MASSAGE WORLD The Massage and Body Therapists Magazine
£2.50 February 2004
Body Talk – your unique body story Pathology – part four Symptoms of Solitude 23
Therapy Time Bank Makes a Difference
calendar I industry I news & views I products I research I resource I directory I faq
welcome
MASSAGE WORLD EDITOR
Wendy Kavanagh
FEATURES WRITERS
Dr Rosita Arvigo Patricia Burke Su Fox Beverly Lutz, CBI, MSc
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Alex Demicheli Cassandra Hockey
SUB EDITOR & ADVERTISING
PUBLISHERS
editorial by Wendy Kavanagh
T
his is often the drab and dreary time of year, that long haul between Christmas and Easter with nothing to look forward to except bills, so this issue we have conjured up the sights and sounds of Central America with the excellent article on Mayan massage. I have always wanted to visit this part of the world and this issue and the next which documents James Earls trip to Peru have really given me wander lust.
C J Newbury NK Publishing
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
But enough of this, there are magazines to edit and exhibitions to attend - yes they have come around all too soon. Do take time out to visit us at the Mind, Body Spirit shows and at Olympia’s Professional Beauty and Vitality 2004.
UK / EU: £25 UK Student: £20 Rest of World: £40
With so much going on, I really need to take a dose of my own medicine and take some tips on scheduling from the Business Tools section.
Single Copies: £2.50 ISSN 1474-4171
how to contact us
We continue with Su Fox’s excellent series on Pathology for those of you that are studying or need a brush up and slowly wind our way to the end of the alphabet with the A to Z of therapies.
Massage World Diorama Arts Centre 34 Osnaburgh Street London NW1 3ND
By the next issue we will hopefully be in the midst of crocus, daffodils and other spring blooms to raise our spirits, energy levels and hopefully our client base. Roll on Spring!
T/F 020 7387 9111 E massageworld@btconnect.com DISCLAIMERS The publisher has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the accuracy of the information in Massage World and cannot accept responsibility for errors in or omissions from any information given in this or previous editions or for any consequences arising thereof. The Editor may not always agree with opinions expressed in Massage World but allow publication as a matter of interest, nothing printed should be construed as Policy or an Official Announcement unless stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means whether electronic, mechanical and/or optical without the express prior written permission of the publisher.
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Dec/Jan 2003/04 M|W
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“As a result of the advert, on the CThA Members Forum, I have one new holistic massage therapist who has joined the team and is very much appreciated by the clients� Donna Woodcock Massage Therapist
To find out how the CThA helped Donna and hundreds of other members last year just when they needed it, call a member of the CThA team on: 0845 202 2941or visit our website at: www.ctha.com
Professional help when you need it
contents Body Talk - your unique body story
feature 7
Beverly Lutz gives an insight into this simple, safe, non invasive system that will change the way you look at your body’s health care.
Pathology – part four
feature 10
Skin disorders and massage is the topic of this months pathology series by Su Fox.
Healing Wombs - Maya abdominal massage
feature 15
An interesting overview of a technique handed down from the great Mayan Shamans of Belize in Central America to Dr Rosita Arvigo.
Symptoms of Solitude
feature 28
How to cope with working in isolation. Although working from home or in a ‘one man’ clinic has it’s benefits, it isn’t always as easy as it is made out to be.
Therapy Time Bank Makes a Difference
feature 30
regulars
A way to provide voluntary treatments and make a difference in the community, in a way that is still financially viable for the therapist.
editorial
3
industry news and views
6
student faqs
21
a to z of therapies
23
research
26
product reviews
27
resource directory
32
calendar of events
34 February 2004 M|W
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newsviewsnewsviews Calm In The Classroom Hinde House Primary School in Sheffield has a new addition to the curriculum. For five minutes after lunch, the children at the school, massage each other. Nick Thompson, Assistant Headteacher although sceptical at first has now introduced massage as a regular part of classwork for foundation, infant and year three groups. So what changed his mind? Teachers say that its popularity has resulted in better learning. The end of last year saw an increase of 50% in terms of reading and writing abilities, which although may not be due solely to the introduction of massage, definitely helped concentration and learning, especially in the afternoons when pupils tend to become less focused. It is also a great bonding exercise between the children.
End Of An Era
The British Massage Therapy Council has come to an end after eleven years of constructive work. It was decided at the AGM to disband and put all their energies behind the General Council for Massage Therapy (GCMT) as it goes forward in the voluntary regulation process for massage therapy. The brainchild of Mario-Paul Cassar, the BMTC was formed on 21st September, 1992 with sixty representatives of massage therapy in the UK in attendance. It was formed in response to a need for an ‘umbrella’ representative body to the general public, Government, civil and medical bodies and was open to Massage Associations and Training Establishments. The original Aims and Objectives were all achieved during its eleven years and work done on Core Curriculum and Standards were passed on to the GCMT for further development. We should thank all the members of the Council over its lifetime for all
International Women’s Day 8 March 2004 March 8th sees a global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. A celebration of education and empowerment. First held on the 19 March, 1911 in Germany, Austria, Denmark and other European Countries, it has been a growing movement ever since. For details of various events being held on the day, visit: www.internationalwomensday.com 6
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Sorry you guys out there,there does not seem to be an International Men’s Day, however not to be outdone, you do have an International Men’s Month and an International Mens Health Week!
the hard work, time and experience they voluntarily donated to give massage therapy a professional profile and raise its awareness. Massage Therapy has come a long way in the last decade and there is no doubt that the BMTC played a large part in this progress.
Don’t Get Caught Out These days many of you use mobile telephones as your ‘mobile reception’ so this new warning recently put out by BT should be taken very seriously. A missed call will show on your mobile phone screen. The number is 0709 020 3840 - the last four digits may vary but the first four will always remain the same. If you return a call to this number it will cost you - wait for it - £50 per minute!
☎
Despite complaints it has been found that this is apparently completely legal. So beware..... do not call back 0709 numbers
@ Do email us your News & Views! massageworld@ massagelondon .co.uk
Your Unique Body Story
By Beverly Lutz, CBI,MSc Beverly Lutz is a certified BodyTalk System™ Instructor and has a Master of Science degree in Energy Medicine. She works fulltime in her practice in Calgary, Canada, and is also a Massage, CranioSacral and Emotional Release Therapist.
he BodyTalkSystem™ was developed in 1995 by Australian Dr John Veltheim, based on his background in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Western Medicine, Applied Kinesiology, Modern Physics, Mathematics, Advaita Philosophy & Yoga.
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Yo u r Story Your Unique Body Story - yes, I’m talking about your body and my body and everybody’s body on Earth!! This incredible totally unique machine, which is referred to as “you”, and which cannot be reproduced or manufactured by any science, has its own story, a story which belongs to you alone. In this story is the true wholeness of your Being, of your body, mind and spirit. Most of us seem to have this very real tendency to think of our physical bodies in quite an impersonal way. We expect them to function for us. Period! And we don’t give much thought to the natural process that is occurring every single second in our bodies, to keep us alive. Our hearts pump blood along the roadways of the arteries and veins, our liver and pancreas work as
partners in controlling our blood sugar, and as long as our lungs breathe in and breathe out, we are alive. All of these functions and hundreds more, are going on continuously without any contribution from you. The truth is, the human body is the most remarkable machine in existence. There is no computer that surpasses its capability. There is no mind brilliant enough to synthetically make a human. And there is no way to keep the body alive when its’ natural story is complete, and it is time for its passing.
