There have been a number of bodywork myths busted over the past few years, though the supporters of them often let them go while kicking and screaming. I believe that whenever you make it a mission to expose a potential myth for public discussion, you risk verbal missiles directed at you. Well, I am taking down my missile defense shield for this post; let ’em rip!
While many people continue to hold on, the “toxins are released by bodywork” myth and the “drink lots of water after bodywork to prevent soreness and flush the toxins” myth have been thoroughly deconstructed. With my next suggestion, I am no means am directing this at anyone, I am just asking a question: “Why do we really need to get regular bodywork?” I was taught this in my Myofascial Release training, with vague suggestions that regular treatment and unwinding a will keep me “centered”. While I certainly availed myself of regular MFR when I had a very acute lumbar disc episode a decade back, I struggled to see the need for more once I had recovered. If changing the oil in your car every 7000 miles is what the car manufacturer recommends, will changing it twice a month make it run even better? I doubt it. If consuming a certain intake of vitamins per day meets my daily requirements, does consuming amounts far exceeding this amount make me MORE healthy? Doubtful, though that is a subject for another post. I also realize we all may have “issues” that may benefit from treatment, but twice a month? What is so magical about his frequency?
Those in the massage field seem to be taught from the first day of their training that twice monthly, or similar, massages are necessary to stay healthy and set a good example for their clients. What sort of example are they setting, though? Is there research out there that tells us that bodywork/massage/MFR on a frequent basis will prevent certain maladies? Does anyone know of any? It is certainly good for business, but if bodyworkers are, in essence, just exchanging monies to meet these criteria, not much net business is generated. Preventative care is worthwhile, but can we back up this statement with fact? Anecdotal opinions notwithstanding, I doubt any exists. Many of you may be able give me your opinions on how frequent bodywork benefits you, but before you email me with a missile, please read up on the definition of anecdotal evidence.
Myths have a way of being thought of as fact, if the information is repeated often enough over a period of time. As a result, there is a perception that if you do not get treated or unwind on a frequent basis, somehow you are less effective as an MFR therapist. To paraphrase a statement, “you can only take a patient as far as you’ve taken yourself”. This statement, to me, is garbage thinking. We can NEVER go to every place that our patients have been. Having spent time listening to this advice and getting regular treatment, and an even longer time ignoring it, I feel no difference either way. My experience is not yours, but what are your experiences? As for therapists in general getting treatment twice a month, for instance, what are your thoughts? When you’ve gone without, have you suffered? When you’ve complied with the suggestions, has your health improved? Can you objectively tell me there is a difference?
Passing along untrue information is not so bad if you are not aware of the lack of proof. But once you know it exists, where does that leave you? Continuing to pass along the myth creates a lie. How do you wish to be perceived? Encouraging people to avail themselves of a beneficial service is worthy, if there is a true need and benefit. But if you are encouraging them to do so based on myths, isn’t it time you stopped? My journey toward change has led me to bust a few of my own myths. I do not mean to sound self-righteous; I am simply exploring accuracy. How about you? Have you found any myths that need busting?
For now,
Walt Fritz, PT
I agree that we must keep up with recent research and not keep repeating old myths. The recent research I saw, said massage boosted the immune system. I leave it up to the client to decide how often they get a massage. I have found over the 20 years of my practice, the more stressed clients benefit from more frequent massages. They tell me they don’t realize how tight their muscles are until I massage them and this helps them to pay more attention to stretching those tight areas. Many clients tell me how much they need massage and how much it helps them. The myth I found that needed busting was in reflexology, calling the tiny gritty, sand feel of sensitive points in the feet “crystals” or uric acid crystals that once “broken down”, helped the body heal itself. We have learned through live biopsies that these deposits are nerve tissue, not crystals. We also have learned that reflexology improves circulation to body organs, improves glandular functions, and reduces pain .
Thanks, Wendy, all good points. Does the research point to an optimal frequency of treatment to optimize immune functioning? This would be a great crossing over point between anecdotal evidence and proven science.
Exactly Walt. The research on Massage and immune system is tenuous at best right now. The existing research points to possible immune effects from massage. It doesn’t not indicate what conditions might benefit, how many sessions are needed to achieve those effects etc.
Great post Walt! Thank you.
Well, about time someone said it. I went without bodywork for 32 years, and did not become a deformed mass. When I started getting work I did love it. When being treated for something specific, I went as often as my body told me was necessary. When issues resolved I wandered away from regular bodywork, and AGAIN have not become a deformed mass, despite well meaning people telling me that I needed to have regular work to maintain this level.
That being said, I will tell you of a segment of population that would benefit from regular bodywork, from my personal experience. I have no anecdotal evidence to offer, though I have researched a bit and believe it might be there for this particular type of case. I am ‘blessed’ with sensory defensiveness, and a regular course of work does indeed help me with my tactile issues. The more I receive the more I can tolerate; both on and off the massage table. I have also found that MFR is tolerated much more and has more profound affects than typical massage, and when I was in school quite a few co-students learned the hard way that no means no when a client says no light touch. I have an unconscious kicking/punching reflex when my boundaries are crossed. I believe that in this special case regular work is beneficial, as is the brushing protocol taught by occupational therapists, but I also can say that the opposite is not detrimental. In my case.
And I meant to say I have no scientific evidence to offer, silly me.
Thanks for your insights. There is nothing wrong with anectdodal opinion, especially when you presented it as such.
