Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68178
PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR LETTERS TO EDITOR@ABMP.COM. INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND THE CITY AND STATE IN WHICH YOU RESIDE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE UNABLE TO PUBLISH ALL THE LETTERS WE RECEIVE. MASSAGE & BODYWORK STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO EDIT LETTERS FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY. What a lovely idea! Even Twitter now ... I wonder if anyone who works in the offi ces actually realizes that massage therapists make a living by being greased up with lotions and not sitting in front of a computer. And when we do have time between clients (yes, working by the hour ...), the best way to catch up on my massage publication is sitting somewhere in the massage room with a hard copy. Thought I'd let everyone in the home offi ce know that we still work with our hands (I know, bummer, not as fashionable as Twittering ...). JOLANA VANEK TELLURIDE, COLORADO Viewpoint Thank You I just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for Les Sweeney's editorial in the July/August issue of Massage & Bodywork [Viewpoint, "Keep Your Feet Moving," page 10]. The story about keeping your feet moving was very helpful. I received my certifi cation almost a year ago and have since taken and failed my national exam. I also discontinued my ABMP insurance. Although I have been studying to retake the exam and am doing a few massages on the wife to keep a little active, I have been reluctant to pursue anything. Your article showed me a light that I have to just keep on trying. I love doing massages. I enjoy helping others and healing others. I am good at what I do, I have the knowledge, I just have to translate that into paper. QUINCY BROWN MARLBORO, MARYLAND Full Frontal Glory I was just sitting down to read Massage & Bodywork [May/June 2009] when a few articles got me thinking, especially the articles on self- preservation, boundaries, and ethics ["Preventive Measures," by Dennis Walker, May/June 2009, page 38]. I recalled the last time I went to a bookstore and browsed the self- help and massage therapy section. It dawned on me: the massage profession is sending out mixed messages in textbooks, manuals, guides, etc. Sixty percent have one thing in common: they have exposed breasts and genitals. Some even include unclad massage therapists working on unclad patients. Both in full frontal glory. The sexually and sensually explicit massage books are also mixed in with the legitimate therapeutic massage guides. This further clouds the issue for the public. Websites of respected domestic and foreign academic institutions brim with nude illustrations when it comes to massage therapy techniques and issues. What about massage therapy videos? How are they presented to the general public? If these publications need to include the genitals for a technique, then blur the genitals. And this isn't exclusive to massage therapy, but is also seen in reiki, Rolfi ng, Chinese meridians, and other modalities. Potential clients see these publications and immediately think: "Hmm, this must be what massage therapy is all about. Nudity and sex." In my opinion, there should be only one massage book/manual/ video that could/should have exposed genitals in it: medical massage dealing specifi cally with pelvic fl oor and various sphincter-strengthening issues. LEE SUTTON STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 15 nurturing body, mind & spirit may/june 2009 Safety for You PREVENTIVE MEASURES & PEACE OF MIND Personal DEEP-TISSUE SCULPTING FOR LOW-BACK PAIN with Carole Osborne Bodywork for Fibromyalgia HOT TREND: KINESIO TAPING Fritz Smith on Zero Balancing Massage & Bodywork May/june 2009 personal safety