Massage & Bodywork

January/February 2013

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reader fOruM dear editOr, I've been appreciating the @Work series focusing on body stresses of different professions and how to address them. Whitney Lowe's article on nurse's injuries (September/October 2012, page 106), however, included phrasing that surprised me. After he cites studies that indicate a correlation between menstrual discomfort and aggravation of low-back problems, he writes, "The presence of a seemingly unrelated pain problem can compromise the integrity and function of low-back muscles …" I wonder why he says "seemingly unrelated." Does he not know female anatomy? Or did he not want to add a sentence or two to explain how menstrual and low-back pain are related? Is it not common knowledge, at least among those well-versed in the body, that the uterus has direct ligament attachments to both ilia (broad ligament) and the sacrum (uterosacral ligament), and other ligaments that attach indirectly to the bony structure? When the uterus is misaligned in the pelvis it can lead to menstrual pain, low-back pain, and other "female" problems. Considering the vast majority of our clients are women, I think it's very important we become knowledgeable about women's bodies. sara sunstein BerKeley, CalifOrnia authOr respOnse Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on this issue. It is funny you brought that up because I had previously taken that phrase out thinking that the connection was too obvious. However, I put it back in because it has been my perception that the level of anatomy training of many massage therapists is still somewhat lacking. I was attempting (perhaps in a poor way) to draw attention to something that may not be immediately apparent to those not familiar with anatomy or viscerosomatic reflexes. Very good point, and I will keep that in mind in future articles. WHitneY loWe stiCKinG pOint I began, with great interest, reading Irene Diamond's "Make Your Appointments Stick" in the September/October issue (page 82). I found her repackaging of the cancellation policy as a rescheduling policy to be a subtle, yet very effective shift. I instantly knew I would be introducing that into my intake materials. I enjoyed Ms. Diamond's professional approach to some of the business aspects of massage therapy. I was, however, shocked when I read her suggestion that in our reminder calls we include details of what work was being addressed in the past massage session and what will continue to be worked on in the upcoming session. Has Ms. Diamond never heard of HIPAA? I realize most people have personal cell phones so no one else should hear the message, but it goes against every ethic I know to leave that kind of message on a phone. I also had a problem with the wording, "… so I can help you with your stress from your new job." Ms. Diamond's statement made it appear as if the client is passive and the massage therapist is doing the fi xing. As therapists, we are here to facilitate a process, to help guide the body to a more healing place. We can be central in the healing of a person, but healing is a collaboration between client and practitioner. It is important to understand that the client may be looking forward to a change of focus for the next massage session. It is important to meet clients where they are at when they enter your massage room, and not to assume what the work will be. Of course, it is important for therapists to note and keep track of all the work that is done in a session, the results that our clients are experiencing, and plans for continued sessions. However, the assumption that the therapist has already decided on the course of a client's next visit without client input can lead to more than a rescheduling problem—it could cost you a client. Marlaine Darfler lansinG, new yOrK authOr respOnse I absolutely agree and stand corrected. I continue to encourage therapists to emphasize the results clients will get from keeping their appointments, which in turn will help make appointments stick, but to do so in person rather than on a voice message. If we are not specific in how we can help clients achieve their desired results, it is common for clients to forget the importance of keeping their sessions. irene DiaMonD MT S' MA G IC

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