Philosophy of Care
Feb 04
“It is all right to be aware of a distance between vision and reality, because that is what it feels like to be on the path. If you had no gaps to close, you wouldn’t need a path.” Deepak Chopra, Unconditional Life. As a massage therapist I am committed to providing safe passage for each and every one of my clients who are on the path to ‘perfect health’ and an ideal sense of self-physically, emotionally and spiritually.
As defined in the Massage Therapy Act (ON), the practice of massage therapy is “the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of the physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain.” In addition, I believe that massage therapy assists the body in healing itself by alleviating stress thereby creating an environment which allows and encourages the optimal functioning of the body.
Massage increases circulation, thereby eliminating toxins from the tissues and replenishing the tissues with nutrients. This increases tissue health leading to increased overall health.
Massage assists the body in recovering from an illness or injury more quickly, allowing the body to return to optimal functioning in a shorter time frame and possibly preventing the injury or illness from progressing to further, more complicated scenarios.
“Perfect health means perfect balance, perfect functioning of the body’s homoeostatic mechanism”, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita. Massage is one alternative therapy which helps establish this balance in the body.
Deepak Chopra is his book, Perfect Health, writes, “in scientific terms, your morning massage works by soothing the two master systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine system…holding that it rejuvenates the skin, tones the muscles, eliminates impurities and promotes youthfulness. Massaging yourself is also a good way simply to start off the day relaxed…people who approach the day as a race against time do not have the best chance at perfect balance.”
The nervous system and the endocrine system are both highly susceptible to stress ad anxiety. Peaceful and smooth functioning of these systems is a direct result of massage therapy via indirect techniques, whether it is self massage to which Chopra refers or receiving a massage from a registered massage therapist. As a therapist, I have had training in Swedish technique, relaxation massage and treatment oriented massage which deals with specific problems and injuries. Also, I have had training in how to establish and nurture the therapeutic relationship. All of this training and my commitment to further training enables me to have a profound effect on my clients’ bodies and thereby effecting the way in which they approach their lives.
Knowing the profound effect I can have on my clients’ lives, it is important that not only the physical aspects of this profession be addressed. Life is “wholistic” in its nature, therefore, health arises from the comprehensive development of all areas of life- mind, body, behaviour and environment. It is for this reason that all these areas must be addressed within the massage therapy relationship. The Massage Therapy Act (ON) and the The Standards of Practice (ON) cover the necessary physical guidelines to which registered massage therapists are responsible. The Code of Ethics (ON) reminds massage therapists of their responsibility to the emotional (mind, behaviour and environment) aspect of their profession through four basic principles: 1. respect for persons
2. responsible caring
3. integrity in relationships
4. responsibility to society.
Under these four basic principles, the reality of the therapeutic relationship is identified and briefly but clearly outlined. It is my personal goal to create and continuously nurture the interpersonal relationships that will develop with my clients, for this too is integral to the massage therapy treatment. I am deeply committed to the human element of massage therapy, the connection between therapist and client. My commitment is to create and maintain a safe and supportive environment in which each and every one of my clients may allow themselves (if they wish) to let go a little, to feel at ease and peaceful, to know undeniably that this massage environment is more than just a place where their aches and pains are addressed, but it is also a humane place where their emotional needs are also taken into account. “Everyone has the ability to create genuine pleasure in their lives: we all did it as children, and though we may become estranged from it for many years, the power to create joy always remains with us, waiting to be rediscovered and explored.” Deepak Chopra’s quote reminds me that this is also what I want for me clients: to create joy and to remind then that they too have this same ability, the ability to create their own joy. The principles to which I am bound as a professional in the health care field guide me to massage in an effective and sensitive manner, creating an environment from which my clients can emerge feeling closer to their true and pure selves. It is no secret that we are more loving and generous after we have taken the time to look after ourselves and feel nurtured by another.
It is important to address the issues of confidentially and consent. It is my duty as a health care practitioner not only to maintain a safe environment where my clients may disclose personal and private information to me but to ensure that all information disclosed to me remains that way-personal and private. I believe that whatever is said in my massage therapy treatment room or written down on my clients’ case history forms remains between myself and my client. It is important for my clients to understand that I will only release information when required by law or with their written consent. It is important for my clients to know that if I am not the appropriate health care practitioner for them and their particular needs at any given time, I will not hesitate to explain why I feel this way and refer them to another health care practitioner who will be more suited to meet their needs.
I have respect for all persons and acknowledge and value the differences in all persons, regardless of : race, gender, culture, class, sexual orientation, age, health status, physical or developmental ability.
I will ensure upon each visit, before assessment or treatment, that my clients:
understand the assessment and treatment plan
may change any part, or all, of the proposed plan,
understand that they will be fully and comfortably covered except for the area that is being addressed at a given time
decide what clothing they are comfortable removing
will be asked for their consent once we have together agreed upon a treatment plan.
My belief is that massage therapy is a partnership between the therapist and the client. Like any good partnership, understanding the expectations of both partners is crucial. The expectations I have for my clients in this partnership are to:
offer a complete health history and to keep me updated as to any changes in thier health status, this will enable us together to create and effective treatment plan
be punctual and to understand that their appointment is reserved for them, if a cancellation needs to be made, I require 24 hours notice at which point we can also reschedule the appointment.
“There is truth about yourself at every level of your existence, but after you peel back all the layers of the onion, this is the most basic truth: you are love, you are compassion, you are beauty. You are existrence and being. You are awareness and spirit.! In Unconditional Life, Deepak Chopra brings together idealistic beliefs that I want my clients to feel and to come to know through their interaction with me as their massage therapist. The massage therapy experience is truly so much more than just the physical, it is a healing relationship where the client and the therapist work together to restore and enhance the wellness of the clients in a “wholistic”, balanced manner.