Speak Your Mind
Who needs a massage the most?
Stressed-out, single mothers with one or more children—they don't have a partner to unload some of the burdens throughout the day or someone's shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough. They can have time to be listened to; to unburden their weary souls; to be pampered, soothed, eased, and just totally relaxed, knowing that this time is just for them.
Ceidre Culverwell
London, England
I have to say, we do. As MTs/healers/bodyworkers, we tend to take care of everyone else and neglect our own health. My goal last June was to make sure I got regular massages. Although I didn't make it to the table most months, I did make it to the chair. If I'm in good health, then I can continue my work with family, friends, and clients.
La'arni Ayuma
Austin, Texas
I work at a pain clinic, and being able to help my clients decrease their use of painkillers and improve their quality of life is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I also work with a lot of elderly people who have lost their loved ones and haven't been touched in years. I love that I can be the person who gives them touch, love, and compassion, even if it's only for an hour.
Ali Nicholson
Cazenovia, New York
I believe it's our returning veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. The government far too often disregards these people's well-being after deployment. I see a great need to help them integrate back into society in a way that will help them become closer to the person they were before being subjected to the tragedies of war. We can help where others cannot.
Jeff Bergey
Jackson, Michigan
Maybe it's the college students who, research shows, are more stressed than ever, or young parents who struggle to balance so many things. Maybe it's the dancers, football players, or runners who use their muscles to the max. No, it must be the person who sits at a desk for 40 hours or more per week. Wait, it's construction workers and others who do physical work.
I can't say who needs a massage the most, but I am quite sure who deserves it the most—people undergoing treatment for cancer. Since I learned the basics of oncology massage, I have never been so convinced of the value—and the beauty—of massage therapy. Once you have gently touched someone who has become accustomed to the pokes, prods, and pain of cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, and they react with a smile, or a sigh of relief, or a simple "thank you," you will agree.
Janice Valverde
Venice, Florida
Those who are conscious of their bodies.
Colleen Fletcher
Boise, Idaho
From Facebook
Office workers. I think the lack of movement in their job allows for fascia to get tight and certain muscles shortened. People who move get achy, but at least they are active.
Lisa Smith
What about men in our society? Most men do not understand that touch can be so healing, that they shouldn't be scared of it, and that getting a massage does not make you weak.
Gregory Phillips
Anyone who breathes.
Jared Fox
The person who's never had one.
Nick Panos
Survivors of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Unfortunately, they are also the least likely to seek massage.
Katie Thimineur
Teens and adolescents. They are dealing with a lot.
Lisa Guidici
First, congress. Then they will create a national provision for a doctorate in massage therapy, crack down on frauds and prostitutes, and subsidize monthly treatments for seniors, vets, nurses, police, firefighers, EMTs, etc., or just cover it for all working-class people. Problem solved.
Christopher Giotta
Massage therapists need it the most!
Answered by: Gloria Coppola, Lindsay Correll, Debbie Dehm, Melissa Hammond Desjardin, Nick Elias, Heather Epstein, Shari Ford, Ken Gabriel, Eileen Gayle, Eric Hawkins, Renee Hicks, Patricia Laakson, Misty Martinez, Mars Mason, Cortney McLellan, Christina McMakin-Ulbrich, Kathryn Roman, Tonia Sampley, Joye Sewell, Renee Solano-Szuba, Janet Wickell, and counting...
Everyone needs a massage!
Answered by: Stephanie Breustedt,
Melissa Easley,
Leila Mahler,
Gary Markley,
Nathalie Pacheco,
Carol Rathgeber,
and counting...
Let us hear your thoughts!
Speak Your Mind in Massage & Bodywork
Speak Your Mind is a column in each issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine, providing practitioners a voice on a particular topic relating to the field. We'll provide the topic, then you give us your expert opinion. Your submission can be as short as you'd like and up to 250 words. However, due to space constraints, we may edit your material to a suitable length. Submission of a piece does not guarantee inclusion in Massage & Bodywork, but we will post all suitable submissions online at www.abmp.com and www.massageandbodywork.com.
Upcoming Topics:
What massage teacher (past or present) would you most like to learn from?
Deadline: June 15, 2013
Publication Date: September/October 2013
Kids say the darnedest things: massage edition
Deadline: August 15, 2013
Publication Date: November/December 2013
Please email your Speak Your Mind submissions (200 words or less) to darren@abmp.com or visit the Massage & Bodywork group on Massageprofessionals.com. Submission does not guarantee inclusion. Also, due to space constraints, your material may be edited.
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