Articles about massage students & careers

[C_LAYS]

Much thanks! Most of you were very helpful.When I don't appreciate someone's approach, I respond with courteous silence. But hey, that's just me.

First you complain that you're not getting enough responses, now you are complaining that you are getting too many? Did it occur to you that maybe the lack of response WAS the "courteous silence?"

 

[Queenie]

You asked for articles. Then that wasn't what you wanted at all ..... you wanted to hear from real people. But you want to hear what we hate about what we do. It's just not a fun game.

Don't worry - I won't ask for anything else from this forum. Goodness gracious...such anger from a simple observation...

 

[fabiolapistola]

Not angry, just making an observation regarding your observation.

 

[Ebo]

I'll go ahead & post this for public viewing. It's important. In our PMs you said how much you enjoy the constant change of the corporate world, especially on the IT side. You enjoy re-certification with Crystal reviews, right? (I'm upgrading my MCDBA to SQL Server 2005 and just thought of you while learning the new CROSS APPLY function!)

I think I've finally realized why massage as a career choice hasn't been the best for me. I have not found it to be intellectually stimulating or rewarding. I don't even want to tally up the dollars and time I've spent on Erik Dalton's Myoskeletal Alignment seminars (all of them), Myokinesthetic, Chinese Cupping, La Stone, Lomi Lomi, etc, etc because I enjoy the challenge of learning.

First, my clients both in Florida and Oregon have been resistant to change. They find what they like and don't appreciate it when I offer new therapies. They humor me once or twice then ask for the old stuff again.

Second, I've found most bodywork techniques can be reduced to three "base approaches". The rest is derivative, re-hashed by a different therapist with a new name. I learned that one the hard way.

Yep, for me this could be the biggest negative about bodywork. I have actually been discouraged from learning new techniques. And the ones I do learn aren't much different from the old ones. I'm bored stiff, which is a sure-fire death-knell for me.

 

[aaliyah]

Ouch -

NOW you are talking my language!

I am constantly learning and immediately seeking opportunities to apply what I have learned. It's an endlessly fascinating journey, and I am always excited to explore new methodologies via continuing ed. That said, I also agree that many methods seem to have much in common, and some are virtually indestinguishable from one another unless you factor in the instructor's personality and ideosyncracies. Hence, I am very picky about what continuing ed opportunities I will pursue.

As I have learned more, my preferred methods have changed greatly. As I continue to improve, my style will continue to change. My most loyal clients generally welcome the changes, and those who don't drift away... a fact I never fret about. Those people will find another MT that they will like better.

I practice in the manner my enthusiasm and greatest understanding deems best for each client's unique situation, and I educate them about my methods so they understand there's a method and reason behind "the madness" of unfamiliar techniques. For what it's worth, my client base continues to grow and I never feel like I have to compromise.

Ouch, if you are really intrigued by intellectual pursuits, perhaps you should examine some methods that are more intellectually stimulating for you. From some of the things you've shared, I suspect you might find something of interest in Barrett Dorko's "Simple Contact" and the emerging methods of DermoNeuroModulation often discussed on the SomaSimple.com forums. It will certainly challenge what you have learned about many of the precepts underpinning most existing forms of bodywork. :grin: