How water treatments increase the effectiveness of bodywork.
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June 21 LMT Gathering, Salem, Oregon
Area LMT’s, a chiropractor and other interested parties met at the Salem office of Daryl Thomas (OR# 5331) to learn more about “big picture” healthcare. Thomas, also an instructor at Western Oregon University, presented some background information and then facilitated a discussion focusing on massage therapy in contemporary western medicine and alternative medicine in the USA. She reported that Americans currently spend $11.9 billion on alternative practitioners (including LMTs).
Growth of Massage In Healthcare
The use of massage therapy has increased nationally from 5% in 2002 to 8.3% in 2007. What do these statistics mean for massage therapists? There are still many opportunities to develop successful careers. Americans are increasingly accepting massage not only in medical situations (performed in offices of doctors, dentists, chiropractors, clinics, etc.) but also in sports venues, businesses, conferences and in high schools and colleges.
The American public is looking for the information that LMTs know and take for granted: reducing stress and muscle tension, improving circulation, decreasing headaches, muscle pain, increasing ROM, etc.
Networking and Community Building
After the presentation/discussion participants reviewed with each other stories about their current circumstances and their goals for the future. They wrote down things they would like to eliminate or get rid of in their life (extra weight, stress, worry, anger etc). These papers were then thrown into a backyard bonfire, a symbol of letting go. Then everyone wrote down what they would like to have more of, or what they would like to manifest in their life, which was written on small stones, as a symbol of permanency. With this creative and fun process several gained new insights.
Contact Information
Daryl Thomas, MPH, LMT, is available as a speaker on topics such as this. She can be contacted at: daryl@darylthomas.com.
To receive notice of future LMT Gatherings send your name and contact information to: ja@oregonschoolofmassage.com
or call Oregon School of Massage at 503-585-8912
What the blog about the event didn’t convey was the joy annd cameraderie between us all, the deliciousness of being able to see and talk with old friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen for awhile, the opportunity to share food & fun together & make new friends. The essence of what that gathering meant to me was the epitome of why I do massage–the ‘heart’ over the pure science. Thanks to Daryl for opening her home/office and her wonderful welcome to us all. I’d like to see more of this kind of gathering!