A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

[matthewfein]

Hey everyone,
I asked a question on this board once before and got some great advice, so thought I'd give it another shot.

A little info:
I've been working on some specific neck/shoulder issues with the same MT for about a year. Mostly deep tissue work with lots of stretching, a few other things, and lots of energy work. The problems are significantly improved and continue to get better after each session.

While I find myself extremely relaxed post-massage, it takes everything in me not to fidget through the entire hour I'm on the table. There is no nervousness and am completely comfortable. Doesn't matter where the work is being done; if my brain is slow and not flooded with thoughts, I fidget. If my brain is racing, I can generally be still. No underlying medical conditions.. I don't consume massageplanetfeine or artificial sweeteners of any kind.. keep natural sugars to a minimum for several hours pre-massage. We've tried short sessions, but it happens almost instantly.

Does anyone have thoughts on this? What's going on? How to get it to stop?
Is it a huge hassle to work on a fidgeter? We don't talk about it much, as he knows I'm embarrassed about it. I'm always sure to tip generously for his patience with my fidgetyness, but hope that I'm not (even secretly) aggravating him.

I appreciate any thoughts you may have!

 

[Rockford]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

What is it that you do when you fidget? Like move your legs a lot or your arms?

Have you tried bringing a stress ball (squeeze ball) to hold in one or both hands? At least then it would be confined to a small area of movement. Maybe listening to a guided meditation CD while on the table as well? I personally would think that the person on the table wasn't comfortable or that I was hurting or tickling them if they moved around a lot.

I think it would be a good idea to talk to your MT about it and see if he has any specific ideas for you as well. It's also a good idea for him to know that it's just you and not anything that he is doing.

Good luck!

 

[tanzanite]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

If this has been the case since a year, then maybe that's just how you are going to react. As long as it is helping you (as you said it has) and as long as your MT doesn't have a problem working on you (I don't know why he would have a problem with it) then try to accept that your reaction is part of how you respond to the work. There may come a day when you can completely relax mind and body, but the more you think of trying to relax and trying to stop your mind, probably the worse you fidget. The more accepting you become of your reaction, the more you will relax. Just give it time and know that there is no right or wrong way. You are who you are and as massage therapists, we accept ppl just as they are and only seek to make you feel better. So try not to think about it and analyze it and question it... accept it and realize there is nothing wrong with your reaction. Most of the time acceptance is the key to the beginning of a change so natural, we don't even realize the greatness of the end result, until we look back...

 

[Christy A]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

Sometimes it's active fingers and toes.. sometimes it's a crossing/uncrossing of legs (but doesn't feel like what's described as RLS symptoms.. just feels like lots of stored energy coming out)..

I've never tried a stress ball, but DID once make the mistake of leaving a hair tie on my wrist. After wrapping and unwrapping it around my fingers probably a thousand times, it finally shot across the room. We both got a laugh out of it.

We have discussed the situation in the past, just not at great depth. He knows that nothing is tickling/uncomfortable/etc.

We've gone the meditation route before, but it almost always ultimately leads to racing thoughts and, while I may be physically still, he HAS said that he'd rather have me fidgeting than lost in racing mental works. I do lead a fairly high-stress life, and my day will play through my head in ridiculous detail, sometimes causing "aftershock stress" for lack of a better word, and is more detrimental than a bit of moving around.

To TouchOfGrace.. it may well be how my body will react.. and ultimately I can accept it, but feel bad for my MTs sake. While I don't move away from what he's doing, I still imagine a moving body to be tough to manage. I'm just looking for some other peoples' thoughts, and y'all were helpful with a question that I had before, so figured I'd shoot another post out and see what I may find out. :altsmile:

 

[ponders_99]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

Im looking forward to others advice as well and hope something said will work for you.

 

[Sad Eyed Jokerman]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

This "always movng" is a keynote of a kinesthetic learner. My husband is this type of learning style as well. Are you the type of person who, even in a meeting or in the car, is bouncing a knee, tapping a pencil, rubbing finger tips together, etc? Children like this are often labeled active children or ADHD depending on severity now although there is a growing awareness of learning styles. This may just be WHO YOU ARE.

My question is - are you like this with anything that requires you to hold still? A long meeting. A church service. etc.

Or ONLY during the massage?

Angela

 

[Kittyx]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I will be watching this thread with interest as well!

Angela brings up some VERY good questions.

