Does poor body image keep you away from the massage table?
Almost everybody has something about their body that they don’t like. For many people it’s a minor issue, no big deal, but some people have a much tougher time with their body image. It affects how they live and their overall happiness.
When I tell some people that I’m a massage therapist they can have a strong reaction. They tell me, whether verbally or through their body language, that massage is not for them. Their body image is such an issue that they don’t think anyone else could accept them.
The paradox here is that massage can really help with body image issues. In massage school we were all nervous about taking off our clothes and letting someone else touch us. It didn’t take long for us to discover that bodies are just bodies and become much more comfortable with our own. We also experienced how good receiving a massage made us feel. Something great happened – when our bodies felt better we felt better about our bodies.
I think there are three options to consider. Let’s look at the risk versus reward for them.
Option 1- Don’t get a massage
This is the easiest because it involves doing nothing. The risk is low since you are not letting another person see or touch you at all.
The reward is zero. You didn’t get a massage and you still have the discomfort and stress you had before.
Option 2- You get a massage, but the massage therapist makes note of how you look, as if it matters
If this has happened to you, I’m sorry. That massage therapist acted unprofessionally. It wasn’t your fault. You took a risk, and even if the rest of the massage was decent, got very little reward. Now you know that is the wrong therapist for you!
This is not going to happen if you come to me. Never. No way. I can’t say this strongly enough. It goes against the very nature of who I am, how I treat people, and what I believe.
Option 3- You get a massage. A great massage!
In this option your risk is low. The therapist does nothing to make you feel uncomfortable about your body. In fact, you feel pretty good about your body after the massage. You got to experience feeling really good in your own skin. You got to do something really nice for your body.
I don’t care how your body looks. That’s none of my business. I just want to help it feel better. Your reward is high. Your body will feel better from the massage and you can start feeling better about it.
If you have been avoiding massage because you feel uncomfortable about your body, let’s find an option that works for you. You don’t even have to explain anything to me. Leave your clothes on. Stay sitting up or face down or lying on your side or however you want. It’s up to you.
It’s my job to help you feel better. That’s it. Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of people feel better. Together let’s find a way to help you relieve your pain and stress. Don’t let your body image keep you from feeling good!
For one of those great massages, click here!