Do you LOVE your job?

[secrethq1]

I hear ya, Jill. I sometimes wonder how long I am going to last. I have a couple of local MT friends that lasted about 15-20 years, and I am at 8. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't do it, but just like you I am sure that I would work it out. Good for you! You give me hope. t049

 

[Henock]

And one lingering question for me remains:

How stressfull is massage therapy? In general, and on the body. I am used to being on my feet all day, moving in all kinds of positions to reach, grab, catch, etc., so that part doesn't scare me. But how often do you say to yourself..."Gosh, I am so stressed out!!!!!

Another interesting question to answer. I have been in the health care professions for a lot of years now in a couple of different capacities. The "work" has never stressed me out... but the lack of financial backing did. And, when I was working too many jobs to get my own business going... and when I worked in a spa that didn't listen to injured therapists needing time off or a less busy schedule. It was "work or don't come back". I am in a fire at will state. That was stressy.

...but given that history, do you think, (and I know that this is just your OPINION, and that it really depends on my body), that I will be safe from repeating this injury? Does it really all depend on self care, regardless of past ailments? How many of you complain that your wrists hurt? I'm trying to separate fact from fiction...there's a lot of junk on the web...

Past ailments can always factor in to what you do, so I feel you can expect that you need to build up the strength in the hands (dorsal and palmar), wrists and forearms. But these are things you can learn to work around to an extent as well. Consider getting some high quality martial arts training if need be. It can help heal the body in many facets.

I rarely complain that my wrists hurt. Maybe a few times per year if I overdo it... but even then it is usually more finger/hand than wrist pain.

Hope it helps.

 

[iris_ankur]

I actually have a lot of back problems from my previous work ( ranching, workign with colts, lifting bales ) and I actually find that working on people helps my back more than it hurts it. Really helps to stretch out my lower back.
Using proper mechanics is essential...using your legs and back to give you strength instead of relying on just your upper body/hands really helps a lot.
I also have arthritis in my right index finger that I broke several years ago that I thought would be a huge problem..but again, quite the opposite has happened.

 

[lynna]

The lack of stress in my therapist was what first turned on the :idea: in my head that wondered, "how can I be like that, too?" After all, I was seeing her to help reduce the job-related stress that was making my hair fall out in chunks and my heart jump out of my chest!

I agree with the others, it's who you work for/with and getting yourself off the ground that are the stressful parts. But once the door closes and you're with your client, no matter how wretched the day is going, it all falls away and your focus is only on the person and the work ahead. You just CAN'T be stressed or negative and give a great massage, so you MUST to let it go.

As far as past injuries, there are so many, many different techniques and methods to help the body to heal, and some are more physically challenging than others, that there's no reason that should stop you if you're called to this work. If doing spot-treatment deep tissue all day is too much for your body, shift your desire to help others into a more gentle modality for your body, such as energy work. There are so many things to learn that you can live many lifetimes and not learn it all.

The inability to get bored with it is a big part of what keeps it fresh and exciting for us. Each day brings different people with different likes & dislikes, needs, hurts, and expectations to our tables. How can't anyone love that?

 

[kazi]

"The inability to get bored with it is a big part of what keeps it fresh and exciting for us. Each day brings different people with different likes & dislikes, needs, hurts, and expectations to our tables. "

I like that you bring that up...from the position of someone who's never done it professionaly, I would've thought that a professional would've found it boring after a while. (But maybe that is the case if you are only doing it for the money.)

Another question: Has your psychic intuition and empathy towards others increased since you became a therapist?