A silver-lining to this, especially if you're a fidgeter throughout the day, is that 'they' say fidgeters burn some 700 calories per day.

A side-note (not to hijack, particularly since this was indicated as a non-issue for the original question) regarding the finger-rubbing...I can't remember the name for that 'motion' but it can be a side-effect of food colorings.

IMO, it's not something to be embarrassed about; but I agree that having a more in-depth conversation with your MT regarding his perception of the fidgeting.

totally grasping ignorant straws here...but could you possibly combine the fidgeting and the attempts to meditate by focusing the fidgeting towards one area (ie--the feet, or an area opposite of where the focus work is occuring?) it may partially occupy your mind without putting additional pressure/stress on it--which may in turn possibly help you to become more meditative without the racing thoughts, and that could possibly lead to less fidgeting?? *shrug*

 

[BabyPIe]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

The thing about kinesthetic learners is that they learn better while in motion. My brother would have been labeled a hyperactive child and probably doped on ritalin if in public school. Thankfully he is home schooled and my mom can tailor classes to suit his learning style. Example - he learns math facts by jumping on the stairs. Mom divides the flash cards into little piles on the stairwell and he has to jump stair to stair. When he gets the fact correct he can pick up the flash card and jump to the next step.

Anyway - sometimes he'll practice spelling words while doing jumping jacks. His body has to be in motion! It helps his brain work better. That's just how he is.

Perhaps - if the OP does indeed fall into this type of learning style, the fidgeting behavior is simply his way of integrating the new information. All learning is connecting the input with something we already know and are familiar with. Since muscles have memories - perhaps the fidgeting is his body responding to the increased circulation, increase in flexibility, new tissue texture, etc. By moving a bit the OP is LEARNING to relax, to expand the muscles to the new ROM, etc.

Just pondering out loud.

Angela

 

[Des]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I like Angela's input on this - it makes a lot of sense.
My first thought was that this activity IS a type of releasing.
Unless it is freaking out the MT, I see no reason for you to worry about it.
I try to reassure clients that it is normal for the body to twitch or move around...in Cranio-sacral/SER we see that a lot - the body needs to move or be in a particular position in order to facilitate the release of the energy cyst or restriction.

I say let your body do what it needs to do - trust that it is RIGHT for you.

 

[Kenji]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

• Children like this are often labeled active children or ADHD depending on severity now although there is a growing awareness of learning styles. This may just be WHO YOU ARE.

Just as a side note: I found some info on "Eye Patch" therapy the other day and posted it in this thread. If you are ADHD, maybe it will help you somehow in the future.

• The thing about kinesthetic learners is that they learn better while in motion. My brother would have been labeled a hyperactive child and probably doped on ritalin if in public school. Thankfully he is home schooled and my mom can tailor classes to suit his learning style. Example - he learns math facts by jumping on the stairs. Mom divides the flash cards into little piles on the stairwell and he has to jump stair to stair. When he gets the fact correct he can pick up the flash card and jump to the next step.
  
  Anyway - sometimes he'll practice spelling words while doing jumping jacks. His body has to be in motion! It helps his brain work better. That's just how he is.
  
  Perhaps - if the OP does indeed fall into this type of learning style, the fidgeting behavior is simply his way of integrating the new information. All learning is connecting the input with something we already know and are familiar with. Since muscles have memories - perhaps the fidgeting is his body responding to the increased circulation, increase in flexibility, new tissue texture, etc. By moving a bit the OP is LEARNING to relax, to expand the muscles to the new ROM, etc.
  
  Just pondering out loud.
  
  Angela

 

[Prav]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I'm not sure how to "quote" multiple posts, so I'll try to address this individually, then entirely.

Angela - I really appreciate your insight, especially with regards to your brother/husband's learning type. (As a side-note, I'm graduating college this semester to be an elementary school teacher - you've given me some great ideas!) I'm not a *constant* fidgeter throughout life; TouchOfGrace sort of it hit - when I'm trying to relax is when it's worst. If I have something that's outside my body to focus on (like a meeting, speaker, etc.) that isn't 'constantly the same thing', I'm usually okay. We've experimented with music/no music/different styles/ambient sounds/white noise/meditation CDs.. they're temporarily helpful to keep the fidgets at bay, but after a few minutes it just becomes "background noise" and the activity returns.

