Attention
Ability to focus on the sensory information through your hands
Tension, temperature, texture, mobility, motility…
Identification
Ability to distinguish between healthy and dysfunctional tissue, anatomical structures and their responses to massage technique.
Discrimination
Ability to distinguish subtle differences of sensory information
Inquiry
Constantly asking yourself questions
What is this tissue?
How does it compare to others?
Is there any change in it?
Etc..
Intention
Goal is to have the client’s nervous system return to a state of homeostasis.
To perform professional touch, one must:
Be specialized with training
Be purposeful
Skilled with knowledge of body, its systems, and communication (consent!)
Be able to perform therapeutic application for beneficial outcomes
An inappropriate touch is
Hostile or aggressive
Abusing the position of power
Erotic
On a patient’s body area charged with emotional load, without specific consent.
An appropriate touch is
Applying techniques for specific outcomes/therapeutic goals
A Mechanical touch is
A touch with a specific anatomical/physiological therapeutic goal
An expressive touch is
Whole being touch with a specific mental/emotional/physical/spiritual therapeutic goal.
*this skill is developed through the therapist’s own personal growth.
