Having grappled with this issue for many years I have come
to a bit of peace about it. There is massage as a system. It is whole in and of
itself. It does not need anything added to be complete. While a definition eludes us, we can
recognize massage regardless of what someone is calling it. There is a
logical benefit of seeking to understand the value of a system through
research and other forms of evidence.
Massage as a system is getting there but high quality research remains
scant. Many of the “claims “ people make about massage are opinion at best
and some are outright wrong. We –the massage
therapy community need to stop perpetuating the myths and continue to seek
understanding. But-I say again- I
believe we have enough evidence to claim valid benefit for those seeking our
services.
Massage as a unique
system has limitations and these also need to be recognized. Massage as a health approach only targets part of
the wellness continuum. That’s ok. There is just too much to know and I am just
fine being competent in my area. I know that wellness is a multifaceted
process. I don’t have to be a counselor,
nutritionist, exercise expert, chiropractor, physical therapist, or spiritual
support for example. There are other professionals
that are skilled in these areas. We can all work together even when there may
be some overlap in some skills. A
physical therapist for example can so some massage but it is a minor element of
the practice. Massage is my thing-it is
what I do. I can suggest some simple exercises but I just don’t have the
training to develop a rehab program. And
I don’t want to. Massage is essential, I have been learning about it for almost 35 years now
and I am excellent at it. I can be a
team player.
There are other systems that can also stand alone in the sense
that a client's issue can be addressed with the methods of the system. I think of hydrotherapy as an example. As a
massage therapist I don't have to incorporate hydrotherapy for the application
of massage to be complete. However there are elements of hydrotherapy that
compliment massage (and vise versa). I can even use elements of hydrotherapy as
a massage tool. Think of an ice cup as
an implement for massage.
Essential oils/aromatherapy is another example. In the research you will find studies that
combined the two independent methods such as massage used to apply the
oil. However, essential oils have an
independent body of knowledge and can function without massage. Massage has an
independent body of knowledge and can function without essential oils.
Specific forms of
movement and exercise are stand-alone methods. Many are named for the
individual that organized the concepts into a system such as Pilates. Some are
cultural such as yoga but these systems share fundamental observable elements
regardless of the name.
Energy based systems while varied, multicultural and
attributed to individuals that formalized the systems fit into this type of
explanation. If you observe a variety of styles you will recognize a
fundamental sameness.
None of the unique systems provide the whole answer to health and wellness. Just like massage, there is plenty to know, learn and practice within the system. Each can be a life time of learning. And just like massage the client benefits with a team assisting them.
Regardless of the system-it is the responsibility of the
practitioners of the methods to be seeking evidence for value and practice in
an ethical manner. However, I do not
have to prove or disprove any other system.
I just don’t want the practice of what is massage and what is not massage to further confusing us and other health care professions and clients. Even
when multiple systems become blended in a individuals personal practice each can be described and validated (or not) based on itself-not as the blend. You can be multiple trained. You can be a
massage therapist and a yoga teacher. Just present as such. If I come in for a massage- I do not want a
yoga lesson.
I am going to cap this so it does not get lost ok--ALL
THERAPEUTIC INTERACTION, REGARDLESS OF SYSTEM, IS MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN THE
CLIENT AND PRACTITIONER SHARE AN EMPATHETIC, COMPASSIONATE, ETHICAL THERAPEUTIC
RELATIONSHIP WITH INTENTION, ATTENTION AND WITH PRACTITIONER EXPERIENCE TO DRAW
ON-INTUITION. ------so don’t get your
fascia in a twist around some nerve with dermal branches ok.
Now I do get frustrated when a method is presented as
different than massage when actually massage application has been adapted to
target a tissue, function or outcome.
The whole concept of "fascia, myofascial " methods is an
example. Another set of currently
popular approaches right now involves specific skin massage under the term
dermal --------. Another example is when
a method that is essentially massage gets separated out of the massage system
because of some sort of claim that it interfaces uniquely with a particular
anatomical or physiological function. You can recognize these approaches
because neuro ----- or some body fluid shows
up in the name. I also think of methods
such as nerve stretching or flossing and lymphatic drain as examples. All of
these types of methods fundamentally use physical contact to create a
mechanical force into the body tissues. –massage. To me they are massage adaptation and not
unique systems. Yes there can be expanded learning in these areas (and should be) but fundamentally massage is being use as the approach. Those teaching should be ethical about explaining this.
This next paragraph is bolded because I think it explains a
lot of the problem.
So now here is where
I think it all got confused. The massage
community in the past , in an attempt to legitimize itself, somehow decided
that massage in and of itself was not enough. Massage was incomplete. Therefore many systems of health practice got all
jumbled in. And we ended up with the whole massage and bodywork debacle.
Even more confusion occurred as multiple names
for massage evolved--manual therapy, myotherapy, massotherapy, medical massage, western massage, eastern
massage, and all you have to do is look
at a list of forms and styles.
Education for massage
then began to include bits and pieces of all the individual systems diluting
massage and doing a disservice to other systems that require unique knowledge
and skills. What a mess.
My recommendation is-------------------------TA DA
The massage
community needs to reclaim massage therapy as a whole approach.
If an individual practitioner wants to blend systems in their
professional practice then they should commit to comprehensive study of that
system and then openly present to clients and the larger community that they
combine multiple approaches. The client has the right to be informed.
WE DO NOT NEED TO FIGHT. WE DO NEED TO CLARIFY.
