Relax, Goggins… (aka The Table Melter)

TL:DR – relaxation massage has a purpose and is valuable; I love it, and so should you.

Shortly after I became a Registered Massage Therapist a friend offered to introduce me to the manager of the spa she worked at, hoping to get me a job. My friend was (and is) also an RMT. Outwardly, I hesitated. Inwardly, I scoffed. Actually, I needed the money.

But, I’m a CLINICAL practitioner! I don’t do those useless puff-ball treatments – my inside-voice protested indignantly as my mouth said “YES PLEASE” to my friend. 

To my credit, I noticed that bitter little voice right away, and scolded her for dismissing a job opportunity on the heels of a massive career change. 

Through my practice as a Kinesiologist I worked almost exclusively in clinical settings – hospitals, sports medicine clinics, Long Term Care, and not to mention a couple years of semi-elite personal training, where the goals of most sessions focused more on functionality and less on comfort. I was not accustomed to making people feel more physically comfortable while under my care. (I’ve been accused of being a sadist more than once…)

But in my desperation for income, I accepted the spa job and showed up on my first day with great enthusiasm (and an anticipation of being bored out of my skull.)

I don’t remember the exact moment the realization dawned on me, but once it did, my whole game changed… and I could have smacked myself for not coming to it sooner.

The goal of relaxation treatments is completely different than what I was used to. I’m not here to push you, to drive you to betterment, to be the drill sergeant anymore… I’m here to gently guide your nervous system back down to earth. 

To usher you from the sympathetic nervous system back to the parasympathetic nervous system. From fight/flight/freeze to rest and digest. 

Like I said: GAME CHANGER.

I was so used to being a female de-facto David Goggins, I forgot what it was like to not be flying high on adrenaline and cortisol. 

I’m not going to lie, it took me a bit to adjust, but once I shifted my techniques, softened my posture, mind, and speaking tone, I was finally in the zone. And now have a contingency of clients who often request The Table Melter as their treatment of choice (they want to feel like they’re melting into the table.)

Rebecca from Grit Gets Goals – I owe you more than I can ever imagine to repay – we pulled each other through school, whipped each other into shape for OSCEs, we try and fail to do regular tradesies, and you forever altered the course of my career by getting me the job at that spa. Thank you, my love.

Holly from the spa – I’ve stolen the term The Relaxation Rumbles and use it regularly – thanks, friend! I’ll write more about rest and digest later too…

Side note: nothing against Goggins, he’s a total badass and I appreciate everything he’s done to help people better themselves.

For your nerding pleasure:

Massage and the Autonomic Nervous System

The best solution for night shift stress reduction

Parasympathetic Stimulation