Harmonic Wellness Massage and Bodywork

Harmonic Wellness Supports an End to Systemic Injustice and Racial Inequality

Individual wellness, community wellness, and global wellness cannot happen while there is systemic injustice and harm being perpetrated by people in positions of power. Because Harmonic Wellness is dedicated to promoting community and global wellness through individual health, I stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and support an end to police violence and brutality.

What does this have to do with massage?

Like everyone else, I have many identities. I like to believe that at the intersection of being a human and being a healthcare professional, there is a responsibility to advocate for people who belong to marginalized groups. Individuals in marginalized communities typically face more health problems, and more severe ones, than individuals in more privileged communities. In addition, marginalized people tend to have less access to health care and other types of assistance. This is just one of the systemic issues that puts Black and brown lives more at risk than white lives, and it has always pertained to the industry and field of massage therapy.

In addition to whatever injuries or ailments they may experience in their lives, Black and brown people also endure a physical and mental toll from the effects of racism. Studies have linked racism to depression, anxiety, psychological stress and various other outcomes, as well as poorer general health, in racial minorities in the United States. One study of African-American men showed “racism has been implicated in the onset of several stress-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidental injuries, and cirrhosis of the liver.” In addition to instances where a direct correlation between racism and health problems was evident, many more examples demonstrate an indirect correlation. That is, racism affects factors like amount and quality of sleep, diet, interpersonal relationships, and personal safety, which each in turn influence a person’s health.

I cannot maintain an effective massage practice if I do not strive to be a socially aware massage practitioner, which means educating myself about the ways my community members experience negative health factors. Because racism is a negative health factor, I will continue to be vocal about the need for equal rights and opportunities for marginalized individuals.

Why make a political statement?

There are two parts to this question: The idea of making a statement, and the idea that this statement is political.

To the first part: Silence is the language of oppression. It is a position of extreme privilege to know that, no matter what type of backlash or consequence I face from saying I stand with Black Lives Matter–an organization founded on a mission to eradicate white supremacy and counteracting acts of violence against Black people–it will never, ever come close to the level of terror and alienation people of color face in the United States. Why make a statement? Because I can. I am fortunate enough to be able to speak up when I witness injustice, because I am fortunate enough to have a voice AND fortunate enough to experience injustice primarily as a witness and not a target.

To the second part: The notion that advocating for the right to life–specifically Black life–has become a red vs. blue issue is, unfortunately, a symptom of the systemic illness (white supremacy) we are actively trying to eradicate. It is important to salvage the nonpartisan nature of this discussion so we can move forward with ensuring the fundamental right to life.

What actions am I taking?

While Harmonic Wellness is still not operational due to COVID-19, I am using this time to better educate myself on subjects pertaining to race and how the history of racism in the United States has contributed to where we find ourselves today.

I am LISTENING to people of color and honoring their lived experiences.

As much as I am able, I am making monetary contributions to community organizations that are on the front lines of finding solutions to these issues and protecting marginalized people in Thurston County.

My business has always been about education as much as rehabilitation and relief. Therefore, in keeping with the goals and philosophies of Harmonic Wellness, I will be increasing my efforts to make information about self-care and wellness available to all.

When my practice is open again, I will continue to meet the needs of anyone who chooses my services by making cost accommodations, doing outcalls to clients, or expanding my knowledge of pathologies or bodywork modalities to provide even better treatment.

Finally, I extend my deepest thoughts and sympathies to the families of Black individuals murdered at the hands of violent law enforcement officers, as well as all Black and brown people who have experienced the effects of racism. All lives cannot matter until Black lives matter.

Harmonic Wellness and COVID-19

Here’s the short version: Like many other massage therapists and bodyworkers in Washington State and across the country/world, I have made the very difficult decision to suspend my practice until it is safe to see clients once again. This happened a while ago, but as a writer, a perfectionist, and a professional who is fiercely dedicated to my work, I struggled with the finality of making any type of announcement until now.

I know this is the right decision, even if it feels like I have a finger on the lever controlling the trolley tracks.

We have moral and ethical obligations to our fellow humans even in the best of times; now, when we are faced with a global pandemic and countless related social and economic crises, there is a glaring spotlight following each of us as we attempt to navigate some personal and professional dilemmas we might not have ever encountered. While we hope things like the Trolley Problem remain hypothetical thought experiments, the truth is we are called upon to make challenging decisions every day. If you are a rational and empathetic human, you contemplate these decisions by considering which choice brings the most benefit to the most people.

Being met with the strange paradox where the choice which brings the most benefit to the most people is the one which also confines you to your home office and the virtual thunderdome of social media–that feels unthinkable and absurd.

