We all know about the benefits of receiving a great massage; they’re well documented. If you’re a massage junkie, like me, you’ve got firsthand knowledge. But have you ever thought about the benefits that the therapist may be getting? (Other than wages and tips.) I used to think massage was purely about the therapist giving and the client receiving. Which is pretty great when you’re the client. Then I heard the story of the reluctant massage therapist, Ryan Osguthorpe, of Melted Massage in St George, Utah. I asked him how he got into the business and this is what he told me:
I had never thought about being a massage therapist. I wanted a different job, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I told my friend that working at McDonald’s was sounding better than my current job. He was a massage therapist and told me I should become one. I thought, there’s no way I’m touching people and people are NOT touching me. It was gross. That was my opinion. But out of desperation, I was signed up one day later. I’d never had a massage before then.
When I was in class I felt like the biggest outcast. There were thirty-nine students and when we were going around introducing ourselves everyone was saying things like, “I’m a natural healer.” Or that they were there because they had had a great experience with a massage therapist. They’d been giving massages to their family members since they were little, and I had never even hugged a family member. When it was my turn I said, “I’m here for money.” And they said, “oh honey, you’re in the wrong career.” I thought I was too. I literally was going to quit so many times. I hated it. I did not have good experiences on the table.
Of the thirty-nine students, five of us were guys. For my very first massage I was so nervous. I did NOT want a guy therapist. I was like, please no guy. Of course, I got a guy. It was so awkward-the worst experience. But he eventually became my favorite therapist.
I didn’t drop out. I just kept sticking to it because I didn’t know what else to do. Then somewhere about five months into it I realized it was the most peaceful job I’d ever had. I did have a couple of good massages by then too. But it was when I was with my clients, massaging them, that’s when everything changed. All of a sudden it was like zen to me. Like a meditation. The connection to another person is really what it’s all about.
It changed my opinion of people. I really got to know them. I saw them for who they are. When we first meet people, we are so judgmental. I discovered that people have reasons for the things they do. Everyone has a story. People that I used to think harshly about, I don’t anymore. I don’t look at people the same way as I did before.
(I will add here that I am grateful Ryan got over his feeling of “ickiness” and became a massage therapist-the world is a better place because of it.) His story was eye-opening for me. Ryan said he became a calmer and more empathetic person after becoming a therapist. Did this mean that when I got a massage I was helping improve someone’s life in my own, small way? Or that when I got a massage I could count that as my good-deed-of-the-day? Win-Win! My curiosity was piqued. (Plus, I’m always on the lookout for more rationale to support my massage habit.)
I asked the owner of Melted Massage, Ryan Gallian, what he gained by giving a massage. Here’s what he told me:
It’s such an amazing experience when the person on the table and the therapist can both get into what I call ‘the zone’. For the person on the table it’s a state where they are not really asleep, but not really awake-they’re in this zone. For the therapist, when they have that person in the zone, they are also in the zone. It’s like a meditative state. The peace and the calm that comes from that is amazing. A lot of therapist work off tips in this industry and that is one way to thank your therapist. But expressing gratitude afterward is also a way to fuel their passion for their work. Most massage therapist are givers. Giving fuels their passion and is a huge portion of who they are. It’s tremendously beneficial on a lot more levels than just getting a check.
Ryan lives what he preaches which unfortunately translates to being booked out waaaaaaaaay in advance. Booking a massage was so much easier before the word got out. (Worth the wait.)
The best massage therapists I’ve had not only sooth my muscles, they sooth my soul. Sometimes I leave feeling relaxed and free of muscle knots. And sometimes I feel as though my heart needed that safe touch more than my muscles did. I remember one massage that nourished me when I was grieving the loss of my mom. When my dear friend, Sydney, was struggling with her own loss, I took her to one of the most nurturing therapist I know, Callie Christopherson, owner of Canyonland Massage in St George.
Sydney was hesitant at first because she had never had a massage before. I prevailed. (She will tell you just how obnoxiously pushy I can be.) Afterward she told me she felt so cared for that she cried during her massage. “I felt as though Callie was massaging all the sadness from my body.” It’s not just about working the knots out. A healing touch is powerful stuff. Callie told me that giving a massage like that gives her sense of purpose. “It’s my favorite thing to do-to help people in that way.” When I asked how she benefits from giving a massage she echoed Ryan Gallian’s sentiments. “I get the same relaxation that the client does. To me, it feels like a moving meditation. I get very centered, which is a healing place for both of us to be in.” In fact, Callie is convinced that massage therapy is a necessary part of an integrated approach to healthcare, rather than simply a pampering luxury. She feels so strongly about this that she instigated a no-tipping policy at her massage business. “I think the best way clients can express appreciation is by sharing their love of massage and referring friends and family.” I just refer to her as amazing.
Finding your favorite therapist is a wonderful journey, but…we live in an imperfect world. Not all therapists are out there trying to make the world a more peaceful place. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a particular therapist, find a different therapist. If you ever feel REALLY uncomfortable during a massage, don’t even finish it. Use common sense and listen to your gut feelings.
And while I’m in warning mode, I must say: when you have a great therapist, and your muscles are encouraged to let go of tension, and you get some feel-good chemicals racing through your body, it’s highly addictive. So, make your body happy, make a therapist happy, make the world a more peaceful place and book a massage. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my Massage Junkies Anonymous meeting.