All About Massage Therapy by Dena
It seems like everyone has a blog these days. We all have something to say and we want people to hear us, right?! Some more than others I suppose. I will be using this blog in lieu of an 'ABOUT ME' page. Why? Because I can. This is what makes me, me.
Some background first. Born and raised in Southern California, in a beach city, where the weather is phenomenal almost all year long. Moved to Arkansas at the age of 21, what was I thinking?! Over the years, I have grown to LOVE this small town life living. Arkansas is absolutely beautiful, and if you have never been here, take my word for it! It is GREEN and we have ALL FOUR SEASONS. Yes, the humidity is a bit daunting and the ice during the winter can get a little slippery. Just make sure you have 4-wheel drive ;)
In 2005 I decided to attend Fort Smith School of Massage and graduated in 2006. I did not jump into massage therapy full time right away because I was working a great, steady job. I did massage therapy on the side, at a gym, at home, and traveled a little bit. One day, in 2012, I woke up and thought, 'I can't keep doing this.' The 4 walls of my office were getting smaller. So I decided. I decided to start my massage therapy career full time at Fort Smith Wellness in 2012.
Best. Decision. Ever.
Shortly after I started working at Fort Smith Wellness, I started a second journey. Opening a massage therapy school. Lots of time and hard work that paid off because Arkansas School of Massage became licensed in March 2013 through the Arkansas Department of Health (lic. #1023) and started its first class in June 2013! For more information on the school visit www.arkansasschoolofmassage.com.
Just to clarify, Arkansas School of Massage was NOT purchased, NOT given to me, NOT taken over... It was started and built from the ground up. This confusion stems from the fact that ASM (Arkansas School of Massage) is located in the same place as former massage therapy schools, like the one I attended and graduated from. I have nothing to do with previous schools. OK, now that is out of the way... whew.
Running my own massage therapy practice and a massage school keeps this #girlboss busy, but I love it. I found my passion. I love what I do and I have been told it shows. It does not feel like work and that in and of itself is the greatest reward.
Being a massage therapist and massage instructor keeps me on my toes and challenges me, every day. As a client of mine, these are a few things you can expect from me as your massage therapist:
I will listen to you. Together we will formulate a treatment plan and set goals upon intake for the reason that brings you in to see me.
I am knowledgeable and honest. You pay me for my time, skills, and expertise. If I do not know the answer or have a solution, I will find one or refer you to someone who does. I will not make up things or lie to pacify you.
I will give you a bottle of water at the end of your massage session, but I will NOT tell you that it is to help flush the toxins I have released. This is just not possible. You cannot manually massage 'toxins' out of your body via massage. Although, I believe staying hydrated is one of the greatest things you can do for your body, hence, this is why I give you a bottle of water at the end of your massage session.
I will be quiet during your session, except to check in with you on your pain and or my pressure. I'd rather not talk anyway, but if you want to talk, I can hold good conversation on a wide variety of subjects.
I am reliable. I will be on-time and prepared for your session. Rarely will I ever need to cancel or reschedule appointments, but if it happens, I will do my utmost to make it right.
I will keep all information you disclose with me confidential.
Also, with of that being said I do have a few expectations from you, as my client:
Disclosure. Please inform me of all your medical conditions, past and present as well as all medications you are taking, RX and OTC. This way I can take into consideration any and all contraindications. (A contraindication is a specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful to the person.) Again, everything disclosed will remain confidential.
Communicate with me. Let me know where you hurt, when it hurts, what makes it better, and what makes it worse. This will just benefit you, because the more I am aware of what is going on with you, the more you will get from each session.
Consideration. Life happens, I know. Plans change and the unexpected happens. I know you cannot always predict these things. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please give me at least a day notice. This way, I can bring in another client or change my schedule around accordingly. I will respect your time, please respect mine. If you can't do that for me, I would rather not have you as my client.
So as you can see, massage therapy rocks in my world. I look at it as BODY MAINTENANCE, not so much as a luxury. Massage was one of the first forms of 'medicine' before pharmacology came into play. This is the start of a subject I will probably write my next blog about...
"Treat your body well and it will treat you well." - Me.