For weeks, as information and worry about the novel coronavirus began to spread and influence our behavior in the US, I marveled at how odd it was to be in a touch therapy profession as people were being told not to touch one another. What for me began as an intrigued fascination with this dynamic gradually turned into the realization that I, in spite of all the usual caution and sanitization protocols I normally employ, could be one of the most glaring examples of foolhardy individuals who perpetuate the problem and speed the rate of infections. Like many other massage therapists, I wrestled with wanting to provide what for some is necessary care–both in terms of pain relief and nervous system comfort–and wanting to avoid endangering more of the public as a side effect of coming into contact with more people.

Each of us who has ultimately made the decision to close up shop has probably done so for different, very personal, reasons. The exponential ramifications of touching just one person can be too abstract to effect a decision based on those considerations alone. In the end, most of us end up applying our more intimate care and concern for our loved ones to strangers and the world at large. My deliberations came to a swift halt when I asked myself whether I would be doing massage for my own parents, and my immediate answer had to be No.

The clear path forward professionally was NO path forward. After all, a great many of my clients are someone’s parents or grandparents… and every one of us also comes into contact with someone else’s parents or grandparents.

Luckily, the lever my hand rested on had the power to stop the trolley instead of diverting its path. It’s the lever I’m pulling now, and I am asking others to do the same. My responsibility as a healer is to treat and protect anyone and everyone I can. For the first time since I’ve been a massage therapist, I am called to do so by abstaining from touch and finding alternative ways to care for and help those around me.

And this brings me to the “What now?”

You can still support Harmonic Wellness Massage by purchasing gift certificates (20% off during COVID-19 hiatus!)–either for your own use when my practice reopens, or for a loved one to look forward to using. As you are probably aware, small businesses continue to feel the pressures of office rent, professional license upkeep, continuing education requirements, business license renewals, and many more fees that don’t vanish in times of crisis. Gift certificate sales help us local businesses bridge this gap in operations so we can continue serving you when it is safe to do so!

I understand pain does not disappear when pain relief services are unavailable. In fact, pain and many other health conditions are prone to flaring when activities and social contact are limited (or banned). There ARE options for addressing pain and other health concerns remotely, however. More and more healthcare professionals, in both mental health and pain management fields, are recognizing the brain controls pain, discomfort, and other health issues we experience. By treating these symptoms at the source, we can often experience even more long-lasting relief and good health. BodyMind Bridge is one modality that addresses underlying causes of pain and other ailments. As a certified BodyMind Bridge practitioner, I can help clients start healing and feeling relief remotely. Stay tuned for more information about BodyMind Bridge and how to schedule a session with me.

Thank you so much for your patience during this uncertain time. I know it can be difficult to stomach the thought of delayed or inaccessible care, especially when the time frame is indefinite. I do not take lightly the struggle of going without massage or other services many of us deem essential. I hope you will consider trying a BodyMind Bridge session or other alternatives (yoga, meditation) that can help you manage the next several weeks or months.

In health and harmony,

What to Do If Your Massage Therapist Is Out Sick

So, you just got the call. That massage appointment you’ve been looking forward to for weeks is canceled, and your massage therapist is out sick. What now? Where will you find that sweet, sweet relief you were anticipating?

You can tough it out another week, probably. And you can pop a couple more Tylenol. You can curl up into a ball and curse the person who coughed on your massage therapist. But is any of these likely to make a dent in the discomfort you’re living with currently?

First, it’s worth asking your massage therapist if they have any colleagues who may have openings for you. A good massage therapist will have no qualms about sending their clients to another professional; the client’s well-being supersedes any market competition they may perceive. If you’re in pain, don’t hesitate to inquire about others with a similar style and price range. This is also great information to have in future instances when your preferred provider is ill, out of town, or unable to accommodate you for any reason.

When getting a professional massage just isn’t an option, here are some ways to still find relief and experience a few of the benefits of massage. While none of these tips will replace the treatment you’re used to, they may be effective enough to add to your regular self-care routine for relief in a pinch.

Get to a (gentle) yoga class.

Yoga has been shown to lower risks of cardiovascular disease, reduce pain, and foster an overall sense of well-being and connectedness with other people. A gentle yoga class can teach you some ways of moving your body in a low-impact way, so you can get the benefits of stretching without putting strain on your muscles or joints. Many yoga studios even have themed classes to help with back pain, recovery from injuries or surgery, or pre-and postnatal care. You can also find instructional yoga videos on YouTube, but unless you’re a more experienced yoga practitioner it’s often best to try yoga movements with a knowledgeable teacher present to prevent injury.

Like getting a massage, practicing yoga has many mental health benefits such as lowering depressive symptoms and anxiety. Going to a yoga class can also help simply by reinforcing your coping mechanisms–that is, by taking a proactive step toward your health care, you are taking control over your own pain and overall health. This alone can help you feel better!

Get a partner or friend to try their hand(s).

Thousands of years ago, the first people who practiced massage did so without any of the academic resources we now have to understand anatomy and the human body. Early massage took just one person’s hand and a healing intent–and it was successful enough to create the foundations of the industry we now respect as massage therapy. Depending on the type of pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, you may be able to feel some benefit simply from having a friend or loved one place their hand on the area of concern and take some deep breaths with you.

