Health at Every Size® Aligned Massage Therapy

Blog post by Stephanie Teal.

Talk to any massage therapist, and we’ll probably tell you that we got into the field of massage therapy because we wanted to help people. Helping people relax, connect to their bodies, and access healing through therapeutic touch is a true gift. With that gift comes a responsibility to show up in advocacy and allyship for all bodies.

As a massage therapist, it’s important to recognize that to receive bodywork requires an incredible act of vulnerability and trust from our clients. By embracing principles of Health At Every Size® (HAES®), massage therapists can create a space rooted in empowerment, compassion, and celebration of body diversity. This makes it so individuals of all body types can have the opportunity for healing.

Central to the HAES® philosophy is the belief that health is not determined solely by body weight or size. Instead, it is multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. HAES® has three principles relevant to the context of massage therapy: weight inclusivity, health enhancement, and respectful care. People in larger bodies systematically and systemically do not receive inclusive care because of negative attitudes and stereotypes attached to body weight and size. Examining our own biases is an excellent place to begin for any professional looking to begin practicing in a HAES® aligned way. In addition, there are practical ways to practice size inclusive care.