A client came to my practice because of constant issues with tightness around their neck (feelings of constriction when tears filled in their eyes) and abdominal regions.

They had difficulties taking deep breaths, vocal pitch control and voice projection as well. However, their consultations with the ear, nose and throat specialists and all diagnostic examinations revealed no underlying structural or pathological causes.

Should this scenario depict a condition that you experience, a registered massage therapist would likely chat with you about your vagus nerve. Vagus is Latin means wandering because it’s the longest of the cranial nerves which transverse past the head and neck to your body’s chest and abdominal regions. This nerve also innervates the muscles of your throat and the voice box too.

The Vagus nerve is also known as the pneumogastric nerve. It has mixed functions. It sent sensory messages such as taste to the brain (afferent). Besides, it relays messages from the brain to the neck, heart and lungs. In addition, the digestive tract and other organs, rest and digest (parasympathetic nervous system).

This nerve is known to over-react with some people, causing a drop in heart rate and blood pressure resulting in fainting (vasovagal syncope). It can also be dampened by C and D PTSD, stress, anxiety and trauma resulting in a low vagal tone.

However, some means by which it can be stimulated are neuromodulation with a mild electrical pulse, acupuncture, reflexology and effective massage therapy. Your massage therapist would empower you with self – manage strategies by educating you on breathing techniques, mind-body relaxation techniques, yoga, laughing, humming, chanting and cold therapy (cryotherapy) to impact your vagal tone.

You may be interested in further reading:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6697069/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718640/

Sometimes my colleagues and I encounter public members using the term “massage therapist” and “masseuse” interchangeably. That indicates the job description between the two professions is vague at best.

Depending on your reason for massage therapy such a pain or recovery post-surgical procedures, you would naturally seek a trained massage therapist to address your specific condition.

With all respect, “masseuse” is generally an alternative title used in New Zealand to describe another legal profession altogether. However, both domains (massage therapy and masseuse services) indeed include “touch” as a therapeutic modality. Certainly, the “masseuse” industry is a long, practising profession. It employs trade-specific techniques not used by mainstream massage therapists to address a fundamental need.

On the other hand, “massage therapy” exists since antiquity, used by the ancient civilizations to promote, healing and wellness. This discipline is enacted by legislation and registration in countries like Australia, Canada, America and the United Kingdom. Hence, massage therapists are regulated and the industry protected.

In Aotearoa, this profession’s governance is lacking, even though “massage therapists” earned their qualifications through formal learning and must past exams. Adding to this complex issue, registration with the professional body is voluntary. As a result, such could be the likely cause of the profession’s misconstrued public identity.

Accordingly, registered therapists comply with mandatory professional development (at their cost: time away from their practices and funding their training away from home, prior to the Covid – 19 pandemic) to maintain their registration. Furthermore, liability insurances are taken up to cover professional practices, an annual cost is incurred for registration with the professional body and a professional code is abiding.

Clearly, massage therapists and masseuses operate in different spheres. Unlike some of my colleagues, “no sensual services” were ever proposed to me at any given time. Perhaps a registered therapist implies professionalism? Instead, some colleagues experienced inappropriate proposals frequently, such as the offending “happy ending” question. Equally, it’s awkward for an unknowing client who fails to differentiate between a massage therapist and a masseuse.

For that reason, massage therapists like myself have taken up the challenge of educating and changing public perception. I hope to shine a light in the right direction for a clearer picture of both professions.

https://www.massagemag.com/massage-titles-matter-why-we-dont-

# registered massage therapists # massage therapists vs masseuse services

I wish all readers, wonderful clients, and potential clients good health and a stealth fast faith that we will win the fight against Covid virus! With a global effort from scientists, virologists, epidemiologists and strong leaders blessed with incredible minds, how wouldn’t we? Besides, vaccines are now being rolled out for those most vulnerable in the communities.

No matter how often the virus mutates, or the strains that appear on our shores, I believe we will overcome. As it is, we do exceptionally well in our common effort as a diverse little nation, from our businesses to our communities, from our homes and down to every person adhering to the health ministry guidelines.

Although last year has brought about unprecedented challenges and heartaches on so many levels, it has also brought about many positive discoveries and changes in our lives and priorities. I discovered just how awesome and supportive my neighbours across the street were. Lucky old me!

Even though as ironic as it may sound from a health professional, I realised I need to change my schedules to accommodate me for self-care! Much as I enjoy my job, the late Toni Morrison (Nobel prize winner) sums up how I feel, “Passion is never enough, neither is the skill”.

I hope we go forth in 2021 with newfound truths that matter to each of us, living healthier, happier and fulfilled lives.