Massage PSAs Archives - Harvest Moon Massage Therapy

Where Did All the Massage Therapists Go?

Massage PSAs / March 23, 2022

A Facebook post to Birmingham LMTs group that reads: For anyone looking to move, Terrame in Huntsville is booked up 4 weeks out and needs good therapists. They have 2 locations that offer massage.

The bottom of the graphic is another Facebook post that reads: If you are considering a new career - licensed massage therapist are needed in HIGH DEMAND right now!

Have you tried to book a massage lately? Were you successful or were you met with, “Not accepting new clients right now,” or “It’s going to be 6 weeks before I can get you in”? Or worse, you were seen, but had a less than stellar experience? Where did all the massage therapists go?

That graphic over there was something I pulled in less than 5 minutes from two different massage forums on social media seeking massage therapists for their organization. These kinds of posts appear all day, every single day in massage forums and if they’re not looking for massage therapists they’re asking how to find massage therapists. It’s disheartening.

According to the 2022 AMTA Massage Research Report the number of massage therapists decreased in 2021. This, I believe, is partially due to COVID-19, but also a consequence of decreasing enrollment at massage schools nationwide and the shuttering of many massage programs. Many massage therapists walked away from our industry as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic overtook the world. Forced to close businesses or laid off with no other way to support their families, many of them haven’t returned.

Massage school enrollments were down and schools had been closing at an alarming rate before the pandemic. And even though studies show our numbers have increased by 14% over the last decade, without adequate enrollment or places to obtain the necessary education, the number of qualified massage therapists must fall. Many schools closed and did not re-open after government mandated shutdowns reducing the potential for massage therapy graduates even further.

We were already experiencing a shortage of therapists before COVID-19. The massage therapy industry is now entering a crisis period. And it couldn’t happen at a worse time. As we are potentially emerging from a pandemic that forced people into their homes and social isolation, where touch became so dangerous many of us still won’t hug friends or family for fear of passing them a death sentence, people are in critical need of touch therapy and stress relief.

Why Don’t MTs Just Take More Clients?

It seems like the most obvious solution for those of us still working. Just take more clients per day and there will be less people in need of touch therapies. Unfortunately, it’s not a sustainable option. Most of us have already been taking more than our physical limit and are reaching the wall. It’s sort of like when someone leaves your job and your manager brings all their work to you. And then someone else leaves and your manager is standing in your office with another pile of work.

Massage therapists must first protect their own bodies before we can continue serving others. A hurt massage therapist is not a massage therapist that can help anyone with pain or stress. A sick massage therapist is definitely not going to be able to help anyone and they may make you sick to boot.

And Then There’s Burnout

Burnout is a real thing. We’ve seen the news stories, read the articles, and talked to our friends in the healthcare industry and everyone seems to understand that they are fried. Massage therapists aren’t experiencing the same level of awareness or care as the healthcare industry workers, but oftentimes we are laying on hands as many hours a day as these healthcare workers with even more waiting in the wings that aren’t being seen. The mental health arena is experiencing a similar phenomenon currently. Read here about listening to your body so you can hopefully prevent burnout.

As we continue to service more and more individuals at the cost of our body, family time, creative time, and rest time, we burn out. Giving becomes extremely difficult when we have pushed ourselves beyond the limit in service of others.

Many of us are regularly doing phone consultations for how to manage pain until we can get clients into the office. Which is pushing the limits of our scope, but what does one do when the one person in their circle of trust can’t get them in and they’re hurting?

How Do We Fix the Shortage?

The short answer is make more massage therapists. The long answer is make more massage therapists. If a student started right now it would take 6-8 months (minimum depending on the school) to be qualified to take the national exam and apply for a license in the state of Alabama.

That doesn’t seem like a long time, but it is a long time to work hoping that someone is coming to help relieve an already overstressed system. So now the question is, how do we get those students into an entry-level massage therapy program?

I see this question asked a lot on social media, industry publications, and industry conference panels. And no one seems to have an answer to this question. Is it awareness? Yes! Is it advertising? Yes! Is it getting in front of kids while they’re young to let them know how important touch is to their health? Yes! What do we do about it? Nothing or very little, apparently, and what is being done is not effective as illustrated by falling enrollment, fewer training programs, and “exhausted, on the verge of quitting” massage therapists.

