Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68178
BROADWAY BODYWORKER The calves are problematic because dancers perform with their feet in extension, tightening their calves and putting strain on the tibialis anterior. says, because dancers perform with their feet in extension, tightening their calves and putting strain on the tibialis anterior. And the injuries don't always affect just the dancers. "During the Starlight Express tour, our conductor, Michael Duff, was having some back problems. I was working on him on my table when his back went into spasms shortly before the show. Unable to get off the table, we lifted the entire table up and placed him in a closet offstage with a monitor and a camera inside, so that he could conduct the orchestra on his back and the orchestra could watch is movements on their monitor. After the show, an ambulance arrived, we put him on a backboard, and we took him to the hospital where he was given large doses of muscle relaxants and painkillers. He made a full recovery and is our current conductor on Cats." PROS OUTWEIGH CONS There is no doubt this is not the gig for everyone. Sleeping in a different bed almost every night, trying to stay healthy on the road, missing the conveniences of home, hauling luggage from the bus to the hotel, being in close proximity with the same people all the time, following a strict and often harsh work schedule, missing holidays and other special events, and spending countless hours in emergency rooms with injured dancers along the way are just a few of the challenges Masi endures throughout a tour. But with a passion for travel (and finding the best coffee shops in the cities he travels to), and gratitude for working with a great company and a great group of people, Masi couldn't be happier with his arrangement. "My job has taken me across the entire United States, Canada, and many different countries, including Japan, Chile, and Brazil," he says. "This is the lifestyle that I love, so that makes the minor inconveniences bearable." Massage & Bodywork. Contact her at karrie@abmp.com. Karrie Osborn is contributing editor at For more information about Jerry Masi and his work, e-mail him at gjm522@yahoo.com. visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 89