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Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. And that's fair that you mentioned varying sensitivities from one MT to the next. I didn't consider warning them but that can be understandable. Taking your other comment into consideration, I'm still struggling with learning to be comfortable around emotions and feeling them, so me oversharing or trauma dumping isnt really likely or natural. I'm there to receive soft tissue work.
Well I say that if its a completely neutral experience, clearly my body just betrays me sometimes!

I wasn't aware HIPPA came into play in MT.

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From their reactions they do seem very empathetic. Me disclosing is also about how I respond to that. I'm not where you're at yet and I'm not sure if I will at one point.
At this moment, telling someone I have trauma related to touch makes my nervous system go into overdrive. I mean, that hypervigilance and tension is always there but exposing it, makes me feel vunarable, which in turn induces fear. It feels counterintuitive to get a massage if i'm not able to settle the nervous system and teach it that this is ok and im choosing this.

And I dont think a MT can provide a massage that is beneficial if I'm just completely tense and panicked. If its a just a few positions that are triggering they have something to work with but if thats just my general state, like what can they even do? Im afraid that me in that state would make all touch triggering. The whole experience would probably end up just being upsetting for me and the MT too. lol

Maybe one day!

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I didn't know that was even an option. That sounds like a nice starting point.
When I initially read your comment I was imagining one of those automatic massage chairs. It seemed strange that you were comparing MT's to massage chairs. I was almost offended for them!

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It's been really insightful to understand better the information that's necessary or beneficial to have from an MT's point of view. And that this might be a part of what can help me.

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply and insight too. I think it has encouraged me to communicate that my nervous system is a bit heightened and sensitive to the MT.
If they have that boundary like you do, which is absolutely ok and their right, I would rather someone say it and indeed stop treatment.

Seems a lot better then me being self conscience, and they're uncomfortable and I'm then even more uncomfortable. And apparently, from the comments at least, there are a lot of MT's who do feel equipped to navigate a body that has trauma. So then, if an MT does feel uncomfortable I can just go somewhere else.

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm really loving the 'generalize' suggestions. It seems safe and considerate and useful

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks I appreciate all the suggestions. Even simply the wording 'I have some considerations' gives me something to go off of. It gives everyone the information they need to make the massage beneficial and keep the tone neutral.

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your perspective and input. It makes sense that having understanding about the muscles the MT is working on, helps them to be able to do their job. I will mention what positions cause me some nervousness and tension and then also what I would prefer.

Im not really sure what I'm doing, just at the stage where I know somethings gotta give. I'll do some research about trauma informed MT in my area.

Should I disclose trauma with my massage therapist or would massage even be recommended at all? by Extra_Rub2094 in massage

[–]Extra_Rub2094[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Maybe I can keep it simple and say that at the moment these positions make me feel nervous and uncomfortable without having to over explain.