January 10, 2012 in Aroma Touch Therapy, Energy Work, Essential Oils, Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Complementary and alternative medicine – some basics

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to healing modalities that don’t fall into conventional Western medical philosophy, including bodywork, acupuncture, herbology, homeopathy and mind/body techniques. CAM is becoming a more familiar term as approximately 125 million Americans suffering from chronic illness — arthritis, back pain, hypertension, and depression — look for solutions that conventional medicine can’t provide.

“Complementary” modalities are used together with conventional medicine, such as utilizing aromatherapy to lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery. “Alternative” modalities are used in place of conventional medicine, such as using herbs to treat stomach upset rather than taking pharmaceuticals. And the merging of alternative and conventional medicine is referred to as “integrative medicine,” connoting the idea of combining the best of both healing philosophies.

CAM is continually gaining the respect of the Western medical system, as indicated by the nearly 100 medical schools now offering courses in alternative therapies. The University of Arizona is an exceptional model of such a school, offering the nation’s only postgraduate, two-year Program in Integrative Medicine (PIM). Founded in 1994, PIM is designed to teach small groups of physicians how to integrate holistic modalities into their practices. These doctors are committed to a fundamental redesign of medical education including such principles as:

- Appropriate use of conventional and alternative methods to facilitate the body’s innate healing response

- Consideration of all factors that influence health, including mind, spirit, and community

- A philosophy that neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine uncritically

For more information and research about CAM, visit the nonprofit Alternative Medicine Foundation.

January 4, 2012 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Lymphatic Drainage – A Natural Immune System Boost

Lymphatic Drainage Massage Helps Fight Infection.

Does your immune system work overtime? If so, you might want to give it a boost by seeing a massage therapist or bodyworker trained in lymphatic drainage therapy. This technique can boost your immunity by increasing the production of antibodies, stimulating circulation, moving congestion out of the body, and reducing swelling, especially after surgery.

The lymphatic system supports our body’s immune function and involves several organs, glands, and tissues, hundreds of lymph nodes, and a network of vessels. A clear lymph fluid flows through these vessels and carries the metabolic waste (bacteria, dead cells, fats, fluids, proteins, and viruses) to the lymph nodes, where it is filtered. These nodes often swell when we are sick.

The lymphatic drainage techniques used by massage therapists and bodyworkers gently stimulate lymph nodes, help correct swelling and stagnation in those nodes, reduce local fluid retention, boost the overall immune system, and provide relaxation. As an essential tool in the treatment of lymphedema (excess lymphatic fluid), this therapy is often applied postoperatively and can be especially beneficial for breast cancer patients.

Administering this treatment requires advanced training and is performed with gentle, massage-like strokes. There should be no discomfort involved, in fact, you may feel you are hardly being worked on at all.

Aftercare
After your lymphatic drainage treatment, it’s possible you could feel some mild, flu-like symptoms, depending on how much strain your body has been under prior to treatment. This strain may be due to environmental pollutants, medication, and diet. Most people leave a session simply feeling relaxed, but if you don’t feel at the top of your game, drink plenty of water, limit your salt intake, and stay physically active.

Lymphatic drainage is one way to give your wellness a boost in a busy world that makes many demands on your immune system.

I incorporate lymphatic drainage into most of my massage therapy sessions with my clients. Help boost your immune system and schedule a session with me today!

January 3, 2012 in Body image, Massage Therapy by empoweringwellness

Massage Therapy for Teenagers

Bodywork Can Ease Adolescent Angst

While teens may be less likely than their parents to go to a massage therapist, there are plenty of reasons why this age group should be encouraged to give it a try. The benefits of massage are well documented, among them relief of muscle tension, lowered stress hormones, increased sense of relaxation, improved immune function, and even a heightened ability to concentrate, according to studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. But for teenagers, there’s an additional payback.

The teenage body is in the midst of transformation — exponential growth and development in a rapid period of time. On the physical side, teens may be at increased risk for aches, pains, and injury. Many teens strain their bodies with competitive sports, get erratic sleep, and consume a less-than-optimal diet. Massage can help muscles recover from overuse, and help balance the body and maintain that stability.

