Historical, Cultural and Philosophical Approaches to Massage

Historical, Cultural and Philosophical Approaches to Massage


Massage is the most natural, instinctive method, of applying pressure to an injury to relieve pain or rubbing an ache for comfort. It has been around for centuries in all cultures. In the early days a Sharman (village healer) would perform massage by using herbs, needles in local points, magic and moxibustion. Massage has since developed throughout the world dependant on the cultural perception.

Eastern massage:

The art of massage has strong roots in the eastern culture with Chinese massage records dating back to as early as 3000 BC (Salvo, 2007). An ancient text known as The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine describes massage to be one of the five main treatments to ailments within that era. Much belief is possessed on the body’s natural meridians and life force called chi. From 90 BC the fundamental ideas were to find the points on the body where various movements such as rubbing, stroking and finger pressure were most effective. The traditional massage technique called Anmo has developed over many years and is still used today in Chinese health system. Shiatsu, a Japanese massage technique from the 6th century, is very similar to that of Anmo, where points on the body are stimulated to effect the circulation and free the obstructed flow of vital energy (chi). It is believed the knowledge of massage transferred to the Hindu culture by the Chinese via the trade routes (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004). Ayurveda (art of life) has since become an important aspect in the traditional system of healing and Hindu culture. The Laws of Man date back to 300 BC which defined the duties of everyday life, including ways to promote and maintain personal hygiene, diet, exercise and tschanpua (massage in the bath) (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004).

Western Massage:

Western knowledge of massage developed from the 7th and 6th centuries BC (Salvo, 2007). An era of scientific knowledge brought with it an emphasis on massage for its many beneficial results. The Greeks used regular rituals of bathing, using gymnastics and massage to build an athlete and primarily focused on a specific ailment. There was much learnt about the anatomy and physiology of the body and there were many significant figures in the development of massage in the western tradition.

Hippocrates of Cos (460-380 BC) is known as the father of medicine, his oath of ethics is still taught to physicians today. He was confident about the effects of massage. Although the venous circulation had not been discovered yet, Hippocrates stated that it was necessary to rub a part of the body upwards, not downwards to bind a loose joint or release a rigid joint. He also believed that it was necessary for all physicians to be trained in the art of massage alongside as the treatment of general bodily diseases (Beck, 2006).
Claudius Galen (130- 200 AD) as a Greek physician to gladiators he gained much knowledge of the human anatomy and has also said to have discovered that arteries and veins held blood. His many writings on health hygiene, exercise and massage stressed the importance of massage for a healthy body and mind (Beck, 2006).

The popularity and advancement of massage declined significantly in during the middle ages (400-1450). The sciences and arts suffered harsh obstructions due to religious beliefs and superstition that massage witchcraft and connected to the work of Staten. Massage was still practiced, however was forced to go underground for a number of years. During the 16th Century, medical and scientific remedies were then favoured over the faithful massage.

Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) from Sweden focused on the gymnastic movements to apply passive and duplicated movements to his fencing students. These movements became the basis of a movement called the Swedish gymnastics. He also established the Royal Swedish Central Institute of Gymnastics in 1813. After Ling died in 1839, his gymnastics theory spread throughout Europe via Ling’s pupils publishing his works although he was criticised for his lack of professional training (Beck, 2006).

Dr. Johann Metzger (1839-1909) had a more scientific approach to massage; focusing on the effects of remedial treatment he was able to bring more credibility to the massage within the health community. His French expressions for the massage movements are still taught today such as effleurage and petrisage (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004).
John Harvey Kellogg (1852-1943) was an American doctor who founded the Battle Creek Sanatorium in Michigan. Kellogg wrote many books on treatments including massage and hydrotherapy and popularised the health spa in America (Fritz, 2009)

Contemporary Massage:

There has been much advancement in the field of massage therapy in the last century. This beneficial progression has helped increase the knowledge and the skill base for Massage Therapists; therefore broadening the scope of practice.
Such developments as Dr Emil Vodder’s (1896-1986) manual lymphatic drainage has become important by using both mechanical and reflexive techniques to effectively relieve chronic lymphedema and other diseases of the lymph circulation (Beck, 2006).
Deep transverse friction massage was popularised by James Cyriax (1907-1947) as a more specific example of connective tissue work, this involved cross-fibre friction massage as a way of loosening bound ligaments and tendons around a joint (Beck, 2006).

