Integrating Past & Present

Thinking back over the last 23 years brings me face to face with all the changes that have occurred in my field since I began working in Massage Therapy in 1989.

In 1989 there was no National Certification for massage therapists and Arizona did not have state licensure for us either. Now I find more true professionals in the field and less hobbyists, which engenders trust in our prospective clients and recognition from health care providers. Great progress.

There was no internet, no email and few PCs so my office was awash with pages of information for me to give to clients, because there was not that much out there, readily available! Now I can either direct clients to sites for stretching, breathing, exercise, nutrition and general information about their condition. My clients are much better informed these days which makes working with them much easier and we can move along much quicker.

I resist online bookings still because I think that the initial back and forth between a new client and me gives us an invaluable opportunity to get to know each other a little. You can ask questions about my qualifications and expertise and I can find out where you heard about me and what we might be working on together.

Some of you will be familiar with another change that I redaily endorse. I think that some of those massage chairs, tables and gadgets are excellent. Not all of them are well thought out but some of them help my clients stay loose or keep out of spasm in-between appointments with me. I recommend the Knobble and the Back Buddy for working stubborn trigger points, or even a tennis ball or hard rubber ball. Many people get pain relief from using foam rollers of various sizes. Massage chairs can help ease away the days tension and give you a moment to catch your breath. Do your research and ask questions of manufacturerers.

One thing has not changed and that is our need for human touch and the incredible benefits of cumulative massage therapy. Contact a massage therapist today and start to take better care of yourself. High-level wellness is a goal for many; better health can be a goal for us all.