Constant Communication Based on what we understand from quantum physics, and theorems such as Bells Theorem, it seems every single cell in your body is in constant communication with every other cell in your body. Isn’t that an amazing realisation? This means no one part of your body can function independently. With this constant communication comes a working together of the parts of your wholeness. Wholeness (holistic) means having all aspects of your body, mind and spirit in a state February 2004 M|W
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bodyfeature your unique body story of balance, harmony and wellness. On the contrary, when aspects of our body are not in full communication, when this communication has been compromised by the many forms of stresses of life, a state of disharmony then begins to manifest in the physical, emotional, and/or spiritual aspects of ones’ body. The manifestation of the imbalances might be in the form of digestive, hormonal, heart, skin or breathing problems. Or it might show with multiple symptoms such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, constant virus’, cancer or a myriad of other diseases.
W h a t Happens The basic premises underlying this system constitutes a new paradigm for synchronising and balancing the bodymind. The body is a very complex ecosystem involving a delicate balance between physiological and biochemical functions, emotional and mental interactions, environmental influences, hereditary and genetic restrictions, and the need to synchronise all these factors.This system is a combination which includes amongst other disciplines, advanced yoga, the energy dynamics of acupuncture, the clinical findings of applied kinesiology and Western medical expertise.
every single cell in your body is in constant communication with every other 8
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First of all it facilitates communication with the innate wisdom of the body by using neuromuscular biofeedback. This feedback provides the practitioner with a “yes” or “no” answer to any question that is asked of the body, thus giving accurate guidelines with regard to the body-mind requirements for optimum health Then, by following a comprehensive protocol of questions, the practitioner can establish exactly what balancing the body needs in order to harmonise bodymind function. The practitioner touches the parts needing repair and then uses fingers to gently tap the head of the client in
order to focus the brain towards repair. This “tapping” is based on Hatha Yoga technique; experiments with biofeedback apparatus show that when this tapping occurs while specific parts are being touched, there is a major increase in the brain activity in relation to those parts. The practitioner then lightly taps the chest to store the changes in the heart energy complex, which ensures that the new balance is held in deep memory and is, therefore lasting.
The Inate Wisdom Using the system, the Innate Intelligence of the body becomes the guide, and it tells the practitioner what links need to be repaired. Once we have this unique information, we then use the system to balance the indicated links which, in turn, restores the previous communication glitch. We then ask, and find out, what the next priority link is, and so on. The results of this process are truly phenomenal. Though we don’t yet have a scientific explanation for “how” this works, there is a knowing by the practitioners using this system that by tapping into the Innate Wisdom, and listening to what it tells us, we can assist the body in restoring itself in a holistic manner. As the balance of the body is enhanced, the body is capable of healing itself! If the body is asked, rather than being told, it will reveal the most intimate details of that person’s story through a sequence of links. And as this uniqueness unfolds, and the priority pieces get balanced, always as indicated by the body, the person begins to heal. There are no limits to this process. The wisdom of your body, when accessed, will truly create the miracles of healing!
Body Map Certain parts of our bodies have a tendency to hold certain kinds of
bodyfeature your unique body story emotions. This means when an experience has an emotional impact on us, this event can be stored unconsciously in the bodymind. Using the ancient Chinese medical model, the liver tends to store anger. The heart if often susceptible to depression, and the lungs might hang on to grief. Each of our organs, endocrines, and muscles, can grab and store experiences which have impacted us. We could say that our bodies are like a map of our lives! These are very simple examples, used just to help illustrate a point. The story becomes much bigger when we look at the consciousness and different personalities of our body parts. The reaction to the emotion is unique to each of our personal stories. For one person an experience will be just an experience and there will be no hanging on to it, while the seemingly same experience will be “charged” and stored by another person. Whether or not a life experience becomes stored depends on the current emotional state of the person, the uniqueness of that particular person’s history, and even his/her inherited emotions and tendencies, among other things. As these energies become stored we begin to experience less than optimal health, be it through physical and/or emotional symptoms. It is not possible for a practitioner, regardless of his/her skill and sensitivity, to be able to say what is “wrong” with the person. Of course there are very valid tests and methods that lead to a description of what is happening, and this description of what is going on is what we call the “diagnosis”. While it is possible to say what appears to be behind the valid diagnosis, who can say what is behind that apparent cause. In other words, behind the causes is the life story of each unique person. As it is not possible for another to read the life story of “you”, it begins to become feasible to see how the healing of the bodymind is a process unique to that person.
H o l i s tic Health Care The word “holistic” refers to the totality of a person. Most health practices, be they allopathic or complementary medicine, concentrate on the “problem” body part believing the source of the problem is related somehow to that particular area. The reality, however, is that the illness may be caused by something not related to the body part which is demonstrating the symptoms. On the contrary, by accessing the person’s story of how the life experiences have been stored in the body is what makes this system a truly holistic healthcare system. This means the body, mind and spirit levels become balanced according to the priority needs of that person, and once this happens it is possible for healing to occur on many levels. Join Beverly Lutz Certified BodyTalkSystem™ Instructor on her visit to London for a
Free Public Lecture Wednesday March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The Faulkner Hall, Maria Assumpta Centre, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN. (5 min from Kensington High Street tube station)
LONDON WORKSHOP MODULES: Module 1: March 5th (evening) March 6th and 7th Module 2: March 8th and 9th Venue: The Patterson Annexe, South Wimbledon Community Centre
FOR MORE DETAILS Contact Co-ordinator: Charlotte Nielsen 07811 321582 OR charlotte.bodytalk@btinternet.com www.bodytalksystems.com
Each of our organs endocrines and muscles can grab and store experiences February 2004 M|W
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Skin Disorders and Massage Pathology - Part Four Su Fox Su Fox is a psychotherapist, massage and craniosacral therapist in private practice in North London. She lectures in anatomy, physiology and pathology for The Massage Training Institute and Chiron Centre
ermatology is the name given to the study, diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders, some of which, like eczema, are very common and some very rare. There are so many types of rashes, spots, lesions and sores that it can be quite hard for a doctor in general practise to identify a skin condition accurately, so we certainly shouldn’t have expectations that we can tell our massage clients about their skin problems. However, it is important to know the names of the common disorders and whether or not a condition is contagious. Usually, someone with a chronic skin condition, one which is ongoing or recurring, will know it’s name, and will be able to give you information about it. Undiagnosed conditions require that you follow common sense guidelines for massage, and maybe refer your client to a doctor.
D
G e n e ral Guidelines When a medical condition is described as contagious, it means that it is an infection that is transmitted through direct skin contact, compared to an infection that is transmitted in food, water or breathed in from the air. Impetigo is a contagious condition, for example, but salmonella and viral 10
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pneumonia are not. However, not all skin infections are contagious. You can’t ‘catch’ spots or infected cuts although they do contain bacteria and are local contraindications. Areas of skin that are bleeding, broken or weeping fluid are also local contraindications, because body fluids (blood, lymph, pus) may contain infectious agents, which could be transmitted to the therapist or other parts of the client’s body, if there are cuts or openings in the skin. Cuts on the therapist’s hands and arms should be covered by a plaster or finger cot for this reason. (Finger cots look like mini condoms and are useful if a whole finger or thumb needs to be covered. They are available from good chemists). The general recommendations for most contagious skin conditions is that if only a small area is affected, it should be treated as a local contraindication, but if the area is extensive then it is advisable not to massage at all until the condition has been successfully treated. Hygiene is particularly important when treating clients with contagious skin conditions. If you use paper roll covering over a couch cover, it might be advisable to change the fabric couch cover as well as the paper
massagefeature skin disorders and massage cover. Always use clean towels and disinfect couch surfaces regularly.
B a c t erial infections
The psychological aspect of treating a client with a skin condition, particularly a severe or chronic one, needs to be taken into account. A person with chronic eczema, say, may feel very sensitive or embarrassed about the appearance of her skin, especially if she has had eczema since childhood and may have endured bullying or teasing, or been excluded from activities as a result. Such a person may be concerned that you might find her skin ugly, or be repulsed, or that you may not want to touch it, and may need reassurance. Many conditions are not contraindications to massage, but ask permission and negotiate with your client. Don’t assume that it’s just fine to massage.
Acne vulgaris
Infec t i o u s C o n d i t i o n s Infectious skin conditions fall into four groups according to the cause; bacterial, viral or fungal or parasitic. Bacteria are minute organisms, of varying shapes and sizes, with some of the characteristics of a cell. They are found everywhere; in the air, soil, water and on living creatures. Most bacteria are beneficial. The skin is home to millions of bacteria that destroy harmful organisms. Viruses are micro-organisms that cannot exist independently but need to find their way into the live cells of another organism where they use the food and energy resources of the cells multiply and invade neighbouring cells. Unlike bacteria, they are resistant to antibiotics. Fungi are a simple form of plant, from the same family as mushrooms, toadstools and the mould that grows on unprotected food. Fungi thrive in moist warm places. Parasites are more complex organisms that attach to and feed off the ‘host’ organism.
This is commonly found in teenagers when hormonal changes increase sebaceous gland activity, and sebum builds up in the pores. Bacterial infection then causes whiteheads, accumulations of sebum, pus and dead cells, and inflammation. Severe acne can leave scarring. It is not contagious, so can be massaged over if not severe, inflammed or weeping. Be careful to avoid creams or lotions that might clog the pores further.
B o i l s and carbuncles These are caused by staphylococcal infection round a hair root or sweat gland, with pain, swelling and formation of pus. A carbuncle is a collection of boils. These are local contra-indications although massage of surrounding areas may help healing by improving circulation flow.
When active, the virus is contagious. Cold sores are a local contraindication. The virus can survive outside the body for a few hours, so extra care is needed with hygiene.
Warts and verrucas The small, rough, non-malignant tumours called warts are caused by the human papilloma virus. Verrucas are warts on the soles of the feet. Small warts and verruccas are local contra-indications to massage, but if large areas are affected, it is advisable to avoid massage. Two thirds of warts clear up after two years without treatment.
Fungal infections Ringworm
I m p e t igo Most commonly found in children, impetigo is typified by raised fluid filled sores and crusts on the face, particularly round the mouth and nose. This is highly contagious, so definitely a local contra-indication, and take particular care with hygiene precautions. If extensive, do not massage at all.
Vi r a l infections
A worm does not, as the name implies, cause this, although it does look as if a little worm has burrowed a red itchy shiny circle under the skin. If large areas of the body are affected, this is a total contra-indication because the condition is contagious. If only a small area is affected and can be covered, it is a local contra-indication. Take particular care with hygiene precautions.
Athlete’s foot
Herpes simplex The herpes simplex virus causes clusters of sore blisters. There are two kinds; the common cold sores found round the mouth, and genital herpes that are transmitted sexually. Once present in the body this virus cannot be removed; it may lie dormant, but erupt in times of stress.
This common, itchy infection between the toes is a local contra-indication. February 2004 M|W
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massagefeature skin disorders and massage Candida
Candida, or thrush, can affect the skin. It becomes red and scaly, and there may be white discharge. As for ringworm, if larger areas are affected, treat as a total contraindication, otherwise avoid the infected patches and take extra hygiene precautions.
Parasites Scabies The tiny mite responsible for scabies crawls under the skin to lay its eggs. It is commonly found on the wrists, between the fingers or on the genitals. Scabies is highly contagious, and can be caught from infected linen, not just skin contact, and is therefore a total contra-indication until cleared up. However, it is so extremely itchy it is unlikely a scabies sufferer could lie still enough for a massage!
of scales. Some authorities group them all together, while others see eczema as a constitutional condition, one that arises from within, and dermatitis as an occupational one. So, contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by contact with a chemical such as washing powder, perfume, metals or fabric dye, or certain plants. Atopic eczema, which often starts in childhood, is likely to occur with allergies such as hay fever
Non- i n f e c t i o u s cond i t i o n s Dermatitis and eczema These terms refer to a group of diseases characterised by inflammation of the skin with redness, itching or burning, and at times, weeping or blistering or formation 12
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Cellulitis This involves swelling, pain and redness of large areas of skin, often in the legs and is a bacterial infection. The sufferer often has a temperature and flu like symptoms and would be too unwell to come for a treatment.
and asthma. Other types of eczema include varicose eczema, scaling and brown discolouration in the ankles and lower legs, usually due to poor circulation but not necessarily varicose veins. Dandruff is a form of eczema occurring only on the scalp.
Psoriasis
Head lice, nits and fleas The blood sucking lice, with a preference for the head (there are other varieties that prefer the pubic area) and their white eggs, or ‘nits’ and fleas, are total contra-indications until cleared up, to protect the practitioner.
psoriasis is contra-indications. Be aware that scales may dislodge. Massage may even be beneficial, but ask the client if he would like you to work on or avoid affected areas. Ask also about medical treatment; if the client is using steroid creams there may be thinning of the skin. (See below for general recommendations for ‘thin skin’.)
The cause of psoriasis is unknown. It is a chronic condition where the epidermal cells grow too fast, and reach the surface of the skin without being properly keratinised. The cells clump together to form thick red scaly plaques. There are many types, each affecting different body areas. The most common sort affects the elbows, knees, scalp and back. Sunlight seems to help.
Recommendations for massage Assuming the skin is not broken or weeping, neither eczema, dermatitis nor
Other mild and common noninfectious skin conditions Bruising The discolouration and pain caused by internal, superficial bleeding is a local contra-indication if recent or severe (check with your client), but massage of surrounding areas may help healing by bringing nutrients to and removing wastes from the area.
Blisters Blisters are caused by an accumulation of lymph below the surface of the skin in response to friction or pressure. This is a local contra-indication.