Maori Massage:

Closer to home, there are three main types of massage that are practiced by Maori. These include Toto, which is practiced on children, Roromi a wringing and compressing massage for adults and Takahi which involves the client being walked over sore or injured parts to relieve aches and pains. Deformities were structurally corrected or altered from birth for future working or aesthetic benefits. Chosen women would learn the ways of massage by observation to carry on the tradition and were often selected from delivery if they were born in a breached position, as it was a popular belief they were intended to practice Takahi massage (Riley, 1994). The three main strokes can be compared with the western strokes used today. Mirimiri involves short strokes with the fingers and can be matched up to effleurage, Tukituki is the process of an up and down pounding, similar to tapotement to stimulated the nervous system and Romiromi is the kneading motion used generally, this is similar to petrisage however the Swedish stroke is used for more specific areas to decrease areas of tension (Riley, 1994)

Massage Scandals 1800’s

Another decline of massage practice in the twenty century was the result of the reputation being discredited among medical practitioners and the general public. Inconsistent regulation of the massage education system provoked this as the quality of the graduated therapists could not be determined. To further discredit the reputation, a number of massage parlours were also popping up around the place where massage was a disguise for the prostitution industry. In 1894 eight women acknowledged the need for standardisation and established the Society of Trained Masseuses. They set academic prerequisites for massage schools, only the qualified could teach and also introduced certificates of competence. Thus the standard increased. In 1939 the membership had grown to 12,000 however membership was still voluntary so ill-trained practitioners were still in their thousands. (Fritz, 2009).

The development of professional massage in New Zealand:

In the early 1900’s there were over 300 massage therapists established in New Zealand. From 1913 to 1946, massage was taught in Dunedin at the Otago University and through the hospital. The government introduced a legislation to have legal registration for all therapists in the Masseurs Registration Act of 1920. When the Physiotherapy Act was introduced in1949, it affected massage therapists as they too were included. Consequently they had to register as physiotherapists and undertake 600 hours of training to be a massage therapist if they were to stay true to the 1949 Act (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004). 1985 was a turning point for the massage profession when Bill Wareham founded the Massage Institute of New Zealand Incorporated (MINZI). The focal point was to standardise the training of massage therapists. Jim Sandford established New Zealand Association of Therapeutic Massage Practitioners (NZATMP) in 1989 to support massage therapists. The primary focus was similar to that of MINZI including standards of professionalism and recognition of massage as a profession in New Zealand. The association had a name change to Therapeutic Massage Association (TMA) and with it came change of focus (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004). Today the Massage New Zealand association has derived from the unity of MINZI and TMA. It promotes learning and is a voice for the massage industry by educating the general public and trying to change the misconceptions that the profession still has from decades ago.

Body-mind-spirit and how it relates to the historical and cultural contexts discussed:

The Eastern approach to health differs from traditional medicine in its appreciation of the spiritual wellbeing. This dimension relies on the principle of chi, the life force that flows through the body. The consideration of each and every aspect of the person is referred to as the holistic approach (Tuchtan, Tuchtan and Stelfox, 2004). Throughout history the western world has had a more scientific approach to massage. Although the Greeks referred to males who exercised as an ascete meaning a person who utilized their body and mind (Beck, 2006), this concept had not continued to be passed down as part of conventional medicine for many centuries. Since an illness is the result of an imbalance of the body, connecting the body mind and spirit while performing massage has the potential to be helpful to many ailments as it services the body as a whole. With the integration of many different cultural aspects in society, the acceptance of the body-mind-spirit is slowly being acknowledged as beneficial in today’s health care sector.