What Happens If We Do Nothing?

If we do nothing, qualified massage therapist numbers will continue to decline. Safe and accessible massage therapy will become very expensive then disappears altogether as therapists age out of the system, burn out, or simply leave the industry.

If we do nothing, massage therapy chains will either disappear altogether or find funding to become industry monopolies. Quality of massage therapists and therapies will go way down while prices go way up as happens when an industry is controlled by just a few entities.

If we do nothing, more unqualified, untrained people will perform touch therapies that may or may not lead to public health issues, unsafe practices, consumer injuries and/or infections, a rise in human trafficking, and declining consumer confidence in the massage therapy profession.

None of that seems good.

What Can We Do?

Consumers

Use your platform to talk about your massage therapy experiences and how it has helped you. Challenge yourself to talk to one person a week about massage therapy.
Write reviews for your massage therapist(s). Thank you in advance!
Talk to your family, friends and anyone else who will listen about how massage therapy might be a viable career option. Talk to your massage therapist about where to steer prospective students. Many of us are glad to talk about massage therapy to the curious public.
Suggest your massage therapist or massage therapy school for career days, job fairs, or health fairs.

Massage Therapists / Students

Use your platform to talk about your positive career experiences as a massage therapist, get specific about why it’s so satisfying and talk about it often. Challenge yourself to post on social media once a month about your satisfying career choice.
Talk to your clients, friends, family, and anyone else who will listen about how massage therapy might be a viable career option.
Educate yourself on the massage school options in your area and be prepared to steer people toward these schools if they show an interest.
Contact your local school system and make yourself available to talk with school kids (and high schoolers) about how massage therapy might be a viable career option.
Provide your clients and cohorts with the words to speak respectfully and positively about the massage therapy profession.

Massage Therapy Schools

Use your platform to create awareness campaigns about the massage therapy profession and run them continuously.
Show up at career days, career fairs, and health fairs to promote the massage therapy profession.
Educate the public as to the continuing need for massage and touch therapies.
Teach students how to be ambassadors for our profession and challenge them to continue recruiting new students into our profession.

Let’s Do Something!

I know I’ve pointed out some not so optimistic points in this article, but I think it’s important we know what can happen if we continue to ignore the problem. I hope this gives you some ideas about how you can help the massage therapy profession in your day-to-day. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a massage therapist your first order of business is to find a school and do some research. Feel free to reach out directly to me if you want to talk or you can go here to find state approved schools in your area.

Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy
is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!

Where Did All the Massage Therapists Go? Read More »

COVID-19 Screening Procedures at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology

Massage PSAs / March 15, 2020

Don’t Let FEAR Allow You to Treat Others POORLY!

Since a lot of things are going to be changing rapidly, I just wanted you to know what to expect when you come in for your massage in the next while. I also wanted to put together a resource that you can use to find information on this latest iteration of the coronavirus. Keep yourself and your family safe and if you need help, ask for it. If you see someone in need, help them or arrange to get them help. We are going to get through this together!

What to expect at your next appointment!

Starting Monday, March 16th, 2020, we will be implementing a few new screening procedures upon your arrival at the office. Be prepared to answer the following questions and perform the following activities.

Have you or anyone in your family been diagnosed with COVID-19?
Do you have or has anyone in your family or workplace had a fever in the last 72 hours?
Do you have or have you had a sore throat in the last 72 hours?
Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?
Have you traveled in the last two weeks? Where to and by what mode?
Have you been in a large crowd within the last two weeks?
Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before our session begins.

COVID-19 Resources

Alabama COVID-19 Hotline 1-888-264-2256
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Alabama Department of Public Health
How to Care for COVID-19 at Home
One Medical Professional’s Personal Experience Having COVID-19
Handwashing Resources
Allergies versus Coronavirus
Minot AFB Resource for COVID-19 (the best article I’ve seen to date, deals with stress and how to help your kids too!)
Understanding the “Flattening the Curve” concept (skip to the 2 minute mark if you’re short on time)

I’m also pumping out more information through my Facebook page. Please follow along over there for not just COVID-19 specific information, but all kinds of uplifting, fun things to do while we’re all getting through this. And if you need someone to talk to, call me! Don’t be scared and lonely. There are lots of people out here in the world who are more than willing to be a listening ear and friend.

Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!

COVID-19 Screening Procedures at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology Read More »

Regarding COVID-19

Massage PSAs / March 15, 2020

No Need to Panic…

In case you missed the Facebook post and the email I sent out regarding COVID-19 and how I plan to deal with it, here is the info along with some helpful links for additional info. Also, I’m as tired of reading/hearing/thinking about this mess already as you are, but being a business owner who touches folks for a living I’m sort of on the front line having to keep an eye on this. So…

Now that Alabama has their first confirmed cases of COVID-19, I just wanted to let you all know that nothing has changed here at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy & Reflexology. I’m still seeing clients, still taking appointments, and still doing all the laundry.

That being said, we are stepping up our cleaning and hygiene game and wiping down everything several times a day in addition to the normal and customary between client hygiene routine. The landfill will be choked with bleach wipes if we have anything to do with it. This makes me a little sad, but I don’t know any other way to kill this stuff and keep us all safe from the COVID cooties.

I trust that you are also doing your part to keep us all safe and healthy by taking all the common sense precautions we’ve all been reading and hearing about. However, if you are sick, think you are getting sick, or think you might have been exposed in some way to something, or are just not willing to take that chance for whatever reason, please reschedule your appointment. I will totally understand and respect whatever decision you need to make that is best for you.

I will in turn keep my office as clean as possible and I swear if I feel even a sniffle coming on I’ll be rescheduling you. Part of doing that will entail turning visibly sick clients away at the door. Don’t make me do that. Please. I know the Bradford Pears are blooming and everyone’s allergies are going berserk already. Please reschedule. There’s no way for me to protect everyone coming in after you if it’s not just allergies. And I don’t want to get sick or inadvertently become Decatur’s Typhoid (COVID) Mary.

Considering that testing effectively began Thursday in Alabama, I believe we are going to see a steep climb in the number of cases over the next week of people who are already sick. I am closely monitoring CDC and state and local health department advisories. Schools will be closing next week and I expect more closures will be forthcoming. If the situation degrades to the point where it’s unsafe and/or unethical for me to remain open, I will let you all know.

Be well, my friends and know that I’m rooting for us all! Now, go wash your hands again…

Peace,
Sharon

Sharon Bryant at Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage Therapist!

Regarding COVID-19 Read More »

You Get What You Pay For…

Massage PSAs / February 18, 2018

Recently I was on Facebook and saw an ad for a local chiropractor’s office offering three hours of massage for less than $100. I was instantly furious. Several thoughts bounced around the inside of my head while I was trying to determine what made me so mad. Was I upset about possibly losing business? Yes, but not so much for this kind of emotional reaction. Was it the chiropractor’s office? Maybe, but I’d never even heard of the place before. Was it the massage therapist? Maybe, but I didn’t even know who worked there. Was it the ad itself? Just a black and white text affair, blunt, but no. It took a bit before it finally coalesced to the point that I could put it into words.

Who in their right mind is willing to do three hours of massage for less than $100?

As an independent business owner and massage therapist the only scenario that makes sense is that the business is doing it to bring in more business. Okay, that’s one way to do it, but is the massage therapist getting paid a previously agreed upon minimum hourly rate? Or are they having to eat the cut rate? It’s one thing for me to decide to cut my rates and do a special, it’s another thing for an employer to decide that for me.

Let me break some of the numbers down and give you an idea of why I found myself so angry at this Facebook ad.

I’m an independent massage therapist whose rates are currently $70/hour. When I do an hour of massage I receive from my client $70. With that $70 I keep the doors open, the heat, air, lights, and water on, supplies stocked and pay any other business related expenses, pay taxes, pay myself so I can keep food on the table (and in the dog’s bowls) and a safe place for my family to live.