While it’s not likely to be the same as having an hour or more of your massage therapist’s dedicated attention, the experience of having a friend offer time and touch can have similar effects. You may notice lessened pain, greater ease of movement, or more optimism after having a friend try their hand at healing touch. Studies show human touch can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety about health concerns, and promote calmer moods.

Practice some self-massage.

Depending on your background, you may think your knowledge of anatomy and physiology elementary, at best. But only you are the true expert of living in your body and caring for it. Take a moment to appreciate that the way you have protected and nurtured your health has gotten you this far–even when you’ve involved professionals along the way.

Start by lying on your back with knees bent or a with bolster of some kind under your legs. If the areas of concern around your body are relatively easy to reach, try simply resting one or both hands there. If you can’t access spots of soreness or tension lying down, get as comfortable as you can as you reach those places and gently massage in slow, deliberate motions.

Avoid the impulse to massage with as much pressure or force as you can muster. Self-massage (and self-care in general) is about delivering as much relief and comfort as possible, not attempting to push through a threshold of even more intense pain. As I often repeat to my clients, “massage doesn’t have to hurt to be effective.”

Stimulate light blood flow through movement…

If you’re a regular exerciser, you might already be in the practice of moving your body every day or nearly every day. If you’re not, or you haven’t been able to because of some discomfort, try some light to moderate activity. A short walk, some easy stretching, or even a few chores around the house can facilitate better muscle function and reduced pain. There’s no need to push yourself to any extremes or go for any records. You’re not even trying to raise your heart rate; this movement is just about stimulating blood flow and getting some fluid moving through your joints.

This is also a good opportunity to do any stretches, exercises, or other movements that have been recommended to you by your health care team. If it’s been a while since you dug out the therapy balls or rubber exercise bands they suggested, now might be a great time to refresh yourself on using them.

…or through hydrotherapy.

Aside from stretching and moving around, there are some other ways to stimulate targeted blood flow to an area using temperature. You probably already have the tools you need in your kitchen or bathroom: ice packs, heating pads, a bucket or large mixing bowl, and a bathtub.

First, a general rule: If you know your area of concern is inflamed, swollen or puffy, hot to the touch, or throbbing, please use caution and DO NOT apply heat to this area. If you are worried about any of these factors, please consult your doctor or visit an emergency room to get the area checked out by a medical professional.

A hot bath with Epsom salts can work wonders for muscle aches or general body soreness. Draw a hot bath to your comfort level (usually 103-106 degrees) and add Epsom salts, bubbles, essential oils, a bath bomb, or whatever else feels most therapeutic for you. Be aware essential oils can accumulate on the surface of the bath and can burn skin at high temperatures. If you choose to use essential oils, add a bit of liquid soap to the bath and keep the water moving as you get in. Because hot water can be dehydrating, it’s best to get out of the bath after about 20 minutes.

If you aren’t able to take a bath, a microwavable heat pack or electric heating pad may soothe muscles aches. Follow the same guidelines as for bathing, and remove any direct heat after about 20 minutes. For ultimate blood flow to an area of pain or tension, alternate heat and ice, always ending with ice on the area.

Try a meditation for self-healing.

For the purposes of this tip, meditation might mean anything from traditional Buddhist meditation, to meditative writing, to listening to a guided meditation prompt. Research has shown meditation can be a powerful tool for personal healing, growth, and change. Because it takes many different forms, its effects can be varied and far-reaching.

A quick YouTube search will return thousands of results for guided self-healing meditation. If you’re unfamiliar with meditative practices, this may be a good place to start. Guided meditation is often a comfortable introduction for people who are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with silent reflection.

As a self-healing tool, meditation may use affirmations or mantras, exercises that promote greater mind-body awareness, or visualizations of perfect health and pain-free vitality. Explore any of the options that already exist for self-guided meditation, or create your own by designing an affirmation and repeating it to yourself. Possible affirmations or mantras might be:

I live without pain, tension, soreness, and stress.
My body is a fully-functioning, wonderfully capable masterpiece.
I love and care for every part of my body.
I move with ease and freedom.

Your meditation practice might be to repeat an affirmation to yourself verbally or write it several times as you recommit to self-love and appreciation for your body and your health.

Thank your massage therapist for keeping you safe and practicing precautionary measures.

As difficult as it is to hear your massage therapist will not be able to accommodate your appointment, it was likely equally as difficult for them to make the call–and not just because they may end up missing out on a full week’s income from being out sick. Good massage therapists have our clients’ best interests and well-being at heart, and we feel it deeply when we are unable to provide a service for any reason.

More and more health threats endanger us every day, and it is important to spare those we care about any risk. Rest up, stay healthy, and remain assured your massage therapist is thinking of your safety when choosing to reschedule your appointment due to illness. Show them the same concern next time you’re feeling under the weather, and opt to meet when you’re both well.

References:

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