A special edition of AMTA's popular e-zine
sent to you by your local AMTA member designed to present you with
information on the benefits of massage.
|
In This Issue |
A Message From Your Massage Therapist
Many of us, hopefully, have never been victims of torture. And we probably cannot begin to fathom the pain and suffering that these victims face. Massage therapists really can make a difference in the life of someone who has endured suffering. These victims have learned to fear touch, and massage therapists can slowly show them that loving, caring touch is very powerful to their healing and recovery.
The feature article in this issue, "Healing Survivors Through Touch: Volunteer Massage Therapists Ease Chronic Pain," focuses on a massage therapist, Ellen Zimmerman, and how she has impacted clients, and even benefited herself, in volunteering at the Center for Victims of Torture in Minneapolis.
Like the massage therapist in the article, do you have the desire to make a difference in someone's life? Volunteer! Your local United Way, American Red Cross and telephone directory are great places to start.
NOTE: Internet browsers and E-mail programs differ widely. If Web and/or E-mail links from this issue are not highlighted on your screen, simply copy and paste them into your browser’s address line or E-mail form as appropriate.
Healing Survivors Through Touch: Volunteer Massage Therapists Ease Chronic Pain
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2002 issue of Storycloth, published by the Center for Victims of Torture, and is reprinted with permission.
"This is the first time that someone has touched my pain," a torture survivor told Ellen Zimmerman, a volunteer massage therapist at the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) in Minneapolis.
The man was one of many CVT clients who suffer from chronic pain—often severe headaches, backaches or localized pain in the shoulders or legs—because of the injuries inflicted by their torturers. Often the physical pain is coupled with crippling anxiety; it may be so intrusive that living a full life becomes nearly impossible.
For these survivors, the best treatment is often deep, therapeutic massage, also known as "bodywork."
"Massage is about re-educating the muscles how to relax," Zimmerman says. "They've been in this contracted state for so long. You have to get in there and work that out. It takes persistence and consistency."
Clients at CVT can talk about their pain with their therapists, psychologists or social workers. They have access to doctors and medical treatment. But some pain needs direct touch to heal.
"Massage therapy is one more way to help with the physical healing, which then helps the psychological healing," says Sharyn Larson, a nurse and clinic manager at CVT.
Zimmerman is one of five volunteer massage therapists who donate their time to CVT's clients. Sarah Greenfield, Bonnie Gibson, Mary Jo Lohn and Sarah Gannett also volunteer.
They all are professionals with private practices of their own who have become an essential part of the healing services CVT offers. Together they see about eight to 10 clients a week. And there is always a waiting list.
The therapy can be intense. Clients meet with their massage therapist once a week, usually for six months to a year. When their pain begins to subside or their work or school schedules become too full, their massage appointments will taper off, and there will be room for another client in the schedule.
This long-term relationship can also be rewarding for the therapists, Zimmerman says.
"It keeps me energized," she says, "to see the change in people over a year or so of therapy."
 |
|
Ellen Zimmerman says that the change that occurs with her clients "keeps me energized." She is working above with a CVT client. |
Zimmerman says that most of her clients are already familiar with the concept of massage and the healing power of touch.
"People from other cultures may be more comfortable with touch than we are here. In some cultures, touch is very integrated into family life," she says. "It is passed down within families."
From the very beginning, Zimmerman speaks with confidence when she tells torture survivors that they will start to feel better and will be able to heal. For many clients, the pain they suffer has been causing them anxiety for a long time.
"They think they're going to be in pain forever," she says. "When they start to feel changes, some of their anxiety eases up."
When the chronic pain and the anxiety ease up, that can lead to remarkable changes in a torture survivor's life.
Zimmerman tells the story of a man who came to CVT shortly after arriving in the United States. This man was experiencing severe pain in his shoulder. Zimmerman says he was withdrawn and seemed depressed. His English was very limited, and he communicated through an interpreter.
Zimmerman worked with him for almost a year. His English quickly became fluent. He finished computer classes, applied for his work permit and got his first job.
'He went from being very withdrawn and depressive to animated and engaging, to lead a very productive life," she says. "I actually see that a lot."
This man, like so many of the clients who receive massage therapy at CVT, relearned the healing power of touch. And Zimmerman is proud to be a part of that.
"A person's hands are what caused his pain," she says. "Now a person's hands—my hands—are taking away his pain."
~ CVT exists to heal the wounds of government-sponsored torture on individuals, their families and their communities, and to stop its practice. It has offices in Minneapolis; St. Paul; Washington, D.C.; Guinea and Brussels, Belgium.
"CVT has helped torture survivors from more than 60 countries heal and rebuild their lives. These survivors are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. In their home countries they were leaders in their communities and beloved family members. With help, they will not only survive, they will flourish."
~ Center for Victims of Torture Web Site
Whatever the occasion, a gift certificate for a massage is always welcome! Birthday, anniversary, wedding, bridal attendants, best man, new job, graduation, whatever the occasion it will be appreciated. And don't forget to treat yourself. I can set up gift certificates in any denomination you choose.
Call me today for more information!
This is a good technique for your dog or cat. The animal should be placed with the spine facing up. Start rocking with two fingers, one on either side of the spine, beginning at the base of the tail. Gently work your way up to the neck, and repeat at least three times. Then work on each leg, beginning with the rear legs. Gently rub in circular motions starting at the bottom of the feet, working your way up the leg. Animals with arthritis especially love this. You can then rub their belly (if they allow you!), and finish with a head and neck rub. My five silky terriers line up for their massage every morning! You can massage a small animal within five minutes. Larger animals may take longer.
Maureen Thacker
AMTA Professional Member
Kissimmee, Florida
For a different massage tip each week, visit AMTA’s Massage Room.
LEGAL NOTICE: Articles submitted by individual authors are copyrighted by those authors and reprinted with their permission. Views expressed in these articles are not necessarily the views of the American Massage Therapy Association®, and should in no way be construed as an endorsement. They are for informational purposes only.
© 2005 American Massage Therapy Association® All rights reserved.