I received a really neat compliment the other day from Jim*, a long-term client and competitive athlete. Every two weeks he brings a variety of issues to the massage table for me tend to. And because he’s a true North Eastern Man, he switches sports with the seasons, bringing a new variety of treatment issues with each season. We joke that he likes to keep me on my toes and give me a good work out. It’s true though. Sometimes it’s a matter of tending to the tension and (over)use issues he mentioned in our pre-session discussion, sometimes it’s something I come across that he wasn’t even aware of yet.
On his last visit when I asked what his needs were, he took a breath to tell me then stopped and grinned. “I’m not gonna tell you,” he said. “Those Radar Hands of yours will find everything. They always do.” And a few minutes into the session he said, “See! I was right. Radar Hands. You zeroed right in on the pain.”
We had a good laugh about that. But I liked the image. Clients are always asking how I seem to know exactly where they’re hurting. Like it’s some kind of magic or esoteric “knowing”. I kind of wish that were so. But it’s nothing nearly so romantic. It’s really just about having a through understanding of the musculo-skeletal system, and knowing the pathways and patterns of healthy muscle fibers. By following those patterns, my hands can discover the inconsistencies in the system. That’s were the problems lie that cause you pain and discomfort. Once my hands zero in on those places of insurrection within the muscle fibers, they do the work of coaxing those fibers back into healthy alignment. And that’s what make you feel so much better. Radar Hands.
*My client anecdotes are true, but I change the name and other characteristics of my clients to ensure their privacy.
Stairway Healing Arts Center 