“What’s wrong with me?”
When we’ve been dealing with tension or pain and can’t figure out why beyond the vague basics for a long time, a massage seems like the obvious way to find out. That’s why so many of my clients ask me “what’s wrong with me?” or “am I really tight?”. But its not a question I can always answer easily – nor do I want to.
If there’s a clear reason for someone’s tension or pain, we’ll definitely talk through it during the massage. If there are more ambiguous reasons, we’ll talk through those, too.
However, I still won’t frame any of it as being something “wrong” or “very tight”. This is because I’ve seen so many clients who’ve been told by someone, at some point, that their “pelvis is tilted” or their “shoulders are really tight”. This is a very small amount of information with potentially big meaning.
A diagnosis from a medical practitioner (hopefully, ideally) leads to further understanding and follow up treatment. Yet often in massage, therapists can announce these judgements at the end of the booking, and leave the client with nowhere to go. These statements about what’s “wrong” can turn into judgements.
As a Fascial Release massage therapist in London, I have seen clients carry around these judgements for years. After a certain point, they turn into narratives we tell about our bodies. These narratives become a source of tension and pain itself. I’m often able to feel this compounded anxiety during massage. Particularly in the upper body, it can feel wooden. In the pelvis, it can feel “heavy”.
So, when clients ask me “what’s wrong with me”, or say “are my muscles too tight?” I remind them that it is normal to have tension and pain. Often, fascial and muscular tension are a consequence of us having and using our bodies, which is a beautiful thing.
I also focus on the possibility for repair. For example, if someone really does have very tight shoulders, I’ll explain why different muscles act together to create that tension, how deep tissue massage may or may not work, and how alternative techniques such as fascial release can lengthen and soften the muscles, enabling them to repair themselves. If someone does have a tilted pelvis, I’ll like to relax the differently lengthened muscles, and use Trigger Point work to release judgement from those areas.
I can see the difference in my clients’ tension when they recontextualise their pain in this way. Truly holistic massage is a treatment for the mind as much as it is for the body. So its my responsibility to help my clients feel comfortable, not judged, in their bodies.
I would love to arrange our massage, so we can shift the tension you’ve been feeling. And I have a special offer at the moment, just for you! My appointments are limited, so make sure you don’t miss out. I look forward to hearing from you. – Cat
- Angelica
If you’re considering booking, just do it. I’ve had 3 massages with MCT and each one was somehow better than the last. I always feel comfortable and in professional hands. Thank you for creating such an inclusive environment where my needs feel listened to and taken care of. The stiffness... read more
- Taro
As a trans person who is also autistic and has ADHD, I often struggle with the logistics of making/attending appointments, however, Massage Cat Therapy made the process of booking in for a massage extremely pleasant and comfortable. Prior to booking, I emailed Massage Cat to communicate my access needs - they... read more
- Jules
It was my first massage ever and I had a great session. I’m really appreciative of the care that was taken in discussing and explaining the process before the massage and the time I was given to process after it. I highly recommend!!
- Conor
- Gemma
I have a great massage with Massage Cat. They made sure to find a time that suited both of us, and gave very clear instructions as to how to get to what could have been a hard to find location. Time was taken to get to know the individual issues... read more
- Ryan
Always feel like my physical issues are being listened to and dealt with directly, and appreciate the care and time taken on a personal and professional level. Really clear & straightforward booking system. Only wish I could book more often!
- Roxanne
I've had several appointments with Cat now and I always leave feeling relaxed, looked after and very glad I booked. Cat is an excellent massage therapist, I highly recommend booking
- Nadia
I had a lovely massage I had with MCT. I expected a painful massage as I carry a lot of tension but it was calming and pleasant for my body and when Cat had finished I left feeling quite energised!
- Elizabeth
massage cat is phenomenal! her massages have helped me so much with my persistent shoulder and back pain. she has also given me useful advice for how to take care of my body to prevent the pain from returning. massage cat also has a very lovely and calming energy, and... read more
- Marcus
As a deaf man who relies on lipreading as well as being able to converse through writing things down, I appreciated not only having an amazing massage but also the fact that they took the time and patience to understand my communication needs and to communicate well with me throughout the session, which is... read more
