Have You Been to OKC Lately?

Well, this weekend it was the 10th anniversary of Eric Dalton's Myoskeletal Alignment Technique Seminar in Oklahoma City (2023). It was sold out and there were about 240 therapists from all over the world there for an intense learning experience. Being a massage therapist for 10 years I have to say that I was looking forward to this seminar. Having taken a few home study courses from Eric I was looking for an actual hands-on class.

We learned so much over the weekend. From nerve flossing, Motion is Lotion, realignment of the body, and a much-needed idea for massage therapy - work smarter not harder. Some of this has already been incorporated into my work. It is highly effective to use the motion of the client and the application of a technique at the same time. Easing into the tissue versus forcing your way in. Better for you as a therapist and better for the person on the table. Let me elaborate on this idea.

When I attended massage school, we were told from day one that the average career of a massage therapist is about 5 years. FIVE YEARS! Think about that. Now, that is five years if you aren't taking care of yourself. Actually, following the advice that you offer your clients post session would do wonders for us. Body mechanics are important especially as we become busier and have been at this for longer periods of time. As my partner at the seminar stated he sees more body misalignment in the room than he sees in his practice. Sadly, very true. I saw it as well.

Every therapist that reads this can relate. One of the main modalities that we are taught is Deep Tissue or Neuromuscular Therapy. Sure, there is a (usually anyway) Swedish warm up of the tissue prior to diving in but let me ask you an honest question. Does Deep Tissue work really help solve the issue that your clients are presenting? Granted, sometimes it is a last resort but only after other methods have been applied. The more pressure that is applied the harder it is on you. Granted, there is also the mentality of some clients that feel if they aren't sore for at least one day after a session then you didn't do your job. So where does that mindset come from?

It comes from us of course. For the people that focus on deep work (and I say this because I have heard it numerous times). How many clients have you said that this is the work that you need or this is the only thing that will "fix" you? I'm sure a few if you are being honest. I've never been a fan of deep tissue. Painful and lacking specificity has been my experience with it. Deeper does not always mean better. Consider it an option when working with your people. You just may find that you can flip that switch. When a patient becomes a client - moving from more frequent session to monthly sessions that maintain the changes that you have created for them. Such is the mindset of the Massage Therapist.

During the last year I have come to understand more about the body and the effects of tissue work be it deep or light - more or less is better? I can say that I have had a much more lasting effect with much lighter work that is more focused on sources of pain versus areas of pain. As we now know where pain is felt is not always where it is coming from. Now, from a client perspective if you aren't communicating with them what and why as you're working, they will be confused. "I said my pain was in my neck so why are you working on my shoulder?" just occurred in my clinic yesterday. My fault as I did not explain to them why I was working on the shoulder(s) prior to direct neck focus.

Are you looking for a new therapist or a new approach to massage? If so, my office is located in Rogers, and I am open Monday thru Saturday. I look forward to helping you in the near future. Thank you for reading.