Taking Self Defense Courses as Part of Your Massage Education, we do hear about workplace violence incidents every now and then.
But self-defense doesn’t sound like something you would need in your career.
Especially when working in a structured place of work, or does it?
We often recommend incorporating some self defense education as a massage practitioner.
Because of the awkward situations, you get into at times with your patients.
There are documented cases where patients have violently threatened and attacked their therapist.
Massage is a very personal and private activity and often conducted in private settings.
Where the practitioner and their patient are in a room with a closed door.
The situation becomes even more private if the massage being offered at the patient’s home or at the massage therapist’s home.
As much as we hope that malicious activities do not take place at the place of work.
MIST – Taking Self Defense Courses as Part of Your Massage Education
Unfortunately, instances do come up where a massage therapist’s well being threatened by the patient.
Many times through the use of violent methods.
Not many massage schools formally include self defense training.
Either at least deeper levels of self defense training into their curricula.
We hope that this changes in the future. In the meantime, we encourage massage students.
And even existing practitioners of massage to seek out basic self defense courses/training when possible.
Being equips with even just the basics goes a long way from a confidence and self defense perspective.
And just ensuring that you are able to take care of yourself if and when the situation calls for it.
If you currently employed or know of establishments that offer massage.
Encourage the owners and managers to bring in a self defense instructor to educate all employees.
Self defense courses offered in many communities through the city council, library, volunteer groups, police department, fire department and other avenues.
Investing in self defense training will not only help you in your career.
But will develop you as a stronger and more confident human being who is able to manage a difficult situation in the event faced with one.
Neal Lyons is a founding member and volunteer contributor at the MTSI Institute, an information based portal dedicated to guiding and assisting aspiring massage therapists establish a successful career in massage. Neal is a published author and has collaborated on several mobile applications that serve the massage profession. You can view his published work on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Sony and Kobo. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and on Google+
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