Empower means “putting power into,” and it can also mean “bringing energy and enthusiasm out of.” So the first step in empowering people is to refrain from doing anything that disempowers them or reduces their energy and enthusiasm. The deepest need each person has is for self-esteem — a sense of being important, valuable, and worthwhile. Everything you do in your interactions with others affects their self-esteem in some way.

Massage therapists and bodyworkers are a giving profession by trade and are often ready to donate their talented touch whenever and wherever needed. Relief activities in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi are no exception. Of course, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA; www.fema.gov) is advising against reporting directly to the affected areas unless directed by a voluntary agency.

A study sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that the Chinese practice of tai chi helped patients recover quicker from chronic heart failure than those who received standard drug therapy, exercise, and diet counseling. Patients who performed the ancient meditative/movement practice twice a week for 12 weeks were able to walk farther than the control group and even outdistanced themselves, compared to their abilities before treatment began. Researchers point to how beneficial low-impact exercise can be for chronic heart failure patients.

Some of the most rewarding work for massage therapists and bodyworkers is interacting with people afflicted with dementia. What makes it so rewarding is how beneficial it is to the clients.