New Agey vs MT

[chefjoezieger]

Let me first say I know that I'll probably be getting quite a few 'negative' thoughts directed my way but...For the longest time, I've been involved in one way or another with 'new age' attitudes (beginnings in the '80s). I believe that thought is just as strong as action. Among other things, I was once very interested in and worked with numerology and astrology.With that said, however, I feel somewhat uncomfortable with the 'new agey' types of MT modalities. My concern is that by focusing on these, we may be derailing our efforts to legitamize massage's effecacy and 'public image'.What are some of your thoughts on this? and relative followup.Thanks in advance. Gaspen

 

[LadyJaneGrey]

New Agey vs MT

Am curious what you consider 'new agey modalities'?

 

[Charles C]

New Agey vs MT

Basically anything where the client's body is not in physical contact with the MT or material (ie stones, cups, etc.); primarily that would be 'strictly' energy work.Please, DO NOT get me wrong. I am in no way saying anything whatsoever against these modalities. I believe these modalities work (or at least have the potential to work).Example: from what I understand, hot/cold stones work on at least two layers: direct, relational physical changes (due to direct physical contact with a heated/cooled hard subtance); and enegy (based on the progression of the placement and the types of stones used).

 

[kayclarkey]

I'm more of a clinical style MT, but I went to school with several new-agey types and I think there is a place for both in the field.Massage therapy is moving toward a greater acceptance, but along with that comes more control by multiple outside groups.  I have mixed feelings about it becoming more of a mainstream industry.

 

[rotavatore]

New Agey vs MT

back in the day, edgar casey was thought of as being out of the mainstream...and so were many others...I like more of the clinical end but, I am here for my client...anything to make them feel better and more whole...how we accomplish this is by case study...what have you done how has it changed the person...take this information and publish it to other MTs and the AMTA/ AMA/ AMBPA/ ect...the AMTA has a contest running for students right now for this...get on the boards and find out what people are doing for what ailments...I have been having great results from hot stone in arthritis or herbal bath and lymphatic drainage with acne...enegry work is new to me also but, seems to work well for some people...I say go for it even if it is not mainstream...

 

[congaihieuki]

I think it's a matter of people being informed.  And by saying people I mean clients.  I think there is room for both in the field but we must educate and inform clients on the difference.  Say you have a client that comes in with an issue that needs to be addressed.  Instead of giving them "hands on therapy" you decide to give them "energy work" because you feel this will help them more.  Well, your client walks out of there thinking, "what the hell just happened?".  I say you inform them of the different modalities and let them decide what's right for them.  I don't know much about energy work and right now, most of it is not for me.  But I've had clients that have said both good and bad.  I believe when they have negative views of it, they were uninformed.  Not everyone is open to it or accepting of it.  These are not the people that we should try to "treat" using energy work, especially without their consent.

 

[J-BUS]

New Agey vs MT

I've got a couple of clients that say I move energy very well with hands-on work. I really don't know the first thing about reiki. I've looked into it a little, but never really had much of an interest. I'm unlike most people, I don't believe in spirits, souls, gods or goddesses, etc. I know that energy exists, I just don't know if it is scientifically possible to channel or move energy from one person to another. I've been told that to perform energy work, one must go through training and become 'attuned'. If one has to be attuned to move energy, why is it that my clients feel as though I am moving energy through them? BTW, the ones that say this know about my beliefs, and know that I do not claim to know about or how to perform reiki or energy movement.Some strange things though:The first time a client told me I moved energy throughout the session, after the massage I had dark circles under/around my eyes. He didn't know if this was a good or a bad thing.The second major occasion where I was told I moved energy, I felt very close to the client during the session and felt a LOT of compassion for him, more than usual. When I finished my last stroke on his back, he lifted his head and said "wow, energy was FLOWING through your hands this go-around."Strange...

 

[knocked up]

New Agey vs MT

I've been told that to perform energy work, one must go through training and become 'attuned'.