As an employed massage therapist when the employer runs a “special” the massage therapist typically takes at least a share of the hit. So that special for 3-hours for $100 works out to 1-hour for $33.33. The employer then takes their share which is negotiable at the time of employment and is typically 40-60% depending on what the employer supplies. So out of $33.33 the employer will take $13.33, if the massage therapist is lucky, leaving them $19.99 for an hour of massage. If they’re not so lucky those numbers flip, the house takes $19.99 leaving the massage therapist $13.33.

Now, I am fully in support of the house taking their cut, they have to in order to keep the doors open. But can you imagine going to school, graduating, being required to take and pass a national-level exam, purchasing and maintaining liability insurance, going through the process of becoming licensed by the state, maintaining continuing education hours in order to become a skilled professional all to be paid $13.33 for an hours worth of work?

I certainly cannot and before you move away from that list I just wrote about all the things you have to do to become a legally practicing professional massage therapist in the state of Alabama, consider that every single thing on that list takes money. Most of those steps take a lot of money.

So it’s just not feasible from a business standpoint for a massage therapist to agree to work for this kind of pay. They can’t keep up their certification and licensing much less put food on the table. Add to that, people flock to these kinds of deals giving that therapist a lot of work to do. So they’re wearing their bodies down without receiving sufficient resources to maintain their self-care or livelihood. I think we can all agree this is not good practice nor is it sustainable.

So who would agree to work for this pittance?

Unfortunately, the massage therapists who agree to work under these circumstances are often desperate for money and employment, very young, just graduated from massage school, have student loans coming due, and/or a combination of these. So deal shoppers who bounce from place to place looking for the cheapest deals are essentially taking advantage of someone who is already down on their luck or trying to get started. They also may not be receiving the best massages either because let’s face it, how good a job do you do when you’re stressed out and worried about how you’re going to pay the electric bill.

What Can We Do?

As a consumer of massage, you can either refuse to deal shop or if you do, tip the therapist directly at a very high percentage. If you can’t afford to make up the difference in the tip then book at least two more appointments at full price for every one appointment you get at a discounted rate, write a review for the therapist, and send your friends to that massage therapist. In other words, do all you can to support that person.

As a massage therapist, you can negotiate these things with your employer. It’s best if it’s in the employment contract or agreement, but you can still negotiate with them even after you’ve signed an agreement. Insist on a minimum rate of pay for your services. Insist on limits, both to the number of “deals” they offer per year and how many massages they sell at the discounted rate or give away for free. Don’t expect that to be an easy conversation, but nothing worth having comes easy or cheap. Also consider the possibility that self-employment may be a better option.

In a perfect world we would all get paid what we are worth. Unfortunately, our system doesn’t work that way and we get paid what we settle for or what the market will bear. As a massage therapist I choose not to settle for less and know that sometimes I’ll be slow because there are lots of deals floating around. As a consumer of massage I refuse to shop the deals because it artificially dilutes the value of massage therapy and makes it harder for all of us, consumers and massage therapists, to afford.

So if it sounds too good to be true, you know it probably is, at least in the long run. Anyway, here are a couple of related articles that you may now be interested in reading: How to support your favorite businesses for free and How to find a great massage therapist

♥

Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Ashiatsu Barefoot Specialist!

You Get What You Pay For… Read More »

A Client’s Bill of Rights

1 Comment / Massage PSAs / November 28, 2017

I just wanted to take a moment to address the sexual misconduct involving one of the giant massage therapy chains that has been in the news recently. I am horrified and disgusted that someone in my profession has violated the sanctity of our collective healing space.

People come to massage to find a safe place in which to let their mind and body relax and begin the healing process. Obviously, it’s not to be assaulted. While it is impossible for an employer to control individual employees’ actions, it is deplorable that virtually nothing has been done to address the now hundreds of complaints that have been filed against these employees. The company owes their clientele better and I will be surprised if there’s not repercussions for not removing predators from their employ in a timely manner. I am saddened that so many people are now having to deal with the trauma of being assaulted when they rightly believed they were safe.