Bedsores / pressure sores Commonly affecting people who are bedridden, or who wear casts or braces, pressure sores occur when an area of skin is subjected to continuous pressure, the blood supply to the area is cut off and cells begin to die. They are a local contra-indication, but gentle
massagefeature skin disorders and massage massage of surrounding areas may help improve circulation flow.
Vitiligo Vitiligo is a disorder of the melanin pigment in the skin, and may be an autoimmune problem. Patches of skin lose their colour, and their protection against the sun’s rays. This is not a contra-indication.
Liver or age spots The brown spots found on the skin of older people are not contra-indications to massage.
Skin tags Skin tags are small harmless growths attached to the skin by a tiny stalk, or peduncle, and are common in older people. They are not a contraindication, but avoid vigorous massage or friction that could break the stalks and cause bleeding.
Stretch marks Stretch marks are the white lines caused by sudden stretching of the skin as a result of pregnancy, weight gain, or bodybuilding. Deep massage or friction is contra-indicated (see ‘thin skin’).
Skin can cer Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and the quickest to diagnose, since it is visible on the surface of the body. The massage therapist is in a good position to notice moles, lumps or patches of skin, which darken in colour, grow rapidly, bleed or ulcerate and bring these to the attention of the client. While there are many harmless reasons for changes in lumps on the skin, there is always a small possibility that a growth may be cancerous, particularly in a person with a history of overexposure to the sun. There are three main kinds; basal cell carcinoma (rodent ulcer) which grows quite slowly, and squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, both of which develop rapidly. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a rare form of skin cancer found in people with AIDS.
Recommendations for massage Massage is generally beneficial for people with cancer. Although it is true that some cancers are spread through the lymphatic system, and that massage may affect the flow of lymph, there is no evidence that massage can spread cancer cells. Massage can provide a valuable source of comfort and relief from emotional stress. Having said that, all skin cancers are local contra-indications until removed and treatment is finished. Radiation causes thinning of the skin. (See below)
Thin skin If the blood supply to the skin becomes restricted, for whatever reason, nourishment fails to reach the epidermal cells and the rate of growth slows down. The cells that produce collagen and elastin, the fibres that give the skin its elasticity, die through lack of food and oxygen. The skin becomes thin and papery, less elastic and liable to tear easily. This is a normal occurrence as we become very old, but is also the result of prolonged use of steroid creams or radiation treatment. Varicose veins or areas of chronic oedema may be covered by thin skin as well as large areas of scar tissue from burns, injury or surgical treatment.
Recommendations for massage Massage over areas of thin skin should be gentle. With a very elderly person, the whole body should be treated with gentle massage, but in other thin skin conditions it may be a local recommendation. What does it mean? It is obvious that the holding and light contact strokes (light vibration, stroking, light effleurage) could be considered gentle massage, but all the other techniques could also be performed in a gentle way, with the exception of percussion, friction or twisting techniques which could tear the skin. This article is based in part on material jointly written with Darien Pritchard for ‘Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for the Massage Therapist’
Infectious skin conditions fall into four groups according to the cause February 2004 M|W
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By Patricia Burke with Rosita Arvigo The techniques were developed by Dr Rosita Arvigo, D.N., during a ten year apprenticeship working with her mentor, Don Elijio Panti, the last of the great Mayan Shamans of Belize, Central America. She has spent the last thiirty years studying and teaching Mayan medicine.
atherine arrived at the yoga studio looking weary and subdued. As she joined the circle and began to check in with the group, her story gently unfolded. She had been experiencing increasing digestive problems and discomfort, and awoke in the morning to discover that her uterus had prolapsed. The cervix was extending out through the vaginal opening. She felt as if she was carrying a bowl between her legs, and it was bearing down on all her organs of elimination. I was horrified for her.
C
In the past I had heard about women having surgeries to repair a prolapse of the pelvic floor, and had always assumed that the cause was pushing in childbearing, but this woman was childless. She was committed to healing herself through non-surgical alternatives, even if it meant wearing some sort of sling to hold her internal organs for the rest of her life. I made it my mission to search the Internet for information about prolapsed organs and to try to help my noncomputer literate friend. Through that search I learned that my own health was on a collision course with gravity. Although I had two
© Octopus Publishing
Healing Wombs: Maya Abdominal Massage
children by caesarean section and had never “pushed,” I had almost every risk factor for prolapsed organs, including years of running and teaching aerobics, and was already suffering from over three quarters of the symptoms, including an ovarian cyst. My friend’s illness revealed to me the potential of my own possible fate. Fortunately, it also led me towards hope in changing my destiny through the grace of Rosita Arvigo. And, we saved Catherine’s uterus.
Healing the Wandering Womb The Arvigo Techniques of Maya abdominal massage are practiced and taught by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, D.N., who has spent the last thirty years studying and teaching Maya medicine. Maya abdominal massage is a self-care practice supported by professional instruction, and is an integral part of Maya medicine. The massage is performed over clothing and greatly assists in the release of trauma after accidents, childbirth or illness, as well as resetting the position of the uterus in the female. Rosita learned these techniques from February 2004 M|W
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her mentor, Don Elijio Panti, the great Maya shaman of Belize, Central America, with whom she apprenticed for ten years. Before accepting her as his apprentice, Don Elijio secured Rosita’s promise that she would remain in Belize to care for “his people,” a promise she has honoured to this day. Don Elijio passed away in 1996 at the age of 103; fortunately, much of his vast knowledge of herbal and physical healing was preserved. Rosita now works tirelessly both in Belize and the United States in sharing this important work. Rosita also studied with Hortence Robinson, an elder and herbal midwife of Belize who has been delivering babies since she was 13.
ligaments that attach it to the back, front, and sides of the pelvis. Uterine ligaments are made to accommodate a growing fetus and to move freely when the bladder or bowel is full. The ligaments and muscles can weaken and loosen, causing the uterus to fall downward, forward, backward or to either side. A uterus in any of these positions is referred to as “tipped.”
T h e Technique
Unfortunately, the causes for uterine displacement are common and varied. Some of them include: falls that impact the lower back, sacrum and tailbone; car accidents; ligaments weakened due to overstretching during pregnancy and labour; bad professional care during pregnancy, labour and delivery and afterward; carrying heavy burdens during the pregnancy or too soon after delivery; running on cement surfaces; walking barefoot on cold floors and/or wet grass; wearing high heeled shoes; chronic constipation; high-impact dancing, aerobics, horseback riding, gymnastics or other sports activity; pressure caused by sagging intestines; weak pelvic floor muscles; poor alignment of pelvic bones with spinal column; surgeries; carrying children on hips for long periods of time; emotional armouring from rape, sexual assault, or incest at any time in life; time and gravity. Modern medicine has little or nothing to offer women with this problem. Generally they are told, “Your uterus is tipped, but don’t worry about it.” Yet women have a laundry list of physical and emotional symptoms that can be addressed and prevented with these simple, noninvasive massage techniques.