Perhaps even more crucial, teen massage can help improve body image and sleep patterns, and contribute to decreased depression, anxiety, and stress. This keeps a teen connected to her body, even as it morphs in confounding ways. “Many teens are self-conscious, and not happy with their bodies,” says Eeris Kallil, massage therapist and shiatsu instructor at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy, in Colorado. “Massage can help teens stay grounded.” Bodywork has also been reported to help mediate eating disorders, a growing concern among teens.

Another potential plus: A beneficial, therapeutic relationship can develop between bodyworkers and teenagers during the years when adolescents need adult confidantes, but keep parents at a distance. The practitioner can become a supportive, trusted adult in a teen’s life. And the session itself, according to Kallil, can be a way to deal with all the physical and emotional turmoil of this tender age.

Book a session with me today using my online scheduling system.

Save $10 to $20 off your first session!

December 30, 2011 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Massage Therapy – A Cornerstone of Health

Why Now, More Than Ever, You Need a Massage – While you may be tempted to trim your wellness budget when economic times are tough, now more than ever, massage should play a role in reducing stress and strengthening the health of Americans.

When you feel your best, you are more likely to be able to face the challenges difficult times present. With greater health and peace of mind, you can face difficulties with poise, clarity of purpose, and strengthened emotional reserves.

Truly, massage is more than a luxury–it’s a vital part of self-care that has a positive ripple effect on us as we work, play, relax, live life, and care for others.

Invest In Yourself, Invest in Those You Love
In economically challenging times, it is vital to invest in preventative health care. The last thing you want is to get sick, have to take time off of work, and pay expensive medical bills. Staying healthy means maintaining your ability to take whatever life has to throw at you. Besides lowering stress levels and, in turn, reducing the risk of stress-related illnesses, massage also boosts immunity, helping you fight colds, flu, and other viral infections.

Here is a sampling of a long list of bodywork benefits:

- Ease anxiety.- Reduce the flow of stress hormones.- Improve sleep.- Boost the immune system.- Build energy levels.- Reduce fatigue.- Foster concentration.- Increase circulation.- Develop self-esteem.- Reduce frequency of headaches.- Release endorphins.

And if you think about it, massage is an excellent value. The price of massage has remained stable in recent years, as the cost of movies, dining out, and sports events has risen. Which of these has the power to improve your health and your outlook on life?

The positive effects of regular massage can have far-reaching effects in many areas of your life.

At Home
Massage therapy will also help families under stress create healthier households with clear-thinking and more relaxed moms and dads. Children are very sensitive and often pick up on tension in a household, parents who are taking care of themselves are more likely to be better caregivers and provide a sense of security to their kids. This goes for caregivers of aging parents and other family members.

At Work
The health benefits of massage can help forestall illnesses and lost work time, especially when you may be asked to produce more with fewer resources. Decision-making skills will be better and your performance is likely to be improved with a clear focus and more energy.

A hint for the boss: Research shows employees exhibit less stress and improved performance when given twice-weekly, 15-minute massages in the office!

For Health Conditions
Those with already existing health conditions can continue to reap benefits in the following ways. And proactively caring for health through massage may help reduce costly doctor visits and use of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Research shows:
- Massage can reduce sports-related soreness and improve circulation–good to know when you may be exercising more to reduce stress.

- Deep-tissue massage is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients receiving massage also have less pain, depression, anxiety, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep problems.

- Massage reduces symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

- Oncology patients show less pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression following massage therapy.

- Stroke patients show less anxiety and lower blood pressure with massage therapy.

- Massage therapy is effective is reducing postsurgical pain.

- Alzheimer’s patients exhibit reduced pacing, irritability and restlessness after neck and shoulder massage.

- Labor pain. Massage during labor appears to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles and help block pain. Some medical professionals believe massage also reduces tearing, shortens labor, reduces the need for medication and shortens hospital stays.

- Preterm babies receiving massage therapy gain more weight and have shorter hospital stays than infants not receiving massage.

- Massage is beneficial in reducing symptoms associated with arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, and premenstrual syndrome.

There is now a body of research to support the benefits listed above. But there’s no greater testimonial than the person who is a regular receiver of massage. The first-hand experience of bodywork clients largely echo the same sentiment: bodywork enhances quality of life, and the return on your investment is great.