All that being said, I just wanted to make sure that you, as a consumer of massage, know exactly what to expect when you schedule a massage. And I want to give you some straight talk about what to do if ANYONE or ANYTHING ever makes you feel uncomfortable while receiving massage with any bodyworker, anywhere.

As a massage therapist and bodyworker, my main goal is to help you feel better. I strive to create a safe, comfortable space for you. You will find this is a common thread among people who practice a healing art. We know receiving massage can be an incredibly vulnerable experience. Most of the time you will be unclothed to some degree, possibly lying face down, and someone you may not know yet will be touching you. I never want you to feel unsafe or uncomfortable so read on and know that you are always in charge when you are receiving a massage.

A Bodywork Client’s Bill of Rights

If you’re uncomfortable for any reason, tell us. It’s not going to hurt my feelings if you don’t like my music, if you feel cold, if the sheet feels scratchy or if I’m actually hurting you.
If you feel unsafe for any reason, tell us. It’s not going to hurt my feelings and I need to figure out what’s wrong so you can feel safe again.
If you feel like you want to stop the session and leave for any reason, tell us. It’s not going to hurt my feelings and I don’t want to subject you to an experience you don’t want.
If you feel like you need to cry, let it out. You might startle me, but I’m not going to run away.
Your massage is your time. It may be the only hour you get this week, month, or year to be perfectly yourself and let your mind and body enter into a healing state so please tell me if there’s something I need to do to help you have the best massage experience possible.

What To Do If You’re Assaulted During a Massage

If you’re able, stop the session and leave the establishment immediately.
Once you are safe, go directly to the police department or the emergency department (depending on the severity of the assault).
Expect to make a police report on the incident.
After making a police report ask the police if it is okay for you to call the business and make a formal complaint against the therapist. This is assuming this happened in a multi-therapist office.
Make a formal complaint against the therapist with the state Board of Massage Therapy.

I hope this never happens to you. I hope it never happens to anyone and I am horrified that it has happened at all.

How To Prevent Assault During a Massage

Unfortunately, in our world as it currently stands it is impossible to prevent someone from doing harm if they are intent on committing assault. Even if you’re willing to use deadly force to protect yourself there’s no guarantee you won’t still be hurt in the process. Such a sad and frightening prospect, but there are a few things you can do to try to protect yourself.

As a massage therapist in the State of Alabama, I am required to maintain a massage therapy license with the state. In order to do that I have to agree to and abide by a whole host of laws that deal with the ethical treatment of my clients. Many of those laws specifically outline boundaries and forbid me from assaulting a client. Not that I need a law to know that it’s just wrong to assault a client… So when considering going to a new massage therapist make sure they are licensed. And there are a few other things you can do, here’s how to tell if they’re legit and agree to ethical boundaries.

I hope you have found some helpful information here. And while I would have preferred to never have to address this situation, please know that Harvest Moon Massage Therapy will always be a safe space where you don’t have to worry about your personal safety.

♥

Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is Decatur’s Exclusive Provider of Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage!

A Client’s Bill of Rights Read More »

Does Massage Help Heal Broken Bones?

Massage PSAs / March 2, 2016

I was recently approached by a client with this question about massage and broken bones. My initial reaction was, “No way!” But then with a little more thought and research I reasoned that while it would be nice (and much cheaper, less painful, easier, and great for business!) to rub away a break, massage therapy can indirectly help the healing process when bones have been broken.

How Massage Helps Broken Bones

Let’s talk about the healing process for a minute. It starts as we breathe oxygen into our lungs. Our lungs allow the oxygen to dissolve into our bloodstream. Blood then delivers the oxygen to our cells. After the cells have used up the oxygen, they spit out all the by-products of the healing process into the interstitial fluid between cells. The lymphatic system then sweeps them up and transports them through the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes and eventually out through your eliminatory system. This is a gross oversimplification of the miracle of life, but you get the gist.

Applying the healing process to broken bones it would look something like this. Cells and all the things they make up, muscles, tendons, bones, etc., heal when they are bathed in oxygen. So in order to heal, blood (and oxygen) must reach cells in the area that has the fracture. That oxygen must get used up in order for healing to occur and the lymphatic system has to do its job taking out the trash to keep the area from swelling and squeezing out the possibility for fresh, oxygenated blood to enter. Thus, it only makes sense that the goal of massage therapy in respect to help heal broken bones is to promote and restore optimal blood and lymphatic flow to the area of injury.

