Can you believe it!? I’ve been a certified massage therapist for over a month now! [Insert ridiculous emojis here] In just one short month I’ve started working at a local Equinox Gym’s spa, begun my private mobile massage business, and started enjoying all the side-perks of providing body work … i.e. the aches and pains. And while everyone’s “issues in the tissues” are unique depending on work, lifestyle, etc., there’s one thing everyone can agree on; muscle tension sucks.
Unfortunately, most people can’t afford to get massages daily (looking at you Beyonce). So how do we go about our routines without succumbing to the pain? Two words, one hyphen: Self-care. According to Wikipedia, “self-care is any necessary human regulatory function which is under individual control, deliberate and self-initiated.” This means that self-care is a choice for one’s wellness and quality of life.
If it weren’t for self care, there’s no way I’d be able to do massage for a living, day in and day out. Then again, even before massage therapy, I dealt with constant back and wrist pain. My self-care practice has been growing for nearly a decade and is still expanding with new industry ideas and products one the market. When I think about self care, I have 3 Ts that get me through: Techniques, Tools, and Therapies.
Techniques: We often feels sore, tense, dis-ease because we are doing something that throws our bodies out of harmony: poor posture, insufficient diet or water, repetitive actions, etc. When we recognize these patterns, it’s important to adjust our actions to bring our bodies back into a healthy homeostasis, and then strengthen them. Whether this mean better posture, stretching frequently, using correct body mechanics throughout the day, or adding practices like yoga, tai chi, or pilates into your routine are great ways to reduce muscle tension and improve overall wellness.
Tools: In case this trend passed you by, tools for self-care is a booming industry. Foam rollers. Yoga mats and accessories. Stretch bands. Acu-point tools. The list goes on and on. And while there are lots of great tools for body work, there’s also an extensive list of holistic, therapeutic products for your body as well. Essential oil products. Aromatherapy diffusers. Epsom salt baths. Personally, I am a serious fan of the Grid 2.0© and RumbleRoller© alongside my BodyBackBuddy© and a small blue handball to take care of my muscular self-care bodywork needs.
Therapies: Sometimes we need more than tools and techniques. Sometimes we need the help of specialists in the field of ‘bodies.’ And I know this may not seem like “self-care” per se, but the choice of seeking out auxiliary assistance that western medicine may not prescribe is a huge step in taking care of ones-self. From chiropractic to accupuncture, Rolfing or martial arts, there’s many doctors and masters with great knowledge and application of the systems of the body who can help with acute or chronic pain. And in my experience, I’ve come to find a great appreciation and deeper understanding of how to use correct techniques and proper tools for self-care through the bodywork and philosophies of these therapists.
I hope this helps you either look into self-care for the 1st time or maybe opened up new potentials for how to take care of your aches and pains. Of course, one of the best self-care practices you can start is regularly scheduled massages. Massage therapy provides incredible physiologic and emotional benefits supported by numerous scientific studies. When you’re ready to begin your massage self-care regimen, CONTACT Brain & Body Massage to discuss your needs and what modalities and regularity might work best for you.
Share this post with friends and family who might need some ponters to get their self-care practice underway! Spread the self-care!
