Self Protection

Hi Jo

I understand what you are feeling as I used to experience the same. If anyone in my workplace was in a bad mood, I would almost feel shaken by it if that makes sense!
I studied Reiki and discovered that you can "ground" yourself. This is really easy if you are good at visualisation. When working on clients now, I imagine that I either have a big bubble around me (the shinier the better)! Or I visualise that I have roots growing out from the soles of my feet going into the ground.....hence the term "grounding"!
This way, the bubble protects you from any negative energy that is nearby and the grounding technique connects you with the earth therfore channelling the negative energy out of you.
Try the bubble one in your workplace!

Good luck 🙂

Hi Jo,

I experienced the same feeling a few years ago, unfortunately working with others in this way has , to a certain extent a transfer of energy. I now use Qigong to keep my energy in check and would highly recommend seeking a good teacher for this purpose.

There will always be days when you are weaker and somethings will crossover, but you can only do your best at the time.

Regular practice of any of the energy systems will help, reiki, qigong , yoga.

You really have to make this part of your life and business if you want to stay strong.

By being an energy worker you have to be one step ahead energetically, personally and professionally.

I actually have taught specific day course for this matter and regularly have therapists attend my classes...so it definately works.

If 'Reiki Pixie' see's this thread i'm sure will have some good constructive advice as he is little further down the road than me 😉

INDO

It's not just picking up their energy, it's also your response to their energy (what's known in therapy as counter-transference).

This kind of sensitivity is invaluable in my line of work as it provides vitally important information about what's going on for the client (which they may or may not be aware of). So I need to be constantly aware of it, but without letting it affect me. So developing psychological and energetic boundaries is essential, as is self-care.

I have my own little routines so that before a session I consciously go into 'therapist mode' - 'everyday Richard' steps to one side and 'therapist Richard' steps forward; likewise after a session I have routines in which 'everyday Richard' comes back again, and also in which I ground myself and shake off the energy of the session (breathing, shaking out, etc.)

I think the most important thing is to start distinguishing between 'professional you' and 'personal you' and to consciously work with transitioning between the two.

I too use to be over sensitive before I trained in reiki. x

Hi squidges
Shakiness uptightness etc is basically fear/anxiety whether it is client's or yours just feel it it will move.

not wanting to hijack the thread, but I'm the opposite....I put on my therapy head when I'm working and can deal with most things, but am mega sensitive when at home around my family.

Just noticed Indo's comment about me. Surprised that my little pixie ears weren't burning.

Hi Squidges

This is quite a big subject as there are many ways and means to protect yourself energetically. This is a subject that isn't generally taught on massage courses unless the tutor has an interest in the issue. What does your tutor say about it?

The advice already given by other posters is very sound. I would recommend a book called "Dancing with the Devil" by David Ashworth, which was written for healers and therapists.

Personally I'm glad I studied Reiki, Qigong (Chi Kung) and Tai Chi before really getting into therapies as I sure that it helped me not getting soooo drained.

Best Wishes

RP

Hi Jo

What you are feeling is empathy and once you learn to use it in a constructive way, you will find it very helpful in your chosen path.

Empathy allows us to reflect what a person is feeling, it allows us to sense their tension, pain and unrest within ourselves, this gives us great insight into what we are dealing with and allows us to formulate a way of addressing it.

When applying massage to a painful area, it will allow you to sense the changes as they happen, you will feel the muscles releasing or know when what you are doing is aggravating the problem so you can try something else.

Now, obviously your empathy also tunes into their mental/emotional levels, so at some point you will probably consider adding to your massage skills (once you have consolidated them) and learn to treat people on the mental/emotional levels, all that will be left then is to learn to treat them on a spiritual level and you will have full use of your ability.

Practical advice, you are in control of this, it does not control you, you can turn it up and down at will, you can choose to switch it off if you don't want to use it (though that would be a waste), please try to embrace it and become it, in that way you put yourself in the driving seat.

Fortunately, I very rarely get 'got'. I find I cannot ground myself. There is something inside that will not allow me to do it. Instead I just clear myself as and when required. Some people make me generate an awful lot of heat. I quite often steam the windows up. Funny thing energy, even funnier how we as therapists are able to interact with it. MMMmmmmmm.

Thanks to everyone for you fab replies to this. I want to study reiki and it sounds as though this may help greatly in managing this.

I will definitely be trying the bubble technique at work tomorrow.

Thanks very much.

Jo x

As I understand it, the bubble technique isolates you from your client. This is not something I would want to do.

I agree with Kevin - the bubble technique cuts off connection. And IMHO you can't do a good massage if you are disconnected from the client. If you are disconnected then it's just a slab of meat on the couch. Not good.

I 3rd bubble, I use it when I go out shopping to prevent me from connecting to others.
It has its uses.