While bodywork feels like a luxurious mini-vacation, and you should by all means enjoy it, there is an actual physical need for massage. Maintaining a regular massage schedule will help you operate at your peak level–whether it be at work, at home, or at play. Invest in yourself, and book a massage today.

December 14, 2011 in Essential Oils, Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Massage and Bodywork Goes Beyond Relaxation

As you lie on the table under crisp, fresh sheets, hushed music draws you into the moment. The smell of sage and other essential oils fills the air and you hear the gentle sound of massage oil being warmed in your therapist’s hands. Once the session gets underway, the daily stressors and aching muscles fade into an oblivious 60 minutes of relief, and all you can comprehend right now is not wanting it to end.

But what if that hour of massage did more for you than just take the pressures of the day away? What if that gentle, Swedish massage helped you combat cancer? What if bodywork helped you recover from a strained hamstring in half the time? What if your sleep, digestion, and mood all improved with massage and bodywork? What if these weren’t just “what if’s”?

Evidence is showing that the more massage you can allow yourself, the better you’ll feel. Here’s why:

Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. Touching is a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and for conveying compassion and support. When you bump your head or have a sore calf, the natural response is to rub it to feel better. The same was true of our earliest ancestors.

Healers throughout time and throughout the world have instinctually and independently developed a wide range of therapeutic techniques using touch. Many are still in use today, and with good reason. We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage — benefits ranging from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles. Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind — there are specific physiological and psychological changes that occur, and even more so when massage is utilized as a preventative, frequent therapy and not simply mere luxury. Massage not only feels good, but it can cure what ails you.

The Fallout of Stress
Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Massage and bodywork is there to combat that frightening number by helping us remember what it means to relax. The physical changes massage brings to your body can have a positive effect in many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage lowers blood pressure, increases circulation, improves injury recovery, encourages deep sleep, and increases concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy to handle stressful situations.

Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or heightened awareness of the present moment, massage can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace.

The incredible benefits of massage are doubly powerful if taken in regular “doses.” Researchers from the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami, found that recipients of massage can benefit even in small doses (15 minutes of chair massage or a half-hour table session). They also note that receiving bodywork two to three times a week is even more beneficial. While this may not be feasible, it’s nice to know that this “medicine” only gets better with frequency.

What It Does
In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive, and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Following is a brief list of the many known, research-based benefits of massage and bodywork:

- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs,

- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer. Furthermore, increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ — the skin,

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles,

- Reduces spasms and cramping,

- Increases joint flexibility,

- Reduces recovery time and helps prepare the body for strenuous workouts, reducing subsequent muscle pain of athletes at any level,

- Releases endorphins — the body’s natural painkiller — and is proving very beneficial in patients with chronic illness, injury, and post-op pain,

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred,

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain,

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication,

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion,

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as reduces the need for medication, eases postpartum depression and anxiety, and contributes to a shorter hospital stay.

The benefits of massage are diverse. No matter how great it feels, massage isn’t just a luxury, it’s a health necessity.

Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.

December 9, 2011 in Body image, Emotional Healing, Massage Therapy by empoweringwellness

Stop Judging Your Beautiful Self

My recent article and video about Lomi Lomi massage has sparked a discussion about body image. Today, I’m featuring an article written by Rebecca Jones who is a colleague from the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) association. Rebecca continues the discussion here with her article about the positive impact that touch therapy can have on body image.

Massage Fits You (yes, YOU!)
Rebecca Jones

Sol Benson loathed her body. It went beyond mere embarrassment at how “fat” she was. Deeper still was the conviction that her body was unworthy of love, underserving of nurturing.

And it was that alienation from her own body that for years kept Benson, a professional dancer who has waged a lifelong battle with anorexia, from getting massage. “I stayed away because getting a massage was being good to myself,” said the 45-year-old Colorado mother of two, whose own mother and brother are massage therapists. “If I’m on a weight loss cycle, it’s like ‘I don’t deserve love, I don’t deserve food, I don’t deserve to feel good about myself.’”

Benson credits Mary Rose–a Boulder, Colorado, massage therapist who has developed a special style of acupressure for the physically fragile–with understanding her psychological fragility enough to help her turn massage into a tool for healing, rather than a doorway to despair.

