Self Care for Massage Therapists

by Julie
(Seattle)

Self Care is the core to being a successful massage therapist. When I started out 22 years ago learning about massage in massage school, I thought I would be entering a career where helping others was the focus of the work. I couldn't have been more wrong.

After 10 years and working too hard I found myself burned out, not feeling well and sick of 'helping' people who didn't really get it at all. It was me who didn't get it!

Helping others is really more about what your own internal unmet needs are crying for. People actually don't want to be helped except for in cases where people can't walk or care for themselves. They need help opening the door or getting around but they don't usually want all of your advice for getting well. What most people want is to be listened too. To do that as a massage therapists means that you have to feel listened to yourself.

Participating in Supervision is one of the best things I ever did to help myself and it also helped my career take off! Supervision is really just about being listened to. It is a place where you can go to voice all of your concerns and thoughts about anything and everything related to your massage practice. Once you feel heard and understood, you are able to remain more present in the face of pain and injuries and stress and be available to witness and support a person through the stages of healing.

Julie Onofrio
www.massagecareerguides.com