{"id":2512,"date":"2020-03-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=2512"},"modified":"2020-03-24T16:10:45","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T05:10:45","slug":"the-unenjoyable-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2020\/03\/25\/the-unenjoyable-ride\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unenjoyable Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>By Liz\nSharkey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Who could\nhave even guessed at the start of the year that we would all be on this rollercoaster?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Exhausted<\/li><li>Confused<\/li><li>Angry<\/li><li>Sad<\/li><li>Worried<\/li><li>Disappointed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exhausted<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"255\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/lonely-1510265_640.jpg?resize=300%2C255&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/lonely-1510265_640.jpg?resize=300%2C255&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/lonely-1510265_640.jpg?w=640&amp;ssl=1 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m\nexhausted by social media. I have to physically remove myself from devices \u2013 if\nonly for 30 minutes at a time. My feed is in overdrive and it is sad to see\nwhat is happening. Emotions are raw and it\u2019s hard to watch. I\u2019m greatly\nrestricting my impulse to respond to posts. Some things being said are breaking\nmy heart. Before I respond to a post, I give myself 15 minutes to reconsider. Is\nit really worth responding or will the post get absorbed into the feed and\nnever be seen again? The latter is what I\u2019m hoping because some of the absolute\ndrivel, misinformation and downright lies causes me (and many others) to lose\nsleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Confused<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Every time I turn on the radio or watch the news, the information is different. I know the situation is fluid but seriously politicians, can you please not open your mouth and make grand declarations before consulting with your peers? This is not a political point-scoring exercise. The complete about face from the Victorian and NSW Premiers is mind blowing. One day it\u2019s CLOSE DOWN. Next day it&#8217;s STAY OPEN. If you say close down your business, cancel all travel plans, make arrangements to limit non-essential travel on one day, please don\u2019t change your mind the next day. It is becoming a little bit like the boy who cried wolf. Please let us know when we should actually listen to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Angry<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-151726.jpg?resize=158%2C159&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2513\" width=\"158\" height=\"159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-151726.jpg?resize=298%2C300&amp;ssl=1 298w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-151726.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-151726.jpg?resize=300%2C302&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-151726.jpg?w=576&amp;ssl=1 576w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 158px) 100vw, 158px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The lack of\ndirection from the various massage and natural therapies industry peak bodies\nis dumbfounding. AMT has been the only Association that has been regularly\nengaging with the industry. Irrespective of whether you agree with their\nstance, at least they have a stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Massage\nand Myotherapy Australia released some incredibly confusing videos last Friday,\nwhich contradict the Government advice re PPE. <\/li><li>MAA\nhave a small statement on their website. <\/li><li>ATMS\nhave nothing public on their website. <\/li><li>ANTA\nhave said they have emailed members, but it seems many have missed that email. <\/li><li>Massage\nAustralia \u2013 well they\u2019re still trying to respond to emails from last year! <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The industry in Australia was fragmented already. This has now led to an \u201cus and them\u201d mentality with members of various Associations publicly abusing and demeaning other therapists. As Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last week (about hoarding) \u2013 \u201cSTOP IT \u2013 just stop it\u201d! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sad<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m sad\nthat it has come to this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"173\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/swearing-294391_640.png?resize=173%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/swearing-294391_640.png?resize=173%2C300&amp;ssl=1 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/swearing-294391_640.png?resize=300%2C520&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/swearing-294391_640.png?w=369&amp;ssl=1 369w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 173px) 100vw, 173px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As grown-ups, as business owners, as community members, every therapist must research what is going on, understand how the virus is transmitted and minimise the risk to their clients. For some that means closing their business. For others that means implementing risk minimisation strategies. I am alarmed at the lack of respect being shown to fellow therapists. There\u2019s become two gangs \u2013 the \u201copen\u201d and the \u201cclosed\u201d gangs. The \u201copens\u201d are belittling the \u201cclosed\u201d for being panic merchants. The \u201cclosed\u201d are belittling the \u201copens\u201d for being irresponsible. My advice \u2013 butt out. With the distinct lack of clarity in the advice coming out from the \u201cexperts\u201d, is it any wonder we are confused? Everyone is doing the best they can. Stop judging. You don\u2019t know what anyone else is going through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Disappointed<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m\ndisappointed that for supposedly educated and evidence-based therapists, many\nare willing to simply accept what is being said as being truth. Check your\nsources people. A definition of what constitutes \u201cAllied Health\u201d from 2008\ndoesn\u2019t cut it when there are documents from 2020. Ask for links to government\nwebsites. Some of us admins and moderators of the Australian industry (social\nmedia) pages are working our butts off to provide actual evidence, but it only\ntakes one feed that start spreading misinformation to get out of hand and we spend\nthe next 2 hours fielding questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Coming soon \u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Pretty soon\nthough, I suspect we will all be able to breathe. We will shut down. We will\nnot have a choice. It will then be up to us to determine where we go from here.\nAll I can hope is when we look back at this, we learn something. I hope we all\ngrow up a little. I hope we can all support each other rather than judging. I\nhope that we can all learn to respect each other\u2019s different opinions and I\nhope that we don\u2019t lose our passion for massage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It will be\na slow recovery, but we will recover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About\nthe Author<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?resize=198%2C198&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2320\" width=\"198\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?resize=768%2C767&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?resize=750%2C749&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/lizphoto.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Liz Sharkey has\nbeen a Remedial Therapist for 12+ years. She gets excited by rules, regulations\nand checklists. With a finger in many pies, Liz currently does corporate\nmassage on the side while running her compliance training through&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.massagetrainingaustralia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.massagetrainingaustralia<\/a>&nbsp;as well as visiting RTOs around Victoria and developing\nonline resources as part of her new job with Firm-n-Fold Massage Equipment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who could have even guessed at the start of the year that we would all be on this rollercoaster? Liz Sharkey shares the ups and downs of a massage therapist&#8217;s emotions in the middle of a crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[514,143,538,584,338,586,585,583],"class_list":["post-2512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-amt","tag-communication","tag-community","tag-crisis","tag-information","tag-liz-sharkey","tag-messaging","tag-misinformation","tag-pandemic"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Annotation-2020-03-24-152420.jpg?fit=949%2C533&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3481,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/10\/14\/5-tips-for-re-opening\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":0},"title":"5 Tips For Re-Opening","author":"admin","date":"14\/10\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Fearful of re-opening after lockdown? Liz Sharkey shares her favourite coping tips.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cat-912291_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cat-912291_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/cat-912291_640.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2552,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2020\/04\/15\/direction-less\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":1},"title":"Direction, Less","author":"admin","date":"15\/04\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"How are you feeling about the temporary closure of your massage clinic? Does your experience mirrors Liz Sharkey's or is it a bit different?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Professional Practice&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Professional Practice","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/professional-practice\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/overcoming-2127669_640.png?fit=640%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/overcoming-2127669_640.png?fit=640%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/overcoming-2127669_640.png?fit=640%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3060,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2021\/02\/10\/am-i-a-fraud\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":2},"title":"Am I a Fraud?","author":"admin","date":"10\/02\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"What happens when you realise everyone else knows everything and you know nothing?","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-10-073530.jpg?fit=958%2C491&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-10-073530.jpg?fit=958%2C491&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-10-073530.jpg?fit=958%2C491&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Screenshot-2021-02-10-073530.jpg?fit=958%2C491&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2896,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2020\/10\/26\/a-short-summary-of-the-amt-virtual-conference-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":3},"title":"A short summary of the AMT Virtual Conference 2020","author":"admin","date":"26\/10\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Did you miss the AMT Virtual Conference 2020? Oh boy, did you miss a good'un. Never fear though, we're here to give you the abbreviated version with or without snacks.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AMT&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AMT","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/amt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-26-101951.jpg?fit=773%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-26-101951.jpg?fit=773%2C356&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-26-101951.jpg?fit=773%2C356&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Screenshot-2020-10-26-101951.jpg?fit=773%2C356&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3697,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2023\/04\/11\/top-gun-or-is-it\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":4},"title":"Top Gun: or is it?","author":"admin","date":"11\/04\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"There's a bewildering array of tools on the market for massage therapists but how do you sort the multi-function scraper from the gua sha tool? Liz Sharkey provides some guidance.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clinical Practice&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clinical Practice","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/clinical-practice\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/51818229810_72efab2d55_c.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/51818229810_72efab2d55_c.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/51818229810_72efab2d55_c.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/51818229810_72efab2d55_c.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1310,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/01\/23\/what-is-success\/","url_meta":{"origin":2512,"position":5},"title":"What is Success?","author":"admin","date":"23\/01\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"What makes a successful massage therapist? A full appointment diary? High profits? Happy clients? Liz Sharkey shares why some may see her as a failure but she sees herself as a success.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Clinical Practice&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Clinical Practice","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/clinical-practice\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/syndicate-1207270_1920.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2521,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512\/revisions\/2521"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}