Retire? Well, Maybe Next Year - From A Massage Therapist

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness;  Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 03 Feb 2006 - 5:00 PDT

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"Take this time to be quiet; this is your time, your time for rejuvenation and regeneration" these familiar words come from Esther as she begins my massage.

So, for maybe the 314th time Esther 'the Master' begins the therapeutic magic that she does so well. Receiving consistent massages from a favorite therapist is indeed a joy, and I reap the rewards of her determination to keep working at age 85.

Esther is my 'Extreme Mentor' she and I have enjoyed this relationship for nearly 20 years. The first time Esther's healing touch gave me comfort was in 1986. The day my father was killed in an auto-accident, she came to my mom's house and gave each of us a chair massage. It was better than a casserole. I was hooked. Esther became my massage therapist for stress release and reduction of minor aches and pain.

Two years later, I suffered a back injury; Esther was a major part of my rehab. I experienced a full recovery in a large part due to the excellent muscle work I received from Esther. She even came to our home when I was confined to bed rest.

I made a career change and Esther became my massage mentor. Since graduating from Massage school in 1989, we have shared many massages and many of life's highs and lows. After her dear husband's death 5 years ago, many of her clients including me assumed that our days of receiving massages from 'the Master' were over. However, Esther made the decision that there was no reason why she could not keep giving massages. And giving is what she does best. Instead of sitting in a rocking chair she continues to 'rock' bodies.

This massage master made nursing her first profession she worked in the hospital setting mostly with babies and new moms. Before Esther retired from nursing she experienced back problems. She was given a holistic pamphlet about how to use energy to heal with the hands. This was her first introduction to a new technique called Therapeutic Touch. She attended a workshop for beginners in Colorado Springs, whetting her appetite for hands on healing. Esther then attended the intermediate and advanced courses on Orcas Island, Washington with founder Dolores Krieger. She found that these techniques eased her own back pain and gave her more ROM. The training was exciting and "enhanced my nursing skills" Esther explains. She worked part time while attending massage school, then at age 65 she retired from nursing and massage became her second profession in 1985.

One of Esther's clients gives her credit for pain-free knees and low back. He has been receiving massages every 2 weeks for over 10 years, and has an appointment with her the day after her 90th birthday. He claims "She cures my body and soothes my soul." Esther is a role model for this 70 year old man to grow old gracefully. She takes the time to go to her clients' home for a massage time after illness or chemotherapy, and makes visits to the hospital room post surgery for her clients. Another of Esther's clients of 10 years says that "her ability amazes me." Since receiving consistant massages, this client has no pain from a shoulder injury, tennis elbow and bone spurs. She knows my body so well she tells me where painfull areas are before I have a chance to tell her. "Her devotion to her career and her clients is an inspiration to me, I feel totally blessed to have the expectional person in my life."

Esther gets the gold medal in positive attitudes. For example, her birthday is in December; instead of bemoaning the fact that special attention for her day is often down-played, she has adopted the idea the every celebration in December is a reason to celebrate her birthday. Her daughter carries on this tradition, finding a birthday card that Esther's dear husband gave her for a previous birthday she presented it to Esther on her 85th (from Dad).

Esther uses many techniques while giving a therapeutic massage designed for each individual for that day. She shares many uplifting ideas with an infectious laugh, which brings a smile. In these times of sad and depressing world events, her approach is refreshing and lots of fun. Esther is the most happy when she is giving to others. She is doing what she has done for so many years, providing an environment of healing to the body and encouragement for the soul. I am so glad she is still selfless in the golden years of her full life.

Esther is also balanced in her life, giving time for personal relaxation, recreation and playtimes. She enjoys both work and play, and does not resent her work time. To her stressed out working clients, Esther's lifestyle causes them to pause and consider many thoughts.

Will she retire next year? Maybe, maybe not.

Written by Arty Gilliland

Arty Gilliland is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Colorado Springs, Co. She has retired from teaching at the school and hospital settings, focusing on a busy private practice.

1018 Ellston St.
Colo. Springs, CO 80907
719-598-6620
pcgilliland@adelphia.net

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