Massage Can Provide Hope

When I became a massage therapist I knew that massage could have a positive impact on people's lives. What I didn't realize was how. I thought about it in vague terms like "it's a nice treat to get to relax" "it helps people feel good" "it could help ease pain".

This week I had a client say, kind of nonchalantly but also very seriously,

"The medical field doesn't give much hope, but I get hope every time I come in here because we make progress."

It took me a while to unpack what he said. My goal is to help people in whatever way serves them within my scope of practice. I practice stereotypical relaxation massage as well as medical massage (one day I'll write about how this is controversial).

Providing medical massage is so rewarding for my brain, I get to assess and think critically about the issues people present me and then I get to be hands on and see what helps. I have seen this particular client ~10 times. He has had back surgery and has some nerve issues that have caused his feet to go numb. When you can't feel your feet, your balance isn't the best and doing something simple like walking becomes a dangerous activity. This client wonders if he will ever be able to ride a bike again and worries that one day in the near future he won't be able to walk and his world will narrow dramatically.

When he is on my table we focus on all things related to nerve impingement, anything to release the pressure on the nerve so it's not constantly receiving a signal and increase sensation in his feet. We haven't had any major breakthroughs. We have had small gains and most importantly he isn't backsliding in his ability to feel his feet. His day to day life is better because of the work we do on the table.

For me as the LMT (licensed massage therapist) this has been both a rewarding and frustrating case. I want to see a big breakthrough. I want to see him be able to ride a bike. Sometimes in my head, I am dissappointed that we haven't had a big breakthrough, and I wonder if what I'm doing makes a difference.

I am often encouraging people to not give up, to try something new or different and to stay consistent to see results. It is nice to be reminded that what I do makes a difference and in this fun little circle of things coming back, it gives me hope.