It was the tender care from Rose, Benson explains, that helped the process. Her nonjudgmental ways helped Benson maintain balance. If, however, Rose had brought up weight, or in this case, the lack thereof, Benson admits it could have sent her into another purging cycle.

Managing Body Image
Benson’s story illustrates just how complex the issues of body image can be in 21st century America and just how valuable bodywork is in mending distorted body image.

Developing a positive body image is about becoming present, grounded, open, aware, and unafraid to find what’s at the core and work through it. It’s about being mindful, and listening to what your body has to say–a big step on the way to a healthier lifestyle and not necessarily an easy one to take. It requires courage and hard work to learn self-acceptance. And bodywork can play a key role in this endeavor.

With America in the grip of an obesity epidemic–while at the same time holding up waif-like thinness as a cultural ideal–many people are worried about excess pounds and the harsh judgments that accompany them. Embarrassment at the thought of uncovering imperfect bodies for the close contact of a massage or bodywork session drives away untold numbers of potential clients.

The problem isn’t limited to issues of weight. Many people avoid massage because of embarrassment about acne, surgical scars, birthmarks they consider unsightly, or some other physical deformity or flaw.

“A really common one is, ‘I have such ugly feet,’” Rose says. “I always laugh and say that in 20 years, I haven’t seen an ugly foot yet. People just have bad attitudes about their feet. In general, people are so self-judgmental.”

Relax, Really
Massage therapists specialize in the human body. They don’t judge. Rather, they see anatomy.

“This is something that’s so prevalent and something we deal with daily,” says Jonathan Burt, 27, a Detroit massage therapist and massage instructor. “I can’t tell you how often I’ve heard, ‘I have to wait until I get into shape before I come in for a massage.’ Clients think they have to be in shape before they can relax.” Newsflash: Relaxation is not exclusive to model body types.

Given the increased blood flow that results from massage, as well as the benefits to the lymphatic and other body systems, Burt believes overweight people and others who suffer from limited mobility are the people most likely to benefit from a good massage. That’s why he especially treasures his larger clients.

The idea of taking your clothes off for a massage is often more intimidating than the reality. In fact, practitioners make draping an art form, ensuring the client doesn’t feel exposed. And by the way, says Burt, you’re not the only imperfect body around here. “We all have flaws,” says Burt, who gave his first massage at age seven, when his grandmother, a double amputee, asked him to massage her stumps. “Myself, I’m not the American Gladiator. I inform people I have flaws as well, and I’d be more than willing to help them overcome their self-consciousness.”

Viewpoint: Compassion
We’re all in this together, and your massage therapist is operating from a place of compassion. Your practitioner is there to create and hold a safe space for you. Says Charlie Murdach, 38, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire, massage therapist, “For me, it’s meeting the person where that person is and addressing that person in an appropriate and compassionate way.”

Murdach, who has been a massage therapist since 1990, says he has yet to meet a potential client that he can’t help, regardless of that person’s physical condition. He believes this is due to the massage therapist’s ability to avoiding forcing anything, but to also being open to the possibility that miracles can happen.

Murdach explains your practitioner’s role: “Whatever is going on with that person, whether it’s a deformity or some type of disability, I make sure I can step up and hold the waters calm for that person. It doesn’t matter if they’re missing an arm, or have a deformed hand, the person who is standing there desires to move forward.”

Getting a massage can do wonders for body image and help bridge the disconnect between the physical and emotional. A wounded psyche can lead you to believe you don’t deserve a massage, and this is when you need it the most!

Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.

November 28, 2011 in Emotional Healing, Energy Work, Massage Therapy by empoweringwellness

Massage Therapy – Healing through the scars

In my post today, I continue on my theme from last week on the positive effects of regular bodywork and massage on body image.

Healing through the scars

A negative body image is not necessarily about those few extra pounds on the hips. It might instead be tied to the scars of past injuries and surgeries. Massage can help here, too. For example, for burn victims, research has shown massage can help in the healing process, while for postsurgery breast cancer patients, massage and bodywork can reintegrate a battered body and spirit. And of course, in the case of physical or sexual abuse, massage therapy helps to reconnect the client with her body.

In addition to softening scar tissue and speeding postsurgery recovery, or helping to heal the trauma of violence and abuse, massage therapy and bodywork is about respect, reverence, and learning to look at, and beyond, the scars.

