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Massage therapy

bristolvr3

Hello everyone.

In 2000, aged 19 at the time, I started my first proper job since I left high school in 1998, at a place called Orwell Mencap Genesis, based in Ipswich, in Suffolk. I went there to do office-based computer work, before doing other jobs such as Art & Craft, pottery, cookery, gardening and woodwork. My workplace catered for people with various disabilities, including autism.

There was one aspect of my time there that surprised and delighted me in equal measure - massage therapy. From the very second I knew that massage treatments were taking place, I absolutely had to check it out for myself. As with any treatment, I had to ensure that I had no injuries, illnesses or anything else that required the masseuse's attention. I had a back massage session, sometimes known as a Swedish back massage. Because both the masseuse and myself were working at Orwell Mencap Genesis, I was entitled to free treatments, which was a nice gesture.

I loved the experience so much, that I had the same treatment every week. In late 2000, I met a masseuse named Johanna (there were two or three masseuses working at the time giving various treatments). She gave me the vast majority of my back massage treatments, and she became one of the best and most supportive friends I ever met. In my school days, making friends was hard to come by due to my fellow pupils' allegedly noisy, disruptive behaviour, but thanks to Johanna and my other work colleagues, I felt so much better and more confident in life.

In 2003, Johanna left Orwell Mencap Genesis to do other things, and the massage service closed down. I felt really upset and devastated as a result. I even considered leaving myself because I missed her so much as a friend of hers, yet I somehow plucked up the courage to carry on working. 

In October 2012, I went to a department store in Ipswich, in Suffolk, to buy a new wallet after my old one got broken. As I went outside, I was putting my shopping away, but to my absolute astonishment and surprise, I met Johanna for what was the first time in 9 1/2 years. As I was getting her contact details, with permission, I was even more astonished to find she was doing a reflexology setvice. I missed her so much for all those years, especially as I lost touch with her. I felt like a lottery winner, I was that delighted. 

As of this moment, my friend Johanna currently provides me, and my mum, with roughly two reflexology treatments per month at my house, and I keep in touch with her. Isn't it amazing how one massage treatment of any description can make me, or anyone else, feel so much better in life? Having attended an autism conference in my area, I believe that some people are sensitive to touch, in which case massage treatments would be a bit unsuitable for them.

Have any of you had any experiences of massage therapy? I would love to share my story with you.

  • It's all very well trying out as many different therapy types as possible, massage or otherwise, but it would of course help if I, or anyone else for that matter, sought advice on what treatment type or types would be considered suitable. In my case, I do a lot of computing in my current job, and in my spare time. This can involve a lot of small movements with the fingers, hands, neck, head etc., and being 6 feet 5 inches tall, some standard office chairs are not exactly comfortable to sit on for long periods. All that can result in tension in the neck and shoulder area. The lack of legroom on the buses and trains I use can cause tension as well, so where possible I try to keep the bus or train journeys as short as possible, and stopping as few times as possible.

    With all this in mind, any of the standard massage types (i.e. Swedish back, Indian head or Reflexology) should be fine. I'm personally not convinced that special therapies such as colour therapy, ear candle therapy etc are for me. They wouldn't quite be the same as the human touch.

  • Hi Bristolvr3

    I have Aspergers syndrome with depression and I grew up in a house where physical affection wasn't really shown that much.  But after my first massage I am telling you I wanted to hug everyone I met.  Even people I disliked!  It was amazing.

    In fact my first masseuse, Kylie, was acting like my therapist as well.  It was so nourishing to have that safe environment every week and I really opened up to her.  She had such a profound effect on me I learned to be a masseuse (this was before I knew I had Aspergers) and I have a qualification in Swedish and Body Massage.  It also helped me feel connected to the rest of my body when it use to be something that was foreign to me (and getting me out of my head).  Massage helps me get me in touch with my emotions and helps me relax.  As well as the day afterwards giving me an energy boost; after one session where my masseuse got rid of a knot in my hamstrings I felt 7 foot tall and walked into the office feeling so annoyingly happy and confident I must have been horrible to be around!

    It may also bring up lots of memories that you didn't know you were still holding onto.  I do lots of yoga and one of the phrases they have coined is "our issues are in our tissues" and I think there is some truth to that. And you may need time to integrate things mentally

    But I would advise someone who has autism and/or depression, massage is one of the tools you should use to help you feel better but not the ONLY one.  I do believe that having therapy and massage is far better in conjunction.  A good masseuse can provide a safe environment to talk things through but they will most likely not understand the difficulties you face when you are autistic and if they do it is pretty rudimentary and may be full of misconceptions. 

    I know that will be costly but if you can afford it you should. Although I rely on my therapist (£70 a session) more than my masseuse (£42) but that's just where I am in my life right now.  You may have to adjust things as your life changes e.g. when you are going through a very hectic and stressful time at work a massage may be able to get you to relax faster than a counselling session (or vice versa) but its whatever works for you.

    That's the key point though, whatever works for you.  Some people take bach flower remedies, some people do music therapy and I say fine, if it makes you feel better and making progress keep doing it.

    Anyway that's my experience. 

  • The idea of someone I don't know rubbing their hands on me is not something I would consider really, but if it works for you then good for you. I think I have a distorted view of massage proably due to working in Thailand where 'massage' is a different type of therapy....which leads me to a funny story that kept me laughing for hours.... you've seen the card you get on a Mcdonalds coffee where you peel the sticker off and when you collect 6 you can get a free coffee..well a massage parlour had a similar promotion where you get a card stamped everytime you go, and when you collect 5 stamps your next visit was free... they handed me a card when I was walking past, I couldn't stop laughing...it's like a loyalty card for prostitution.

  • Hello, Azalea.

    The problem with massage therapy is the cost. In my case, the treatments that my friend Johanna currently gives me costs about £15 for a half hour session. This is roughly half what one would pay at a local health and beauty salon. However, the chances are that you may have to pay some more money for things like car parking or public transport. If you had to travel a long-ish distance to get your desired treatment, one half-hour session can cost a fortune on a regular basis, but as an occasional treat, it's not so bad.

    If you had enough money, you could try a health spa break, or a day spa package. You, or someone else you know, could then do more than have a massage, as in facials, beauty treatments, lunch or whatever. It would make an ideal Christmas or birthday treat.

  • Many thanks for your reply, Hope.

    It sounds pretty interesting to have a massage after doing a dance class, fitness workout or whatever. If you were doing some high-tempo dance routine, or a high-impact aerobic workout lasting 30 minutes or longer, that can be quite hard work for the body.

    Before I have my massage treatments, I would drink a cup of water beforehand, and another one afterwards. That would eliminate all the toxins from my body, and also refresh me afterwards. I suppose that lying down on a mat may sound a bit uncomfortable without using a cushion, a rolled-up towel or whatever. When I had my back massage treatments, I would lie face down on a massage table that would only just accommodate my 6 foot 4 inch body frame (without my shoes). Fortunately, every massage can cater for even the tallest client.

  • When I was a teenager I attended a dance class on Fridays. The dance teacher, who was a trained masseuse,  gave us a massage shortly before home time, and it really relaxed me. We would lie on mats and she would massage our backs.