Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68016
the table wondering if he was heard, or whether he should say something again, and his attention may stay focused on that discomfort until it is attended to. As a therapist, you can relieve this worry thought pattern by beginning the session on that part of the body. Similarly, if a therapist has the habit of only visiting each body part once during a massage session, the client may feel disappointed after the therapist covers up the worrisome area. By returning frequently during the session to the area of concern, you can help the client feel that the attention there is never-ending. thinking about it. You can also deter tracking mind by continuing one lovely, soothing stroke or movement for a ridiculously long time: "That feels great but I know she's almost done, she only does that four times … wow, she's still doing it … wow, that feels so good, and it just goes on and on …" Eventually the mind surrenders the expectation that the good feeling should stop soon, and relaxes into pure pleasure. "Social mind" comes into play when the client feels an obligation to be engaged conversationally with the therapist, which is not relaxing neurologically. The brain activity involved in chatting generates beta brain waves, which then prevents slower frequencies. You can encourage clients to enjoy therapeutic silence by addressing this in your literature or intake process, and by not allowing yourself to be drawn into chatting during a session. I sometimes respond to a client's chatty questions by saying, very softly, "I'd love to talk to you about that later. Let's take a couple of deep breaths right now." Conversation about what is happening during the session is sometimes necessary, of course, and keeps the attention focused on the bodywork happening in the present. Recent scientific discoveries in "Tracking mind" is the phenomenon of noticing where the therapist is working and anticipating what she will do next. This mental activity is especially likely if you do the same massage routine during every session, or do the same massage sequence on the right and left sides of the body during one session: "OK, now she's going to flex the ankle, then she rotates and tractions each toe … yep, there's the first toe … second toe … next toe … next one …" You can defeat tracking mind by working in a way that is unpredictable. If the work cannot be tracked, tracking mind gives up neuroplasticity have demonstrated that the human brain has tremendous capacity to change its patterns, even in adulthood. Brain reorganization occurs in response to repeated new patterns. According to Sharon Begley, author of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain, "The actions we take can literally expand or contract different regions of the brain, pour more juice into quiet circuits, and damp down activity in buzzing ones."3 In this regard, if our clients experience slow brain wave states for extended periods of time during massage sessions, this may also stimulate their brains to adopt new, healthier patterns. We can help our clients begin to develop the brain patterns and health benefits of trained meditators. THE EMOTIONAL BODY By providing an emotional sanctuary during the massage session, we can help the client relax deeply and let go of emotional armoring which may be associated with health issues. Emotional openness comes from a feeling of being nurtured, accepted, listened to, and appreciated. We can gain the client's emotional confidence in many ways—before, during, and after the treatment session. BEFORE THE MASSAGE Remember that the session really begins at the moment the client walks through the door, at the first contact with you and your environment. Do you welcome the client warmly? Do you call him by name as he enters your space? Are you glad to see him? Does the client experience your full attention from the time you greet him? Try to get your treatment room set up completely before greeting the client so that after you turn your attention to him, you have no need to take it away to light candles or close the window blinds. A thorough intake discussion assures the client you are taking all of her concerns into account. Even a regular weekly client needs to know you are basing today's session on what her needs are today, and that you are listening attentively to fully understand those needs. Asking clarification questions about the client's issues or repeating what the client has told you indicates that you are truly engaged with the client's concerns. The intake discussion also provides an opportunity to reassure the client that the treatment will be a safe experience. In order to surrender fully to a state of deep relaxation, the client needs to believe that the therapist will not hurt her during the massage connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 65