The Transformative Power of Bodywork

Talk about a wildly inspiring story that warmed my body, heart & hands on this Thanksgiving eve...

"They started at the top and worked down - sternum, sacrum, knees - with his body and brain opening paths of communication that had not existed before. The other day it was brain, meet lower-leg tendon. I said today, I can feel my Achillies, you have to realize, I have never felt my Achillies before."

Learning His Body, Learning To Dance
(The New York Times - 11/25/09)



http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2032557746/prognosis-of-a-faun-a-documentary

Insurance Is Tricky When the Treatment Is Unconventional

An excellent read in today's New York Times regarding one woman's journey using her health insurance to pay for alternative therapies in treating her cancer. Revised link should work this time!

"Can You Feel Your Body...?"

Can you imagine someone giving a commencement speech and asking this question? I say, it's about time! Leave it to Paul Hawken to realize what students really need to hear. Earlier this month, he gave this deeply illuminating & embodied address to the graduates at the University of Portland. Click here to read Paul's speech.

Running Tights Claim to Reduce Knee Torsion

Opedix claims their evidenced based apparel reduces the load on the knee by 6%. Additionally their website boilerplate states "clinically tested products that promote healthy joint alignment." The studies were conducted by the Steadman Hawkins Sports Medicine Foundation in Vail, Co.

The idea is that the reinforced running tights create optimum joint alignment therefore increasing stability & strength while also reducing wear & tear by unloading the knee joint.

Last week the Opedix line and the salesman's claim peaked my interest at Paragon Sports. I'm curious if anyone out there has trained in any of the Opedix gear...? Click here for Opedix website.

What Are Your Symptoms Trying to Teach You?

Is this anyway to start a workshop? I'm here to learn about assessing my clients' musculo-skeletal conditions -- plus, I'm much more comfortable talking about their symptoms instead of mine...

It would soon become clear that this illuminating exercise - given by the brilliant Bob Duggan (Co-founder of the Tai Sophia Institute) was a powerful step in listening & acknowledging the wisdom of my own body that ultimately will benefit me AND my clients.  

That day, Bob simply asked us to write our symptoms on a sheet of paper and reminded us that these very symptoms in themselves were the best teachers we could ask for.

As he states in his book, Common Sense for the Healing Arts, "Our body has great wisdom, and its symptoms are its way of communicating with us. Thus, I trust that a painful knee may be the body's way of slowing an individual in order to prevent a heart attack. I trust that each symptom has meaning and it is not a random event. I do not suggest that every symptom is understandable. I am aware that life is a mystery. What I do trust is that we can learn to observe the symptoms, and even as the symptoms come and go - we can live well & fully."

 

Are You Sticky....?

As part of the shifting landscape out there - I'm taking this as inspiration to revise my website and resume. Even with my communications background I'm always looking for fresh ideas to make my marketing materials even more compelling - ie sticky. The book "Made to Stick" had caught my eye - but to be honest I didn't want to spend the $18 - so lo & behold after checking out MTS's website the resources page is loaded with FREE podcasts and PDFs. The topics covered range from branding, resume writing, interviewing and teaching. Click on this link if you wanna get sticky...

Who Else Out There Is Feeling the WINDS of Change...?

EQUALIZING, CLARIFYING, CENTERING, GROUNDING, STABILIZING -- do these words resonate with anyone out there in the healing arts...?

For the past few months I've noticed a shift in what brings people to the table for massage whether it's in my own practice or seeing clients externally in a purely clinical setting. While I still see neck or low back issues - it seems as though clients are seeking something "larger" within the bodywork universe.

These shifts have made me look at my profession and ultimately question how should the massage therapy paradigm shift as the economy and healthcare go through their own transformations?

Gains From Exercise After Heart Attack Are Lost if Exercise Stops

"Some important benefits of exercising after a heart attack can vanish in weeks if the exercise is stopped, a new study has found." The New York Times, March 20, 2009. 

Coming Out of the Closet - Say What...?

Finding your voice and coming out of the closet with it can be a scary thing - at least for me. A former colleague made a comment about the blog saying that the single most interesting thing was the comment I had "buried" that followed the post on "Thriving in a Recession". She encouraged me to expand on that idea - so here goes:

During this period of economic uncertainty, the art of listening, integrating and elevating as the foundation of my massage and wellness practice has elevated my client’s perception of me as a true wellness partner in their journey towards optimum health.

It began more than a year ago, when conditions around me appeared to signal an approaching recession - I could feel energy shifting in my life and in my massage practice. After having several illuminating conversations with fellow bodyworkers regarding rate changes, I was particularly inspired by Bob Bruillard's policy to no longer accept tips for his massage practice, and instead to encourage clients to apply this gratuity money toward future bookings. 

As a result of “listening” to the signals around me, I decided to lower my hourly rate by $20 in January of 2009. As I started sharing my new "stimulus & wellness pricing", something unexpected and wonderful happened. The simple act of having this dialogue with clients opened a door in which to have a much larger conversation about their anxieties due to joblessness and other economic bearings on their state of being. It gave me new opportunities to support an integrated approach to wellness, both on and off the massage table.

Who else out there has thoughts on this or has implemented successful “recession pricing” strategies....? 

Four Old-School Reasons Why YOU Can Thrive in this Recession

So, how's the economic meltdown treating you? Excited about the opportunities, or sick to your stomach worrying about how your bills will get paid? (click here for full story)

Dean Ornish Speaks at Summit on Integrative Medicine

In his 43-minute webcast, Ornish references that he often sees patients who want the high-tech, cutting edge treatments but often the most powerful & sustainable are the low-tech, low cost options - many of which are based on ancient intervention. The low tech approach allows for an inner sense of peace that leads to well-being and can open a doorway to transformative healing. (click here for webcast)

2008 AMTA Massage Therapy Consumer Survey Fact Sheet

"Economic stress propels Americans to Massage Therapy for relief..." (click here to read fact sheet)

Good or Useless, Medical Scans Cost the Same

When Gail Kislevitz had an M.R.I scan of her knee, it came back blurry, "uninterpretable," her orthopedist told her.

(The New York Times, March 2, 2009)

jump to full story

Promising Treatment for Athletes, in the Blood

The article discusses plasma therapy as a treatment to stubborn injuries like tennis elbow and knee tendinitis. The therapy catalyzes the body's instincts to repair, muscle, bone and other tissue. The technique appears to help regenerate ligament  and tendon fibers, which could shorten rehabilitation time  and possibly obviate surgery. The New York Times, February 17, 2009.

click here for article.

Muscle Strengthening Aids New Knees

"A new study suggests that a carefully focused program of muscle strengthening can make an important difference in how well patients recover after knee replacement. "
The New York Times, February 2, 2009

go to article here.

In Tough Times, Spas Stress Stress

"...massage is an investment of sorts, in well-being."

The New York Times, February 8, 2009 . Click here for article. 

Little Luxuries (including massage) Faring Well In Flagging Economy

"That's exactly the kind of comfort consumption that experts say always spikes during stressful times like a recession."

This article and 4 minute podcast aired on NPR, January 26, 2009. Upwards & onwards! click here for link.

Welcome!

Prior to becoming a licensed massage therapist (LMT),  my background was in corporate communications.  With this blog, my intention is to weave these two areas (wellness + communications) into an on-line healing arts forum, representing two areas that I value strongly. 

My dream is to create a vibrant community of allied healthcare professionals through a blog that is nourishing, compelling, relevant, thought-provoking and above all, informative. 

Enjoy and let the wellness flow -- Robert Wolf

www.wolfwellness.com