July 2003 | Vol. 4, No. 7
© 2003 American Massage Therapy Association®
All rights reserved.
Hello, e-touch reader!
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.
Happy reading!
The
Editors
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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."
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Courtesy of CVT 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
MASSAGE THERAPY: KEY QUESTION AND ANSWER
Q: What is the cost of massage therapy, and will my insurance cover it?
A: While cost depends on the locality, type and length of the massage and the experience of the therapist, fees generally start from $60 an hour (from around $30 for a half hour).
Responding to consumer demand, many health insurance plans now cover massage provided by a massage therapist or provide "carve out" discount programs for massage. Many Blue Cross and Blue Shield medical plans now offer such discount programs for massage. In a 1998–99 survey of 114 HMOs by Landmark Healthcare, 11 percent of the HMOs surveyed said they cover therapeutic massage. Some of the largest managed care organizations, including Aetna US Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and United Healthcare, cover massage and other complementary therapies.
The state of Washington requires insurance plans to include every category of regulated health-care provider in their provider networks, including massage therapists.
Massage therapy is currently regulated in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining states leave any regulation of massage therapy to local municipalities. Statewide regulation of massage therapists may determine if your insurance directly covers massage by a massage therapist. Workers’ compensation and auto insurance Personal Injury Protection coverage usually cover therapeutic massage.
Check with your health-care insurance provider. Once massage therapy is prescribed, you or your doctor may need to seek authorization from the insurer if coverage is not clearly spelled out in your policy or plan.
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EyeWire Treat yourself to a soothing massage this month. |
You’ll think it's Christmas in July after you experience a relaxing massage from an AMTA member. AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist® national locator service is a great way to locate a qualified AMTA Professional Active member anywhere in the United States. The service will provide you with professionals who are well-trained, adhere to a professionally recognized code of ethics and standards of practice, and are committed to continuing their professional education and development. Visit the locator service online today, or call the National Office toll-free at: 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].
If you have a friend, coworker or relative who could benefit from using the online locator service to find a professional massage therapist, send them a personal E-mail message from AMTA. Spread the benefits of massage!
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.
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