I learned sensory brushing about 25 years ago when I was working in early intervention. It can certainly have some profound effects; thanks for bringing that memory back to me.
Thanks Walt for the post, a timely one. I was speaking to this point this week in one of my classes. I saw a keynote speaker a few years ago talk on this topic with the umbrella being ‘beliefs vs. truths’. A lot of what we were taught and is commonly still taught today was born of belief and then conveyed as truth. Creating critical thinkers and learning to understand research will help propel our profession forward and shake the cloak of mis-information. There will always be room for the intuitive part of our profession, but in this conversation knowing is different from believing. Balance is the key. Teaching clients how to read or understand their own bodies will help them better select the number of times they see us in a given month. Real honesty will lead us to growth and busting our own myths. The lactic acid myth was a big one. Diana Thompson had a great article on this topic last year. I hope that we as a profession can learn from each other, continue to bust myths, and grow the collective knowledge of the how and why of helping people.
Thanks, Matthew. Got any more myths that need addressing?
During my first career as a software techie, I got massage fairly regularly. In addition to general stress relief, I had the ‘usual’ aches and pains from forward head posture and rolled shoulders, all from sitting at a poorly designed desk, working on a computer for long hours.
Since I quit the tech industry and became a massage therapist myself, I have far fewer aches and pains. What does arise can be dealt with fairly quickly by myself. The biggest reason I feel a need for massage for myself these days is one of needing to be the recipient (as opposed to the giver) of some TLC, to keep my mental and emotional health in balance.
All good points. It sounds like you are the arbiter of how frequently out seek out the work, rather than following a timed agenda?
Good post. I think that the answer is that some therapists know the difference between a treatment plan and a business plan. Some people do benefit from regular treatment, usually for an underlying problem such as a scoliosis or other biomechanical problem. Some people have other demands that are putting their homeostatic mechanisms under pressure, which are being exhibited in the MS system. But mostly, people get better and don’t need treatment again until something upsets the balance again such as an injury, stress or illness.
“I think that the answer is that some therapists know the difference between a treatment plan and a business plan.”
Or if they do know the difference, they don’t let on.
I think your thinking is correct. Each person is unique and their needs are different from everybody else. Usually I tell my clients that when they feel 100% they do not need any more treatment; however, I make some suggestions about working out on a regular basis because we all need to stay fit in order to minimize soft tissue and cardiac problems.
Great post! I didn’t have a massage for a few years and sometimes I tell myself that I should book a massage. However, from another perspective I feel good and I don’t feel any aches in my body. I feel good during the day and I sleep very well. At this point I would have a massage for relaxation, which is another benefit of massages.
Your post reminds me that I need to listen to my body.
During my massage training 15 years ago, I was not exposed to the ‘myth’ you speak of. I suppose, from a business point of view, massage therapists want clients to come in more often. While I find this to be true in my own practice, I would never tell a client how often they ‘need’ treatment. I enjoy working with clients on a more consistent basis because I get to know them better, enjoy their uniqueness as a fellow human being and can better facilitate their requests to feel better (whether through injury rehab, stress relief, pain management, or relaxation). More often than not, my more ‘regular’ clients say they want to come in often because it feels good, they like the social interaction, they feel better with more consistent therapeutic touch, they learn more about themselves….and on and on. While I agree that there is not a lot of anecdotal evidence saying that ‘more is better’ or that ‘2 treatments a month’ is the ticket to staying balanced, I would say this: folks who are touched more often in a caring, supportive, non-threatening and nurturing fashion sure do seem to be a lot happier and at ease with themselves. At the end of the day, however, it seems that they are generally fulfilling their ‘wants’….but not necessarily ‘needs’. I don’t pretend to know how often an individual ‘should’ get massage, but I do encourage my clients to learn to listen to their bodies and let that be the guiding principle.
“How do you feel after receiving bodywork?
How long does that feeling last?
Given your particular circumstances, how much time and money do you think is reasonable to spend on feeling that way?
That’s how often you should come in”
That was taken pretty much verbatim from something Alice Sanvito said. I have been using since to help people determine how often they should come in for wellness/maintenance/preventative sessions of bodywork. I really don’t think I can ethically sell the idea of prehab or a need for preventative care (although if anyone has any solid evidence I would be happy to change my tune). It’s nice, but not necessary.
I advise my clients to come in more often during acute periods, and other then that to allow their bodies to be their guides. I also let them know that I don’t have many clients that regularly practice yoga, simply because they don’t need to come in. If they have a full body conditioning program they will need to see me less, if they choose not to work on themselves and sit at a computer all day, they will most likely need to see me more. Computers and golf will keep me in business forever, this is a running joke but for me actually true.
The biggest myth I like to dispel is that deep tissue massage is necessary.
Having been a massage therapist for over 25 years I agree with Walt’s need to debunk myths. Another of my therapies is ear candling and I am sure that many other masseurs do this therapy. It really bugs me when people repeat the myth that ear candling can remove ear wax – it can’t and I have paid for laboratory research into this questions. Any wax seen in the used candles inside is from the candle and not the ear.
Pip. Pip.
For those of you active on LinkedIn, this thread is receiving all sorts of input and opinion. Check it out here:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/More-Myths-1988181.S.172055023?qid=dd030a7c-05d3-4ed4-860d-f30a625c8f46&trk=group_most_popular-0-b-cmr&goback=.gmp_1988181