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 insincere or automatic about this, the client hears that their comfort doesn’t matter on our table, and that’s the last thing we want to communicate. This can be especially true for our clients who are new to massage therapy. Unless we have actively invited them to speak up, they can be genuinely reluctant to provide us with feedback during the session because they don’t want to upset their therapist with what might be interpreted as negative comments.  Realizing that just because we’ve said a million times to our clients that we welcome their feedback, doesn’t mean that a particular person has heard it a million times; this may be only their first or second time. Slowing down and really putting our heart into it and explaining to our clients that, not only are we open to feedback, but we count on it and appreciate it, will go a long way toward letting them know that we mean it, that their comfort matters.

Here are some examples of how to do this:

“It’s really important to me that you let me know if anything could be better or is uncomfortable at all for you.”

“Feel free to speak up. I really count on feedback from you to make sure that what I’m doing works for your body.”

“There are so many styles and techniques, and I want to be sure that the ones we use are the right ones for you. So, go ahead and let me know what’s working, or not, or is at all uncomfortable, while we’re working.”

Next time you greet a client, make sure you tune in and pay attention. Are you just speeding through this important part, or are you genuinely inviting your clients to give you that vital 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 back and legs. Or, your shoulders really hurt, but you end up with a lot of time spent on your feet, head, and hands. It can be really unsatisfying. It’s a key responsibility of therapists to tune in to communication from their clients so that the right places get the attention that they need.

So what happens to cause a massage therapist to ‘get it wrong?’  A lot of therapists during massage intake ask clients if there are areas where they want focus and then they create a massage plan that treats just those areas. That can be a mistake, especially if the client’s general stress level is contributing to their discomfort or if they are not aware of tension in other areas that is contributing to the pain in the primary area.

It’s necessary for massage therapists to connect with the client’s true goals by asking their clients plainly and straightforwardly if they would like to work exclusively on their problem areas, or if they would prefer a full body relaxing massage with a little extra focus in their area of concern. The results can be surprising. Just because a client speaks at length about a particular condition doesn’t mean that’s the only place where they want work.  Taking the time to ask, to really listen, and to act on the answer ensures a more effective massage for the client and a more satisfied client for the therapist.

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 problem area. Or the client would have liked the therapist to spend some time on the area or to have focused a little higher or lower along the muscles.

Imagine a client who comes in with a chronic condition, or an injury. The therapist determines where the issue is and starts their massage plan. They work diligently on that issue, and after 20 minutes they feel confident that they’ve done a good job, they’re are ready to move on to the rest of the body so that the client can get an overall effective massage. Question: did they do their best for the client and did they address their primary complaint? Most likely they did, but sometimes not.

When the therapist thinks they are ready to move on from the primary area of complaint, a simple question increases the likelihood of getting results and having a truly satisfied client who is going to not only come back to see that therapist but also refer others to them, and that question is: “Do you feel that we’ve gotten good results? Do you need me to spend any more time here?”

A satisfied client will simply say “yes, you can move on,” but in those occasional situations where something is off, this gives the client the opportunity to speak up for their needs, and the therapist gets instant kudos for caring enough to ask and to check.

End result: happier client, better massage, and a busier clientele.

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 massage room. It doesn’t seem karmic to have cookies or turkey jerky either.

I have experimented on occasion with foods in my office water jug: Sliced cucumbers, strawberries, or lemons floating in ice. Until a client told me that cucumbers make his skin itch. Another could not look at a strawberry without breaking out. Iced water? Oh, that triggers my IBS, another said. Sigh.

Which is when I went back to plain purified water, available tepid or chilled, and added a little candy dish of individually wrapped wintergreen candies. Not being chocolate, I was safe around them. Most clients seem to like them enough that I buy a big bag once a month.

This seemed a good match, as the wintergreen flavor seems to complement the refreshment of massage. Wintergreen is used in arthritis and muscle balms such as Ben Gay and has a storied history as a treatment for soreness.

Which is not to say it is a good aromatherapy or oil treatment. True oil of wintergreen is made mostly of concentrated methyl salicylate (aspirin) and can cause overdose just as aspirin creams can. I have always found it to be a good policy not to kill massage clients.

My other forays into massage food have included keeping a bowl of washed apples in the waiting room. I found the staff and I demolished them more often than the clients, which in a way is good.

Fresh fruit, however, does have drawbacks. Fruit flies may appear in the office, along with problems maintaining freshness and supply.

Actually, now I have another sweet problem. A client brought in some peanut butter-filled caramels. She left them in the candy dish where I could find them. Don’t worry, I quickly made sure my clients are safe from these..