[callmeD]

If I came off a bit defensive, well, I guess I was. When some people hear the word “massage” you can’t imagine the comments and looks – all in the name of a joke (or maybe you can). It’s offensive. I know it was meant to be a joke, but please understand my perspective as a professional trying to separate myself from that "other profession" so often associated with massage. I believe the more educated people become about the work, the less that will happen.

It certainly was not my intention to demean primary care physicians – they are an important part of a patient’s healing process. What I stated were the comments of my clients, and I do not necessarily disagree with them.

Many physicians just don’t have the time their patients need to address the source of their problems and to heal. (I am referring to issues such as neck and should pain, low back pain, pulled hamstrings, headaches, etc., not major illnesses.) The prescription is a way to help patients deal with pain, and that works for some, but for others, it does not.

Many of my clients are athletes, and they don’t want medication – they want constructive information to address the cause of their pain so they can heal and get back into their sport of choice. This may include exercises, diet, stretches, change of equipment, and referrals to other practitioners, etc. Getting and keeping the client healthy is what I try to do for them.