Posted by llrrrpp on July 29, 2006, at 12:05:14
In reply to Re: Massage therapy - finding a therapist, posted by toetapper on July 29, 2006, at 11:26:22
Hi Racer,
I do a kind of alternative physical therapy that involves gentle manipulation. clothes on, etc etc.I knew I wanted to do this, because I was having bad tenditis in my arm, and I knew that something was wrong. I'll be happy to b-mail you more info if you're interested. It's not massage per se, but like most physical therapies, it's hands on, gentle.
I keep my clothes on. so that's no stress, but my PT is a guy, not much older than I am, so it's kind of strange. Basically, though, it comes down to trust. If you can trust a PT to touch you, and trust a PT to explore uncomfortable ranges of motion etc, then you emerge stronger. Rewarded.
Funny how trust leads to the paradox -- the more we give others, the more we get in return.
I have also done Thai massage (which is done in loose pajama like outfits, and involves a series of partner stretches and pressure-point massages) and spa-style massage treatments. Very nice, but I'm kind of sensitive to firm massage, so it was a little too intense for me.
Basically, I rationalize it like this- massage therapists have seen ALL sizes, shapes, and ages of bodies. They assume that everyone is private and sensitive about some or all aspects of their person. They'd rather have a nice conversation with their client than work on the most spectacular specimen who is rude and uncooperative.
I think you'll get a lot out of this experience. And it will be good for you to have therapy so that you can sort out what massage therapy makes you feel and why.
enjoy!
-ll
poster:llrrrpp
thread:671335
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060721/msgs/671762.html