In conclusion, massage with a 5000 year lineage has stood the test of time. Having had to prove itself for many centuries, massage is becoming accepted in today’s health care in all shapes and forms that it has now expanded to.

References:

Tuchtan, V. Tuchtan C. and Stelfox, D. (2004) Foundations of Massage (2nd ed.). Australia: Southwood Press Pty Ltd.

Beck, M. F. (2006). Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage (4th ed.). New York, United States of America: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Fritz, S. (2009). Mosby’s fundamentals of therapeutic massage (4th ed.). St. Louis, United States of America: Mosby.

Salvo, S. (2007). Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice (3rd Ed.). St Louis, United States: Saunders.

Sustainability and Massage

Sustainability and Massage

When running a professional massage business it is important to recognize the environmental, social and economic effects it has. It is our responsibility to make it as sustainable with as little impact on our surroundings as possible. By reducing dependence on certain resources, ensuring the clinic is client focused and operating with a profit then we can run a business that will be sustainable in all three areas.

Environmental Sustainability and Massage:

According to the Evergreen group (n.d) a sustainable business is one that acts in an environmentally responsible way and there are no negative impacts due to its existence. To reduce the impact a massage clinic may have on society and the planet we need to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. For a healthy future for the upcoming generations, changes need to occur. It has become a nationwide approach to keep New Zealand clean and beautiful. For example there are and increasing number of green products on the shelf these days and the movement to decrease the usage of plastic bags has caught on in many supermarkets and retail stores. A smart move in the right direction for a massage clinic would be to check all the resources used have been assessed for their need, are the most sustainable option available, are being used efficiently and when disposing are able to be recycled or reused (Sustainability New Zealand, 2009). Strive to change the ways of the business if it is not the most efficient and sustainable method. Reflect on the use of the resource and the impact it has on our environment. For instance dry linens on the line instead of relying on electricity powered means. Use natural lighting where possible or an alternative is to use eco-friendly light bulbs. Another way to help the environment is to think about products and their whole life cycle as this will help you make the correct sustainable decisions.

Social Sustainability and Massage:

Social sustainability has similar principles to environmental sustainability, to respect the future generation. Employ client focused policies to uphold your social principles. Take into account the time considerations of not only the therapist but of the client. Clients may not have time to stay in the waiting room for 20 minutes because the therapist is running late so adapt a conscientious outlook regarding the time frame that is managed. It will keep clients happy and also displays a sense of professionalism (Beck, 2006). Treat all clients as equals with the utmost respect and dignity regardless of their religious beliefs, traditions, gender, and ethnicity. Client confidentiality and keeping records secure is another imperative aspect that will sustain the business reputation. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. If the client confidentiality agreement is broken, this may be the downfall of a business, because without the trust between the client and the therapist, it may prove difficult to maintain regain a professional reputation. A therapist can build healthy social relationships with other parties whether they are clients or other professionals of the area and maintain social sustainability in the local community.


Economic Sustainability and Massage:

The challenge for economic sustainability is to develop a balanced, natural and profitable practice to meet the client’s needs all without being detrimental to our local community environment. Business plans need to be in place before the clinic can thrive. Such things as a lease, lighting, heating, towels and water need to be taken into account and all those hidden expenses as part of an everyday cost for a massage clinic. The finest asset a massage practice has is in actuality the therapist themselves. Ensure that burnouts do not occur by taking regular breaks between clients to relax, reflect and reground before welcoming the next client. Self care is also vital alongside correct body mechanics to avoid repeated stress on the joints (Beck, 2006). To keep the business afloat a competitive fee needs to be set and not selective for the particular clients. Considerations for the fee are not merely on the market place value but what you as a therapist deems value for money. An additional factor to take into account is by supporting local business and using them to buy the products and services needed; we can contribute to the economy of our community. Talking and informing other business owners and shedding some light on having a sustainable business will also help the communities’ economic sustainability.



