Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72098
ENERGY AND THE INTEGRATIVE VISION • energy Lately, the tree of science, or evidence-based massage, has been somewhat overshadowing other approaches. We have seen an emphasis on science and evidence-based massage and a relative de-emphasis on the artistic and the energetic side of bodywork. This is partly due to the excitement with which the field has tried to attain clinical competence and get respect from the medical industry. In addition, through more than just national interactions, massage in the United States, which has traditionally been accepting of an eclectic mix of therapies, has been confronted with, for instance, the Canadian model, which is more of a European physiotherapy, allopathic model of massage. Other influences are those of testing, national certifications, and licensing. It is vastly easier to test for scientific knowledge than for art and hands-on skills. National exams do not contain—understandably— an examination of hands-on skill, energetic sensitivity, palpatory literacy, or actual therapeutic benefit because it is recognized as nearly impossible to objectively judge hands-on work. But the deeper insight here is that what constitutes the highest skill level in our field is indeed something that has as much to do with art as it does with science. Though we don't test for the art, that doesn't mean it isn't of equal or greater importance. Progress in both the art and science, both energy and structure, is a precious legacy of modern massage therapy. Of late, the scientific perspective has been wonderfully emphasized. It is the purpose of this article to contribute to balancing this emphasis with an understanding of the essential role energy, art, and integration play in our knowledge and therapy. from Greek energeia activity, from energos active, from en in + ergon work 1. a : dynamic quality b : the capacity of acting or being active c : a usually positive spiritual force 2. vigorous exertion of power 3. a fundamental entity of nature that is transferred between parts of a system in the production of physical change within the system and usually regarded as the capacity for doing work 4. usable power (as heat or electricity); also : the resources for producing such power. Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary ENERGY WORK DEFENDED On the one hand, energy is too important a subject to be defined only by its devotees—some of whose ideas or practices have been shown to be false or dangerous— or with claims made for scientific validity where there is insufficient scientific evidence or disproof. On the other hand, energy work has been negatively defined by its detractors. These are people who act as if anything that is not scientifically proven or evidence-based is false and/or offensive to the rational mind. Energy and energy work, to some extent, must be defended from both its devotees and its detractors. Here, though we primarily explore the energetic standpoint, we will be often reminded that "both/ and" thinking—integrating both structure and energy—is more accurate than describing something as structure or energy alone. Let's see how we can cultivate a more inclusive vision and not take sides. THE UNION OF ENERGY AND STRUCTURE Let's first make clear that energy work and structural work are two sides of the same coin. Most likely, the most effective therapy will arise from an approach that respects and unites the structural and energetic aspects of both therapist and client. 64 massage & bodywork september/october 2011 The various arguments for and against energy work, and for and against excessive insistence on evidence-based therapy, are certainly passionate. But the best answer to most passionate debates is often a more overriding vision. The assumption that the scientific/structural view of massage is the correct one is as one-sided as the assumption that the artistic/energetic approach to massage is correct. It is comparable to arguing which one of your two eyes you ought to see out of. Each person is both physical and more than physical (e.g., having also mind and emotions). Therefore, an approach that is most likely to foster the deepest experience of health will be one that takes the whole person—physically and more than physically—into account. As we explore the realm of energy, my goal is to clarify the energetic realm and make it more likely that massage therapists and bodyworkers be even more empowered to join art and science in their work. The separation or antagonism between energy work and structural work often seems a waste of time and, at worst, a real tragedy. It would be like separating health from care. We practice health care. We are responsible both for caring, which is energetic, and for being skilled in promoting health through soft-tissue manipulation.