Massage Therapy and Professionalism: Matching Your Environment and Establishing Boundaries

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Based on perspective, the massage therapy profession can produce different images for different people. Some might think massage therapy and see a relaxing, spa-like environment, while still others might think of foot and hand reflexology, medical massage therapy in a hospital or doctor’s office, or chair massage therapy at an office.

With different work environments and expectations, massage therapists must be ready to tailor to the expectations and needs of any client – be they individuals, organizations, or businesses. The ability to adapt to these environments is key.

For example, therapists going to a corporate chair massage event will need to dress well (a polo shirt and khakis, at least) and conduct themselves as professionally as possible (arriving on time or early, matching the demeanor and conversation of their massage recipients, etc.). A therapist may be asked to be more efficient, and treat more people in a quick succession.

Therapists working in a hospital setting or in a doctor’s office may need to focus on keeping a clean, almost sterile environment in order to effectively administer treatment. While massage therapists working at a spa or in their own office should focus on creating a relaxing and safe environment where clients can comfortably receive treatment that relieves stress and provides relaxation.

However, there are general professional practices to keep in mind for all work settings. Therapists need to create an inviting, trusting and comfortable environment at all times. Clients needs on pressure or discomfort should always be addressed, and even sought after. It is crucial for a therapist to be attune to every individual they massage.

Therapist and client boundaries are also important to establish. Therapists have the right refuse to work on anyone who they observe to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or who acts in a way that the therapist considers to be a sexual advance. This right-to-refuse boundary is essential for therapists in maintaining a proper standard of professionalism.

This boundary extends to other situations as well, such as in cases where therapists determine that a massage recipient is ill or otherwise unfit to receive massage, or in circumstances where massage therapy is contraindicated.

Therapists, and massage recipients, need to remember that they can refuse to provide or receive massage in any circumstance, and, while this does not guarantee the enforcement or waiving of cancellation fees, it helps to ensure professional and safe treatment

As pointed out above, professionalism is subjective to the respective work environment in factors such as dress, demeanor and attitude. Whereas establishing professional and personal boundaries, is universal and essential for the success of every massage enterprise, and should be remembered in the many settings where massage therapy is provided.


Coupling Binaural Beats with Massage Therapy

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Binaural beats, discovered over 170 years ago by German scientist, H.W. Dove, have been investigated extensively by the scientific community and have made resurgence in popularity.  Binaural beats are a combination of sounds that some claim induces tranquility, meditation, creativity, and other mental states.

This is a highly controversial concept, but advocated by many.  Some claim auditory artifacts bring about a state similar to a drug induced stupor, while others tout its amazing ability to espouse feelings of euphoria and profound relaxation, and then  there are those that call it nonsense.  If binaural beats is truely beneficial, then  there is arguement that binaural beats paired with massage therapy could create the ultimate relaxing or healing experience for their clients.

Our brainwaves organically begin at the Delta range, which is the lowest frequency, and then move through the Theta, Alpha, and finally the Beta frequencies.  A binaural beat is created in the brain when two slightly different tones, from one of the frequencies, are played separately into each ear with headphones.

During this process, our brains produce an experience that result in a low-frequency pulsation, as the beating tone is perceived, as if the two tones combined naturally.  The results vary with different frequency patterns, and alter your mental state accordingly. An online example of a binaural tone can be heard here.

Intense relaxation naturally occurs at the 3-8 Theta range.  Someone who is constantly engaged in either conversation or other intense tasks is operating in the Beta range.  It is difficult for these people to relax and slow down their minds.  Generally this is a Type A personality and they tend to operate in the flight-or-fight realm and they have a high incidence of stress related illnesses.

People visit massage therapists for a variety of reasons and among those reasons one can safely assume that “relaxation” is high on the list. A myriad of modalities exist to induce a state of relaxation, whether it be aromatherapy, dim lighting, or music.  Theoretically, a massage therapist could use binaural beats, in place of traditional modalities, to induce the brain to slow down, helping high-stressed clients reach a state of great relaxation.

