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 A HEALING TOUCH
He's hands-on about helping people
Company: Feasey Chiropractic & Wellness Centre
Type: Registered Massage Therapy
Owner: Tim Evans, Director of Natural Health Practitioners of Canada
Established: 1996
Contact: 7-208 Marion St., Winnipeg, Manitoba; 204.237.0210; members.shaw.ca/tim-evans
INSTINCT: How’d you get into massage?
TIM EVANS: After having a professional massage, I knew I wanted to help people. I was 19. At the time there weren’t many who did massage therapy. Now it’s quite popular, and there are many therapists in the city.
What sets your business apart?
I decided when I graduated I didn’t want to pet people. I wanted to fix people. I specialize in deep tissue massage and postural and structural work, while the majority of massage therapists do relaxation massage.
When did this turn into your own business?
It was constantly uphill right from day one. During school, I worked out of my home for two years. Just a month prior to graduating, I had the fortune of running into an ex-chiropractor who owned the office I work in, and the new owner was looking for someone to do massage therapy. Now I work with Dr. Feasey and his brother. The best part of working with these guys is that it’s a wonderfully harmonious office.
Are you openly gay in your office?
I am.
Do you have gay clients?
Yes, I do. I don’t make it an issue. I’m sure there are people who seek me out because I’m gay. I would say a good 65 percent of my clients are straight.
Do guys ever get the wrong idea?
You mean a massage with a “happy ending”? [Laughs] I make it very clear at the beginning—if I know the individual is gay—I will not hit on him. We establish the understanding right away.
Have you run into any roadblocks with straight male clients?
Generally, no. I have a lot of straight clients. The ones who know I’m gay are great people. Sometimes they may ask the odd awkward question. Ninety-nine percent of the time, there’s no problem.
What would you recommend for a really knotted back and neck?
Using Swedish techniques would be the best method; they are specific hand movements that are used for massage.
What’s the weirdest client experience you’ve had?
I sometimes have to give the “boner talk.” My clients are always properly draped. I never see any genitals, but there are times when a man may get aroused. They get more embarrassed than I do. I make it clear that nothing inappropriate will happen, because professionally you have to have boundaries with clients. If someone pops a boner once, it most likely won’t happen again. It may happen because guys aren’t usually touched and it’s a new feeling for them. To have a massage, it triggers all senses. They most likely don’t have an interest in me, but just the fact that they’re being touched will do it for them.
Why do so many gay men enter healing professions?
My feeling is that many of us have worked on ourselves and perhaps may have fewer hang-ups, personal blockages or issues, which then allows us to be channels of healing in whatever profession we choose. As well, I feel that gay men often possess more of a nurturing nature, are more inclined to have good people skills and are more intuitive as to what is happening with another human being…although I would love to see actual studies proving or disproving this.
Massage 411
1. Professional massage therapists should be completely knowledgeable in proper draping—it is your decision as to the degree you would like to disrobe.
2. Massage does not need to be painful. Even skilled deep tissue massage therapists are more effective while working within a “good pain” range.
3. Pre-massage, discuss what pain issues you are experiencing, and don’t trivialize your problems.
4. It’s absolutely all right to either talk with your massage therapist during your massage, to remain completely silent or even to fall asleep.
5. Qualified massage therapists are the best choice, and they’re the only ones covered by insurance companies. Find them in the U.S. at amtamassage.org or in Canada at nhpcanada.org.
6. After a massage, drink plenty of water. Be kind to yourself—your body is in the state of healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
5 Factors in Choosing a Massage Therapist
1. Number of years in practice.
2. Age of massage therapist (age=experience).
3. Accreditation with a reputable massage association.
4. Cleanliness and appearance.
5. Punctuality with appointments.
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