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya abdominal massage address the position and health of the pelvic and abdominal organs. The work is best known for the correction of the prolapsed, fallen or tipped uterus, and for the prevention and treatment of benign prostate enlargement in men. Don Elijio believed that a woman’s centre is her uterus. “If a woman’s uterus is out of balance, so is she,” he would say. Midwives and
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healers of Central America agree that most “female troubles” are caused by the wandering womb. Normally the uterus leans slightly over the bladder in the centre of the pelvis, about one and a half inches above the pubic bone. It is held in this position by muscles, the vaginal wall and
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Signature
Chacha (Bursera simbaruba) Gumbolimbo
massagetechniques Healing Wombs: Maya Abdominal Massage When reproductive organs shift, they can constrict normal flow of blood and lymph, and disrupt nerve connections. Just a few extra ounces of misplaced tissue sitting on blood
Cho cho (Sechium edule) Vegetable Pear and lymph vessels can cause havoc throughout the different systems in the body. By shifting the uterus back into place, homeostasis, or the natural balance of the body, is restored in the pelvic area and the surrounding organs. Toxins are flushed and nutrients that help to tone tissue and balance hormones are restored to normal order. This is essential for healthy pregnancy, labour, and delivery. Old adhesions from invasive treatments to the pelvic and abdominal area, including fibroid tumours, endometriosis, and caesarean delivery are diminished when addressed by uterine massage. In addition, digestion, urinary and bladder problems can be helped. This type of massage is also helpful in increasing blood flow to the pelvic region for men. Untold numbers of hysterectomies and Caesarean births could be prevented with this simple, safe, easy to learn massage technique. Women who have had hysterectomies benefit greatly from Maya abdominal massage as well. The technique improves circulation in and around the area of the scar and allows for proper flow of the lymph, which often becomes blocked after surgery, resulting in swelling, burning and deep aching pains in the pelvis. When done properly, external massage strengthens the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus and
ovaries. In Belize and many other South American countries, this gentle, yet powerful technique is performed a few days after childbirth, accompanied by a herbal cleansing vaginal steam bath. In contrast, Western medicine’s D&C procedure is much more traumatic and requires the cervix to be dilated and the uterine walls to be scraped.
Tr a i n ing Begins Discovering this important information about uterine health inspired me to want to learn more. The Centre for Cultural Evolution in Colraine, MA serves as one of the training centres for small groups of men and women who come together to learn Rosita’s work. Maya massage is performed fully clothed and is very non-invasive and gentle. Self-care training and supervision is offered in a 3-day format
Sink in (Ruta graveolens) Rue and includes an evaluation by a practitioner. Qualified bodyworkers and nurses receive professional training in an additional week long program. I decided to register for the class. The training began with a self-care curriculum. Rosita is a gifted and creative teacher. She explained how the fascia that surrounds each organ is sticky - like cling wrap that gets caught on itself - so the organ can get stuck in the wrong location and develop adhesions and scar tissue. Using scarves and her own arms, she became a uterus with its support ligaments, and contorted herself into various comical but tragic depictions of a uterus stuck on a bladder, glued to a colon, pulled over to one side
Maya abdominal massage is a self-care practice supported by professional instruction February 2004 M|W
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massagetechniques Healing Wombs: Maya Abdominal Massage and blocking circulation in a leg, and folded into a cramp. The ramifications of this four ounce misplaced organ expanding in pregnancy to the size of a watermelon were profound. Regarding the deep inquiry into whether God is a woman or man, she questioned the wisdom of having a hallway (vagina) directly under the organs of reproduction and elimination, compared to the relative safety of men’s vital organs. But men, too, benefit from the Maya massage techniques, and I am now on a much more intimate basis with the prostate than I ever imagined. A sedentary
Plants used in Maya Medicine lifestyle creates compression of the testicles and groin, increases acidity, decreases waste removal, and creates malfunction and discomfort. The Maya complement massage with marigold seed tea and stinging nettle to relieve prostate pain; there are other herbs, including manvine, for men’s concerns.
M y E xperience I was utterly amazed as I felt a line of contraction let go 18
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Rosita’s training also directly addresses the impact of sexual assault and incest in both men and women. Using the work of the late William Reich, she explained how emotional armouring can be gently released using the self care protocol, Maya medicine, prayer and herbs. Training in self care includes an evaluation and training by a certified
practitioner. Lucy was my trainer for that day. As I lay down on the table fully clothed, oceans of unshed tears overwhelmed me. I was questioning whether I would survive the seemingly endless onslaught of grief that would be released, which has been activated but not resolved by other therapies. I was totally unprepared for what happened next. As Lucy began to teach me the techniques, I could feel circulation beginning to fill the front of my body. As she worked on the right side, I could sense my uterus and fallopian tube coming into centre. As she came to left, she found the ovary far down in the left corner. The fascia, or connective tissue of the fallopian tubes and ovary, had been tugged down and stitched into my caesarean scar, pulling the left ovary with it. I was back in time at the birth of my second son, 16 years ago. The pulling and tugging of Lucy gently releasing my contracted pelvis was slightly uncomfortable, but accompanied by a rush of circulation and energy that washed through my pelvis and leg. I was utterly amazed as I felt a line of contraction let go from my pelvis all the way up the left side of my body, up the side of my neck, to the attachment of my skull. The rotation of my pelvis and the scoliosis curve in my spine, which I had tried to address through years of yoga, bodywork and therapy, began to release as I lay there experiencing the grief I felt for needing a section birth due to a “tipped uterus,” juxtaposed with the joy of holding a cherished infant son.
The Prophecy Medications and sedatives prescribed to trauma survivors do not address subterranean emotional armouring held in the body. Rosita notes that the emotion-based physical armouring that accompanies trauma will be released chronologically, beginning with the
massagetechniques Healing Wombs: Maya Abdominal Massage recent past. When the armouring is released from the body it resolves issues which can remain untouched in twenty years of talk therapy. Practitioners also use plant spirit medicine and herbs to assist release and integration. Maya massage is one tool for those who understand the dangers of leaving our own unresolved issues beneath the surface in present relationships, as well as for the next generation. The commitment to a regular practice of abdominal massage, or any other practice which helps bring to the light of consciousness that which is held in the unconscious, transmutes trauma and allows us to thrive rather than simply survive. There is a prophecy from both North American and South American First Nation people: “When the eagle and the condor fly together, the Age of Peace will manifest.” Abdominal massage is the gift to the present from the ancient lineage of Maya elders, carried forth by Rosita Arvigo.
the workshops. The benefits received are immediate, and sustaining long after the formal workshops are finished. Being able to bring this work to lay people and practitioners alike, will ensure this healing technique will be carried on.
Pat Burke is a writer and yoga teacher in Marlboro, MA. She believes that the Eastern contemplative practices and the indigenous healing traditions can greatly enhance Western treatment of trauma. She can be reached at esyoga@charter.net. Rosita Arvigo is the author of several books including: The Maya Way to Heal Your Body and Nourish Your Soul, which contains instructions for abdominal massage. Her most recent publication is: The Art of Spiritual Bathing. Dr. Arvigo established the Terra Nova Forest Preserve and Tree Planting Camp Program and the Bush Medicine Camp for Children in Belize.