What if you have a broken bone and you’re in a hard cast?

You might think massage therapy can’t help, but lymphatic drainage can help reduce swelling and decongest the region around the fracture even when you’re in a cast. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. Certified manual lymphatic drainage therapists are trained to ramp up the lymphatic system. And a busy lymphatic system reaches parts of the body that the therapist can’t touch thus reducing swelling, removing cellular debris and promoting healing. So even if you are in a cast, a massage therapist certified in manual lymphatic drainage can definitely help you along your healing journey.

After you’re out of the cast massage therapy can help in a more direct manner. Muscle atrophy, stiffness and sub-functioning joints can all benefit from an appropriately tailored massage. Delivering a good dose of blood and oxygen via massage and lymphatic drainage to the injured area will be one of the best things about breaking a bone (after the cast coming off, that is).

What you can do to help heal broken bones

Eat healthy, nutritious foods – This gives your body the nutrients and building blocks to make the needed repairs
Move as much as you can within the guidelines of your medical advice – Get your blood moving so your cells can do their jobs and get you fixed up, also movement helps combat stiffness and gets you going faster and easier after the more restricted healing period
Breathe deeply in a clean air environment – Give your blood plenty of good oxygen to deliver to those hard working cells
Meditate! – Since you’ve been forced to slow down physically, why not take some time to give your brain a break too?

What to watch out for

All massage therapists are not lymphatic drainage therapists. Find someone who is certified in manual lymphatic drainage. This is important.
Massage therapists claiming you don’t need to see a doctor for a suspected broken bone. Run/hobble away!
Any other ridiculous claims. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

And so now you know how massage can and can’t help when you’ve broken a bone.

Be well, my friends!

♥

Harvest Moon Massage Therapy is a Certified Holistic Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist!

Does Massage Help Heal Broken Bones? Read More »

What to Wear to a Massage

1 Comment / Massage PSAs / July 21, 2014

I find this question is coming up a lot lately with new clients so I thought I would address it. Ha! Get it, adDRESS it? Okay, corny, I know, but that’s just how I can be sometimes. So you’re here because you want to know what to wear to a massage. I view this as a multi-part question so I’m going to break it down into at least two parts here. First, quite literally what to wear to a massage and the second what to wear during the massage.

So what does one wear to a massage?

Well, that depends on where you’re coming from. Whether it’s work, working out, the pool or puttering around the house, you definitely want to wear clothes. Unless of course you’re already in the spa and they’ve got you robed or wrapped in a sheet. I’m not a spa so if you walk in my door wrapped in a sheet I’m going to look at you funny. Typically my clients come in wearing work clothes or casual street clothes. Sometimes they come in their workout clothes and sometimes even in their pajamas. Some of my later in the day clients bring their pajamas with them so they can be ready for couch surfing when they get home. So to sum it up, wear whatever you want to your massage, just wear something. The more comfortable, the better cause I always find comfy clothes easier to put on after the disappointment of a massage that has just ended.

So what does one wear during a massage?

I get this question a lot and a while back I wrote an article on it. Lately though I’ve noticed that article, while humorous and hopefully answered the on/off debate, did not adequately cover the subject. (Sometimes I just can’t help myself.) Anyway, what I’ve discovered is that sometimes this question is less about what you might or might not be wearing, but how much of you is left exposed during the massage.

I recently had a gentleman call asking a lot of questions. At first I thought maybe he was fishing for those illegal kinds of services I don’t provide, but then I realized he was genuinely concerned about whether he would be lying unclothed and uncovered on the massage table while I worked on him. A few days later I had another similar phone call so I am here to say that you will never be unclothed and fully exposed on my massage table or any reputable massage therapist’s table for that matter.

Different methods are taught at different schools, but I learned to use what we call a drape in the massage business. I use a flat sheet for a drape, some massage therapists use towels or blankets, but I was taught with a sheet (at a minimum). My table is typically dressed with a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and a blanket depending on the weather.

