Being a Massage Therapist in Professional Sports with Richard Hawes
06/06/24 • 87 min
Join us as we sit down with Richard Hawes, a Registered Massage Therapist who has had over 30 years of experience as an RMT and now works with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Richard's path is anything but ordinary—starting off as an aspiring soccer player, pivoting to a police officer in Hong Kong, and ultimately finding his passion in massage therapy in Vancouver.
Richard opens up about his personal battle with cancer and how this life-altering experience reignited his passion for massage therapy. From owning a clinic to treating top athletes, Richard's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of following your professional dreams and not settling into a routine job. Listen as he shares invaluable insights on the challenges and rewards of working with high-performing athletes and the significance of maintaining passion in one's career. His narrative underscores the vital role of listening in clinical practice and the profound impact of therapeutic relationships with athletes.
Get an insider's perspective on what it's like to be a sports massage therapist integrated within a professional team. We explore everything from the demanding pre-season schedules and game day preparations to the collaborative efforts of medical professionals ensuring optimal player care. Richard offers a detailed look at the daily routines, the complexities of travel, and the importance of a therapeutic alliance between therapist and athlete. Whether you're an aspiring therapist, a sports enthusiast, or simply someone interested in compelling life stories, this conversation with Richard Hawes is sure to enlighten and inspire.
Head on over to my website. This includes a list of all my upcoming courses, webinars, self-directed learning opportunities as well as some helpful learning resources.
thecebe.com
Please connect with me on social media
FB: @ericpurvesrmt
IG: @eric_purves_rmtYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpurves2502
Would you like to make a donation to help support the costs of running my podcast?
Join us as we sit down with Richard Hawes, a Registered Massage Therapist who has had over 30 years of experience as an RMT and now works with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Richard's path is anything but ordinary—starting off as an aspiring soccer player, pivoting to a police officer in Hong Kong, and ultimately finding his passion in massage therapy in Vancouver.
Richard opens up about his personal battle with cancer and how this life-altering experience reignited his passion for massage therapy. From owning a clinic to treating top athletes, Richard's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of following your professional dreams and not settling into a routine job. Listen as he shares invaluable insights on the challenges and rewards of working with high-performing athletes and the significance of maintaining passion in one's career. His narrative underscores the vital role of listening in clinical practice and the profound impact of therapeutic relationships with athletes.
Get an insider's perspective on what it's like to be a sports massage therapist integrated within a professional team. We explore everything from the demanding pre-season schedules and game day preparations to the collaborative efforts of medical professionals ensuring optimal player care. Richard offers a detailed look at the daily routines, the complexities of travel, and the importance of a therapeutic alliance between therapist and athlete. Whether you're an aspiring therapist, a sports enthusiast, or simply someone interested in compelling life stories, this conversation with Richard Hawes is sure to enlighten and inspire.
Head on over to my website. This includes a list of all my upcoming courses, webinars, self-directed learning opportunities as well as some helpful learning resources.
thecebe.com
Please connect with me on social media
FB: @ericpurvesrmt
IG: @eric_purves_rmtYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpurves2502
Would you like to make a donation to help support the costs of running my podcast?
Previous Episode
Touch, Techniques, and the Therapeutic Journey with Monica and Forrest
Forrest and Monica, two therapists from the town of Nelson, BC, join me to discuss the manual therapies like osteopathy, massage, and acupuncture. They share their journey from education to practice. With their stories, we have a look into the art of listening and communicating, and how these skills contribute to effective patient care.
Our discussion explores the evidence and anecdotes behind manual therapies, as we consider the challenges of marrying traditional techniques with modern evidence-based practice. With Forrest and Monica's experiences, we illuminate the significant role of human touch in evoking therapeutic responses, and how it serves as a common thread across different therapeutic disciplines. Additionally, we'll navigate the intricacies of creating a calming clinic atmosphere that promotes wellness and the importance of your approach in eliciting a desired response in patients.
Lastly, we debate the delicate balance between ethics and compassion, sharing personal stories that highlight the power of personalized treatment. Monica introduces us to the "three legs of a stool" concept in patient communication, vital for ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. We also touch on the emotional aspect of physical illnesses and the necessity for a safe space where clients can express and process their emotions. This episode promises not just to enlighten but also to inspire both practitioners and patients in the continuous journey of healing and self-discovery.
To listen to their podcast please search for The Healthful Perspectives.
Monica can be found at www.acunelson.com and Forrest through rebalancing.ca
Head on over to my website. This includes a list of all my upcoming courses, webinars, self-directed learning opportunities as well as some helpful learning resources.
thecebe.com
Please connect with me on social media
FB: @ericpurvesrmt
IG: @eric_purves_rmtYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpurves2502
Would you like to make a donation to help support the costs of running my podcast?
Next Episode
Therapeutic Exercise in Massage Therapy: Insights and Challenges with Michelle Smith
Can massage therapists truly prescribe and monitor therapeutic exercise programs effectively? Join us in a conversation with Michelle Smith from Saskatoon, making her third appearance on the podcast, as we tackle this provocative question head-on. Michelle, whose expertise spans kinesiology and exercise physiology, shares her critical insights into the current state of training for massage therapists, particularly when dealing with clients with co-occurring medical conditions. Together, we uncover potential gaps in knowledge and the practical challenges therapists face when integrating therapeutic exercise into their treatment plans.
Our discussion takes a dive into the psychological aspects of exercise, debunking common myths about stretching and its supposed benefits for pain management and athletic performance. We highlight the necessity of customizing exercise recommendations to fit individual preferences and mental readiness. By understanding each client's unique background, lifestyle, and mental health status, therapists can foster more effective and personalized therapeutic interventions. Michelle emphasizes the importance of encouraging positive behavioral changes through tailored exercise plans, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
We also examine the broader implications for the massage therapy profession, discussing the role of therapeutic exercise within RMT scope of practice. Our conversation underscores the need for clearer guidelines and potential curriculum reforms to better equip therapists. Michelle and I stress the significance of continuous learning, critical thinking, and seeking credible sources to challenge outdated practices and advance the field. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of massage therapy and the integration of holistic, evidence-based approaches to client care.
Head on over to my website. This includes a list of all my upcoming courses, webinars, self-directed learning opportunities as well as some helpful learning resources.
thecebe.com
Please connect with me on social media
FB: @ericpurvesrmt
IG: @eric_purves_rmtYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericpurves2502
Would you like to make a donation to help support the costs of running my podcast?
Massage Science (Formerly Purves Versus) - Being a Massage Therapist in Professional Sports with Richard Hawes
Transcript
Hello and welcome to another episode of Purvis Versus . My name is Eric Purvis . I'm a massage therapist , course creator , continuing education provider , curriculum advisor and advocate for evidence-based massage therapy .
EricIn this episode , I welcome Richard Hawes from Vancouver , bc . Richard is an RMT with 30 years of clinical experience who now w
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