Who takes care of the massage therapist, Reflexologist or Shiatsu practitioner at the end of the day? Practitioners must insist on regular self-care regimens to keep up with the physical demands of the field. For some this means getting a massage every week, for others a monthly bodywork treatment will do.
All forms of bodywork are physical work for the therapist. Each practitioner has his own limitations based on fitness, energy levels, degrees of body tension, and nutrients available to do the job. Does a therapist that hasn’t been on the table or in the chair for months remember what it feels like to receive the techniques and strokes of their practice?
Importance of Receiving Bodywork as a Practitioner
Therapists must walk the walk if they’re going to talk the talk. All of the benefits a massage therapist tells his client about also apply to the therapist. A Reflexologist should also know that the ‘profound relaxation’ she sees from her clients will also apply to her.
Some practitioners get into poor self-care habits – they leave months, if not years, between sessions for themselves. This in turn becomes hypocritical; all of the helpful reminders to clients about diet, exercise and ‘receiving regular bodywork,’ aren’t in turn being practiced by the practitioner himself.
The author has encountered many Reflexologists who say “wow, I’d forgotten how good that technique feels!” during a session. Or a massage therapist that exclaims “now I know why my clients keep asking for extra time on their feet!” Sometimes the practitioner is inspired to improve or change techniques simply based on receiving a session. This reconnection of what it feels like to have bodywork can be very inspirational. Other things can be picked up on too: the décor of another therapist’s office, what it feels like to be in the client’s shoes, things that feel good and things that don’t.
Receiving regular bodywork may actually make a better practitioner! He is often more aware of little things a therapist overlooks but a client doesn’t. By constantly trying to improve the experience for his clients he can gain loyal followers that are continually impressed by his skills and hospitality.
Self-Care Plans help Practitioners Reach their Goals
Whether new to the field or a veteran practitioner, creating self-care plans can help keep the therapist on track. Some may find it helpful to enlist the services of a nutritionist, an exercise instructor and a natural doctor to plan goals and needs. Bringing in these other professionals can also create a working relationship and set the stage for future referrals.
In an ideal world the bodywork therapist would have regular goals for:
- Diet – healthy meals and snacks that will reinforce the body’s caloric needs when giving massage or bodywork sessions.
- Fitness – many practitioners enjoy a blend of yoga, cardio and weight training to prevent body burnout or to maintain a level of strength for their practice.
- Bodywork – very active and busy bodyworkers may find weekly massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu or other form of bodywork effective. For less active practitioners a bi-weekly or monthly ‘maintenance’ session can be helpful.
- Other modalities – health goal-oriented therapists may also receive Acupuncture, energywork sessions (such as Polarity or Reiki), or attend a meditation group. These can also prove to be great ways to network and stay in touch with other practitioners in the community that share similar values and goals.
Why Bartering Doesn’t Work for Self-Care
There are too many variables in barter or trade relationships to rely on for self-care: schedules, mismatched skills or modalities, timing – barter participants may experience too short or too long of a session.
Bartering also can create an excuse for the practitioner: “I haven’t had a massage myself in months, my old classmate has been so busy” or “it is just so hard finding someone to trade on the same day so I just go without.”
Occasionally a trade or swap works really well for all parties involved. However, these events may be so few and far between that they should be considered a get-together and not a replacement for true self-care. Practitioners should plan to budget both time and money to receive appropriate amounts of bodywork based on their physical needs.
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