Blog

It really doesn’t matter that you haven’t shaved.

Seriously. We truthfully don’t even notice, up until you mention it. It has no effect on our treatment. If it does, that’s what the oil and lotion is for.

Do your stretches.

And your exercises, and your home care. Although it would be fun to follow you around, give you treatment and remind you of your therapeutic exercises all day long, we can’t. In the grand scheme of things, our time together is very short, only minutes a day, a week, a month, or even longer. The homework your Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) gives you is designed along with your treatment plan to help you resolve your pain and dysfunction. Your health is in your hands the rest of those minutes, days, weeks, and months. If you want to get better, you need to do your homework.

Your body is beautiful, too.

RMTs treat hundreds of patients. That means seeing, and touching, various body types. Guess what? They are all different. Out of all of them, not even one looks like what you see airbrushed in the media. There is only one condition your body should be in, male or female, young or old: Healthy. And that looks a little different for everyone. Your RMT is here as a vessel for your health. We are not here to judge. And we want to tell you: Your body is beautiful, just how it is, as long as you are on your journey to health.

When you “re-make” the table, I smile inside.

After the treatment, when we come in for reassessment, check ins, clean ups, etc., and we see that all of the linens have been attempted to be put back, tidied and re-made, it warms our hearts. I mean, it’s silly really, they all get washed after every treatment. It’s completely unnecessary, but it’s also really sweet for some funny reason.

Please don’t call us “masseuses.”

We are Registered Massage Therapists. With years of training, education then certification, experience and legal responsibilities. The word masseuse is…ugh. Shudder-worthy. It’s associated with less than desirable connotations and a very unprofessional type of “massage”. And that is not what we do. RMT’s provide well thought out, research based treatment plans to assist our patients return-to or maintenance-of health. We appreciate being called by our hard earned titles. Registered Massage Therapist, Massage Therapist, or simply, RMT.

Being quiet is ok.

You have no obligation to talk to us during a massage. If talking helps you relax, by all means go ahead. Otherwise, go to your happy place, fall asleep, meditate. It’s your hour, so do what you feel is right to relax

Feedback is important.

Tell us if you want more or less pressure. We are happy to oblige, and won’t take offense. In fact, we love it if you tell us what you like and don’t like as we go along. It helps us to individualize your massage to what you want and need.

Don’t be shy about your butt.

In our world, it’s a large muscle. Actually it’s three. We call your bum gluteals or glutes. It’s not a booty or ass and we don’t see it as fat, tiny, jiggly or bony. We observe your bodies in a clinical sense, and if you have pain associated with your low back, legs, hips or glutes, don’t be shy. We’re here to help, let us know!

Bodily functions are normal.

Most massage therapy treatments have some component of relaxation. Your parasympathetic nervous system starts to shine, meaning the rest-and-digest functions are in full swing. And yes, that means stomach grumbling and growling, snoring, even passing gas is normal. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, that’s a good sign you are relaxed. As healthcare professionals, it doesn’t faze us. We don’t judge you, we’re here to help you.

We care.

Yes, we actually care if you do your home care. Yes, it really matters what you tell us and how you are feeling. And yes, we worry about you when you’re struggling. We really want you to get better.
We hope we can make your pain and dysfunction better, that’s the goal, that’s why we do what we do. That’s also why RMTs refer you to other practitioners, because we truly think they could help and their tools could be of use to your recovery. Because your recovery is our priority and you matter to us. And most importantly, because we really care about you and your health.

Know that we love what we do, helping people is the best job in the world. We truly feel just as good as you do after a successful treatment! We are genuinely grateful when you consider trusting us with your health, and we consider it a privilege to share that time with you!

Karen Martens, RMT