Familymassage - That's a great idea, and I've never thought about that before! I'll be seeing my MT on Wednesday and will definitely try to "focus the fidgets" LOL

Squash_blsm - It does feel like waves of energy are cascading through my body, but I'm not sure if that's what you mean or not. I'm not familiar with your style, or what an energy cyst is.

Pueppi - While I'm not ADHD, "eye patching" looks interesting. I don't have much time to read through the entire thing right now, but I'm definitely interested in doing a little research and checking it out! Thanks!!


It seems like the general consensus is that it's not really something to be embarrassed/worried about, as long as neither party is too uncomfortable with it. I know that my MT isn't freaked out by it.. it's mostly me. The few times we've talked about it, he's been very "cool" about it, and sort of playing it off like it's no big thing. When I apologize for it, he always comes back with "no big deal" or something along those lines. When I try to get him to talk about what he thinks it may be coming from, his answer is along the lines of "Sometimes it just happens. Everything's fine." Answers like this would generally lead me to look for someone new to work with, as I feel like they're valid questions that are going a little unanswered; he's fantastic about explaining things when I have other questions, though (like, why did you do this? How does this work? Why does this work?), and his work has been extremely helpful, so I can't justify leaving him because of his answer to a non-essential, "no big deal" question.

Thanks for all of your input!! t006

 

[Mr McGoo]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

Energy cyst is just a term used in cranio-sacral therapy and somato-emotional release (CST and SER).

It's an area of the body that has stored the energetic and physical effects of physical and/or emotional trauma.

And I have to laugh - because I would have said about the same as your MT.
It happens sometimes...it's no big deal.
(I don't have an answer for everything. )

I never even considered that it would be an unacceptable answer to some people.

 

[Antonia]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I never even considered that it would be an unacceptable answer to some people.

to add to this...MTs unfortunately (though probably VERY fortunately ) are not mind-readers so we don't necessarily know when a question is being asked for affirmation/comfort, or because it truly is a point of concern. i probably would have answered similarly as well. but then there's also the point that MTs cannot 'diagnose' and it could be that the wording of the question implied it more in that direction?? *shrug*

and of course, as stated before...we don't know everything. take comfort in the fact that it isn't apparently concerning to the MT that is in that moment with you, and has the awareness of the situation that none of us here can have regarding this.

keep being creative in your search for a productive resolution to your concerns; and keep the lines of communication open with your MT regarding this. communication is one of the most vital aspects of massage therapy--unfortunately we never get to experience our own work so rely on our education and the input of our clientele.

(let me know about the focused fidgeting...it was a 'stroke of genius' mid-posting and makes some logical sense to my way of thinking. another thing that might be intriguing for you to research is a thread regarding tickling and tickle therapies...an article or site had been referenced within that thread as well i think, don't remember rightly...)

 

[Enjoy Life]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

It's probably not an "unacceptable" answer to most people. The only reason I'm "concerned" over it is because it happens consistently (which, probably, means that I shouldn't be concerned..) but he DOES know that it IS a point of concern for me, since I try to bring it up (semi) often and it is he that sort of pushes it aside. It's rarely turned into an actual 'conversation', and usually is just something that he passes over.

I tried to "focus fidget" today.. it was helpful for a little while.. for longer than anything else I've tried, actually.. and was fairly still for close to 10 minutes. We had a little chat post-session about it. He commented that, even though he knows I mentally completely trust him and his work, it was the first time that he felt like my body completely trusted him. An interesting concept.. I didn't realize there was a difference between physically and mentally trusting someone's work. :woohoo: (Sorry, I'm loving these smileys!)

 

[misha]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I didn't realize there was a difference between physically and mentally trusting someone's work. :woohoo: (Sorry, I'm loving these smileys!)

It's kind of like standing on a high ledge. "You" know you are not going to fall, but your body still may have sensations of shaky knees or butterflies in the tummy. The body has a wisdom and mind of its own. And it may not be specific to this therapist- it could be anyone. Your body may just need more time to be comfortable than your mind.

 

[you are my muse...]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

I think this is a dead thread now, but I wanted to just post a little update.

I saw my MT today, and we tried something a little different. Before doing any real hands-on work, we did a pretty significant amount of assisted stretching. Pretty sure that parts of my body were stretched today that I didn't know were stretch-able!