Seforum.xxxg, that is one way, but certainly not the only way.  You can just start doing it with no training whatsoever, and no awareness that you're doing it.  Every atom has an energy field around it - you can say it is because of the charges in the atom, every body has a field around them - aura/electric/energy/whatever you want to call it, put 2 fields close together and the fields move like iron filings with 2 magnets.  You may not be quite as magnetic as a magnet but there is an interaction going on at the field level. There are a lot of radiation/gravitational laws in physics that no-one would argue with, it's just a slight stretch to fields around bodies, and a lot of the scientific community see no problem in researching it, and there are quite a lot of positive results, just hasn't filtered out into the general public level, but then when you think of Newton's gravitational laws, there is a lot of the public that is unaware of it, beyond apples drop from trees.Sounds like you've got a bit of a talent for it if you're doing it so unintentionally.  Not all of it is based on a wafty belief system, a lot of them have quite scientific principles to explain it.  Reconnective Healing mutters about quantum physics for it's background info, as do a few other systems.  Have a look at Reconnective Healing they certainly would have no trouble with your orientation but you may find another system agrees more with your non-beliefs  Not all energy work is pixie dust and faeries.and gee I made a lot of typos, think I've fixed 'em up now

 

[Nikky]

New Agey vs MT

well said melb

 

[Natie]

New Agey vs MT

My concern is that by focusing on these, we may be derailing our efforts to legitamize massage's effecacy and 'public image'.Eh. It's all about word of mouth, and research. Work that speaks for itself, and/or work that stands up in the clinic, will continue to flourish.Basically anything where the client's body is not in physical contact with the MT or material (ie stones, cups, etc.); primarily that would be 'strictly' energy work.Have you ever experienced either of these? Anyway, I find it really confusing that you are concerned about techniques where direct skin-to-skin contact isn't involved. I would think that would be one kind of "new-agey" attitude. Given that both stone massage and cupping involve mechanical effects, those would be the last techniques I would think to question. Anyway, from your description I think you might be confusing stone massage with crystal & stone healing. In the former, the only "type" of stone necessary is one that will hold heat well. The latter doesn't seem to be massage at all, not in the forms I've seen.As for cupping, it's backed by thousands of years of clinical experience. And it feels nice So, I think I'd like more details from you... I'm not sure I've really understood the "meat" of what you're asking. If you could list any more specific modalities, that would be great.Seforum.xxxg, reiki is far from the only kind of energy work out there... and anyway, it's based on the idea that everyone had a connection to reiki energy... which is why some people spontaneously self-attune. But there are other ways to work with energy. How many new-agey types have done the "energy ball" exercise? Shiatsu is primarily concerned with a person's chi. Polarity is an amalgamation of systems. Etc.Moving energy can be done simply with intention, so you might try setting some intentions if you want to play with it more. In class we did an exercise in which we gave our partner two shoulder rubs, first with the intention to simply work them as a "skinbag" of meat, and the second with the intention to touch not just one physical body to another, but one energetic body to another as well. The contrast was dramatic.The reminder suddenly comes to me with a touch of "duh, EM" that Einsten laid the scientific groundwork for this a long time ago, and physics continues to explore the apparent truth that all that appears to be physical is really just concentrated energy.

 

[TerribleTaylor]

New Agey vs MT

I am in Florida working as a waitress till I get my license...I have been taught about some of the 'new age' modalitys...I was not sure about them until last thursday...my shoulder was blown out...I was crying...I had the standard trigger point work done...it helped a little but, I was still in quite a bit of pain...a friend introduced to me to a healer...the whole session lasted about 15 minutes...she did a thing she called a pain drain...my shoulder has not hurt since...yes we need those modalitys such as that...no matter the modality you have choosen for yourself...you use your hands to heal...she did in 15 min. what an hour of deep tissue/trigger point could not...I have to admit now that I have seen and felt it work I really want to go take classes...

 

[ardi]

New Agey vs MT

Basically anything where the client's body is not in physical contact with the MT or material (ie stones, cups, etc.); primarily that would be 'strictly' energy work.

