Finding Balance

 

  Well, in my last blog post I described my current injury (oblique fracture of my left distal fibula), so I thought I’d share some reflections on what life is like while coping with said predicament.   I made it through surgery just fine, thanks to Dr. Mark Conklin’s steady hand, anesthesia, and a nerve block. I have a plate and eight screws to call my own now (and 19 staples holding me together at the moment). A semi-restful week has given way to resuming my routine, albeit somewhat altered from my norm. Conducting your life on one leg, even temporarily, is an adjustment—whether it’s hopping to the car, loading the handicap scooter in the trunk, or steering my way to the restroom (not in the car, mind you).   Not being able to do as you please as easily as you are accustomed is frustrating at times. But, one of my favorite (or at least, most apt) quotes in life puts it in perspective: “If you don’t have a choice, you don’t have a problem.”   I don’t have a choice in coping with my injury, but I do know it’s temporary—just like most things in life, good or bad.   Managing and maintaining a career—whether it’s in massage and bodywork, association management, or practically anything else—takes balance, patience, and some degree of acceptance. I have taken an accelerated course in cultivating these qualities over the past three weeks, and will probably do so for another month or so.   Injury or illness makes you selfish—it’s a natural reaction to focus on yourself. But I recall a Massage & Bodywork article from probably 10–15 years ago that encouraged framing pain against a backdrop of time. I am as guilty as the next person for remarking about how “time flies.” Suddenly it feels like it’s slowed to a crawl; but as a friend once told me, “Time doesn’t speed up; it just never stops.” But sometimes it feels slower, too.    
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News

Texas Introduces Second Exam Option for Massage Therapy Applicants

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced that massage therapist applicants now have a second licensing testing method from which they can choose, the Texas Massage Therapists Examination. Learn about exam registration, cancellation policies, and location sites.

Florida Bill Requires Gender-Exclusive Restrooms

Florida lawmakers passed a bill that requires individuals to use, and certain public spaces to provide, restrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth. Find out how House Bill 1521, signed by Governor Ron De Santis, may affect your school.

Arizona Repeals Communication Proficiency Tests

The Arizona legislature adopted House Bill 2012, which eliminates the requirement for the State Board of Massage Therapy to establish communication proficiency requirements for applicants applying for a massage therapy license.

Blog

How Many Massage Therapists Are in the US?

Massage Therapists in US 2023

Based on the work conducted for our 2023 process, ABMP estimates the number of massage therapists in the United States at approximately 321,493, which is down from the height of 2019’s estimate of 334,221.

Join ABMP at the Premiere Orlando Show

ABMP at Premiere Orlando

ABMP is thrilled to partner with Ann and Lynn Teachworth of Trunamics to offer two CE courses in the massage therapy track at Premiere Orlando, June 3–5, 2023.

Benefits

Podcast: Exploring Plantar Foot Pain

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren are joined by Whitney Lowe to discuss common causes of foot pain (including Morton’s Neuroma), muscle-tendon pathology, and some treatment options for each one.

Podcast: All Islands Meet Underwater

On this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson and Jennifer Crozier discuss why opening a massage therapy clinic is a viable career path and how community relations are the best marketing strategy.

Podcast: Knowing Expectations in the Work Environment

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Nate Nordstrom and Carrie Wiedemann from Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa join Kristin and Darren to discuss knowing your expectations in the work environment and how open communication during an interview can help set the tone during your tenure.

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