Intrinsic and Extrinsic; Beyond the Muscles and Into the Heart of Our Practice
Sometimes it can be challenging to achieve a state of focused presence, genuine empathy, and quiet reverence for the person before us. One person or situation can shift our attention and attitude in an unexpected direction. There may be times when we are frustrated with our coworkers; they aren’t pulling their weight or don’t understand. We can’t always be perfect, we can be as forgiving of ourselves and others as possible, and use time to reflect, learn, and embrace a more balanced and satisfying practice.
Could a person on the massage table feel if we are having an off day, completely pissed off, frustrated or challenged in the session?
Of course, they can. Yes, even if you don’t believe in energy work. It is a huge thing to show up repeatedly. All of yourself, your attention and intention in one space for one person for an amount of time with a goal to achieve.
A lot of us have provided a massage when it could have been wiser not to. Whether we had a break because of medical adventure or injury or had something emotional going on in our lives. I am not entirely sure we can all always feel it when we are not in the groove. Have you ever had a massage client tell you that their last massage was awful? Yet they didn’t tell the massage therapist and paid for the session (and perhaps even tipped) .
A huge part of our practice is creating the therapeutic relationship and building trust and safety so the client feels they can tell you if something is off, too much or too little pressure, too fast, too slow, not the right location… etc, etc.
“Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.”
~Margaret Atwood
What truth does our touch tell? Does it feel mechanical or like a hurried obligation? Does it feel like there is no rushing, just the right amount of careful depth and pressure? Can we be truthful with ourselves, our classmates, coworkers and colleagues?
In massage and bodywork, the true essence of our practice lies not merely in skillful hands but in focused presence, genuine empathy, and a quiet reverence for the human being before us. This presence—and the deep intrinsic motivation that fuels it—is what distinguishes truly transformative work from merely going through the motions. This longing—to connect, contribute, to care—is alive in the massage profession. It is a force far more powerful than fear or obligation.
“This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”
~Alan Watts
Drawing inspiration from Sharath Jeevan's insights in Intrinsic, we can recognize that cultivating our inner drive is not a "fluffy" endeavor but a critical pathway to flourishing, both personally and professionally. To support this intrinsic journey and help therapists truly thrive, we should collectively embrace several core principles:
1. Acknowledge the True Cost of Inaction: Overlooking the power of intrinsic motivation isn't benign; it leads to burnout, high attrition rates, and ultimately, a less effective experience for massage therapists and clients.
2. See the Intrinsic Opportunity: Even seemingly small adjustments that address our fundamental human needs for autonomy, competence, and purpose can profoundly boost engagement, satisfaction, and longevity in the profession.
3. Manage the Extrinsic Downside: While fair compensation, benefits, and healthy working conditions are essential and non-negotiable, we must be vigilant not to let external pressures overshadow the intrinsic rewards that initially drew us to this sacred work. We don't have to suffer to be intrinsically motivated, nor should we judge those who find both purpose and prosperity in their practice.
4. Embrace Small Steps Towards Flourishing: Incremental changes, taken consistently, can build momentum and put us on a self-reinforcing path where our work becomes an integral part of a grateful and deeply engaging life. This means encouraging therapists to identify what "mastery" truly looks and feels like for them, beyond just external recognition.
There are people in every profession and industry driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Some pursue mastery with fierce dedication, those who quietly do what no one else does, those who will always follow the money, and those who merely go through the motions. We cannot always know the unseen battles or motivations that someone is facing in their life. Our collective purpose, however, should be to help more people connect with their innate desire to achieve actual competence, to contribute meaningfully, and to cultivate the powerful, irreplaceable human connection.
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
~Aristotle
The Inward Spark vs. External Rewards: Finding Our Balance
Why do so many of us choose to dedicate our lives to the intimate and demanding work of massage therapy? If you ask massage therapists why they became a massage therapist, they usually don’t lead with the professional advantages of prestige or financial gain. It stems from a deeper place: an intrinsic desire to help people, alleviate pain, facilitate wellness, understand the intricate complexities of the human body, and create moments of profound peace and connection. This internal compass aligns perfectly with the foundational principles of Self-Determination Theory, pioneered by psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. This suggests that intrinsic motivation is fueled by three innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence (mastery), and relatedness (purpose).
Autonomy: The sense of control and choice over one’s actions and path.
Competence (Mastery): The feeling of effectiveness and skill in one’s endeavors.
Relatedness (Purpose): The experience of connection and belonging, contributing to something larger than oneself.
These principles are not just lofty theoretical ideas. Many of you reading this could reflect and realize that these principles are things you have or want in your practice. During a session, massage therapists engage with humans not only physically, but also emotionally and empathetically, as they use their focused attention to respond to the unique needs of the human in that session.
To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.
~Mary Oliver
Yet, our profession, like any other, also involves extrinsic motivations: the need to earn a living, to build a practice, to achieve financial stability. When the focus shifts solely to these external rewards, or when practice becomes rote and detached, the very heart of the work can be diminished. Think of the therapist whose hands move mechanically, whose mind wanders, or whose sessions seem to be draining and about the money, contrast to the one fully present, listening with their whole being and enjoying doing the work with each person.
For a truly balanced and sustainable practice, we need a harmonious blending of both. It's not about sacrificing one for the other. We don't have to suffer or take a vow of poverty to be intrinsically motivated, nor should we judge those who find both deep purpose and financial stability in their practice. In fact, being able to provide for oneself and one's family can create the very balance and peace of mind necessary to engage more fully and intrinsically with clients.