Have you ever experienced either of these?

Anyway, I find it really confusing that you are concerned about techniques where direct skin-to-skin contact isn't involved. I would think that would be one kind of "new-agey" attitude. Given that both stone massage and cupping involve mechanical effects, those would be the last techniques I would think to question.

Actually, I think he is including cupping and hot stone with skin-to-skin contact as well... The way he put it: Basically anything where the client's body is not in physical contact with the MT or material ; primarily that would be 'strictly' energy work. With his use of a semicolon, I believe he's saying: "To me, energy work consists of modalities that do not include touching the client's body with hands or materials."

Seforum.xxxg, reiki is far from the only kind of energy work out there... and anyway, it's based on the idea that everyone had a connection to reiki energy... which is why some people spontaneously self-attune. But there are other ways to work with energy. How many new-agey types have done the "energy ball" exercise? Shiatsu is primarily concerned with a person's chi. Polarity is an amalgamation of systems. Etc.

Never heard of the energy ball...  I'd really like to learn more about energy work, which do you think is the most powerful, most healing method? I'm really not down with getting into people's emotional lives and having them cry on my table and all, so I don't really know if Polarity is for me (I don't even know if Polarity consists of that, it's just what I've heared and read). I'm more into physical healing. Any suggestions on books or online material (I AM down with free!) that I can get a fresh start from the beginning?

 

[Goodbye Stranger.]

New Agey vs MT

When we did Polarity in school we all got sick to our stomachs. Isn't that weird? Or it would leave us feeling dizzy and light headed, kind of nauseaus.

 

[Sallow]

New Agey vs MT

The energy ball exercise is really simple in concept, but personally I've found it hard to do successfully and consistently. Google for it though.

 

[ikenna]

New Agey vs MT

Hmm. Well, I guess I'll wait for him to come back and clarify. I still want to hear specific modalities from him.Anyway, the energy ball exercise is really simple in concept, but personally I've found it hard to do successfully and consistently. Google for it though.Advanced Polarity does have a counseling component, but the Polarity I've received has been very relaxing and supportive. I never felt any ill effects from it. As for being more into "physical" healing, you may want to let go of that dichotomy. The physical body is energy. Anyway, I recommend Donna Eden's book Energy Medicine. In addition to her training, you may also want to look into Core Energetics.

 

[alphabetsoup2]

EgoMagickian, sorry I haven't responded sooner, but I visit the  board at work and it's been very busy.Anyway, to clarify, the types of work I was referring to: energy work, crystals, aromatherapy, etc. While I personally have faith in their ability to offer healing, and I look forward to studying them further, the issue of the question was my concern that these non-physical and therefore more etherial modalities might negatively impact the growing acceptance of massage therapy as a valuable tool and adjunct to traditional western medicine.Notice the term 'traditional western medicine'. Granted, the scope of western medicine continues to grow and encompass more and more, but it may be a few more years down the road until western medicine develops a holistic approach to healing.Obviously we're all healers (whether we want/like to use the term). Whether we intellectually acknowledge the fact that as massage therapists, we are always working with energy (ours and our clients') before, during, and after a session.The main concern we all share lies not necessarily with the modalities we'll use but with the outcome we'll produce.

 

[Mayra]

New Agey vs MT

Snip...the issue of the question was my concern that these non-physical and therefore more etherial modalities might negatively impact the growing acceptance of massage therapy as a valuable tool and adjunct to traditional western medicine.

Notice the term 'traditional western medicine'. Granted, the scope of western medicine continues to grow and encompass more and more, but it may be a few more years down the road until western medicine develops a holistic approach to healing.

I am probably of the minority but I prefer to think of massage as being "outside the box" and would like it to see it stay "outside the box".

