About Lone Palm Therapeutic Massage
Eric's Bio
Eric Mathis earned a
Diploma in Massage Therapy with Honors
from the 2200-hour curriculum at the Atlantic
College of Therapeutic Massage
in
As part of his ongoing education, Eric has taken the Upledger Institute's CranioSacral Therapy I training. He has also completed a 115-hour sports therapy certification course, has been trained in massage for infants and children, and has taken courses in massage therapy for patients with cancer. Eric's main clinical interests include athletic therapy and the treatment of chronic pain, headaches and the symptoms of cancer. He is also interested in treating the injuries of musicians and other performing artists.
Outside of the clinic, Eric spends time conducting massage-related research. His junior research paper at ACTM ("Task-Specific Focal Dystonia in Musicians: A Role for Massage Therapy?") was published in the Journal of Soft Tissue Manipulation. His student case study measured the effects of massage therapy in symptom management for a patient undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. The results have been published in the current issue of Massage Therapy Practice. The same paper was recently awarded "Honorable Mention" in the 2007 Massage Therapy Foundation Student Case Report Contest.
Eric is a
Licensed Massage Therapist (MAT 9956) in the state
of
In addition to his work as a massage
therapist, Eric has held
the position of Associate Principal Trombone of the Honolulu
Symphony since 1996 and is a lecturer at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. He received a Bachelor of
Music Education degree
from the
Eric is an avid hiker and in his spare time can generally be found on his favorite trails.
Treatment Philosophy
The treatment philosophy at LPTM is founded upon the conceptual framework of "Intelligent Touch" as described by Andrade and Clifford in Outcome-Based Massage. It defines the learned skills that the authors propose to be essential for successful clinical use of massage: attention, discrimination, identification, inquiry and intention. Using Intelligent Touch, a massage therapist can help bring a client's body into a state in which it can more easily heal itself.
Attention refers to the therapist's capacity to focus on the sensory information that he or she receives primarily through his or her hands. The most basic characteristics that a therapist can sense and analyze through multiple tissue layers are tissue temperature, texture and tension. Massage that is performed mechanically or mindlessly produces less than optimal results.
Discrimination refers to the therapist's ability to distinguish fine gradations of sensory information. A good therapist can identify and compare more refined types of sensory information, such as tissue characteristics and responses to movement or applied force.
Identification refers to a massage therapist's ability to identify specific structures in the client’s body and their responses to applied forces. He or she must also be able to distinguish between healthy and dysfunctional tissue states.Inquiry refers to inquiring touch. A good therapist is constantly asking questions such as: What is this tissue? How does the feel of this tissue relate to the client’s symptoms? How does this compare to the feel of this type of tissue in other places in the body?
Intention refers to the therapist's goal of using massage techniques to produce a more normalized response of the client's tissues. Intention depends on the therapist having a clear notion of the feel of improvements in the function of tissue and of structures which can arise during the application of any given technique. The therapist who has clear intentions knows how both healthy and dysfunctional tissues respond to massage and works to produce as close to the ideal tissue response as possible.
Reference:
Carla-Krystin Andrade and Paul Clifford, Outcome-Based
Massage (
Code of Ethics
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
This Code of Ethics is a summary statement of the standards by which AMTA members agree to conduct their practices and is a declaration of the general principles of acceptable, ethical, professional behavior.
Massage therapists shall:- Demonstrate commitment to provide the highest quality massage therapy/bodywork to those who seek their professional service.
- Acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person by not discriminating or behaving in any prejudicial manner with clients and/or colleagues.
- Demonstrate professional excellence through regular self-assessment of strengths, limitations, and effectiveness by continued education and training.
- Acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with clients and respect each client's right to privacy.
- Conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice, the law of the land, and project a professional image.
- Refrain from engaging in any sexual conduct or sexual activities involving their clients.
- Accept responsibility to do no harm to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of self, clients, and associates.
Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS)
MTANS has adopted the Code of Ethics developed by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and all MTANS members agree to abide by this Code. This Code expresses "the primary ethical values, obligations and goals of the profession" and defines the following principles:
- Respect for persons
- Responsible caring
- Integrity in relationships
- Responsibility to society
View the complete CMTO Code of Ethics.
Mission Statement
The mission of Lone Palm Therapeutic Massage is to provide care which is based upon:
- a client-centered approach to relaxation and rehabilitation;
- trust, communication, professionalism and expertise;
- intelligent touch with a strong commitment to continuing education;
- a desire to help individuals take better control of their own health through education and increased self-awareness.
Within the healing process, see the goal but embrace where you are now.