The Value of Touch

Touch is a powerful ally in the quest for physical and mental health. It not only can help you be more in tune with your body, but it can help create a sense of wellness and “wholeness” that is often lost in our segmented, over scheduled lives. When we regain that connection, it’s much easier to remember that our bodies are something to be cherished, nurtured, and loved, not belittled, betrayed, and forgotten.

Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.

November 22, 2011 in Massage Therapy, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

Would you ever see a male massage therapist?

As a male massage therapist, I’m in the minority in my field. While the numbers are always changing, less than 20 percent of all certified massage therapists in the United States are male. Massage therapy is a field that is dominated by women and some of my male colleagues report of “gender bias” when it comes to finding jobs. They claim that job opportunities for the male massage therapist are harder to come by than for female therapists.

It is impossible for me to say how many women won’t come to see me because I am a man. I will never know that. But, I can also say that I’ve developed a vibrant practice that focuses on women’s health issues. 100 percent of my clients are women, and the majority of them have been seeing me for years now. So for me, I can say that being a man in a profession dominated by women has not been a significant problem.

The difference between men and women therapists

I think there are a number of myths when it comes to male and female therapists. One of the common myths is that men are stronger and can give a deeper massage. I can tell you that nothing is farther from the truth. Doing deep tissue work is more about using proper technique than shear strength. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the ability to do deep work. I have personally received some of the best deep tissue work from small, female massage therapists.

Another myth involves the ability to nurture. While it is probably true that women are usually more associated with nurturing and caring, men can embrace this side of their personality as well. In fact, I think I have been successful in working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence because I embrace that nurturing side. What clients are able to experience (maybe for the first time), is what I call “balanced male energy.” They are able to feel the strength of traditional male energy, but it is balanced by the warm, caring female energy. This duality exists in all of us, and when a male massage therapist is able to tap into it, it creates a powerful healing environment.

Respect for boundaries and being professional

Male massage therapists are held to the same educational, licensing and ethical standards as female therapists. I belong to three professional massage therapy associations, and members are required to agree to abide by a code of ethics and standards of conduct.

Establishing professional boundaries and respecting the limits of clients is an absolute must. For me, that means creating a safe and sacred space for each client, and holding them within that space. It means respecting the story and history of each client, and working within the limits and comfort level of each client. This is especially important when working with clients who have a history of abuse or trauma. Caring touch can help these clients begin the healing process, but it has to be introduced on their terms and at their pace.

At the end of the day, the decision on whether or not you would see a male massage therapist is completely up to you, the client. But I can say with absolute certainty that this male massage therapist works very hard to create an environment of acceptance and non-judgment for every client. She is the focus of the attention, and during each session, she is the most important person in the room.

Take the poll! Would you ever see a male massage therapist?

November 17, 2011 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

The impact of popular culture on body image

My recent article and video about Lomi Lomi massage has sparked a discussion about body image. In my post yesterday, I talk about the positive impact of touch therapy on body image.

Today, my readers have a special treat. I’d like to introduce my friend and fellow blogger Jennifer Youn. In today’s post, Jennifer shares her first-hand experience dealing with body-image issues as well as her thoughts on how the media and popular culture affects our perceptions of our bodies and ourselves.

Exposed to unrealistic body ideals at an early age

I remember doing research on the topic of body image as a senior in high school. My thesis was “How does popular culture infuence views on body image?” It was a detailed discussion about how women are constantly exposed to a world of unattainable beauty/body ideals via the media. I mentioned to Fred the other day that there is an overwhelming pressure on young women to be size 0′s. The impact of the media and popular culture is enormous. There are some estimates that up to 80 percent of American women are unhappy with their appearance.

It starts at an early age. Toys like Barbie influence the body image of millions of girls all around the world. The retail shopping experience also affects our sense of what is normal. It’s funny to me that when I see a pair of pants I like and there is a greater number of size 0-2′s than normal sizes 4 or larger. I was never a size 0 (except for a brief time in the 6th grade) and I would never want to be either. The point is we, as women, have power over these giant industries because ultimately we dictate what / how their business is trending.

