A Job You Love: Medical Massage
October 2nd, 2019 by Stephanie Farrer
I just finished writing the blog on Emotional Release. I tell you this to let you know that I’m so pumped, I’m still writing. I was really excited after collaborating with my friend Willow—she and I have always just clicked and we really wanted to start doing videos together because we always have the best talks. We are already making plans to get together in her office to do the next video. I have enjoyed having a blog for the practice so I could address aspects of massage therapy that might make people nervous, things that they may have questions about. (Side Note: before I was a massage therapist, I really wanted to be a writer. So, I’m living out that dream through this blog. So thank you.) These things are all really fun, but none of them are what really makes this a job that I love. I love this job because giving massages is FUN.
I have FUN at my JOB. The act of giving a massage is really fun, I like to view it as a treasure hunt or a puzzle that I get to try and solve. I go home tired at the end of the day, but even when I’m literally exhausted it’s because I’ve spent the day having fun. There’s nothing bad about giving massages, nothing that I can really think of. And working specifically in the medical massage arena is even MORE enjoyable.
There is no feeling I can think of than seeing someone feel BETTER after their massage. When a patient comes in and they are hurting, being able to help or even lift that pain away feels very gratifying. Even when you can’t “fix” a situation—just being there to empathize and provide any amount of relief or answers (even if it’s a referral to a healthcare professional with a different specialty) feels incredible. This is a job where you can see the outcome of what you do right away. Even when one massage won’t fix someone, you can tell when you are moving forward. That’s the whole goal: moving a patient FORWARD.
For the month of October, I have decided to do posts all about Medical Massage Therapy because I know that there is a lot of confusion about what Medical Massage actually is. According to the book named Medical Massage by Ross Turchaninov (Second Addition, Aesculapius Books, March 2006. ISBN 0-9675868-0-1), the “clinical effect of medical massage is based on local and reflex mechanisms. The local mechanisms are well known and include: the increase of arterial circulation, support of venous and lymph drainage, pain relief and the effect of massage on cellular function and metabolism.” What does this mean? Let’s look at each one.
The first, increase of arterial circulation, is pretty simple. Medical Massage increases circulation. This is a good thing, promoting oxygenation of the blood—which provides the cells and tissues of the body with much-needed nutrients—and stimulating a relaxation response. The second, support of venous and lymph drainage, means that fluids of the lymphatic system are able to better remove waste and toxins from the body. Another great thing.
The third benefit of Medical Massage, pain relief, is the entire mission of my practice. Medical Massage provides PAIN RELIEF for patients who struggle with muscular pain. Simple as that. I have a whole arsenal in my tool belt to provide relief from muscular pain. To open up the fascia, I use Silicone Cupping and Myofascial Release (a stretching/skin rolling technique). I utilize Neuromuscular, or Trigger Point, Therapy to release nodules (“knots”). After the muscle is relaxed, I often use stretching techniques to begin the process of retraining the muscles. But the most important thing that I use is my mind. I think of myself as both a problem-solver and a treasure hunter. Through palpation and knowledge, I hunt for the reasons behind muscular pain. When I find the problem, I use everything I know and can do to decrease it—with pain relief as the goal. The mission for my practice is to always be working to be BETTER, meaning I will continue to study and learn new methods of doing this.
The last mechanism, the effect of massage on cellular function and metabolism, is also extremely important. The better the cells function and metabolize (process), the better we grow and reproduce, maintain structure of our cells, and respond to environmental changes. Think about that. Medical Massage helps us respond better to environmental changes. Wow.
How could anyone dislike being able to do this for another? I feel honored to get these opportunities to do it. We both win when you feel better. I get to know that I have been helpful, but even more importantly to me—I love to watch you walk out of my office in a better place than when you walked in. Helping another, there’s nothing better. If you are experiencing muscular pain, I would love the opportunity to help you move toward feeling BETTER. Give me a call or send me a message.
As always, I truly appreciate you taking the time to read the posts on this blog. Come back each Wednesday morning in October for more posts on Medical Massage!
