Instructor Spotlight: Marian Wolfe Dixon

Marian Wolfe Dixon, LMT (OR #3902), has two Master of Arts degrees in Health Education and Psychology, in addition to a bodywork practice called Massage for Medically Complex People. Her most utilized modalities include Lymphatic, Myofascial and Craniosacral Massage. As an NCTMB Approved Continuing Education Provider (#769), she also teaches a range of classes at OSM including introductory classes in Upper and Lower Body Massage, Lymph Detox, Myofascial, and Craniosacral 1 and 2, in addition to a robust series on chronic pain and inflammation.

We asked her what drew her to study and teach such modalities.

“I started teaching classes on chronic pain and related factors because I know what it is like on the inside to try to heal from chronic pain and how bodyworkers can assist clients to empower themselves to heal. I teach Foam rolling, Tai chi and Qigong classes because they are invaluable ways to take care of ourselves— to increase our body awareness while recovering from and preventing injuries from the work that we do.”

 

Marian’s clients go to her with a variety of illnesses, injuries and conditions:

“I enjoy working with adults who have complex medical profiles, including motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) and sports injuries, chronic pain from fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint problems, PMS, digestive discomfort, insomnia and anxiety. I help people with cancer, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other “intractable” conditions to optimize function and mobilize inner resources that were previously untapped. Having lived with medically unexplained pain for over ten years, I know how it feels from the inside when I connect with people who hurt.”

Next, we asked Marian how classes on these modalities contribute to a well-rounded education for aspiring LMTs. Marian:

“Attention to lymph, myofascia and craniosacral flow improve palpation skills and the ability to listen and feel changes in soft tissues while enhancing body awareness and body mechanics, so that you don’t hurt yourself doing what you love. They are effective for stress, trauma, pain and inflammatory relief [and] offer concrete strategies and tactics that make you a more compassionate, sensitive and effective therapist. Training in foam rolling, tai chi and qigong prolong your career in the field and help you attune to your body so that you can model those skills for your clients. We can also teach our clients these practices to enhance the work we do on the table and empower our clients to continue the healing on their own.”

 

She goes on to describe the ways in which these classes tie into those on anatomy and physiology:

“Attention to lymph, myofascia and craniosacral flow are effective for stress, trauma, pain and inflammatory relief and help students understand the anatomy and physiology behind these systems and their effect on the whole body. The two primary reasons that clients seek massage therapy are relief of stress and pain. My interactive Zoom classes on pain dive deeper into the relationship of anatomy, physiology and pathologies marked by pain, trauma and stress. [These include] Understanding Chronic Pain, Pain and Stress, Pain and Trauma, Getting the Shame Out of Pain, Pain and Inflammation, Moving from Helplessness to Hope, and Body Based Trauma Relief [among] other topics.”

 

Finally, we wanted to know what Marian enjoys most about teaching at OSM and what advice she would give to someone considering a career in massage therapy. Marian:

“I enjoy the flash of recognition and synthesis when students put together concepts and practice on their own. [My advice is to] keep finding what fascinates you and follow that path.”

 

Marian Wolfe Dixon is a seasoned practitioner, teacher, and writer:

“Marian Wolfe Dixon, MA, LMT (#3902) NCTMB approved CEU provider (#769), is a licensed massage therapist, health educator and clinical hypnotist in Portland, Oregon with two master’s degrees in psychology and health education. She holds a professional training certificate of 1000 hours from East West College of the Healing Arts with additional training in craniosacral, lymphatic, myofascial and visceral therapies. While she does not hold a doctoral degree, she has completed a post doctoral research fellowship with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She is the author of Body Mechanics and Self Care Manual, Body Lessons, and Myofascial Massage. We encourage you to keep an eye out for her upcoming book titled Becoming Pain-Free: Using Mindfulness, Movement and Massage Medicine to Transform Pain which is currently in progress.”

Thank you, Marian, for your thoughtful responses and the significant role you play in training up-and-coming LMTs studying at Oregon School of Massage. You have our admiration and gratitude!