Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68013
'ROUND THE TABLE When I was 49, I read a book titled The Girl Within. It was a series of stories about women's lives. Most were in their 70s and 80s. One suggestion in this book was to go back within yourself and ask the small girl what she likes and wants. When I did this, I saw my child self standing at the door of the hospital room seeing a nurse rubbing a man's back. I realized that I could be a massage therapist (not a nurse) and so I took myself to massage school. I have been practicing for 15 years now and have realized the dream of my childhood. I am happy now when people get off my table smiling and free of pain. PATRICIA A. DOHEARTY SPARKS, NEVADA It has taken me over 15 years of jobs (around 25 companies altogether) to find a job that I fell in love with enough to make a career out of. My jobs before were merely a series of good and bad dates that I went on hoping "this would be the one." Some were glamorous, came with nice cars, and promised me a future of happiness before they showed their true colors. Others I knew were bad for me from the very beginning, but I just had to have them because of their location, fancy title, or publicity. Yes, some also came with a truly long commute, really uncomfortable hours, or unfriendly staff, but I took them because I was bored, lonely, or needed to feel wanted again. When I found massage therapy, after a back injury, it was love at first sight (touch). I drove to school every day, nervous with anticipation. There were some days I didn't want class to end, it was so much fun. But mostly, I was just really happy that after all the searching I had done, I had finally found "the one" thing in life that didn't bore me. RACHEL ESTELLE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA Please e-mail your 'Round the Table submissions (200 words or less) to darren@abmp.com. Submission does not guarantee inclusion. Also, due to space constraints, your material may be edited. UPCOMING TOPICS What strategies have been the most successful in getting clients to rebook after a session? Tell us about one thing that's made you a better MT. What single piece of advice would you give to students ready to graduate from massage school and enter the field? I became a medical massage therapist because the results toward healing many ailments of the body can be seen immediately. The hands-on, non- surgical methods I've been trained in by the Blue Heron Academy of Healing Arts and Sciences helps treat and alleviate such conditions as scoliosis; frozen shoulder; lateral or medial epicondylitis; lymphedema; femoral compression causing short leg; elevated, protracted, upwardly rotated scapulas … and many more conditions. I've also assisted in labor and delivery, making the birth process much easier. Infant massage and infant massage training is also extremely beneficial for baby and parents. With my heart's desire to be involved in the medical field, but believing whole-heartedly in alternative medicine, being a licensed massage therapist has opened the door to help people truly get healed instead of hiding their symptoms behind pharmaceuticals. People need to be educated about the many dangerous side effects of taking medications. TINA SIMON MIDLAND, TEXAS visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 35 DEADLINE June 15 August 15 PUBLICATION DATE September/ October 2009 November/ December 2009 October 15 January/ February 2010 I turned to bodywork as a result of a car accident more than a decade earlier. My therapists in massage, reiki, reflexology, healing touch, craniosacral therapy, yoga, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, and lahochi helped me regain my quality of life. Each therapy worked together and built on the other. Each therapist referred me on when I needed it. Each therapist listened to me and taught me to listen to my body and its needs. They were more than my therapists; they became my teachers, my mentors, and now my colleagues. I was so excited at how my body was feeling. And I was in awe at how powerful and healing touch and bodywork could be. When I was ready, I trained, then started my new career and have never regretted it. I now help others as I have been helped. I consider bodywork and touch therapies philanthropic: they are the efforts and inclinations to increase the well-being of all and are offered in love. I am grateful to be a part of such an ancient, honorable profession. KIMBERLY A. ROGERS WAUPACA, WISCONSIN