Anyway, for whatever reason, it was IMMENSELY helpful to stop the fidgets before they even came! After being completely still for the entire face-up portion, about 25-30 minutes, I got a little restless. At that point, it was time to turn over anyway, so we did some more assisted stretching. I was able to get through the rest of the session with no trouble! Of the hour I spend there, probably around 15 minutes was spent solely stretching, with the other 45 more hands on.

Stretching is nothing unusual for our routine, but we never begin the session immediately with it. It always comes when we're done with a specific body part. I'm not sure why my MT decided to change things around like this; maybe he had a sudden burst of inspiration to try something new.

I always leave feeling relaxed, but didn't realize how much the fidget problem took away from the massage itself. I came out infinitely more relaxed, centered and grounded today. The usual dull soreness that I often feel is nonexistent, and I feel magnificent!

t026

 

[sofeinurbizness]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

That is awesome news!

Here's hoping that it continues and WTG! to your MT who figured out a plan that is so far working for you!

 

[End of Story]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

Just a thought - perhaps if you can make the time to do some yoga, or other form of movement based light exercise (even walking) prior to your sessions
it would make a difference for you.

When I first recieved massage sessions - before becoming an MT student, it was very hard for me to just let go & relax. On some level, I do believe it was a lack of trust on my part. A great deal can depend on your life experiences of course. When working with a client who has either had some form of trauma, or who is simply a classic ADD, ADHD type, it is often hard to get them to settle down. I've found that these type of folks may want to talk through sessions, or keep their eyes open - all of which is fine.

Sometimes it helps my clients to know ahead of time, that I am more than willing to let them guide their sessions - in that they are encouraged to speak up if they are in anyway uncomfortable, regarding anything from the temperature of the space & the table, or if where or how I'm working is not to their liking. For
some folks - they are very mentally oriented types, who find it hard to relax no matter where they are or what they're doing. For them I may recommend that they seek out a good nutritionist, have allergy testing done, or find other avenues which allow them to reduce their jittery minds & bodies. As you probably already know - certain food additives, or colorings can be an underlying cause - as can to much massageplanetfiene or sugar intake, etc. You might want to think about whatever does make you feel more balanced & relaxed whether it's time at the beach or in the mountains, etc. which take you out of your normal day to day environment, & away from geo-magnetic fields, (which some folks are highly sensitive to).

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you out! :altsmile:

 

[A pocket full of stones]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

Riversinger, I'm very much one of those people that gets too stuck in their own head for their own good. I don't "think" I'd go as far and classify it as ADD/ADHD, though. As far as trauma, I can't really think of any specific incidences that have come up, although I did have a rather large (and slightly embarrassing) laughing fit a few months ago, which we ultimately decided was a release of.. something. Only embarrassing because I couldn't stop, though, and then found myself with the hiccups

Your recommendations of nutritionist/allergy testing are interesting. I definitely understand why this could be a factor in a constantly hyperactive person.. and is an avenue that I look into. It's curious, though, that it's really only during the massage that I can't seem to be still - I'm not really a constant fidgeter throughout the day.. seems like it's only really bad when I'm trying to actually relax. Geo-magnetic fields are also an interesting thought, as I live on the UWS in NYC, but see an MT in a more rural setting. I wonder if my body is just sort of going haywire from being out of it's (energetic) familiarity-zone.

Thanks for your thoughts! I wouldn't have given much thought to nutritional/allergen testing before. I eat a largely clean diet with no HFCS/minimal additives.. but you never know what tiny element could be making a huge impact! :jumping:

 

[Toni]

A different kind of question.. Fidgeting?

but you never know what tiny element could be making a huge impact!

BINGO!

i'm VERY glad that you're finding some progress that you're happy with. it very well may be that if the routine of stretching very first thing is continued for several sessions that you're 'fidget' will continue to reduce.

in teaching infant massage we start our 'sessions' the same way each time to help our infants 'clue in' to it being massage-time. perhaps your body is needing something similar, to be 'clued in' to it being massage time (though one would logically assume that the travel to the office, etc would be sufficient warning . the stretching might be that very thing for you--that 'oh goodie! we're getting bodywork, everybody pipe down.' especially if you were feeling frantic or frazzled in getting there (running behind, some traffic, the latest news report, etc). the stretching may also be getting a little more space and fresh blood in there just prior to the work at hand commencing.

please do continue to keep us posted regarding this as the conversation is beneficial to us as well. never know when something filed away in the back of the brain will be very useful.


oh, and i concur with the yoga or any other gentle-stretching regimen/modality being utilized on a regular basis.