It is funny to me that you suggest traditional western medicine will eventually develop a holistic approach to healing in a few more years (emphasis mine).  A holistic approach is totally opposite of what is currently taught in medical schools.  To have this happen would require an incredible turn around in how the majority of medical schools are teaching their students, focusing on wellness rather than drugs and surgery.  Please understand I am not talking about trauma care but about a holistic approach to healing and wellness, there is a difference between the two.  While I would like to see it happen I give it much more than a few more years to actually occur.

While I believe there are some docs who truly do care about their patients health, I believe there are many more docs who care more about their bottom line and how to enhance it...which is how I see massage fitting into the "traditional" and current methods of healthcare.  It won't be about respect and acceptance but rather money brought into their practices.  What that says to me is the MT gives up control and direct access in order to work in the current system so they can bill the insurance company and it also means more MT's working for low hourly wages.  Thanks...but no thanks!

I'm one of those MT's who doesn't really give a fig whether traditional western medicine ever comes around and honors/respects what I do or the field of massage.  I receive respect and am honored by my clients who are getting the direct benefit from my work.  I neither want nor need doctors involved in my business.  IMHO, massage should stay as far away from traditional western medicine as it can get and it matters not whether the practitioner is using straight massage or adding in what you are calling "new Agey" or non-physical aspects of treatment.  We do what works regardless of it being NMT, CST, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, shiatsu, watsu, polarity, reiki or any of the other hundreds of modalities practiced by touch practitioners.  

What we do has been around for hundreds of years in a variety of ways.  It is safe, effective and non-invasive.  The simplicity of what we do is currently beyond the comprehension of the current healthcare system...why give up our independence to fit in?

 

[Pompal 09.]

New Agey vs MT

Anyway, to clarify, the types of work I was referring to: energy work, crystals, aromatherapy, etc. >>>>> these non-physical and therefore more etherial modalities

Aromatherapy is an etheric modality????? Aromatherapy, originated in France from studies by a medical doctor in WW1.  It is part of western medical practice in France - doctors prescribe essential oils for ingestion, you go to a pharmacy and the cough mixtures on the shelf contain essential oils.  Non-medical professionals, since they couldn't prescribe things to be ingested, decided that the best way to use aromatherapy was through the skin, hence the application with massage.  Saying that's etheric is like saying saying HRT patches are etheric - originally HRT was ingested and now it is mainly applied through the skin.

There is a lot more to aromatherapy than saying "smell this and you'll feel good"  (though the effect of scent on the limbic brain is well documented).

like anything, aromatherapy can be used on a more energetic rather than a physical level, but the physical properties of the chemical compounds in the essential oils is definitely NOT etheric, it's just organic chemistry.  Some essentail oils are toxic (clove), some are toxic with certain medical conditions (juniper, rosemary), some are pretty safe for most people, some are safe for almost everyone (lavender, some of the citrus oils if not going out in the sun).  

 

[Andrei S]

New Agey vs MT

I like the idea of using essential oils and flower essences on acupoints. Of course, I've also done acu-reiki Anyway, I was just looking at a book called Vibrational Medicine in the store today. I'd seen it before but not flipped through it... now I'm thinking I want to purchase it. I'm not sure how much evidence is given in it, but I think there's much discussion on how energetic modalities might work. Anyway, to bring this back to Gaspen's original post... I don't have any negative thoughts toward you. But your post does seem quite in contrast to my own position... I feel uncomfortable with the more clinical approaches to massage therapy. My concern is that by focusing on acceptance from systems that really need to be focused on addressing their own shortcomings, we may be disrespecting our profession, which I think is more undermining to our public image than any supply of fluffy new age stuff.

 

[tash]

The Richard Garber book Vibrational Medicine?  It's a good one, just make sure you get the third edition (2001), the earlier editions are a bit dated now I am pretty much against using neat essentail oils on the skin unless it's lavender or a few other oils.  From what I can gather, the Young Living Raindrop Therapy makes people think it's ok to put any neat essential oil on the skin, which it isn't.  Do none/some/all essential oils in the US come in child-proof bottles? Quite a few are in Australia, because they are recognised as being so toxic.