The Gifts of Massage: A Holiday Perspective , Part I

The Gifts of Massage: A Holiday Perspective , Part I 
Victoria Jordan Stone, M.A., N.C.M.T
Co-director Blue Ridge School of Massage & Yoga 

This time of year many of us have been  focused on gifts – what to get for those significant people, whether family members or friends. We may be considering what to give our clients as well. Most of us, as adults who care for others on a regular basis have long left behind the child's orientation about what  we're likely to receive, but I'll address that here as well. This is an editorial piece – my opinions only, and particularly from the perspective of being an ethics instructor.  
It is very tempting, especially when someone is still in massage school and needs the practice, or documentation project sessions, to give gift certificates for massage to those near and dear for the holidays. Certified massage therapists often also choose to give massage – something from their unique talents to family members or friends, as well. I think this can be great, but having heard from one CMT friend tell me that she felt resentful spending all her time in the back room working on relatives while merry-making was going on in the living room there are pitfalls to this kind of giving. Many of you may have experienced this  over the recent holidays, and may have decided it works for you, or that you might want to be more selective about how many gift massages you provide friends and family members in the future, or you may have decided a brief break over the holidays next year is in order. It's certainly worth reflecting on and considering for the future.  

Recently I have been on some massage-oriented Linked In groups and was appalled at some of the posts I found on those forums, where MTs were discussing gifts to clients, and many mentioned giving gift certificates for two sessions to clients for the holidays. It is generally considered inappropriate to receive gifts from clients that are valued at more than $30; how appropriate is it, then, to give clients gift certificates valued at (hopefully!) $60+ apiece?  Other responders mentioned  giving pirated copies of music CDs, which the musicians who follow the discussions appropriately objected to. I like to give my regular clients a small container of the massage lubricant they prefer for their sessions with a card and a bow, for use at home after baths and showers. Some massage therapists give calendars and other similar items with their contact information printed on the item.   

While I have no desire to be stingy in my gifts to clients, I feel that we, as a group, give wholeheartedly and unreservedly of our time, skills, intent and effort every time we give a massage. Of course there is an exchange of energy in the form of their payment for massage, but from the responses we receive from the clients we serve it seems clear that they appreciate our efforts and generally feel they receive very good value for their expenditure on massage therapy.  
I am thankful every day for the opportunity to serve and to give in this way; I cannot begin to put a value on the gift of being able to provide massage therapy on a regular basis to my clients for the past twenty-two years. It has enhanced my life, my personal growth, spiritual development, and overall happiness. I have developed and maintained lasting relationships with clients and what a gift it has been to know them for five, ten, even twenty years, as they move through their lives. And I am deeply appreciative of the gift that is their trust in me and my work. 


Being able to continue to learn through ongoing continuing education classes has been a gift in that it has allowed me to take more satisfaction in the quality of my work and its results for my clients. Attending to my own self-care through receiving massage therapy from students and peers has given me the gift of enhanced well-being, stress reduction, injury prevention and rehabilitation and has continually given me a greater appreciation for the individuality and creativity all who have given me massage bring to their work, and for the profound effects our work has on body, mind, and spirit.  
And lastly I have great appreciation for being able to have been honored to participate in the education of so many open-minded, dedicated and talented students of massage therapy over the past fifteen years; they have taught me more and more effective ways to reach them with the material, and have, like my clients, helped me to growand become over time more who I wish to be. I value the lessons every single student has brought me, and feel very gratified to have been a part of the process that has led them to  successful careers in the field, or work with family and friends.  
The gifts of massage truly are gifts that keep on giving. Best wishes to all as we move into a new year of possibilities for giving, and receiving the gifts of massage.