—Stephanie
A Job You Love: Medical Massage
October 2nd, 2019 by Stephanie Farrer
I just finished writing the blog on Emotional Release. I tell you this to let you know that I’m so pumped, I’m still writing. I was really excited after collaborating with my friend Willow—she and I have always just clicked and we really wanted to start doing videos together because we always have the best talks. We are already making plans to get together in her office to do the next video. I have enjoyed having a blog for the practice so I could address aspects of massage therapy that might make people nervous, things that they may have questions about. (Side Note: before I was a massage therapist, I really wanted to be a writer. So, I’m living out that dream through this blog. So thank you.) These things are all really fun, but none of them are what really makes this a job that I love. I love this job because giving massages is FUN.
I have FUN at my JOB. The act of giving a massage is really fun, I like to view it as a treasure hunt or a puzzle that I get to try and solve. I go home tired at the end of the day, but even when I’m literally exhausted it’s because I’ve spent the day having fun. There’s nothing bad about giving massages, nothing that I can really think of. And working specifically in the medical massage arena is even MORE enjoyable.
There is no feeling I can think of than seeing someone feel BETTER after their massage. When a patient comes in and they are hurting, being able to help or even lift that pain away feels very gratifying. Even when you can’t “fix” a situation—just being there to empathize and provide any amount of relief or answers (even if it’s a referral to a healthcare professional with a different specialty) feels incredible. This is a job where you can see the outcome of what you do right away. Even when one massage won’t fix someone, you can tell when you are moving forward. That’s the whole goal: moving a patient FORWARD.
For the month of October, I have decided to do posts all about Medical Massage Therapy because I know that there is a lot of confusion about what Medical Massage actually is. According to the book named Medical Massage by Ross Turchaninov (Second Addition, Aesculapius Books, March 2006. ISBN 0-9675868-0-1), the “clinical effect of medical massage is based on local and reflex mechanisms. The local mechanisms are well known and include: the increase of arterial circulation, support of venous and lymph drainage, pain relief and the effect of massage on cellular function and metabolism.” What does this mean? Let’s look at each one.
The first, increase of arterial circulation, is pretty simple. Medical Massage increases circulation. This is a good thing, promoting oxygenation of the blood—which provides the cells and tissues of the body with much-needed nutrients—and stimulating a relaxation response. The second, support of venous and lymph drainage, means that fluids of the lymphatic system are able to better remove waste and toxins from the body. Another great thing.
The third benefit of Medical Massage, pain relief, is the entire mission of my practice. Medical Massage provides PAIN RELIEF for patients who struggle with muscular pain. Simple as that. I have a whole arsenal in my tool belt to provide relief from muscular pain. To open up the fascia, I use Silicone Cupping and Myofascial Release (a stretching/skin rolling technique). I utilize Neuromuscular, or Trigger Point, Therapy to release nodules (“knots”). After the muscle is relaxed, I often use stretching techniques to begin the process of retraining the muscles. But the most important thing that I use is my mind. I think of myself as both a problem-solver and a treasure hunter. Through palpation and knowledge, I hunt for the reasons behind muscular pain. When I find the problem, I use everything I know and can do to decrease it—with pain relief as the goal. The mission for my practice is to always be working to be BETTER, meaning I will continue to study and learn new methods of doing this.
The last mechanism, the effect of massage on cellular function and metabolism, is also extremely important. The better the cells function and metabolize (process), the better we grow and reproduce, maintain structure of our cells, and respond to environmental changes. Think about that. Medical Massage helps us respond better to environmental changes. Wow.
How could anyone dislike being able to do this for another? I feel honored to get these opportunities to do it. We both win when you feel better. I get to know that I have been helpful, but even more importantly to me—I love to watch you walk out of my office in a better place than when you walked in. Helping another, there’s nothing better. If you are experiencing muscular pain, I would love the opportunity to help you move toward feeling BETTER. Give me a call or send me a message.
As always, I truly appreciate you taking the time to read the posts on this blog. Come back each Wednesday morning in October for more posts on Medical Massage!
—Stephanie