Trends. It’s what the fashion labels try to create season after season and year after year. If body image was a brand, skinny would be a long, ongoing trend. The question is, who’s setting the trend? If the average woman in America is a size 14, clearly there is a huge discrepency between fantasy and reality. If people want to start talking about the 99 percent and 1 percent, maybe we should start an “Occupy Supermodels” movement. It’s called genetics and a lot of them would rather do crack and be completely miserable than to eat whatever they please and actually enjoy life. Personally, I have a HUGE problem with that.

I enjoy being a size 6. I enjoy having curves. I enjoy eating. I enjoy being a real woman. So does my boyfriend.

How has popular culture affected your view of your own body?

If you are a parent, do you talk to your daughter about body image? What do you say and do to reinforce a positive self image?

Massage therapy can have a very positive affect on body image. Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.

November 16, 2011 in Emotional Healing, featured, Massage Therapy by empoweringwellness

The positive impact of caring touch on body image

I recently posted an article on Lomi Lomi, which is an ancient Hawaiian form of massage that has been passed down from family member to family member for several thousand years. It’s a very beautiful and flowing form of bodywork and healing that involves long, full strokes across the entire length of the body. And traditionally, the draping used in Lomi Lomi is minimal compared with what we have become used to in the United States.

Several of my readers commented to me that they would feel very uncomfortable with Lomi Lomi (especially after having viewed the video that I include in the post), because they were very self-conscious about their body, their weight and so on. And that started a whole discussion around body image, hence this post.

I hope that this will be the first in many articles on the topic of body image. I will also invite guest bloggers to weigh in on the topic as well. My friend, Jennifer Youn will be one of those guest writers and what has prompted her to write on the topic is the overwhelming pressure young girls put on themselves to be a size 0. So, look forward to Jennifer’s posts here soon.

I will approach the topic of body image from a slightly different perspective – from that of a massage therapist who has worked on thousands of women over the years. My perspective is also that massage therapy and bodywork, when performed by a caring, sensitive and competent therapist encourages awareness of the body just as much as it enhances our ability to ground ourselves and to relax.

The book Body Image: A Handbook of Theory, Research and Clinical Practice describes massage therapy as a “somatic (of the body) approach that is helpful in positively affecting body image by helping the client to reconnect to the body in a very concrete manner.” That reconnection and the ability to establish a positive experience through caring touch is at the core of the work that I have done with trauma victims and survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence.

Imaginal massage

A recent article published by Massage and Bodywork Magazine suggests an exercise called “imaginal massage.” This exercise involves the client visualizing a massage occurring, with the healing hands of the therapist as a means of accepting her own body. The client can also use this technique during the actual massage session by imagining the healing and affirmative energy being transferred into her body.

Love your body, love your belly

Every muscle in our body has a beginning point and ending point. We call this the origin and insertion. I believe that the origin and insertion of our soul lies within our belly, and gentle abdominal massage is an important part of my work. Unfortunately, it’s not practiced that widely in the US anymore. The belly is a very sensitive area for women and many are not used to having it touched.

Eastern cultures view this part of the body as the source of our intrinsic energy – the source of life. The Japanese call this the Hara, and they believe that our vital spirit resides within it – specifically at a point just below the navel called the “Tan-Den.”

In addition to gentle abdominal massage, I encourage my clients to perform a simple exercise that I call “love your body, love your belly.” I suggest that they do this when they are in the shower in the morning or at night. This exercise will help connect your with your body, and helps to improve the overall condition of your body.

Start the exercise by placing one hand just below and the other just above your navel. Begin gently rubbing your belly in a clockwise, circular motion (from left to right). Allow your breathing to come from your belly by filling it with air and slowly letting it out. This helps to engage the thoracic diaphragm. Feel your breath as it expands into the depths of your belly. As you exhale, draw the belly in, letting the energy circulate throughout your body. As you perform this exercise, if you notice any part of your body where there is pain or tension, allow the breath to come into that spot in your body, and as you exhale, allow the breath to take the pain and tension away.

Massage therapy and body image

Receiving regular bodywork is a way for you to revere and care for your body. It helps to nurture the connection between your mind and body and helps you to begin the process of accepting yourself exactly as you are. A sensitive massage therapist, using caring touch, can help you to bridge that connection. Your therapist will hold a sacred space for you as you make that journey.

Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.