Articles - Lymphatic Bodyworks

An excerpt from The Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals:
Professional Partnerships Working in Tandem with the Medical Community

By Karrie Osborn

For more than 30 years, Los Angeles-based massage therapist Cynthia Bartholmey, LCMT, has been creating relationships with other healthcare professionals. Born out of a search for professional respect, Bartholmey chose to continue educating herself throughout her career. When I started out 31 years ago, massage didn¹t have the respect it does today. My family back East was snickering, saying, I wonder what she's really doing out in California. I struggled for that respect, so I kept going back to school, studying different modalities.² From a master course in reflexology to a study in postural mobility, Bartholmey frequently sought ought out 200-and 300-hour programs to broaden the depth of her bodywork knowledge. I kept reinventing myself. That, she says, has been key to working with, and adapting to, other professions.

Whether it was referrals from internists, plastic surgeons, acupuncturists, or dentists, Bartholmey found herself developing a very specialized private practice. As she was marketing herself to physicians, Bartholmey says she stumbled across an opportunity to be involved with massage research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and is now involved with a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant in psychiatric research there. Western medicine and Western minds are opening up, she says. The people I work with know what I do; they¹re not in the dark ages any more in the medical centers Bartholmey says there is more recognition and honoring of massage therapy as a profession than ever before. But she is quick to tell you she knows her professional scope of practice, and that¹s an element necessary for a successful professional partnership. I have always known where my place is as a massage therapist and not crossing the line into areas that are not my expertise. I'm completely comfortable referring out.

Her advice for other massage therapists looking to build partnerships is candid. Expect a lot of rejection. Someone may refer to you, but not necessarily because they appreciate the value of your work. Don¹t be disappointed by that. Keep moving higher the bar on your education and expertise moving higher, she says, and you¹ll be successful. I always recommend to young people getting into the profession to continue their education. A lot of MTs think they know everything because they've had a 500- or 1,000-hour class, but they know nothing. They really need to continue their education.

Member of: Board Member of The North American Association of Lymphatic Therapy (NAVALT®) Certified by The Dr. Vodder School of Manual Lymph Drainage in North America and Austria. ABMP (Associated Bodywork Massage Professionals) ARCB (American Reflexology Certification Board)