Let's Dispel Some Misconceptions

Hi Folks,

Lately I’ve been reflecting on some of the misconceptions that the average person seems to have about what massage therapy can and should be. 

I’ve noticed that when many people think about getting a massage, they imagine the ~spa experience~. These kinds of massages tend to gravitate towards one of two extremes. On one side, you have the “oil spreaders” who leave you relaxed (maybe?) but ultimately wondering if anything even happened at all. At the other extreme, you have the seemingly sado-masochistic therapists whose whole rationale seems to be to apply as much pressure to the body as possible, even if it’s incredibly painful. No thank you!

Both the fluffy massage and the pulverizing massage miss out on the qualities that make therapeutic touch impactful. Therapeutic touch is about working in relationship. In relationship, a therapist listens with their hands (with their whole being, even) to push the body into healthy discomfort, the kind of “good pain” that helps the muscles let go and release while still allowing the client to breathe and find ease in the rest of the body. Therapeutic touch is about the therapist and the client being present with the body, with what’s happening in the here and now. 

It’s this kind of touch that fosters incremental and lasting positive change. Massage isn’t about moving the skin around or beating the muscles into submission but applying the right amount of pressure to the right areas at the right time. More than all of this, therapeutic touch is infused with the intention to help the client experience a more profound relationship with their body, not just at the massage table but throughout their day-to-day life.  

One of my biggest joys in life is dispelling this misconception and showing new clients just how powerful therapeutic touch can be in their lives. So, as always, thank you all for being with us on this journey!

That’s all for now. Wishing you and yours a happy, restful, and connective holiday.

With care,
Mrs. Bob