Diane M a c D o n a l d ’s Stor y In 1998, I enrolled in Self Care Training to be able to learn how to better care for my own symptoms. By performing this massage for myself for a few month, I was able to avoid unnecessary surgery, my symptoms were alleviated and my overall health improved. This convinced me of the great importance this healing treatment has to offer for both women and men. As a nurse practitioner, my private practice focuses on these techniques in combination with bodywork, herbology and necessary life style changes. I have completed all levels of training in the program: Professional, Certification, and Teacher Training. As Dr. Arvigo's Program Coordinator, I have had the pleasure and honour of working with women and men in all of
FORTHCOMING LONDON WORKSHOP: April 16, 17 and 18, 2004 Neal's Yard Meeting Rooms, Covent Garden, Course fees: £275 this includes all instruction, individual evaluation by an Arvigo Practitioner & refreshments at Neal's Yard. To register contact: Charlotte Pulver Phone: 0207-603-5222 or email: Thebabalu@aol.com The workshop will be run by Diane MacDonald MSN ARNP, from the USA: Program Coordinator for Dr. Arvigo's workshops. Additional information on this work can be found at: www.arvigomassage.com or contact Diane MacDonald, email: atmam@gsinet.net
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faqs!faqs?faqs!faqs?
STUDENT Q&A
Let me introduce myself, I am Isabelle Hughes and will endeavour each month to answer all those questions that never seem to get answered or that you forgot to ask. You can write or email me at Massage World. Here is a selection of recent enquiries and their replies: Q. I am a therapeutic massage student and from a month ago have pain initially in my right elbow, which has transferred to the shoulder. How should I address this? A. Firstly, you need to source the root cause of the problem, if you are right handed, you will need to check your posture and body mechanics whilst massaging. This is most important, as if you are having these problems whilst a student, your career as a therapist will not have longevity. To alleviate the pain, trigger point work on the serratus posterior superior, infraspinatus or subscapularis may help. Q. What are the advantages or disadvantages of working in a day spa and would you recommend it as a first job after qualifying? A. Massage therapists already working in these areas are your best source of knowledge. I am sure if you contact some people who work in Spas local to you, they would be happy to network with you. As a rule the pay is lower than working on your own, someone else dictates your schedule and type of client but on the other hand your advertising and marketing, laundry and oils are all provided for. The other benefit is you do have other therapists to interact with, which is very useful when starting out. Q. I graduated a year ago and recently experienced one of the worst clients to come via Yellow Pages. He held a Physical Education degree and thought
he knew everything, proceeding to tell me there was no such thing as trigger points and that no remedial massage therapist could breakdown fibrosis after injury. My problem is I also treat his wife who is a lovely client but I would like to stop treating him. How do I do it and is it ethical? A. It can be very frustrating dealing with difficult clients.I do wonder why he came to you as it seems he doesn’t totally believe in the benefits of massage, however don’t forget you work in a therapeutic field. Ask yourself what aggravates you so much about this client, challenge the experience and learn from it. After all you are the person in a position of control, he is paying for your services and places himself under your hands on the massage table. If you really feel you cannot continue to treat him then you can very politely say “I think you might want to find another therapist if you wish to continue with massage treatments as I don’t feel I am the right therapist for you.” If he questions this you can simply say you do not feel you have the skills or background to help him. Do be aware though that you may also lose his wife as a client, but this may be a small price to pay if you are really not happy working with him. It is very important that we enjoy our work and sometimes this situation may occur, there is nothing unethical about it. Q. Having been a massage therapist for the last five years I, I am constantly hearing “it’s too expensive to get a massage.” What if it wasn’t, if there was a Co-operative set up offering low cost treatments.? A. Yes, this is a familiar cry but I do not think the answer is to devalue massage, we need to do the opposite and teach it’s value. In my experience the people uttering this cry have never actually had a
Isabelle Hughes has been practising and teaching massage since 1989 and is also an external examiner for massage therapy. Drawing on her experience as an ante-natal teacher with the National Childbirth Trust, she currently runs workshops for practitioners on Massage for Pregnancy and Labour and has contributed to books on the subject.
professional massage before, as those who have experienced a good treatment, know it’s value. It is up to us all to educate clients. The same people who think massage costs too much per hour, think nothing of spending the same amount going out to dinner or in a bar! If you live in an economically challenged area then adapt your practice and offer say 10 minute chair treatments as tasters that people can afford. With repeat business,referrals and some couch work you can build up a good business this way.
Q A
If you would like your questions answered, please send them by post or email to our address on page 3, marked Student Q&A. February 2004 M|W
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a to z of therapies work your way around the world of massage ach month we look at all the mainstream modalities of massage and bodywork, their background, what they comprise of and how you find out about training and practising. This month we look at U and V.
E
the treatment
Usui Shiki Ryoho
Although not strictly pure body work as our other A to Z disciplines, it works very well as integrated bodywork and becoming more and more popular. The treatment takes place with the client fully clothed, on a massage couch and lasts about an hour. In this time, the practitioner will gently place their hands in a sequence of positions around the whole of the body, holding each position for a few minutes.Anyone can be treated including children, pregnant women and the terminally ill.
what is it?
standards
More commonly known as Reiki, the Japanese word for ‘universal life force’ based as with most TCM on the idea of energy flowing around the body along meridiens or pathways, in which a blockage of flow is related to illness. USR is a method of helping the body heal itself, encompassing healing, growth and spiritual deepening, through nine elements and four aspects that are essential to USR. If any of these Aspects or Elements are omitted, then it is no longer Usui Shiko Ryoho.
There are no occupational standards at the present time, but work is being done towards voluntary regulation.
A useful information resource for answering those enquiring clients and maybe to interest you in expanding your repertoire, some will be very familiar whereas others may intrigue.
a short history A Japanese, Christian theologian, Mikao Usui after years of study and meditation, developed a system of healing in which the practitioner becomes the energy channel. It was brought to the West in 1938 where it has separated and developed into different levels, being passed on from Reiki Master to Master. The spiritual Lineage of Usui Shiko Ryoho is Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata and Phyllis Lei Furumoto.
useful addresses Reiki Association Cornbrook Bridge House Clee Hill, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 3QQ ☎ 01981 550829 W www.reikiassociation.org.uk
Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage what is it? Connective tissue carries substances vital to our health to every cell in our bodies and then the lymph system carries the waste products and excess water back to the bloodstream for elimination. If these pathways become congested, damaged or severed, the fluids build up and lead to oedema. The Lymph vessels can then no longer do their job and through pumping and stretching manually, the lymph can be drained, hence the title of the technique - Manual Lymphatic Drainage or MLD. The Vodder technique is very specific, as all massage is a form of MLD but not useful in medical conditions such as lymphoedema that require
specialised training and application such as Vodder.
a short history Dr Emil Vodder, a Danish massage therapist developed this technique over 50 years ago whilst practising in France. Encouraged by the success of the treatments, Dr Vodder and his wife Estrid opened a Vodder Centre in Denmark, teaching throughout Europe. Their successors to teach and train others in MLD, Vodder style were Hildegard and Gunter Wittlinger, who in 1971 set up the Dr Vodder Schule in Walchsee, Austria. They took the method to America in the 1970’s and in 1994 a Vodder School was also set up there. In 1983, Robert Harris the Director there began his training with the Wittlingers and now lectures internationally on the subject. The Centre in Austria is still the main training ground and up to quite recently, anyone studying Vodder MLD in the UK had to complete their course at the Centre in Walchsee. It is a very well respected technique and used widely in palliative care.
