{"id":2615,"date":"2020-05-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/?p=2615"},"modified":"2020-05-20T08:52:17","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T22:52:17","slug":"a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2020\/05\/20\/a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"A Portrait of the Artist as a … Therapist?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Aran Bright<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, more than ever, we need to respect scientific research. We live in an environment where the very air we breathe can be dangerous. To help navigate life, we have science to guide us, at least when it comes to virus transmission. But science can never tell us how we should live our lives. And science can\u2019t really tell us what we will find beautiful. To find the things in life that really matter to us, we need art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The art in touch-based care is helping another human in some way through our touch. We will have lots of explanations for why massage helps or why this method of adjustment will trigger some change. Many explanations will be wrong, a few will have some truth to them. But is the essential element in care that you are right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science is a Tool<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Science is the best method we have to understand complex issues that affect many people. Rigorous careful study of phenomena is that only we can hope to improve in care of other human beings. On one level, it’s a no brainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Science in the field of care with manual therapies, exercise and pain management has developed a lot in recent years and it is the responsibility of every therapist to do their best when it comes to understanding science, particularly in areas related to pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art Is the Energy to Power Those Tools<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Attempts to compare therapists with therapists<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To provide the highest quality of care, you have to be inspired as a therapist. You really do have to be dedicated to mastering what you do, in your own personal way. I am happy to say I have never met two therapists who work exactly the same. Perhaps that means there are an infinite number of ways you can develop as a therapist?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s face it, sometimes life sucks. It\u2019s all shit, and yet at the same time, there is incredible beauty. Finding something that is truly worthwhile is the goal of art. As therapists, most of us hope to inspire people. For them to have real meaningful change in their life, we need a craft, a vehicle, to take a client through a process of healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Balance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is entirely likely that true balance is not ever possible, which may explain why so many humans are in disagreement on so many things. But striking a balance between these two opposing philosophies is something we must attempt as healthcare therapists. Especially now, where infection control really<\/em> matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may well be that science is best to provide a fundamental understanding of what we do, hopefully a common language to help discussion and understanding in massage and healthcare. But we need to link the knowledge science brings with the lived experience of helping people all whilst communicating effectively with your client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the balance between these opposing forces is your mission. Will you choose to accept it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Aran Bright – artist’s impression<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Aran Bright started his career as a massage therapist in 2002 after graduating from the Australian College of Natural Medicine in Queensland. In 2006, Aran completed his Diploma of Remedial Massage and, in 2007, his Bachelor of Health Science in Musculoskeletal Therapy. Aran graduated from University of Queensland with a Graduate Certificate of Sports Coaching, completed a Certificate IV in Fitness and an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy. He currently runs his own businesses, Bright Health Training<\/a> and Brisbane Workplace Massage<\/a>, with his wife, Sheree.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How do we get our best results and communicate effectively with our colleagues and clients? Art of course, as Aran Bright explains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2617,"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":[2,20],"tags":[17,612,613,72,611],"class_list":["post-2615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-practice","category-research","tag-aran-bright","tag-balance","tag-healthcare","tag-research","tag-science"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/painting-808011_640.jpg?fit=640%2C495&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":446,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2017\/12\/27\/is-pain-science-just-a-pain-in-the-gluteus-maximus\/","url_meta":{"origin":2615,"position":0},"title":"Is Pain Science Just a Pain in the Gluteus Maximus?","author":"admin","date":"27\/12\/2017","format":false,"excerpt":"By Aran Bright (This article originally appeared in the June 2017 AMT Journal 'In Good Hands'.) It is all about helping people, not just science If you are reading this, there is a very good chance that you are one of Australia\u2019s professional, dedicated massage therapists. 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Just chill, says Aran Bright.","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","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\/2022\/03\/ice-cubes-ga11361108_640.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ice-cubes-ga11361108_640.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ice-cubes-ga11361108_640.jpg?fit=640%2C360&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1577,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2019\/04\/10\/why-placebo-is-lit\/","url_meta":{"origin":2615,"position":3},"title":"Why Placebo is Lit","author":"admin","date":"10\/04\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Myotherapist and educator, Aran Bright shares why he believes that massage therapists should be embracing the power of placebo.","rel":"","context":"In "Clinical Practice"","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\/04\/closed-door-791954_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/closed-door-791954_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/closed-door-791954_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/closed-door-791954_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/closed-door-791954_1920.jpg?fit=1200%2C794&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":807,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/05\/30\/trigger-points-myofascial-pathology-or-a-fight-starter\/","url_meta":{"origin":2615,"position":4},"title":"Trigger Points – Myofascial Pathology or a Fight Starter?","author":"admin","date":"30\/05\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Start a discussion on trigger points and heated debate ensues. Ever the peacemaker, Aran Bright takes us through each side of the argument so that massage therapists can decide for themselves.","rel":"","context":"In "AMT"","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\/2018\/05\/Aran7.png?fit=1200%2C636&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Aran7.png?fit=1200%2C636&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Aran7.png?fit=1200%2C636&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Aran7.png?fit=1200%2C636&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Aran7.png?fit=1200%2C636&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":557,"url":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/2018\/02\/21\/squashing-the-jelly-donut-theory\/","url_meta":{"origin":2615,"position":5},"title":"Squashing The Jelly Donut Theory","author":"admin","date":"21\/02\/2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Jelly Donut Theory has been used to explain how our intervertebral discs move and cause pain. Aran Bright challenges this theory with recent research and common sense.","rel":"","context":"In "Massage"","block_context":{"text":"Massage","link":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/category\/massage\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Jam-donuts1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Jam-donuts1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Jam-donuts1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Jam-donuts1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.amt.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Jam-donuts1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615","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=2615"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2621,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2615\/revisions\/2621"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.amt.org.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}