One of things I am very conscious about in my practice, is the way that I approach a new client. Since I also work with people who are living with trauma, I often think I am maybe too aware of the issues of touch in the practice of massage.
One would think that if a person comes to a therapist, they are ready to be touched. That is not always the case. Each of you have your reasons why you choose the type of therapist that you do and under what conditions. For example, you can choose to go to a chain, like Massage Envy, a neighborhood wellness center that's been around a while, a massage school, a spa or a private therapist. The reasons vary, depending on what your ideas of the experience are and what you're seeking.
Curiously, many of the clients who have found me online are folks who have never received massage in their life. So the touch approach, I think, is even more important. One has to be very aware of the speech, the pressure and ensuring that the massage is what the client wants and not what I, the therapist, think they need. It's often a very fine line.
And many times, I've heard others say, "The idea of someone strange touching me freaks me out," when asked why they're never received a massage. As with everything... to each their own. But if you have considered getting a massage, especially in these particularly trying times or if you've even just wondered about how you can let go a bit with your current therapist, this article raises some interesting points for therapists, which i think are also helpful for potential clients.
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