We Get Letters and E-mail

By Editorial Staff
May 29, 2009

We Get Letters and E-mail

By Editorial Staff
May 29, 2009


Massage Today encourages letters to the editor to discuss matters relating to the publication's content. Letters may be edited for space and clarity, and published in a future issue or online. Please send all correspondence by e-mail to editorial@massagetoday.com or regular mail to:

Massage Today
P.O. Box 4139
Huntington Beach, CA 92605


Return of the Rub Club

Dear Editor:

I wish I had read your article a year ago ("Rub Club Creator Rubs Wrong Way," August 2004: www.massagetoday.com/archives/2004/08/04.html). I just got out of a bad situation with a chiropractor here in town doing the Rub Club. I lived on about $150-$200 a week for one year. I kept thinking it would get better. This man has no business sense, no idea how to advertise, no idea how to deal with other people. Oh, he is good to his clients, but last week I went in to get my pay and he said it would be the last check. The contract was not up yet. Anyway, long story short, I am glad to be rid of him. But he has done some rather unethical things since that day. I guess my point is: Thanks for getting the word out. Maybe others won't have to deal with what I have.

Sharon Lyon
via e-mail


Response to the July 2005 Massage Poll

Dear Editor:

I am rather embarrassed to be one to the 63.9% who are not involved in any political process regarding massage therapy. Now that I think of it, that may not be correct, as I do advocate changes/updates to the city's ordinances where I practice and have undertaken policing the Yellow Pages in my metro area, often in vain attempts to keep nontherapeutic ads out of the massage heading of the phone book.

I actually am quite intrigued and rather interested in the article which I believe prompted your poll question for this issue. I will be following the evolution of the New Organization closely. [Editor's note: Read "New Organization Formed to Benefit Massage Therapy," July 2005 issue: www.massagetoday.com/archives/2005/07/01.html.] I believe it is doable and that could/would help to unify our profession. While there are numerous issues to address undertaking something of this scope, I believe addressing reciprocity would be greatly appreciated and perhaps better accepted if done in the right manner.

Thank you for bringing this news to us. I enjoy reading your publication both online and when the hard copy arrives. I share it with the therapists who work with me.

Look forward to more on the new organization.

Ginger Anderson
Overland Park, Kansas


More Hours in Anatomy and Physiology

Dear Editor:

Let me start by saying that I am a chiropractic physician and have employed massage therapists as employees, independent contractors and as leasors of space, depending upon the therapist's desire. As a health care professional, I demand and expect a very high level of competency and proficiency in another when I entrust my patients' care to them. I expect that this professional can accomplish what is asked of them and understand the terminology and reasoning behind what is being asked of them. I would not tolerate for one second having to dumb down my instructions to a layman's level.

For example, if I wanted the quatratus lumborum, piriformis and obturator internis stripped from origin to insertion dynamically, that is all the instruction I should have to give to this professional therapist. I should not have to break it down any further, show them on a chart or their own body where these tissues are and explain origin and insertion to them. Nor should I have to be concerned about the therapist damaging the nerve and vascular tissues in the area because a complete knowledge of these tissues should be possessed by this professional. Nor would I tolerate a therapist who did what they "felt" was the right thing to do after having been instructed. The professional should discuss with the referring party their ideas or "feelings" about the treatment, but ultimately the decision is for the one in charge of the care. I personally would never refer my patients to a therapist who has not had extensive A and P training or time in a cadaver lab. Only one of the schools in my area provides this level of education and graduates from this school are the only ones I will entrust my patients to. If I cannot find this level of competency and proficiency in a therapist, then I do the work myself, because yes, I was trained in it in my college and CEUs. So, as far as my humble opinion goes - yes, more hours in anatomy and physiology, please.

Rick L. Curtis
Via e-mail