Picture This

Massage therapists undergoing postural correction or structural integration often take pictures to show themselves their “befores” and “afters.”

I have been tempted to try this with clients, but on the occasions it has seemed right, the clients seemed apprehensive.

         

“You want to take my picture?” Sounding pretty doubtful, especially early in the therapeutic relationship, about having a photo done.

With so much online media, I thought this question would get easier to fly. Not quite.

With a recent client who had severe gait, lumbar and foot distortions, but seemed totally unaware of them other than the pain they caused, I suggested she have her husband take a cell phone video (on her cell phone) of her walking. Just so she could see why we were working on some areas and to make the tai chi walking exercises seem more worthwhile.

Trying a video at home was more comfortable for her; although she disliked seeing herself try to walk so much she erased it right away.

Tough stuff, I told her, but helpful in seeing how much the altered gait and injuries were affecting her energy.

When we are done, I told her, I bet you will like your walking pictures much better.