You wouldn’t believe how often I hear this!
Early in my career, I would try so hard to “fix” the person on the table. It took a while but it finally dawned on me, this is not a me problem. I can’t “fix” anyone in one session, I am not a miracle worker! (As much as my ego would disagree!)
I have recognised that it all boils down to managing client expectations and education.
The question I ask every client:
How long have you been feeling this way?
Most of the time, the answer is six months plus, even years in some cases. I know I have a terrible poker face, so I am sure the person in front of me knows exactly what I’m thinking.
Why the hell would you put up with feeling this way for so long?!
If your car isn’t running properly, you would take it to a mechanic to get fixed. In the case of your own health, you leave it and say “she’ll be right”. Then six months (in pain) go by, the problem has gotten so much worse and finally, you go and see someone. The expectations are that you will be “fixed” in one hour, despite having the problem for six months or more!
Do you see how crazy this sounds?
What can you do about it?
- Mindset – when you become aware of a problem, it is usually because you feel pain. Take some time to think about how long you have been feeling the pain. Do you continue to “put up with” the pain? Or do you get on the front foot, organise a treatment and do something about it?
Can you take ownership of your situation?
- Body Awareness – take a moment to sit in silence, close your eyes and think about how your body feels. You will start to notice parts of your body that feel tight, sore and in some places, good. Doing this regularly will help you to become tuned into your body, it will tell you when something is wrong. The more in-tuned you are, the easier and quicker you will pick up on problems.
- Pain – this is your body’s alarm system, it is telling you something isn’t right and needs to be attended to. By the time you are feeling pain, you absolutely need treatment. Become aware of when you feel muscles tightening, that feeling of pressure in your body, the need to stretch; this is when you take action, before it becomes painful. Why go through months of pain? It will affect your mood and potentially, you will start to feel pain elsewhere, because you are compensating for the original sore spot.
- Maintenance – obviously I am going to advocate for massage for maintenance. It is a way for you to keep on top of any niggles you may have. Also, I have found getting regular massage makes me more body aware. Personally, I get a massage on a weekly basis; I love getting a massage, I do a lot of physical work so my body needs to be looked after, I find I have more empathy for my clients as well, also, it helps me understand how a particular technique feels.
- Stretching – I know it’s boring and the last thing you want to do, but it really does work. You do not have to spend a lot of time doing it, consistency is key. When you finish dinner and are sitting on the couch in front of the TV, why not get on the floor and do some stretching?
Oh and you don’t need to lie about your stretching to me, I can tell from your body if you are stretching or not.
So, what are you waiting for? You have the opportunity to help yourself, which will save you a lot of stress, pain, time and money in the long run.