Almost everybody has something about their body that they don’t like. I believe it’s part of being human. For many people it’s a minor issue, no big deal. But some people have major body image issues and it can cause undue stress or affect how they live and their overall happiness.
When I tell some people that I’m a massage therapist it can cause a strong reaction either way. Some will tell me, whether verbally or through their reaction and body language, that massage is not for them. Their body image is such an issue that they don’t think anybody else can accept them. Follow me through my reasoning why I think highly in favor of a massage for body image issues:
How Massage Can Help with Body Image Issues:
The paradox here is that massage can help with body image issues. In massage school many were nervous about taking off clothes and getting touched by strangers. It didn’t take long for us to discover that bodies are just bodies and we become much more comfortable with our own when non-judgment and unconditioned love and acceptance was added to the mix. We also experienced how good receiving a massage made us feel. Something unexpected happened – when our bodies felt better we felt better about our bodies.
I think there are 3 options to consider. Let’s look at the risk versus reward for them.
Risk and Reward in Massage for body image issues
1. You don’t get a massage.
This is the easiest because it involves doing nothing. The risk is low since you are not letting another person see or touch you at all.
The reward is zero. You didn’t get a massage so your body doesn’t feel any better, and you still have the stress, pain and discomfort you had before.
2. You get a massage, but the massage therapist either makes note of how you look, as if it matters.
If this has happened to you, I’m sorry. You got a crappy massage therapist. That’s a bummer, and I’m really sorry. You took a risk, and even if the rest of the massage was decent, got very little reward. This is not going to happen if you come to see me. Never. No way. I can’t say this strongly enough. It goes against the very nature of who I am, how I treat people, and what I believe.
3. You get a massage. A great massage. And the therapist does nothing to make you feel uncomfortable about your body. In fact, you feel pretty good about your body after the massage.
In this option your risk is low. I don’t care how your body looks. That’s none of my business. I just want to help it feel better. Your reward is high. Again your body will feel better from the massage and you can start feeling better about it.
I have no idea how your body got to be in the condition that it’s in. You may be dealing with something that you can’t control, such as a medical condition or an injury or accident. You may be in a lot of pain or are limited in what you can do physically. Since I will never have all the information about what caused your body to be like it is now I can’t and won’t make any judgments about you.
Say yes to a massage for body image issues!
In short, I’ve worked on hundreds – maybe thousands – of people. Each body is interesting and I’ve yet to come across one that I could not help.
If you have been avoiding massage because you feel uncomfortable about your body, let’s find an option that works for you. You don’t even have to explain anything to me. Leave your clothes on. Stay sitting up or face down or lying on your side or however you want. It’s up to you.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” ~ Buddha
I encourage you to try a massage if you’re feeling insecure or unhappy with your body image. Every body is welcome at Heavenly Embrace Wellness. I will help you relax and enjoy every minute of your treatment. Keep in my mind that I have alternative sessions like Reflexology and Energy Healing that do NOT require you to take your clothes off. Body image issues can also come up during the teenage years, and I highly recommend a massage for children/teenagers – read more on this on the Kids Massage & Healing Session page.
It’s my job to help you feel better. That’s it. Together let’s find a way to help you relieve your pain and stress. Don’t let your body image keep you from feeling good.
You can book your next visit online here or contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
With Unconditional Love & Light,
Liraz
Liraz Bergman-Turner is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Master. She is the owner of Heavenly Embrace Wellness, a massage and energy healing practice in Boulder, CO
Liraz is the best massage therapist I have worked with. She combines expert knowledge of anatomy with her sensitive intuition. She takes time to talk with you to learn your specific needs and follows up on future visits. She adapts her approach based on your preferences. She has alleviated pain in several areas for me, and suggested exercises and stretches I can do at home to maintain the improvements. Her office setting and personality are serene and relaxing. I always leave feeling significantly better physically and spiritually. I highly recommend Liraz and Heavenly Embrace Wellness.