Owning a sustainable business is one of my long terms goals. To understand the impacts that it may have and to keep it socially, environmentally and economically sustainable is important. By having sustainability incorporated in the business ethics wherever possible then this goal can be achieved.



References:
Beck, M. F. (2006). Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage (4th ed.). New York, United States of America: Thomson Delmar Learning.

Ministry for the Environment (2009). Sustainability. Retrieved August 23, 2009, from http://www.sustainability.govt.nz/

The Evergreen Group (n.d). What is a sustainable business? Retrieved August 23, 2009, from
http://www.theevergreengroup.com/sustainable-business.htm

ETHICS OF MASSAGE

Touch comes with a special set of ethics, also known as the code of ethics. This policy should include the predetermined practices of a therapist considering client care, consent, confidentiality, boundaries and relationships. By maintaining a healthy, clear code of ethics it can prevent breaching of boundaries, confusion and unease, keep your client base and in addition sustain an ethical practice by allowing a stable frame work upon which the practice is set.


Client Centred Care:
Adopting a client-centred approach requires the therapist to tune into the client’s needs. This aspect of the therapy profession is essential in establishing and maintaining your massage practice. It is all very well executing the best massage of your career, however if it did not take into account the clients best interests and goals then it was not as effective for the client. Recognize that the client’s concerns and preferences are valid and important. Combined qualities of integrity, respectful behaviour, communication skills and being motivated to provide good care consistently determines the therapist’s professionalism for themselves and the practice.

Boundaries:
Boundaries are, by definition, something that specifies a border or a limit. Part of a massage therapist’s job is to identify, respect and honour the client’s personal borders which include physical and emotional boundaries. Understanding them is imperative in creating an ethical practice and forming professional relationships. The way a client is draped and the edge of the towelling becomes a physical limit. The client is aware of this and can feel comfortable knowing that the strokes will not continue past this border. Another example is a female client who decides not to remove her bra for the session. The bra has become her boundary; she has said it not with words but with her actions. These boundaries must be honoured as lack of respect takes a therapist into dangerous territory. A minor boundary crossing may result in the client feeling confused and uncomfortable. A severe violation may result in feelings of neglect or even abuse. Religious and cultural backgrounds, gender, families and personal boundaries are considerations a therapist must take into account for the client and generate a sense of professionalism that can promote assurance and trust from the client. To avoid potential ethical dilemmas increase the empathetic awareness, consider how the client could interpret the touch and notice mistakes when they occur. By talking to the client it shows that the therapist is aware of and values the personal boundaries of the client (Benjamin & Sohnen-Moe, 2004).

Power Differentials:
For the duration of the massage a therapist positions themselves within the client's personal space, often leaning over the client who may be unrobed and in a prone position. There is evidently more authority held on one side of the relationship, while the other is a more submissive and exposed role. This vulnerability must be taken into account and it is the duty of the therapist to help balance this power differentiation. Establishing a policy early on in the session that minimizes this apparent imbalance will ensure the client’s comfort, reduce the feeling of intimidation and develop a sense of trust for the massage therapist. However it is still important to keep the differentials. It is the practitioner who controls the situation and decides how the massage will progress. Nonetheless the client’s goals must always still be considered. (Beck, 2006)

Informed Consent:
Receiving consent from the client is very important for many valid reasons. Care must be taken not to injure the client or make a symptom worse. It is the responsibility of the therapist to get a medical history to rule out any contraindication and to know how to protect their client from harm. This legal document is also a means of informing the client of exactly what is going to occur in the massage session and for them to agree and accept the proposed treatment plan. This procedure should always be reviewed with the client before the session begins (Beck, 2006)

