The confused client and her hard-headed doctor

[SR26]

Okay. :roll:

I *do* have a genuine concern for this client of mine, let me make that point perfectly clear. The "Irene" comments are moreso for the other IMI alumni who have been reading this post as well and can more easily understand why I'm poking fun at the entire situation, if you will. My client WILL be going to see Irene, which is my mentor, because I'm at a loss as to how to help this woman. The humor however lies in Irene's approach to her clients. It may be a bit unnerving to a first-timer, which is why I'm accompanying my client to the appointment with Irene. People who do not know Irene may not find my comments flattering or funny, but they're not for you. So the converstaion veered slightly off course for the general populus...My bad, allright.

 

[Black Cat]

Hmmmm... reading this IMI.... sounds like to some degree it does involve pain.... in my opinion for me... that is a good thing! t023 But that is just me, I like to be pounded and torn apart and yes I do notice the difference in how much the muscles relax, especially if my therapist is pounding away on a tight muscle s/he will get the muscle to stretch MUCH farther than someone that just lightly comes along and toys with the muscle like it's completely fine... I had two NMT's do that to me, I wanted to knock them unconcious.... I walked out in the same pain I went in with.

Then I started seeing this girl who was being taught Shiatsu (my personaly favorite :wink: ) at her job, by the owner and she tore me apart... Gotta say, I loved it. Sadly I've been trying to find someone to replace her, since I don't live in that area anymore and it is so irritating. I work with a bunch of newbie therapists and I'm pretty much stuck training all of them how to give back-breaking massages (for the purpose of bodywork).

Basically, in this profession, I've learned that there are people who are masochists and there are people who are babies... then you have the ones in between. All that we can do is try our best to give each one what is best for them and give them what they want without doing any.... permenant damage and at the same time still help them with their problems if they want you to.


As my 108lb shiatsu teacher used to tell me, in her highly Japanese accented English, in between my blood-curdling screams of agony, "Yes it can bend like that, now stay still and breathe, you have blocked energy!"

 

[May flower]

As my 108lb shiatsu teacher used to tell me, in her highly Japanese accented English, in between my blood-curdling screams of agony, "Yes it can bend like that, now stay still and breathe, you have blocked energy!"

t046

 

[WishYouWereHere]

Rather than some clients being babies and others not, I think on every body there are areas where "hard" work is preferred and also very tender areas. It's our job to check often, be it verbally, observing breathing patterns, facial gestures, and/or muscle tensing, etc. to determine exactly where these spots are and tailor our work accordingly.

Some clients aren't happy unless they leave with bruises; I tell new clients straight up they won't have that with me. Some work may not be comfortable, but simply pounding through rather than working specifically for a release is not my style. If at the end they are not satisfied with my massage, they pay nothing.

It about makes me crazy to be in the hands of a therapist who believes in bulldozing through tight muscle layers or pulling a stretch past gentle resistance just because it'll "go" there. This is a real danger to hyperflexible people.

 

[Allen]

I am *SO* feeling you, Corban_hands!!! If you were in my area, I'd HOOK YOU UP!!!

Others please read: In no way am I advocating administering pain to a client as a form of therapy, but some people like that ruff stuff. Some ppl can take it, some can't. Those who can't, you should be gentle with.

The appointment is next week!!!! I can't wait!!! And again, to reiterate my initial point, I'm not looking for this massage from Irene as a way to "punish" or "hurt" my client. I'm taking my client to see Irene because she is my mentor and could help me find new ways to help my client. I AM a good, caring therapist, who cares what you say!!! :wink: