I STRONGLY ADVISE EVERYONE STAY AWAY FROM THIS ESTABLISHMENT. IN FACT, THIS ESTABLISHMENT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. IT IS DANGEROUS.
Let me begin by saying I am a Massachusetts state licensed physician assistant with over 30 years of clinical experience. I am also a Massachusetts state licensed massage therapist. I am also a polarity practitioner and reiki master practitioner. So, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to health care and bodywork.
I came upon this establishment yesterday while shopping in the Westgate Mall. After reading their flyer displayed on the outside window I decided I would try their 30 minute herbal foot soak and foot reflexology treatment. I have ankylosing spondylitis, a rheumatological condition that affects mainly the spine and sacroiliac joints, though it can, like with myself, affect all the joints in the body. The establishment's flyer said to inform the practitioner of any medical conditions you might have. I told the gentleman who was preparing to work on me that I had a condition similar to rheumatoid arthritis that caused inflammation and pain in all my joints including my spine and pelvis. He just smiled. He never introduced himself to me, nor did he ask my name or how I was feeling that day. Introducing one's self prior to touching someone's body is the minimum of social grace that a client deserves. Asking a client how (s)he is feeling that day, asking if client has any pain/discomfort and it's location, and ascertaining if client has any major medical conditions are mandatory before any massage or bodywork is performed. This information must be gathered for the practitioner to implement safe practice guidelines for each individual client. I take full responsibility for not excusing myself and leaving the establishment when the male practitioner didn't inquire anything about me. Now I realize I he didn't understand English and/or didn't understand what "inflammation and pain in all my joints including my spine and pelvis" meant.
The practitioner began the treatment with a lower leg massage. After that he began working on my left foot. His used very deep pressure and never once asked if I wished him to lighten up on the pressure. When he got to the mid foot he applied so much pressure it caused significant pain. I told him his pressure was much too deep and he would need to lighten up. He just chucked. He lightened up some but not much so I had to tell him again to lighten up on the pressure. When working on my right foot he applied the same painfully deep pressure on my mid foot as he had on the left and this time I had to pull my foot out of his hands before he lightened up some. He ended the session by again working on my lower legs. Out of no where the practitioner picked up my right leg and forcibly flexed my right hip/right knee/right ankle and I literally yelled out in pain saw stars. I then shouted out, "I told you I have inflammation and pain in all my joints, you can't do that", to which he answered, "Relax", and whammo, he forcefully flexed all those joints again, forcibly pulled my right leg straight and then forcibly externally rotated my right hip!!!!! It all happened so fast and I was in so much pain I was in slight shock. I yelled out in pain, "Stop," at which the practitioner again chuckled and said, "Relax, relax".
I can professionally tell you that there is NO THERAPEUTIC VALUE in forcibly moving any joint. I know how to properly and therapeutically manipulate joints within their proper range of motion and what this practitioner did was absolutely malpractice. Again, I take full responsibility for not jumping off the table and storming out of there. This practitioner does not know how to properly work with the human body, nor does he understand the important information he needs to collect to work with any specific individual. The pain in my right hip/right groin today is worse than when I walked into this establishment.
Do yourself a favor. If you are looking for therapeutic massage/therapeutic bodywork, make sure BEFORE you lie on the table and surrender to a practitioner, that the practitioner is fully licensed by the state. Make sure the practitioner has the social skills to introduce themselves to you and ask you your name. Make sure the practitioner takes a brief medical history to that you will receive therapeutics appropriate for your condition and those techniques that are contraindicated will not be used on you. Make sure the practitioner is fluent enough in the language you speak so you can be assured the practitioner understands what you are saying.
Mary Delger, PA, LMT read more
