I’ve been seeing clients online for a few weeks now. I’ve shared how valuable I think these sessions can be in the midst of COVID. They are definitely not a replacement for your massage session. There’s no denying this is not the same thing. But one of the ways this new way of interacting is valuable is that it’s creating new neural pathways, both for me and for you. This requires us to connect in new ways and that inspires a different way to interact with your own body.
This also asks me to be present and ready to handle whatever happens in the session. Which could be interruptions or simply explaining something 3 different ways to reach the person I’m working with. Thank goodness I’ve been a teacher for a while now, that skillset has really come in handy through these online sessions.
The number one thing I’ve learned.
People interact with their body differently. My experience is not the rule or the exception. It’s just different.
This session isn’t for me. It’s for you.
And you’re going to meet yourself with what you want to get from the session. If you’re feeling nothing or the movements are not creating pain or tension, that’s perfectly acceptable. I’m coming to the session with zero expectation. In fact, I make sure to ask what your expectation is so that I can be as up front about being able to meet that.
People ask, “What do you do in an online appointment?”
Good question. I think it’s more about connection and accountability. Just like a massage, we need to know and feel like people care about our well being. But just like someone would see a personal trainer, someone is expecting you to show up for yourself. But instead of running or lifting weights, I’m asking you about finding time for yourself and moving your body in ways that feel right to you.
Speaking of feeling right, I think there is a tendency to point out or note the progress. I see this in the clients I work with online. And I’m always encouraging them not to worry about progress. Some of them feel progress and some don’t. It’s important to remember that healing and grief (all things we’re currently experiencing collectively) is not linear. Progress is happening whether we feel it or not.
Online appointments aren’t for everyone.
Some people aren’t ready to interact with their body in such a slow and in-depth way. That’s not to pass any judgement on anyone. People don’t interact with their body like that for various, important and often safety reasons.
Appointments with me accumulate all of my training.
I took a course on how to work with people online. But I also bring my years of experience of trial and error working with my own body and clients. My deep understanding of Barefoot Massage, movement based health, DNM, trauma informed care, nervous system health and pain science. That means, that I don’t throw a bunch of information at you but I do know a lot about stress relief. The information we’re learning through research on the effects of sensory input and stress relief is transformative.
That research is also what is telling me it’s not safe to receive massage therapy yet. I’m still not sure when that will be but I believe we will learn more in the next few weeks. Heck, we’re learning more everyday!
If you would like an appointment, please contact me and arrange an appointment.
Sara Newberry, LMT is based in St. Louis, MO. She is an instructor of continuing education for massage therapists and a mom of 3.