As a new client, I will brief you on how to lay when you get on the table and part of that instruction is to cover yourself with the sheet. I have learned over the years that there are many different interpretations of “cover yourself with the sheet,” but all of those are okay.

During the massage you will be covered with the sheet and I will use my mad draping skills to uncover only those areas that I am working. If I need your leg, I’ll uncover it while protecting your dignity and modesty. If I need your back, I’ll cover your leg and uncover your back. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, until the massage is complete. Thus keeping most of the body covered at any given time. Of course, if you’re hot and need to stick your arms or feet out, that is ok too.

If this all sounds too complicated or scary or if you don’t want to remove any of your clothes during the massage, that’s okay too. Any good massage therapist can work directly through your clothing doing compression massage techniques. Many are even trained in stretching techniques or Thai massage which is typically performed on fully clothed individuals. So there’s yet another slant on this question.

So what do you think? Did I hit all the angles of this subject or have I left anything out? Let me know in the comments and I’ll answer any other questions you might have.

♥

Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Only Ashi-Thai Therapist!

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Alzheimer’s / Dementia Caregiver Support

Massage PSAs / February 26, 2013

Recently I started attending an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support group. Many of you already know that I help to care for an elder who has severe dementia. We spent several years struggling along by ourselves trying our best to provide the support she needs as her dementia continues to escalate.

Then last year a friend turned me on to these meetings at the Morgan County Mental Health Association. They are for caregivers and family members of people who suffer with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and I can’t say enough about how helpful this program and the people who run it have been. Whether you need advice on services available in the community to help you and your loved one cope with the frightening changes they’re experiencing or you just need a break and to sit and talk with someone who understands they seem to know and be available for you.

I didn’t get to attend the last meeting which is a shame because they hosted a local specialist on Elder Law. That would have been helpful. Maybe next month I can get a synopsis of what we should be doing and looking at.

Anyway, if you’re local to Morgan County, Alabama and struggling with Alzheimer’s and/or dementias in your family, this meeting is free and open to the community.

When: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 – 8:30 pm

Where: 207 Commerce Circle SW, Decatur, AL

More info: Morgan County Mental Health Association

♥

Harvest Moon Massage is Decatur, Alabama’s Exclusive Provider of Ashi-Thai Massage

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Wide Open Spaces

1 Comment / Massage PSAs / February 25, 2013

Friday, as I was desperately trying to pack a suitcase and figure out if I had everything I needed for the weekend Rossiter training in Atlanta, a large truck rumbled up the driveway. It was Habitat for Humanity. They had come to pick up the vestiges of my 20’s.

For a while we’d been discussing getting rid of some of the old furniture that I had been hoarding in the rec room upstairs. And after tentative agreement last week a pick up was scheduled. Their arrival was somewhat of a surprise and I don’t think I was supposed to be there when they came because I received the stink eye and was told to go get everything ready to move. A few minutes later and the big truck was loaded with my old couch and the dining room table that had become so loaded with scrapbook accessories I had forgotten what it actually looked like.

The guys were nice and said thank you for the donation. I said a quiet goodbye as the truck lumbered down the driveway and wished it all a nice home somewhere it’s used and appreciated. Now all that remains of that period of my life are mementos scattered around in random boxes, pictures and memories.

And though sentimental about the stuff that represented that period of my life, I can see the open places the stuff used to occupy. And there’s a lot of happiness in that. More room, more space, more possibilities.

I have finally learned that more things do not mean more happiness. In fact there is liberty in open space and not having so many things. Being happy with less is very freeing. Being okay with not having the latest, greatest whatever generates less stress. And having the space to consciously make decisions on what I really want, that’s the reward, I think.

Also, the extra money in my pocket doesn’t hurt either. The goal of paying that mortgage off early is actually seeing some action now that I’ve quit “needing” so much.

So for a while I’m going to enjoy less clutter in my home and the corresponding openness in my mind. Who knows what will come to fill it, but whatever it may be this time I’ll be consciously choosing to fill that space, physical or otherwise. I can’t wait to see what happens.

♥

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