My favorite sound

Our world is filled with sound. Many of them are wonderful and we could hear them again and again without growing tired of them.

When it comes to massage, I have a favorite sound that I look forward to hearing.

It comes from you. You may not be aware that you have done it. Other massage therapists will understand what I am talking about. Relax, it’s nothing embarrassing, but beautiful.

My favorite sound is the deep breath you take with a long exhale. It’s not one that I prompt you to take with a stretch, but one that comes naturally.

It typically occurs a few minutes into the massage, after you have begun to experience some pain relief and stress relief. It tells me many things.

It says that what I am doing is working and that you will leave feeling much better than when you came in. You will be leaving with a smile on your face.

It says you have given me the honor of your trust. You have put your body in my hands. I don’t take that lightly. Massage is very personal, and you feel safe enough to let your public guard down a bit.

It says that the stress you walked in the door with will not be leaving with you. Feel free to leave it behind. I know how to handle it.

It says that you are living here in this moment. You have released the problems of the past and put down the anxiety of the future. You are feeling the work on your muscles, the sensations of touch, the tug of the stretches. You are remembering what it feels like to be yourself again and the simplicity of the rhythm of breathing. You are alive and it is all right to feel good.

It says you have found some peace.

It’s my favorite sound, and it’s what I aim for at the start of your massage. When I hear it, I am thrilled and reminded why I got into this profession.

It says I made a difference for you.

Barry is a licensed Massage Therapist at Main Street Massage in Hudson, Ohio. Find out more about him, his business, and massage at www.HudsonMassageTherapy.com