Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72312
APPRECIATING CLIENTS' HEALTH CHALLENGES REWARDING AND RENEWING Both clients and therapists cite cost as a major—and often, only—deterrent. Even though they're a population that could most use bodywork, people with physical problems generally have more fiscal constraints. "After paying for medications, treatments, and physician fees, people with chronic medical concerns find themselves unable to afford massages, even though bodywork greatly improves their quality of life," Dronet says. She often works with medical clients to try to accommodate their financial needs. And she's attempting to partner with a nonprofit organization to bring in grants for those in need. "In New York State, there isn't any coverage under insurance, so the individual pays," Scanu says. "It is difficult for the client. Many times, I have lowered my bill substantially. That tactic usually has an adverse affect, because the client doesn't want to 'take' anything from me. It's just a totally frustrating situation. Losing a client to fees can be heart wrenching, especially when you have achieved some success, and you believe that success can continue." Despite the extra effort and education involved, working with clients who have physical problems can be rewarding and renewing. "Having a person come into your office in pain and leave feeling at least a little better inspires me," Scanu says. "This is especially true when I'm the last resort before surgery." "My patients say all the time that massage represents a gift of energy," Donadio says. "They say that energy uplifts them." Physical therapists may think of bodywork as strengthening exercises and balance training, chiropractors may consider it relaxation prior to spinal adjustment, and physicians may refer to it as a spa day, Abromovitz says. Clearly, the medical professions underappreciate the benefits of attaining and maintaining maximum skeletal and muscular function. "In my opinion and experience, bodywork is as essential to health and well-being as diet, exercise, love, compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude," Abromovitz says. Dronet says, "My most challenged clients teach me about loss, joy, and grief. Being invited to join them on their journeys honors me, as does being allowed to see their pain and fear. Diseases might be breaking their bodies, but they find the courage to present themselves to me. I find their faith very humbling, spiritual, and grounding." Now, how many occupations can claim similar perks? Diane M. Marty is a Colorado- based freelance writer who specializes in holistic health topics. NOTES 1. Kieren Faull, "A Pilot Study Of The Comparative Effectiveness Of Two Water-Based Treatments For Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Watsu And Aix Massage," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 9: 202–10. When thirteen females diagnosed with FM completed watsu treatments, researchers noted significant changes in bodily pains, vitality levels, and physical and social functions. 2. In another study published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology a month of biweekly massages improved sleep patterns and decreased pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cortisol levels in people with fibromyalgia. T. Field, M. Diego, C. Cullen, M. Hernandez-Reif, and W. Sunshine, "Fibromyalgia Pain and Substance P Decrease and Sleep Improves After Massage Therapy," Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 8, no. 2 (April 2002): 72–6. 3. At the Touch Research Institute in Miami, sixteen adults diagnosed with PD received either thirty minutes of massage therapy or progressive muscle relaxation exercise sessions twice a week for five weeks. Massage participants improved in their ability to complete daily living activities. They also rated themselves as having better sleep and had lower stress hormone levels. M. Hernandez-Reif, T. Field, S. Largie, C. Cullen, J. Beutler, C. Sanders, W. Weiner, D. Rodriguez-Bateman, L. Zelaya, S. Schanberg, and C. Kuhn, "Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Are Reduced By Massage Therapy And Progressive Muscle Exercises," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 6: 177–182. 4. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute in Montreal, Quebec, noted that after Trager therapy on their most rigid arms, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experienced a 36 percent reduction in involuntary movements immediately following treatment. The study strongly suggests that Trager therapy may reduce muscle rigidity and eventually lead to the development hybrid therapies for PD. C. Duval, D. Lafontaine, J. Hébert, A. Leroux, M. Panisset, and J. P. Boucher, "The Effect Of Trager Therapy On The Level Of Evoked Stretch Responses In Patients With Parkinson's Disease And Rigidity," Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 25, no. 7 (Sept 2002): 455–64. 5. Weekly one-hour therapeutic massage treatments conducted over a sixteen-week period at the Sutherland- Chan School of Massage Therapy in Toronto, Canada, indicate that massage therapy increases the effectiveness of clients with MS, potentially resulting in an improvement in their emotional state. This outcome dissipated with time, suggesting that the positive changes require on-going treatments. Paul Finch and Pauline Becker, "Changes In The Self-Efficacy Of Multiple Sclerosis Clients Following Massage Therapy," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 11, no. 3 (July 2007): 267–72. 100 massage & bodywork january/february 2008