In this Post: In Episode 060: Break Room Banter – Health Insurance, Triggers & Swearing in a Massage Practice we dive into a whirlwind of topics that have been showing up in their practices, their communities, and even in their personal lives. From navigating the government shutdown and its ripple effects on clients, to the emotional weight of suicide-related conversations, to the surprisingly nuanced question of whether massage therapists should ever swear around clients — this one covers some ground.
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Episode 060: Break Room Banter – Health Insurance, Triggers & Swearing in a Massage Practice
The episode begins with something many therapists are facing right now: how to care for clients who have been financially affected by the ongoing government shutdown and broader job instability.
Ali shares that one longstanding client — a federal employee not receiving paychecks — has continued her regular sessions, but Ali has temporarily postponed payment. There’s now a little asterisk next to her name noting what she’ll owe once her income resumes.
The key here isn’t “extend credit to everyone.” The key is trust and relationship.
If you choose to offer flexibility, be honest with yourself about whether it’s charity or a loan — and only offer it to people you genuinely believe will circle back.
Beca echoes this concern as she considers raising her rates but hesitates because so many people in her community are financially fragile. Her takeaway?
Plan before crisis hits.
Have a few predetermined options or boundaries ready so emotions don’t push you into decisions you may regret later.
The Larger Issue: How Health Insurance Affects Our Industry
The shutdown also brings up another pressing topic: healthcare.
Ali reflects on the very real possibility that reduced or eliminated subsidies could push massage therapists out of the profession — something we’ve historically seen. Many therapists stay in the field precisely because the ACA marketplace made insurance accessible for self-employed people.
Beca, who lived through being furloughed during COVID, gets it deeply. That experience pushed her into developing supplemental skills — not because she wanted to leave massage, but because instability demanded it.
Massage is fulfilling. Deeply so.
But fulfillment doesn’t pay for health insurance.
And loss of accessible coverage doesn’t just impact us individually — it threatens the stability of the entire profession.
A Story About Pre-Existing Conditions… and Why This Still Matters
Ali shares a personal story that hits hard: as a young adult trying to buy her own health insurance before the ACA existed, she was denied by five different companies.
Why?
Because she had once been prescribed an antidepressant she never even took — after telling a clinic doctor she was grieving her uncle’s suicide.
This kind of thing used to be considered a “pre-existing condition.”
It’s a stark reminder of why accessible healthcare is crucial for massage therapists — many of whom are self-employed, part-time employed, or working in settings without benefits.
When Suicide Touches Your Practice
In a poignant shift, the conversation moves into something both heavy and very real: the rising amount of suicide-related grief showing up in treatment rooms.
In recent weeks, Ali has had three clients either cancel or come in overwhelmed due to suicide in their close circles. For her, this topic is deeply personal — having lost her uncle, her brother, and a cousin to suicide.
Beca notes that many therapists she knows are seeing similar patterns, especially in mountain towns where seasonal depression, isolation, and limited resources often collide.
They talk about the invisible emotional load therapists carry, and the importance of:
• Having community to talk to
You don’t have to share identifying details, but you do need a place to release what you absorb.
• Writing things down
Journaling helps move intense emotion out of the mind and body.
• Turning pain into purpose
Ali talks about how speaking, writing, and supporting suicide prevention efforts has helped her find meaning within grief.
• Knowing that timing matters
You don’t have to turn your pain into a project immediately. Sometimes perspective needs time and distance.
The reminder is clear:
We hold so much for our clients — and we must resource ourselves just as fiercely as we show up for them.
And Now for Something Different: Should Massage Therapists Swear With Clients?
After the heavy stuff, Beca brings in a little levity — but it’s actually a smart professional conversation.
Both Beca and Ali openly admit:
They love swearing in their personal lives.
But what about in the treatment room?
Here’s what they unpack:
Swearing can build connection — but it can also cross a line.
Beca shares that after swearing lightly with a client she felt very close to, she ran into them in public and casually asked, “How’s your shit?”
Now she’s spiraling, wondering if that was too informal.
Ali approaches swearing like seasoning:
Use it sparingly, intentionally, and only when you’re confident the client won’t find it distracting or offensive.
She notes that her upbringing trained her to “turn off” swearing when appropriate — and that ability has benefitted her professionally.
They agree that some therapists lean into swearing as part of their brand (and it works!), but for most practitioners, discernment is key.
A simple guideline:
Let the client set the tone — not your comfort level.
And if you’re unsure?
Ask.
This episode highlights something essential:
Massage therapists aren’t just dealing with muscles — we’re navigating people’s lives.
Shutdown stress.
Financial fear.
Health insurance uncertainty.
Trauma.
Grief.
Holiday overwhelm.
Human connection.
And yes, even the occasional F-bomb decision.
Ali and Beca remind us that part of being an exceptional therapist isn’t just perfecting technique — it’s learning how to hold space, set boundaries, care for yourself, and stay human in the process.
If any part of this episode resonated with you, we’d love to hear your thoughts — especially on that last question:
To swear or not to swear? What’s your practice philosophy?
Stay grounded, stay connected, and we’ll see you next Break Room Banter.
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