Creating space

It's so important to reflect on action. Yesterday we had a feedback session and were asked, in class, what we thought of the massage the 2nd year students gave us last week in our practical class time.

There was unanimous agreement that the massages were great and very relaxing. I, for one, felt very comfortable with my therapist as she seemed confident in what she was doing. Her touch was firm, always appropriate, it felt professional and skilled therefore it put me at ease. Before she started, I had to complete a form to help her assess my needs and highlight any problems. We then discussed what I had put down. I told her that I had had upper back problems last year and saw a chiropractor as well as a massage therapist who happens to be one of her lecturers.

After the massage we had another chat. It was only then that I learnt that she had felt quite nervous, perhaps a bit intimidated because I had been massaged by her lecturer. Perhaps I should not have opened my big mouth however at the time I thought it prudent to let her know for a few different reasons. One, she would have an idea that I had a some experience of a professional massage therapist and hence could hopefully offer worthwhile feedback. Secondly, I thought she needed to know so that she knew where to pitch with regard to pressure and areas of the body to pay close attention to. I thought she was great and would be overjoyed if I could massage to that extent within a year!

A few things that came out of our class feedback sessions I thought are very useful to bear in mind for when I start practising. One student felt uncomfortable because she was asked to undress in the toilets. When walking back to the room (2-3 metres down the passageway) she bumped into some men who said, "Enjoy the massage." She said this made her feel extremely uncomfortable and it took her a wee while to relax once on the plinth.

I think it's very important to think about the patient's levels of comfort as well as your own and find a happy medium. In this case I think the therapist should have left the room and given the patient a few moments to undress and get herself ready. Getting undressed in front of someone you don't know can be an extremely intimate experience and the therapist should take cognisance if this as the trained, professional who has more 'power' over the space.

I think it's also very important when you are setting boundaries of what is appropriate and what is not. This is one of the first things you as the therapist can do to set the context of the interaction and state you position. In so doing you help create a space where you are in control of that space and you communicate to the patient what your expectations are.

Because massage can create a very intimate environment that can leave the patient and therapist vulnerable, you have to communicate your intentions very firmly right from the start. It's like the first class you teach in a new academic year. you have to let the students know how you operate and what you expectations are. It creates clarity and if anybody steps out of line or tests the limits, you have a safety net.

You have to create your space! And space creation happens within and without. So, on the outside you have the rooms and physical environment to work with. On the inside, it's just you and all that makes you who you are. Therefore, continuous reflection and introspection vital.