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 featured, 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 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.

August 12, 2010 in Coaching, Wellness by empoweringwellness

Rewarding (not so) bad behavior

Every day, we are bombarded with endless advice about how to live our lives, what to eat, what not to eat, how much we should exercise, and more. As an Intrinsic Coach, people come to me asking for help and advice on a myriad of topics, such as,

- I need to find time to exercise more
- I want to improve my diet
- I want to achieve greater balance in my life

All of these things are good. We should try to exercise and eat the “right” things. and we definitely need balance in our personal, professional, and spiritual lives. But sometimes, I want to pull a “Steven Slater” if I receive just one more “self-help” tip from some guru or coach.

So, I was really encouraged when I saw this article that highlights new research that shows that these 6 “naughty” habits may actually be good for you!

1. Getting pissed off can keep stress in check – Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that anger — as opposed to fear or anxiety — can prompt your brain to release less cortisol, the powerful stress hormone linked to problems like obesity, bone loss, and heart disease.

2. Downing coffee could cut your cancer risk – Studies show that drinking daily joe may minimize your risk for Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

3. Being a slob may help you breathe easier – Environmental and internal medicine expert Kenneth Rosenman, M.D., says you should focus on keeping your home reasonably clean, not entirely pristine.

4. Drinking beer may benefit your heart and bones – Go ahead, crack open that brewski: Research indicates that beer could be an even better heart-disease fighter than red wine, says Charles Bamforth, Ph.D.

5. Surfing the Internet might tune up your brain – A new study at the University of California at Los Angeles found that just one week of frequent Web browsing can fire up your brain’s complex-reasoning hubs.

6. Chewing gum can keep you trim – Recent research shows that chomping on gum — ever so politely, of course — can improve both short- and long-term memory (scientists are still figuring out exactly why).

So, go ahead. Have a beer. Eat some chocolate, Don’t make your bed today, and spend time on Facebook chatting with your friends. As your mom or grandmother might have said, most things are ok for you as long as you practice a little moderation!

Peace.

June 18, 2010 in Emotional Healing, featured by empoweringwellness

Resources for Victims of Domestic Violence and Abuse

I am republishing a section of an article I wrote last year titled Reclaiming Your Body and Spirit – Loving Touch and Trauma Recovery. This is very important information if you are a victim.

Where to turn for help:

You’re scared. You’re frightened. You feel alone and feel that you have no place to go.
But, you are not alone and you can get help. Most major metropolitan areas have rape crisis centers. There are also resources for domestic violence.

In an emergency: Call 911 if you need immediate assistance of if you’ve already been hurt.

For advice and support: If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of domestic violence, perpetrators, friends and families. Help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services.

For rape or sexual assault: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization. At any given moment, more than 1,100 trained volunteers are on duty and available to help victims at RAINN-affiliated crisis centers across the country.

To reach a qualified counselor for help, call 1-800-656-HOPE.

For a safe place to stay: Contact your state’s branch of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence or another local organization. For contact information, visit their site.

If you are being abused please remember:

• You are not to blame for being battered or mistreated.
• You are not the cause of your partner’s abusive behavior.
• You deserve to be treated with respect.
• You deserve a safe and happy life.
• Your children deserve a safe and happy life.
• You are not alone. There are people waiting to help.

If you are a survivor, it is indeed possible to reclaim your body and reconnect to your spirit. It takes courage, and it can be done.