How A Car Crash Reminded Me of My love for Massage Therapy
Working with people and their bodies came to me in a time that I needed to pivot in my business and in life. I wanted to make an impact on more mothers. After multiple conversations with family, friends and colleagues, mixed in with a car crash I took the leap.
I’ve been toying with the idea of becoming a massage therapist since my early 20s instead of studying my Bachelor degree (which I completed). Massage has been a big part of my life from childhood, and it’s the easy self care I turn to when I need to support my general wellbeing. At the heart of my decision, I knew I wanted to continue the essential work of being with mothers and new parents. But what the future held for my doula career, I didn’t know… if it wasn’t for key influences, I wouldn’t have come to this modality as easily.
I was 9 months employed at an Osteopathic clinic working alongside massage therapists where I curiously asked one of my colleagues how he came to massage therapy. He was so enthusiastic that I was interested, and being a teacher of massage therapy, he imparted inspiration and some pathways to get me started. This positive nudge was the permission slip I didn’t know I needed to take the plunge.
My interest in tending to people’s bodies didn’t start only this year in 2024. It began long before I understood what massage therapy can do on a therapeutic level.
I grew up with massage in my family home. It was how my mother and father looked after us. To calm us, to relieve tension from the day, to soothe us if we were overwhelmed. Over time, my sister and I were taught how to walk along our parent’s backs and massage them after their long days at work. And eventually hand techniques for the shoulders, growing our hand strength and palpation skills.
The act of massage wasn’t just a skill, massage is reciprocal act of love and care.
Over time, I enjoyed giving massages out of love for the people close to me. And during university I would give massage to friends as a side hustle and to give the benefits of therapeutic touch.
The point I needed to make the decision was just after a car crash I experienced. I could have slipped off the earth along with my family. It rocked me, and I was startled into a state of deep reflection.
Life really is too short. And I didn’t want to live with regrets.
This experience drove me to dig deep into my values, and face what I wanted in life. I desired to continue to be a doula and found a spark of enthusiasm to offer more accessible care and support.
I wanted to feel connected to people, do something meaningful to help people, and I wanted to do something I was passionate about that I could wake up happy to do.
I finally made the decision to invest in studying remedial massage techniques. It wasn’t an easy decision as it requires an investment (money blocks!). But I knew from within this is something I would fall in love with, and serve the community for a while from an authentic place. I don’t take on anything that doesn’t light me up in a way that’s not sustainable or doesn’t help others in some way. I want to be here for the long term.
Body work is a significant pillar in postpartum care. It is essential as keeping warm, resting, consuming warm foods and drinks, community support, and connection. And to me makes the most sense to my personality as a calming presence and skill set as a postpartum doula.
A mother who receives bodywork in postpartum benefits the following:
Alleviate and renew your muscles for the demands of breastfeeding and baby care.
Calm your nervous system to navigate motherhood with ease.
Increase warmth and blood flow to support healing and recovery.
I am so incredibly excited and honoured to be in the community offering this service. I cannot wait to grow further and expand my tool kit, so I can support your journey in pregnancy, postpartum and beyond.
If you are looking for nurturing in home massage you can get in touch via email at hello@heldandwiser.com.au
To find out current massage offerings please visit my Massage Therapy Services.