It can be quite a challenge. Just a quick tour across social media can show us so many things massage therapists are experiencing in their practices that some of us may have never dreamed of. Things like a boss that knocks on the door the minute the session time is up to get the next person in. Thinking you were doing your last session only to find out they scheduled you another one, and they knew you wouldn’t mind. Having to share a room with another therapist that is a slob or uses a lot of aromatherapy oils or perfume.
Or how about therapists that are answering a cell phone or texting during a session. Wearing one ear bud and listening to audible books or true crime podcasts because that helps them get through the day. Even having to figure out the best little holster to wear a loaded gun during their sessions, where it isn’t noticeable and they can be in control, feel safe, still move well and mind their body mechanics.
We wish everyone has a safe and supportive environment to practice. While the core of our work remains deeply human and intrinsically motivated, the contemporary massage therapy landscape presents unique challenges that can test even the most dedicated practitioner. We've touched on the internal struggles—the "off days" and the need for self-forgiveness—but what about the external pressures that can chip away at our presence and purpose? From demanding work environments and unrealistic expectations to the pervasive influence of a world increasingly driven by metrics and instant gratification, these external forces can significantly impact our ability to foster that vital therapeutic connection. It's in this complex interplay between our innate desire to heal and the realities of our working lives that we must continually strive to find our balance, ensuring that the art of our touch remains authentic and impactful.
Embracing Challenge: The Crucible of Care
Our profession presents unique challenges that test our presence and compassion. Consider the therapist working with:
Challenging and/or demanding clients: These interactions require profound patience, clear boundaries, and an unwavering commitment to professional composure. It's in these moments that our capacity for non-judgmental presence is truly honed.
Vulnerable populations: Working with people who are medically complex, cancer patients, the elderly, or those navigating chronic illness demands exquisite sensitivity. Here, work often shifts from addressing physical discomfort to providing comfort, connection, and dignity through touch. The stakes may seem higher, the needs more profound, and the impact of genuine care immeasurable.
In both scenarios, the therapist has the profound opportunity to rise to the occasion, embracing the challenge with a person-centered approach. It's a powerful reminder of how important what they do and how they do it truly matters.
The Art of Presence: Beyond Technique
So many people think our touch is magic. Let them. While it may not be actual magic, it does go far beyond learned techniques. It resides in the presence of the practitioner.
“We like to be moved. We like to feel connected to what it means to be human, to be reminded of our inextricable connection to one another.”
~ Brené Brown
A massage therapist doesn’t just apply pressure, push and shove humans around. We have actual strokes, techniques, and highly refined skills; massage therapists seem to be able to listen with their whole body, mind, and heart. This kind of work is fundamentally relational. It’s built on trust, informed consent, intuitive understanding, a therapeutic relationship, and genuine human responsiveness.
“We can be highly therapeutic simply by showing up, leaning forward, and listening attentively.”
~ Ira Byock, MD
Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, from Spas to Gyms to Hospitals, and everything in between. Sometimes it isn’t quiet or private, sometimes they don’t have a whole hour or longer to work with people, and yet it is still effective. Even an evidence-informed practice can still seem incredible, inspiring awe at what was achieved with bare hands, and evoke reverence and appreciation in the moment.
“There is something very sacred about our nature and the nature of things—the nature of coming together, being together, getting in contact with each other and having a sensitive connection to what we are doing.”
~Charlotte Selver
None of the people quoted are massage therapists. However, their words may seem to relate to us and our practices. It is worth taking the time to reflect on how we feel about all this and where we are in our own practices. It is okay to feel very good about what we do.
Cultivating a Flourishing Practice: Beyond "Just Getting By"
The notion that "nobody wants to work anymore" often masks a deeper truth: people don't want to be unfulfilled or exploited. Massage therapists face environments that prioritize volume and profit over the quality of care and the well-being of therapists. This often pushes passionate practitioners towards self-employment, with over 70% of licensed massage therapists operating as sole practitioners, seeking autonomy and purpose that are usually absent in transactional settings.
When people are given the chance to work with purpose, connect deeply, and feel respected and supported, they are eager to work. This innate human longing to connect, contribute, and care is vibrantly alive in the massage profession. It is a far more potent and sustainable force than fear or mere obligation.
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
For massage therapists to truly flourish, we must:
Embrace Autonomy: Foster environments where therapists have agency over their practice, allowing them to tailor sessions to individual client needs rather than adhering to rigid, time-driven protocols.
Prioritize Mastery: Encourage continuous learning and skill refinement, understanding that mastery is a lifelong journey of deepening competence and intuitive understanding.
Connect to Purpose: Help therapists articulate and reconnect with why they do this work, beyond financial necessity. Knowing their purpose and how their work contributes to a larger mission of well-being can be profoundly re-energizing.
Intrinsic work can be an integral part of a grateful and deeply engaging life. This means recognizing that a healthy blending of intrinsic motivation (liking or loving your job, knowing your purpose) and extrinsic motivation (desiring fair compensation, benefits, and financial security) is not only possible but desirable for a truly balanced and sustainable career. We don't have to suffer to be intrinsically motivated, nor should we assume that financial success negates one's intrinsic drive. There are people who don't need to work, yet choose to, out of pure love for their craft and its impact.
We must also be mindful of the subtle pitfalls: narcissistic tendencies and the singular quest for power or popularity can derail people and programs away from their core purpose. It's crucial to guard against these diversions, always re-centering on the client's well-being and the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.
So many in our profession may not yet know what true mastery could look like for them, or they might be afraid to envision such accomplishments. We can be supportive, listeners, mentors and encouragers.