the treatment There are four main techniques for all parts of the body. The lymph is stimulated by very light rhythmic strokes in a very precise way. There are also pumping and stretching techniques employed and in certain cases specialised bandaging. It is used very successfully in cases of primary and secondary lymphodeoma, pre and post plastic surgery and circulatory disturbances. t can also be used on a more superficial or cosmetic level to reduce water retention and help dermatological conditions. February 2004 M|W
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a to z of therapies work your way around the world of massage
s tandards There is a National Occupational Standard for Massage
u seful addresses MLD UK PO Box 14491 Glenrothes Fife KY6 3YE ☎ 01592 840799 W www.mlduk.org.uk admin@mlduk.org.uk
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The Clare Maxwell-Hudson School of Massage 20 Enford Street London W1H 1DG ☎ 020 7724 7198 W www.cmhmassage.co.uk admin@cmhmassage.co.uk
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Maitri Foundation Stillpoint Whiteway Stroud, Glos GL6 7EP ☎ 01285 821 648 W www.maitri.co.uk
Vertical Reflex Therapy what is it? VRT works on the regular reflexology principal that the body is divided into 10 longitudinal energy zones, which are mirrored in the hands and feet and linked to reflex points corresponding to the body’s organs, glands etc. Where it differs is that the client is worked on standing up along the top rather than the underneath of the foot. It is suggested that the weight of the client 24
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increases pressure on the reflex points and thus produces faster results.
a short history VRT was pioneered by Lynne Booth, a UK reflexologist who began studying over ten years ago and runs a clinic at the 200 resident St Monica Home in Bristol. Often her clients were in wheelchairs or wore callipers and so she had to adapt her techniques accordingly. This is where she researched and developed VRT during a small medical trial.Since then, she has continued to develop, write and lecture about the technique and train others in the benefits of this style of reflexology.
the treatment Unlike a standard reflexology treatment, VRT should not exceed five minutes in order to avoid over-working the reflexes. The plantar reflexes are approached via the dorsal area of the foot and pressure applied to the relevant reflexes that require working on to restore the body to optimum health. Hand reflexes can also be adapted to work through the dorsal area via the palm. VRT is very useful when a client has difficulty lying down, such as the elderly or disabled, or when working on people in a non clinic environment.
standards There is no National Occupational Standard at the present time, however Reflexology is working towards voluntary regulation.
u s e f u l a d dr e s s e s Booth VRT Suite 205, 60 Westbury Hill, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3UJ
☎ 0117 962 6746 W www.users.waitrose.com/-labooth
coming soon: Watsu. X rated. Yogic Massage. Zero Balancing, Zen Chi Aerobic Massage, Zone Therapy.
researchroomresearch Massage therapy and relaxation effects on university dance students. Leivadi S, Hernandez-Reif M, Field T, O’Rourke M, D’Arienzo S, Lewis D, Del Pino N, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, Fl, USA
Background: To examine if massage lowers anxiety, improves mood and increases range of motion among dance students. Thirty female dance students were randomly assigned to a massage or relaxation therapy group. Both groups otherwise continued the same daily dance and school regime.
Each issue we will feature abstracts from evidence based research publications and their conclusions: 26
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Methods: The two groups were studied during this research. Those in the massage group received 30 minute treatments twice weekly for five weeks. The massage was focused on the upper body and consisted of moderate to firm pressure, stroking, stretching and rocking. With a prone dancer, the therapist began with firm strokes to stretch and warm the neck, back and shoulders. Friction was then applied to both sides of the spine
and along the sides of the body, followed by a sequence of strokes along the clavicle and scapula. With the dancer lying on her side, massage was applied along the rib cage, chest and lateral neck muscles, together with arm circling and stretching. The relaxation group listened to instructions through headphones on a series of guided muscle relaxation exercises, whilst lying on a mat. Sessions also lasted 30 minutes, twice weekly for five weeks and consisted of tensing and relaxing muscles from the feet up to the face. Researchers used five methods of measurement. Two questionnaires: A State Anxiety Inventory, a profile of Mood States; pre- and post-session pain scales to measure perception of pain in the neck, shoulders and back; pre- and post session saliva samples to measure cortisol levels; and measurements of range of motion, including neck extension and shoulder abduction.
Results: Both groups showed less anxiety, better mood and less pain in the neck, shoulder and back. Only the massage group experienced a decrease in cortisol levels and an improvement in range of motion, including neck extension and shoulder abduction.
Conclusions: Massage therapy may have stretched the dancers more than relaxation therapy, thus leading to the improved range of motion. A further study should therefore be devoted to the effects of massage therapy for preventing and treating dance injuries.
Publication Types: Touch Research Institute 1999 Journal of Dance medicine & Science 1999 Vol.3, No.3, pp 108-112
productreview product
book
product
Massage Lotion:Easy Gliding The History of Massage
The illustrated Portfolio of Human Anatomy and Pathology
Physique £2.63 150ml £8.99 1Lt
Robert Noah Calvert Healing Arts Press ISBN 089281881-6
Scientific Publishing ISBN 0-9732526-0 £16.99
This product was developed with an extended massage procedure in mind and is therefore very lightly oiled. It is excellent for certain sports massage particularly when warming up an area, as it is very easy gliding lotion. This Company always produces well-researched products and this lotion has been dermatologically tested and enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, to give it a very calming quality. The additional Camomile may or may not be to everyone’s liking, as it gives the lotion a very subtle sweetish smell on application, however this is rapidly dispelled. Very good value for money and in a handy, non-spillable container. The small version is ideal to slip in the pocket of a sports or towel bag.
The author of this book is also the founder of Massage Magazine in America and the World of Massage Museum, from which some of the illustrations and extracts for the book are taken. It is a fascinating read and should be on every College reading list for those studying the subject. It covers the origins of the techniques from around the world, from Ancient times to the present day. The diagrams of massage tools from previous ages are amazing to see and note how modern equipment is just an updated version of what went before. The photographs of the women massaging each other at the famous Kellogg Sanatorium in Battle Creek are interesting, as are all the other illustrations. It is a very comprehensive piece of writing and research, rich in anecdote and very readable.
This book of thirty charts is a definitive collection, covering everything from the basic musculoskeletal system to the more advanced subjects such as Understanding GERD. Each page is laminated, making it easy to wipe clean if your oily hands should stray, or if you wish to use a whiteboard marker for referencing. It is a great reference tool whether you are studying or want one in your clinic room for use with clients. It is a very good way of deciding which ones you want poster size before spending your hard-earned cash. As an added bonus, you also get a free Skeletal Wall Chart with every book if you order through the magazine.