Confidentiality:
The relationship between the client and therapist is built on a foundation of trust and safety. To uphold the integrity of your ethics, the client’s written or verbal personal details should never be repeated outside the massage session. A client has entrusted the therapist with private information and they have an expectation that it will remain confidential. Details of the session must be accurate and only related to massage (Beck 2006). The practitioner must keep all clients details in a secure place when not in use. There are exceptions; although the client’s permission must be obtained before another can look at their personal details for example when referring the client to another health practitioner. With most ethical decisions there is usually a “what if” dilemma, in this case what if a client who was unable report or protect themselves was being abused? Fritz (2009) states that it is the duty of the professional to report the abuse to the relevant agency and if unsure then seek legal advice as to how to proceed.

Scope of Practice:
A client that has sought you out does so in believing that you have been trained competently in your field. Massage therapy is beneficial in relieve many conditions and injuries; however it’s not a one-cure-all treatment (Scheumann, 2006). By knowing the limitations of your massage skills and knowledge base and practicing within these parameters you can define your scope of practice. Communicate truthfully to the client when expressing your qualifications and also goals and outcomes of a massage. If the client’s needs are greater than what the therapist has been trained for, or they would benefit from another type of treatment then no attempt should be made to work beyond the therapist’s competence. Instead decline the request and refer them onto an appropriately trained health practitioner (Beck, 2006).

Transference and Counter-Transference:
Transference involves positive or negative misconceptions the client may have toward the massage therapist. Signs of this include the patient attempting to cross the boundaries of a professional therapeutic relationship by asking personal questions of the therapist, invitations to social activities or becoming more demanding of the therapists time. It may happen at an unconscious level and transference often tends to reduce the effectiveness of the massage session and the therapeutic relationship (Beck, 2006).
Counter-transference is similar to transference however from the therapist’s view point. Feelings of disappointment or guilt if a client does not respond to treatment, thinking about excessively or having strong emotional feelings toward a client are some of the signs of counter-transference. These feelings may be detrimental to the massage as it will influence the work done with the client (Beck, 2006).
In both situations, care must be exercised to deal with the issues in a professional manner to separate the ethical from the unethical behaviour. Refer back to your healthy boundaries, skilled support peers and your code of ethics when in doubt. In certain circumstances the therapeutic relationship may require to be terminated and a referral for the client to another health professional may be the best option.



To maintain an ethical practice and uphold the trust in the whole profession, a therapist must not violate their own code of ethics. Respect and honour the client’s confidentiality, boundaries, power differentials and transference. Stay true to your scope of practice and always put client’s requirements foremost as these collective qualities are the cornerstones of a successful massage practice.



References:

Beck, M. F. (2006). Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage (4th ed.). New York, United States of America: Thomson The balanced body Delmar Learning.

Fritz, S. (2009). Mosby’s fundamentals of therapeutic massage (4th ed.). St. Louis, United States of America: Mosby.

Benjamin, B. E., & Sohnen-Moe, C. (2004). The Ethics of Touch. Retrieved July 15th, 2009, from http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=qLFqSh3xo7kC&printsec=frontcover&dq=ethics+of+touch

Scheumann, D. W. (2006).The Balanced Body. Retrieved July 15th, 2009, from http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=7TGouoYckFwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+balanced+body

The Effects of Massage

The Effects of Massage

The effects of massage on the autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the central system that operates as a control. Most of the ANS responses are involuntary i.e. the heartbeat, urination, digestion, respiration rate. It can be divided into sub divisions. The parasympathetic and sympathetic systems which work in balance to each other (Braun & Simonson 2007).

The sympathetic system is the fight or flight response. It is active when somebody is under stress. This is stimulated when the massage begins as it is an exposed situation (Braun & Simonson 2007). This is why it is essential to allow the client to feel safe and comfortable in the environment. By starting the massage with holds it establishes the trust relationship between the client and therapist. Once this has been determined and the massage begins with the slow rhythmic relaxing strokes the ANS feels safe and the parasympathetic system then kicks in.

