many. While it does work for many who want to just work part time - Freedom is really something that only can come from having peace inside. Finding your Passion and Purpose- When I came into this field 20 years ago, most came because of the many reasons of wanting to find something they could pour their souls into. While this is a great path to follow, it can also lead you into another side of yourself and be the exact reason why you also could fail as a massage therapist Life Purpose- Your life purpose is to become more aware of yourself and know yourself. It is about learning to transcend your ego needs for love, appreciation and acceptance which are often an underlying unconscious reason for becoming a massage therapist Professional Myths - There are many myths or inaccuracies that the massage profession itself seems to promote. Changing Careers -Career changes are one of the most stressful times in a persons life. The Wounded Healer - The story of the wounded healer is about how we try to do for others what we really need to do for ourselves. The wounded healer is never able to heal themselves and is always trying to do the same for others. Healing Touch- Touch can bring up deeper issues and suppressed memories of trauma from the past. It also can resemble the nurturing we did or more likely didn't get as a child. The healing benefits of touch are just beginning to be understood. Find out more about The Truth About Becoming a Massage Therapist
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