All massage therapists know that we prefer our clients to speak up during a massage if anything feels uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the necessity of this message leads us to repeat ourselves so often on this score that, if we’re not careful, the discussion about feedback becomes rote, almost robotic, as in: “by-the-way-if-anythhing-doesn’t-feel-right-please-let-me-know.” The trouble is that when we sound … Continue reading Genuinely Inviting Feedback
One of my pet peeves, as someone who receives massage regularly, is getting what I call “the wrong massage.” That’s when you’re there on the table, being worked on, but you don’t get the work you need. You know what I mean, like when you want full body, but instead get work on just your … Continue reading Delivering the Right Massage for the Clients’ True Goals
Communication is key between massage therapists and their client, both before the session and while the client is on the table. Despite great technique delivered with care, it’s not unheard of for a client to feel like the therapist almost addressed their primary complaint, but they would have liked a little more work on the … Continue reading Simple Question to Add to Your Massage Session
It’s a great compliment to a massage therapist when the person receiving falls asleep during a session. Those little zzz’s say trust, relief, serenity and healing. And for this massage therapist, it most often happens during the Swedish portion of the treatment, when long flowing strokes push dream-like consciousness over the line into sleep. So … Continue reading The Snooze Button
Food in the massage room is a delicate subject. No doubt it is needed. Massage therapists burn off some energy providing treatments to clients. Those who hop off the table rejuvenated often look for a little something in addition to cool water. But what is appropriate? Some of us squint in horror of sugar in the … Continue reading LMP Etiquette – Is offering food to clients a good idea?
Massage therapists know that many clients need to be listened to – really listened to – when they come in for therapy. But during the session there is something else that clients crave – the ability to be distracted away from their focus and relax. I often use distraction in massage sessions, oddly enough in … Continue reading Massage with Attention and Distraction
A new massage client had a request: eight months after an outbreak of shingles, she still had a strip of weird-feeling and painful skin. “I call it my shingles ghost,” she said. “It’s haunting me still.” What she described sounded like post-herpetic neuralgia, a sensation that an area afflicted by herpes “chickenpox” virus is still … Continue reading Massage for Shingles ‘Ghost’
Knots have the element of surprise. Massage clients are often very perturbed that they have a knot, and then the inevitable question…why is that knot there? I try to offer some explanations – to much time using a mouse, too many repeat micro-movements of muscles in a static hold, etc. Working under too much … Continue reading Whys and What Knots
Most job hunts for massage therapists starts with the cover letter email and attached resume. It’s the first introduction to a potential employer.Grab this opportunity to make a great impression!I have come up with some tips based on my experience interviewing and hiring therapists. These may seem elemental, but many people will be surprised how … Continue reading Jump Out of the Recycle Bin: Work-Finding Tips for Massage Therapists…
Oh yes, it can be so much fun to be in the soft-tissue massage biz. A new client asked for help with numbness at night in the thumb, forefinger and ring-finger. As part of the overall massage, I did a bit of cross-fiber, compression and MFR on the pronater and supinator. We massage therapists … Continue reading Carpal! Foiled again!