Petrosky - Massage Confidential: Plan & Protect the Most Relaxing Hour of Your Week

MassageConfidential

2019 Deb Petrosky

Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, ortransmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, orother electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission ofthe author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews andcertain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ClientBill of Rights from The Ethics of Touchby Ben E. Benjamin, PhD & Cherie Sohnen-Moe. Copyright 2014, 2003 bySohnen-Moe Associates, 333337. Used with permission.

Disclaimer

Thise-book is for general informational purposes only. It should not be regarded asmedical diagnosis, treatment or personal medical advice. Massage is notappropriate for everyone and may even be contraindicated, or inadvisable, incertain situations. You should consult your physician to see if massage isindicated for your specific condition.

Theauthor disclaims all liability as a result of the reader seeking massage or apractitioner of any of the techniques mentioned in this e-book. The reader isresponsible for his or her own actions. No warranties are expressed or implied,and no outcomes are guaranteed.

Whileall attempts have been made to verify that information, websites, and linkswere correct at the time of publication, the author assumes no responsibilityfor errors, omissions, or broken links due to the changing nature of theinternet. Personal accounts are told to the best of the authors recollection.

Is this e-book for you?

Not sure what to expect during amassage? Has your lack of understanding kept you off the tableand in pain? Howdo you even begin to find the right therapist who can help?

The massage industry doesnt have toremain a mystery to you. Let me take you from novice to no-nonsense massageclient, providing you with practical strategies for a variety of situations.

You may be a veteran massage goerlooking for a new therapist or cutting edge technique. Cant risk a traditionalmassage? Ive included some helpful options with you in mind too.

Areyou a healthcare provider whose patients ask about massage? This resourceempowers them to be more educated consumers. If youre a massage therapistwhose clients travel on business or vacation, you can equip them to be theirown best advocate when theyre away from your practice.

Who am I?

Iwork in a top-notch physical therapy clinic where our patients are welcomedlike family. They trust us to help them at some of the lowest points in theirlivesafter a debilitating car accident, an injury, a surgery. We respect them,go the extra mile to make them comfortable, and give them just the rightbalance of tender loving care and tough love. And we touch nearly every patientwho walks through our doors.

Asa physical therapist assistant (PTA), I work closely in their personal space.Some patients arrive with burning sciatic pain that radiates from their buttockdown a leg. Others seek our help for hamstring and groin strains, tailbone pain,and hips that have been replaced. Ive even treated several women who neededmore shoulder motion or room for an implant after a mastectomy.

Seeingthe dramatic change it can produce, I have high regard for the power of touch.In fact, I attended massage school to improve my tactile skills whilecontinuing to work as a PTA. Ive invested significantly in manually-basedcontinuing education. I believe something good, even tremendous, can happenwhen we place our hands on a patient.

Why I wrote this e-book

Weprotect our patients modesty and get their permission for what we do. Soimagine my horror when I stumbled upon news reports of massage therapists whoviolated the trust of their clients and inappropriately touched, harassed, orsexually assaulted them.

Searchingfor an e-book to address their safety concerns, I found nothing after perusingpages of results.

You massage patientsevery day. The thought floated into my mind like a tennis balllobbed into my court. You even have amassage license.

But I dont work as amassage therapist, I replied, quickly returning the shot.But I couldnt shake the idea. So I started researching and writing on eveningsand weekends. Working in physical therapy provided some information andinsights that a massage therapist might not have. Maybe I am supposed to write this book, I eventually conceded. Mypersonal experiences found their way into the pages too.

Iwent for my first massage many years ago, before I trained for my career. Atthat time my state didnt license massage therapists. I dont recall her beinga good communicator for a newbie like me. I didnt go back, but I tried othermassage therapists.

Onewoman moved out of state; some used deep pressure that hurt. Another putherself out of my price range. So I understand what its like to be in searchof the right massage therapist for what you need.

Buteven working as a PTA and having a massage license were no guarantee that Iwould have a good session. After reading this e-book, you might remember me formy not-so-savvy experiences as an occasional massage clientand thats OK. Itsworth it to me as long as you have a relaxing, safe session the next time you go for a massage.

How to use this e-book

Youllget the most out of this material if you find answers to your most pressingquestions. My advice? Read what you need. Which category describes you best?

Youre lookingfor a massage therapist. Read chapters 15 and 9.

Youre going fora massage in a day or two. Read chapters 12, 67, and 12.

Youre going toa male massage therapist. Add chapters 810. If youve never met him, and youdont have a personal recommendation, conduct a phone screening with someinterview questions from chapter 4.

Youre risk adverse,and you just cant book a traditional massage. Start with chapters 12, 67,and 11.

Youllalso find action items at the end of each chapter. You can complete them as youread. Youll also find them listed in an appendix if you want to refer to themlater.