The parasympathetic system promotes a “rest and digest” result which promotes the calming of nerves and increases the digestion so your body can get the energy and absorb the essential nutrients it needs. Swedish massage techniques create a sedative effective. Deep relaxation stimulates the parasympathetic system, the more relaxed the client the greater the stimulation (Premkumar 2003). By doing this it allows the client to relax and get used to the contact. It has a calming and soothing effect on the client as well as the therapist (Salvo 2007).


The effects of massage strokes

Touch/holding: Used to introduce touch. By doing this it allows the client to relax and get used to the contact. It has a calming and soothing effect on the client as well as the therapist.

Effleurage: This stroke is the fundamental stroke of Swedish massage. It has many beneficial effects. The flushing movement of the effleurage allows to first of all warm up the tissue for the massage and relaxes the client. Depending on the type of rhythm it can either stimulate or soothe the nervous system (Braun & Simonson 2007), furthermore effleurage aids in the lymph and venous flow. Transverse effleurage breaks down “gluey” fascial adhesions. Effleurage is a mechanical way of flushing out metabolic wastes that may be acclimated in areas. (Salvo 2007)

Petrisage: This stroke is used to work more deeply in specific areas as it consists of a milking application. Lifting, compressing and releasing the muscle is a mechanic way of pumping the metabolic waste out of the concentrated areas and bringing in new nutrient filled blood. Petrisage, similar to effleurage, aids in increases the blood flow and stimulation the nervous system. It specifically addresses tension, reducing the stiffness of the muscle and softening the superficial facia (Salvo 2007)

Skin Rolling: this is a modified version of petrisage; similarly it mechanically unglues the sticky facial adhesions. Pain can be reduced as it is a manual release in the superficial limitations between the skin and tissue.

Compression: this stroke can access tissues that are too deep to access with effleurage it works like a manual pump and increases the amount of blood flow to the area (Braun & Simonson 2007).

Tapotement: This stimulates and excites the nervous system. Depending on the area, different effects can occur. Heavy tapotement is used mostly for respiratory conditions to assist in loosening of mucus. Light tapotement techniques are used to stimulate tense muscles and reduce fatigue. (Kleen)


Miscellaneous effects of massage

Massage can have a dramatic effect by reducing muscle soreness and fatigue. It can increase the flow of blood around the body consequently increasing the amount of oxygenated and nutrient filled blood the muscle has available. In addition, it is also a proficient technique to use after post exercise soreness “A fatigued muscle recuperates 20% after 5 minutes of rest and 100% after 5 minutes of massage.” (Salvo, 2007, p.91). This would thereby decrease the recovery time and have the athlete performing at their best again.

Massage has many effects on the cardiovascular system, including enhancing the blood circulation, increasing the stroke volume from heart and also dilates blood vessels. By increased blood flow, the product of this then effects the body in different parts as the blood can the replenishes other cells with oxygen and nutritive supplies.

The body’s lymphatic system only flows in one direction, without a pump to aid in the flow it is pressure dependant and in some cases the lymph may pool in an area. When performing a massage the rhythmic, light strokes will stimulate the movement of the surplus of lymph in affected areas. Resulting in improved lymph circulation reduced edema (Salvo 2007).

Connective tissue can benefit from massage as well. It can reduce keloid formation present in scar tissue, decrease adhesions and fascial restrictions that may be present surrounding muscles which in turn allows the muscle to stretch and perform functionally again. According to Salvo (2007), another benefit is the reduction of the appearance of cellulite on the skin.

The body’s digestion system is another system that benefits from massage. By increasing the peristalsis contractions of the intestine it promotes the colon to empty consequently reducing constipation which is particularly helpful if the client suffers from Irritable bowel syndrome. Braun & Simonson (2007) reported that massage therapy additionally helps the release of enzymes which help to break down food. Not only does it make it easier to digest, but also increases the absorption of nutrients.