For more details or to order www.physique.co.uk
For more details or to order www.innertraditions.com
For more details or to order ph: 020 7387 9111 February 2004 M|W
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Symptoms of Solitude any massage therapists and bodyworkers work from home or run a one ‘man’ clinic, which on the surface may, to outsiders look very rosy. The Office of National Statistics state that more than 2.3% of the population of the UK work from home and this number is increasing all the time. After a time though, the isolation and lack of interaction with ‘non clients’ can get too much. So how do you recognise if you have reached this stage? Examine yourself by answering the following questions:
M
• are you procrastinating more than usual and feel a lack of motivation • do you have low energy levels • do small things become big dramas • do you find it hard to concentrate • do you meet up less frequently with friends and others in your group • when you do meet up with others are you over chatty Now that you know if you have the symptoms, what can you do to alleviate the situation? 28
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There are three major areas that you can address, your working environment, the schedule you set yourself and you, personally.
Wo r k Environment The main advise here is to make sure that you separate you work space from your home space. Wherever possible set aside a separate room as your ‘treatment room’. Don’t be tempted to let paperwork, books, equipment etc overflow into your living area. Make sure that the decoration is appealing to you and your clients, maybe even a spot of ‘do it yourself’ feng shui may not go amiss and be fun at the same time. If this is not possible, then create a special corner which you might want to screen off, when not at work. If you have a large outside space available, think about installing a ‘garden office or small conservatory area’ of which there are many designs now available at fairly reasonable cost. Just being able to ‘shut the door’ and go to work will make an enormous difference to your work
pattern. An alternative could be to get together with other therapists in the same situation and rent a shared space, although more costly and a larger commitment, it is an option for those of you who can’t bear being alone but don’t want to join and established practice.
Scheduling When planning your diary, make sure you get out of your work environment at least one day a week, as you need time to communicate with others. This can still be integrated into your working week by using the opportunity to network with others. Do some marketing or attend a conference, workshop or talk.Try to allocate at least two hours a week for marketing yourself. Seek out other therapists in your area and arrange a get together to share experiences and swap ideas. There are also several internet forums dedicated to massage therapists and other complementary therapists, such as healthypages.co.uk which will give you a sense of not working in solitude.
businesstools symptoms and solitude If you are finding it difficult even to focus on planning a working strategy in isolation, then there are ‘performance coaches’ that are available to help. You may even be able to come to some arrangement whereby you pay in kind for the advice. Laura McKinnon, a performance coach with www.egosystem.co.uk says that homeworkers simply must discipline themselves to take time out - if only to improve their performance. ‘There is nothing to be gained by not allowing time in your schedule for things going wrong, delays or overrunning - you will just burn out. No one is impressed by one-man bands who over-promise and don’t deliver. If you don’t learn to manage your time you will just end up feeling stressed, isolated and defeated. Remember that we all need some human contact to perform at our best.” This is particularly poignant to those of you who carry out home visits to clients. If you are not careful, you will find yourself spending more time travelling and running around ragged, instead of treating, which is what earns you your living. Good scheduling will optimise your earning potential and leave you feeling less frustrated and happier in your work.
You P e r s o n a l l y It is also necessary to reward yourself from time to time, this can be on a small scale by treating yourself to some nice flowers, or a special lunch. Schedule breaks between treatments to re-energise. You will find this will enhance your concentration and stop that 3pm flagging time. Your clients will also sense your happier approach to your work. If you have the flexibility that comes with working alone, use it to your advantage and build into your week time out such as going for a swim, walk or other favourite pastimes. Some of you may already be lucky enough to have built in mechanisms for ‘time out’ without realising, such as a dog that needs
taking for a walk or a garden/plants to water. Finally don’t forget to interact with people, get out and make human contact, don’t feel guilty about it Remind yourself that if you were working in a clinic, you would chat to other therapists in between clients or during your lunch/tea breaks. When you finally end you day’s work, switch off and draw the line between work and social. A great way to do this if you work from home, is to go out for a few minutes - as though you were leaving work to go home. Pop along to the local newsagents, arrange to meet a friend or simply take a walk around the block! Switch Off. Something that happens to many therapists socially is, when we are asked what we do for a living, the response is more often than not - I have this pain......... etc etc. Get in the habit of very politely giving the person your card and say you will be happy to call them tomorrow when you are ‘on duty’, then change the subject . This allows your social time to stay separated from your work time. If you have been reading this and totally relate to the symptoms of solitude, then take the remedies and put them into action starting today. You will soon start feeling connected once more.
U s e f u l Contacts and Forums www.ownbase.com www.homeworkinguk.com www.gn.apc.org/homeworking www.homeworkers.com www.homebizjunction.com www.healthypages.co.uk www.massagenetwork.com
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Press Release Therapy Time Bank Makes A Difference! any therapists want to provide complementary treatments to disadvantaged groups, and to make a difference in the community and indeed some provide it on a voluntary basis, however this is limited, and after a while the therapist has to make a decision that it is no longer financially viable.
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There is resistance by many health authorities and PCT’s to complementary therapy, and therefore, funding via these organisations is limited, even though communities and community agencies, are requesting more availability and information. A typical response is the “Insufficient Evidence on the effectiveness scenario, and It will cost too much, effectively dismissing the thousands of pages and hundreds of debates held over the last few years. Ironically the Government do want more choice and availability, but are leaving it to individual PCT’s to make the decision, based on community needs via the public participation forums etc. Therefore it would seem logical that the more the people within local communities insist on and demand more choice, availability and information, the more the PCT must a) listen and b) act. We as therapists must develop other ways to empower people to speak out and demand what they need and provide 30
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them with the information to make informed decisions. A.C.H.E has seen this as the way forward for our growing network of therapists, who want to make a difference in the community, but still get paid a fair rate and gain respect from the medical authorities. We have a two pronged strategy, to overcoming these obstacles, and empowering the people to make a decision, but it relies on a teamwork, commitment and partnership attitude to the whole concept. Partnership 1 By providing stress relief programmes to corporates, promotions and event organisers, we aim to reduce stress in the workplace, but also gather feedback reports and questionnaires, that will be eventually compiled into a national report highlighting the cost savings to business and the country of providing massage therapy to the workers. Partnership 2 As part of our negotiations we also explain how our Therapy Time BANK Donation works, for every corporate voucher purchased, a donation of time is provided free to a local Complementary Health Programme, this donation means the therapist can provide treatments that are free to the end user, but the therapist still gets paid the going rate. If a programme doesn’t exist we will help set up a not for profit organisation CHIC Complementary Health In the Community, a facilitator,
grant finder and fund provider service, so that communities can apply to the CHIC for CT’s, and the CHIC can attract funding to provide the service, using hopefully ACHE therapists amongst others. Partnership 3 By working on a national basis, but via a central organisation, A.C.H.E. can collect evidence, collate reports, and pass on information to organisations like Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health, in the debate for a Complementary Health Service. Partnership 4 Our members are our lifeblood, without their input suggestions and involvement, our aim for a National Stress Relief service, will be just a dream, as the membership grows we will be able to provide more services, more clients and fulfil more community based ambitions. Such that we even have a referral programme in place, that rewards therapist that recommend others to join. Our website hireatherapist.co.uk is up and running, and will be advertised nationally over the next few months. These are our aims and it is an ambitious plan, but I feel it can and will happen, if therapists start working together, sharing information and a common goal or purpose. If you want to find out more, visit: www.hireatherapist.co.uk
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