The Gifts of a Long Practice

I am most fortunate in my practice as a Massage Therapist to have longevity. I am able to reflect on the many gifts of wisdom, insight, humor and advice that I have received from my clients. Part of my practice involved house calls. I had one person who was disabled so I learned to adapt the session to a wheelchair and then an adjustable bed. As I worked in a private home, I got to know people on a more personal level. The woman that I worked with in this particular home used to say to me, “Just you wait honey, hormones!’ After about five years of this I thanked her for preparing me for every change that was going to come down the pike. 

We had a good laugh over that!

Another lady that I worked with who passed just shy of her 100th birthday said to me her longevity was partially attributed to “A bad memory and lots of stairs.” She also said sleeping with a cat on your feet helped fend off arthritis. She read three newspapers daily and was engaged and informed on a multitude of issues. I often spotted her driving her little VW to Harvest (now known as A-Market) to buy her 10lbs of carrots so she could make juice. 

Often I have people who seek out my services because allopathic medicine hasn’t helped them or they have conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat. Fibromyalgia comes to mind. In its early days, it was often unfortunately seen as a psychosomatic disorder. Research has proved otherwise. Also, I had those that presented with autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome, a disorder that affects the saliva glands, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Scleroderma.

Of course loss is an inevitable part of life and a long practice. I have those who can no longer make it up the stairs of my office or have moved to a warmer climate or to have more family support. Others have succumbed to illness. I am truly grateful for everyone who has supported my practice. Perplexing conditions keep me informed and encourage me to research conditions. 

If you're facing any physical challenges and wondering if Massage Therapy is appropriate, please feel free to contact me.