Salvo (2007) states massage can also interrupt the pain cycle. By massaging the hypertonic muscles it allows the tense spasmed or contracted muscles to lengthen out and reduce ischemia. Like exercise, massage can release endorphins when being massaged. These endorphins are like a natural mood pick up where you may feel less lethargic and a renewed sense of energy.


To summarise, massage has many beneficial effects on your body. Combined they relax and increase the physical well-being of the client which in the end is the aim of any relaxation massage- to gain mental and physical relief.


Reference List:

Salvo, S. (2007). Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice (3rd Ed.). St Louis, United States: Saunders.
Kleen, E. (n.d). Effects of Massage: Tapotement. Retrieved June 26, 2009, from http://chestofbooks.com/health/body/massage/Massage-And-Medical-Gymnastics/Tapotement.html
Braun, B., & Simonson, S. (2007). Introduction to Massage Therapy (2nd Ed.). Retrieved June 26, 2009, from http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=hqdiaQ5kHjMC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=massage+effects+on+digestion&source=bl&ots=Pzgr8WtGzH&sig=4yO_F8tYR03qV-Rokla449upR9Y&hl=en&ei=eNRGStnJDZKaMPvNuLAC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5
Premkumar, K. (2003).The massage connection (2nd Ed.). Retrieved June 26, 2009, from http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=o95f8iLXa9cC&pg=PA373&lpg=PA373&dq=parasympathetic+system+massage&source=bl&ots=FmtOixHW-Z&sig=zz7oNfqtfhCFNMItg9M2goipz84&hl=en&ei=YihMSre2K8GSlAf0zaDpAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

The Story of Stuff

Hmmm, this was the first time I had seen this clip and To be honest I watched this the day after pay day and felt really bad about the cheap shoes I had just brought! It did open my eyes regarding the mindsets of today’s society.

I felt like it was making people understand that everything we do has consequences. It is such a massive situation with layers and layers of people and wealth involved. How do we fix this by being fair? I have a very simple solution however I don’t think many people would go for it! Especially the big corporations! 

Reflection

Well what a week it was! I loved being back in a learning environment! I came away on Thursday feeling tired but with a massive smile on my face. Most of my family were down that weekend and they all wanted a massage so have been getting a bit of practice in. I learnt heaps of things from draping to setting up the table, to having the correct stance while massaging. But what surprised me the most was how such a simple holding technique could be so relaxing. It’s the first thing my sisters commented on when I finished the massage. I desperately want a massage table now. They are brilliant. Nothing else really compares to it.
I have been trying to learn the anatomy of the back, from the bones up and am experimenting with the ways I learn again. I am curious about so many things and can’t wait for the next massage session.

Posture:
Posture is the way you hold your body and limbs. Without having a correct arrangement as a massage therapist this could cause many issues in the long term and may shorten your career choice. This is where the warrior and bow stance come into play. By tuning into your body, creating a stable base and becoming aware of warning signs of stressed and fatigued muscles you can prevent the most common injury for a massage therapist- Repetitive motion injuries. (according to Salvo's book)
A lot of clients will go to a massage therapist for back pain or shoulder and neck pain. Most of this is caused by bad postural alignment especially aggravated by their work habits. By allowing them to become aware of this it will greatly benefit the client and reduce tension.

Becky Leith

Becky (or Rebecca when in trouble) Leith

I was born and raised in Dunedin

I'm currently living in Mornington with 3 boys and I'm the only girl- so sometimes the flat is a little messy!

I have interests in all sorts of things: hockey, Pilate's, socialising, traveling

I am interested in doing massage as I want to be able to give somebody a massage and know that i have been able to allow them to relax for that hour at least. I love learning about the body as there is so much to know, so will enjoy learning more about us all.

Once I have finished this year I call tell already that I will not want to go back to a boring old office job so will most likely be enrolled in a related course!