practicing unpopular techniques

[blueberry]

As of the 5th of October, I've been a massage therapy student for one full year. Yay!

This quarter we're working on the treatment of specific disorders. (Yes, we can "treat" in Ohio.) I'm loving it. Moving my partner's thyroid cartilage out of the way and working on her longus colli for the first time was an amazing experience. I didn't know I could do that! I didn't know bodies could do that! I've since practiced this on my husband, who found the process a little bit scary at first, but fascinating.

But ... I'm not finding any other practice clients who are ready for me to practice this technique on them. Same with intra-oral massage for TMJD. My friends are all down for a nice Swedish massage, maybe some trigger point work. They'll keep an open mind for craniosacral (possibly more open than MY mind was, but that's another story). But these new techniques we're working on are just a little too invasive for their comfort.

My classmates are running into the same problem. We're talking about trading massages outside of class just so we don't lose the muscle memory. But it's a very different matter working with someone who doesn't have a massage background.

Are there any suggestions on how I can approach volunteers to help me practice techniques that can seem invasive or frightening?

In service,

Kat

 

[Faith S]

practicing unpopular techniques

Maybe you could explain that the longus colli plays a part in whiplash or lack of cervical curve. It's often neglected yet can contribute to pain and stiffness though the client won't feel it in that spot. Site of pain and source are often in different places. Also explain that they are in control. If it is not comfortable they can give you a signal to stop. If they give you permission to work that area, let them know that noises and feeling of coughing are normal.

 

[ivantop]

practicing unpopular techniques

Maybe you could explain that the longus colli plays a part in whiplash or lack of cervical curve. It's often neglected yet can contribute to pain and stiffness though the client won't feel it in that spot. Site of pain and source are often in different places. Also explain that they are in control. If it is not comfortable they can give you a signal to stop. If they give you permission to work that area, let them know that noises and feeling of coughing are normal.

I agree. Simple education of the reasons and benefits of your work might get more "oh wow, that's really cool! I guess I'm down!" reactions rather than "wait, you want to massage the inside of my MOUTH?"

 

[Andyman]

practicing unpopular techniques

When you graduate, you will benefit from getting your hands on as many different bodies as possible in the shortest possible time. This will probably mean working for someone else. However, you will need it to be an environment that gives you time to do an intake and the latitude to do those kinds of therapeutic work. Some places will forbid certain types of work, or at least require continuing education and a specialized cert before doing them. It also needs to be a place that attracts a wide variety of client types and conditions so you can become familiar with many different types of issues and work.

That is the path I settled upon after checking out some of my other options. I wanted to be able to focus just on being a better therapist, without the hassles of running a business and everything that comes with that. Consequently, I became a MUCH better MT, comfortable with doing work that most of the MTs I knew wouldn't consider doing. Whenever possible, I also took hands-on CE courses to sharpen my skills in specific areas.

By the time I had an opportunity to take over a practice, I was already reasonably skilled at a wide variety of work, and knew how to research and work with a vast array of conditions. This lent me confidence and has made a huge difference.

Until then, look for people you don't know but who have needs. Get friends of friends, friends of family members, etc. Also, offer to give a free massage, but on the condition that they also permit you to start by practicing whatever "unpopular techniques" you wish to practice. This will be a good education for both of you, and they'll have something to look forward to while you practice.

Hope that helps!