As stated, there is much debate to the effectiveness of binaural beats in altering the brain’s frequency. Natural frequencies occur in the human brain, and therefore possible binaural beats could significantly modify one’s mental state.   If a client is open to this possibility and technique, it is perhaps worthy of exploration.

Keep Your Energy Up – Simple steps to keep energized before massage events

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Working at a long, busy massage event is exhausting.  It is mentally draining switching from one to person to another, each with a different personality.  It is physically taxing on your back, hands, and legs.  Sometimes a break is as short as ten minutes. Not leaving enough time to restore much-needed energy.  Here are some tips to prevent a mid-event crash.

Get enough sleep the night before  – Sleep is vital for cellular rejuvenation and there is a direct link between the sleep-wake cycle and how the body accesses energy.  The body requires sleep to help renew brain function. Judgment and behavior will also suffer without adequate sleep.

Eat a protein or complex carbohydrate rich breakfast  – This will keep you energized.  Anything high in sugar will give  you instant energy, but you will crash before the day is through. Whole grain bread with a nut butter, yogurt sprinkled with nuts and seeds, steel-cut oatmeal with dried fruits and nuts, or hard-boiled eggs with a side of spinach and lean cheese will provide you with hours of stamina. .  Protein and complex carbohydrates stabilize your blood sugar, keep you full until your next meal and stores energy your body can access all day.

Drink fluids – Water is your friend. Drinking throughout the day will keep you energized.  Since our body is approximately 60% water keeping yourself hydrated helps your organs operating properly.   Dehydration can cause your body’s systems to slow down, leaving you lethargic, exhausted, and irritable.   Even eating melon or tomatoes will increase your water intake, which will give you an energy boost and ward off fatigue.

Light stretching or yoga asanas  – Stretching provides instant energy by increasing blood flow and oxygen to your muscles and organs.  Remember, being conscious of your breathing is key during stretches.  Need an example. See two quick exercises here.

Other quick fixes may include: Taking a quick inhalation of a  peppermint, frankincense, and lemon oil blend to help you stay alert.  Eating small and frequent snacks of fruits, nuts, vegetables, or cheese sticks throughout the day also keeps your blood sugar steady and your body full of sustainable energy.  These simple steps will help you stay focused and energized, allowing you to perform at your best.

Avoiding Energy Transference During Massage Therapy

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A single massage can leave practitioners drained, or turbulently energized. After a corporate event, where many massages are given, they may feel nauseous and exhausted, or, as if they had a triple espresso shot.  Energy transference from client to practitioner can occur in numerous forms.

Protecting oneself from this phenomenon can be challenging.  One does not want to appear too aloof to a client, but sometimes creating a distance is necessary to avoid absorbing unwanted energy.  Distances can be achieved through outside means, however, still enabling you to maintain a warm relationship with your clients.

  • Stretching may cleanse your body of unwanted energy.  After a massage, take the opportunity to do some light yoga.  There are various yoga asanas that offer twisting and stretching.  The asanas “massage” the internal organs, which promotes the release of toxins and negative energy, especially if you pair the asanas with forceful breaths, consciously pushing out unwanted energy with each exhalation.
  • While conducting a massage practice focused breath-work with your exhalations.  Picturing a strong, solid brown light traveling down your spine into the ground will help center and ground you; this can be especially helpful when practicing on a frenetic client.  Pushing a bluish-green healing light through your hands, into the client, will help block any extra energy you may pick-up from them as well.
  •  Finishing your day with a shower is another way to cleanse unwanted energy.  Try showering at a cooler temperature, it will “shock” your nervous system, allowing it to eject the unwelcome energy out.
  • Meditate nightly, concentrating on your breath and moving any negative or uncontrolled energy out of you, then, spend the final five minutes of meditation doing the grounding work discussed above.

Most importantly, take time for yourself.  Practice relaxing deep breathing or go to a yoga class at the end of a busy day.  Being able to leave your practice in your studio will help keep you independent of unwanted energy. And, of course, practicing any of the above methods will help, as long as they are backed with real intention.   Ultimately, however, having a strong sense of self and confidence is the ultimate way to combat unwanted energy.