The Wounded Healer

The Myth of the Wounded Healer is the story of every health care professional, alternative and mainstream.

The Myth of the Wounded Healer goes something like this...

In Greek mythology Chiron was a centaur, half man- half horse. His father was Kronos and his mother was named Philyra. Kronos was head over heals in love with Philyra, but she didn't want anything to do with him. She turned herself into a mare to try to escape from Kronos, but Kronos turned himself into a stallion and well...you know... they mated and had Chiron. It was the typical male leaves after getting what he wants scenario. Chiron was born and his mother was appalled to find that he was a centaur that she abandoned Chiron. So the intial wounding for Chiron occurs because he was abandoned and rejected by both of his parents at birth.

Chiron was adopted by Apollo, the sun god. Apollo taught Chiron well and Chiron went on to become a mentor to some quite famous Greek Gods such as Asclepius (who became a famous healer in his own right), Achilles, and Hercules.And it was Hercules who became the instigator of the second wounding in which he accidentally hits Chiron in the knee with one of his arrows. It was a special arrow that caused a wound that could never be healed.Chiron was also immortal so he had to live with a wound that would never heal. That means he would never die.

The story goes on but what is important is the wound that never heals.

As massage therapists how do we re-create this myth in our work and in our personal lives? The Wounded Healer lives in most of us somewhere.

So often we are drawn to a helping profession more to heal our own wounds through the process of trying to help others. But often what we are really needing is to take care of ourselves.

I have seen many come to this profession because they were helped by the process of massage therapy personally after all other medicine had failed. I have also seen people become massage therapists because of having a sick or injured family member or spouse.

When we work on others to heal ourselves, the focus is taken away from the client and we are actually doing them a dis-service.

Before becoming a massage therapist it is important to begin looking at the true reasons for wanting to become one.

This is also necessary as we begin a practice or job in massage therapy. The more we can become aware of ourselves and our own needs and work to get them met in other areas besides in working with clients, we can be of service to our clients.

Filling out this form creates a new page on my website. Please share your story of being or becoming a massage therapist with others...how has it changed your life, what are your challenges, what are your successes?
I will read all submissions and approve appropriate content. If accepted, I will add a link to your site or contact information so include it in the form.
Thanks!
Julie Onofrio
www.massagetherapycareers.com