Massage & Bodywork

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2015

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78 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 sometimes "sees things" in clients and has to be careful about what he says. He then hugged me, took my face in his hands, and said, "You look beautiful." The entire experience spoke to my childlike longing for the nurturing parent I never had, unconsciously drawing me toward him; I left that fi rst session feeling light-headed and inexplicably good, viewing him as a kind, gentle, and nurturing parental fi gure. In retrospect, the red fl ags from that very fi rst visit are now clear: Mr. D. touching me during the evaluation without my verbal consent; not providing information about 78 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 o OUR FIRST SESSION At 56 years old, I went to "Mr. D.," master bodyworker/therapist, for my fi rst appointment. I had received many massages previously, but was new to alternative healing practices that treated the movement of energy. I was eager to try them, wanting to explore holistic treatments rather than drugs and surgery to address my chronic pain. Mr. D.'s website looked impressive: extensive training in a variety of somatic and energetic techniques and a reported passion for the work he did. I was enthusiastic and intrigued. In our fi rst session, Mr. D. did not ask questions nor did he take notes as I described the physical issues for which I was seeking help. He evaluated my body posture as I stood in front of him, at one point touching my abdomen and lower back. When I asked what he would be doing in our session, he responded, "My clients' bodies speak to me." I thought this a somewhat unusual response, but since I was unfamiliar with alternative bodywork practices at the time, I accepted it as appropriate. He instructed me to "take off everything" for the 90-minute session. He began with a back massage and continued with other techniques that I assumed were craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, and energy work. The treatment was different from anything I had ever experienced. Aside from the physical feelings, I also experienced the sensation of being cradled like an infant and surrounded by comforting, divine love. After the session, I asked him, "So what did my body tell you?" He replied, "Nothing I didn't already know." He didn't discuss the treatment or the issues I was seeking help with but, oddly, he asked me if I was still menstruating. Noticing my surprise at this question, he explained that he

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