"Agency in Health Care" by Brian Romanelli, LMT

For a lot of us (surely for myself), by the time we are seeking professional medical help, we are probably in a certain state of desperation to get over whatever it is that is making us feel bad. It is not easy to reach out for help, especially when it comes to intimate and deeply private issues in our own bodies. For this reason, it is extremely important for you to feel like your health care provider is actually listening to your experience, and finding a provider that you can really trust can be a daunting and difficult process

Our experience with doctors, therapists, surgeons, trainers or otherwise can vary greatly, and their effectiveness is based on a combination of their skillset, their level of education, and (most importantly) how well they listen and communicate that knowledge to YOU, the patient.

This brings me to the concept of Agency; to what capacity are you able to exert your own influence over the decisions and direction of your own care, and to what degree does your doctor validate or even just listen to your experience, and how well does he or she use that information to provide you with a better quality of treatment?

Because remember; Nobody knows the deep and intimate ways you feel in your own body better than YOU! Regardless of education or experience, your health care practitioner should respect that concept accordingly in their efforts to help you get better.

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"Having agency implies a sense of autonomy and self-determination. Individuals with a strong sense of agency believe that they have the power to shape their own lives and pursue their goals despite obstacles or constraints. This concept is fundamental to understanding human behavior, motivation, and empowerment."

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Let me be abundantly clear; I am NOT a doctor. I am also not one of these "well-being" influencers who believes you can solve all your own issues without the occasional need for the intervention of modern medicine. Whether it be the proper medication, surgery, or an educated and experienced medical doctor who has the ability to treat and diagnose, they all have their value and use-cases.

I did not get into the field of Massage Therapy because I wanted to be a doctor, and I will be the first to say that the amount of schooling that was required for my licensing is no where close to the rigorous study and knowledge required of a typical MD, NP or other medical professional, and that knowledge and study is something we should be grateful for and respect accordingly.

But if you feel like your health care practitioner is talking down to you, telling you how or what you should feel, or disregarding your own feelings or intuitions about your body, than it may be time to consider finding another practitioner.

Unfortunately, many Massage Therapists can also fall into this false position of superiority with the knowledge that they have, and with how they choose to share it with their clients. Because of the varied and vastly different levels of education needed across the country for one to become an LMT, we are left with a broad umbrella of practitioners of extremely varying skill levels and experience. You must do your own due-diligence to ensure you are working with the right one. Trust your gut, and the intuition of your own body and mind when it comes to this process.

In my practice, your care is directed and led by YOU. Of course, I am here to help, and to share the years of knowledge and experience I have accrued (and continue to gain) from working in the field, but I am not here to tell you what to do, or to tell you how you should or could be living your life. Everyone has a vastly different experience in their own body, and I use the knowledge I have (and the experience you share) to give you the tools and show and teach you how you can feel better in your own body.

Through touch, manual manipulation, different somatic techniques and a deep and extensive knowledge of the bodies anatomy and movement we WORK TOGETHER to get you to a healthier state of being, be it mental, physical, emotional or (most often) all of the above.

While it is unrealistic to think that anyone else can solve all your problems or life-long issues, I can assure you that by working with me, you will gain knowledge, insights, and a sense of agency in your own body that will set you down a track of BETTER LIVING, HEALTHIER MOVEMENT, AND A MORE POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

Contact Me Today!