Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/259468
74 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 4 START AT THE BOTTOM An elderly gentleman was suffering from severe sciatica. This necessitated my having to work on his lumbar spine and gluteal regions. During our intake, I asked permission to work on his glutes. He nodded, eager to get on the table. After having completed the detailed work on his lumbar spine, I placed my hands on his glutes. He immediately arched into a perfect yoga cobra position, pushing himself off the table with his arms, looked back at me, and said, "Why are you touching me there?!" He obviously had no idea where his glutes were. Another client, with severe shoulder girdle pain and abundant breast tissue, told me after she got off the table, "Well, no one ever massaged my breasts before, but I feel better." I had not in fact massaged her breasts; I had performed detailed subclavicular work with one hand while gently holding her breast tissue out of the way with the other. To her, I had massaged her breasts. Lessons Learned Don't use anatomical terms if there is even the slightest possibility the client doesn't understand; indicate with your hands where you intend to work. After years of working with bodies, we can get too comfortable with moving tissue around and out of the way, even in private areas. Stay keenly aware of body parts traditionally viewed as private and always ask permission—and explain why you are trespassing—before starting the work. FALLING IN LOVE We are told from the very beginning of massage therapy school, "Don't date your clients. No emotional involvements. It's unethical and compromising." But, of course, I had to be the exception. I met a client at a chair massage event. We both felt the chemistry. He had severe scoliosis and extreme hypertonicity, and asked if he could get a full treatment on his back. "Sure," I said, thrilled I'd see him again, and gave him my card. You know the rest. One thing led to another. I tried to keep our personal relationship separate from our professional one, but it was impossible. When the inevitable breakup occurred, I lost my heart and he lost the opportunity for the corrective bodywork he truly needed. Lesson Learned I don't really have to spell this one out, do I? PROFESSIONAL L AND MINES DROPPED STONES I wish I could say most of my errors occurred when I first started out, but this one happened less than a year ago. I had just completed a lovely two-day hot stone continuing education class and was eager to try out my new skills on one of my favorite clients. If you accidentally heat the stones beyond what would be safe to apply to the skin, you have to give them time to cool off. I found myself tossing a stone back and forth in my hands until it cooled. Great idea—until the darn thing slipped out of my hands and plunked onto the client's back. So much for relaxation. I'm fortunate it occurred with a client who was also a long-time friend. We laughed, and I apologized profusely as I regained both the rock and my composure. Lesson Learned Stay clear of your client's body while shifting equipment, shaking stuck lotion out of the bottom of a tube—or throwing rocks. If a hot towel or hot stone needs to cool, put it down somewhere safe and leave it to cool on its own. WATCH THE HUMOR One of my pet peeves is being called a masseuse. Most therapists consider it a derogatory term that smacks of prostitution, so when it's used, I always take the moment to educate. At a church gathering once, the minister, a well-intentioned fellow who I knew pretty well, said, "Charlotte, tell us about your work as a masseuse." My standard response—which I had always thought was pretty funny—was, "I prefer to be called a massage therapist. In my mind, masseuse means prostitute, and I don't have that much fun." Yep, I dropped that line in the middle of a church gathering. You would think all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. The minister turned six shades of red, cleared his throat, and immediately changed the subject. Lesson Learned Some of us are better at reading a social group than others, but my ineptitude made it clear I had a lot to learn about reading a group before using even the slightest bit of off-color humor.