Massage Business Tools Part 1

As a massage therapist, I have suffered from a difficult economy. I love the clients I have and am appreciative for the business I do receive. It is always a challenge, fighting something out of your control, so all you can do is your best to make sure your clients are happy. This year, I did a bit of an experiment in helping me to achieve my clients happiness. I gave out preference sheets for them to fill out in hopes I would learn their likes, dislikes, and general concerns. I learned many things, but I am going to share with you some of the most common.

1.Talking during the massage-This is completely up to the client. A few minutes to enable comfort and help their nerves calm in the beginning of the massage is fine. If the client initiates conversation, I personally believe it is ok to have interaction, otherwise you would seem cold. But if the signs are definitely there, you as a therapist need to respect that. Everyone's experience is individual, and this is something that definitely needs to be respected.

2.Avoiding overwhelming aromas-Strong incense or intense aromatherapy should be avoided unless the client requests this. The room and sheets should smell good, and some room spray or a scented candle is fine, as long as it's not headache inducing. Unless you are aware of a clients preferences, avoid anything that might ruin your clients experience.

3.Cleanliness-Oily doorhandles? Overflowing trash? Hair down or unkept? Dirty fingernails? Clients notice all of these things. When I walk into a salon or spa, I notice everything, and it will determine whether I come back or not. Don't think your clients are ignorant to the small details.

4.Making Assumptions-Don't assume anything. Many of my clients that had seen other professionals hated that every little habit was made out to be the cause of their problem. When making suggestions, I have always given a multitude of solutions to possible problems. Giving a variety makes the client feel they have choices, and free will is a wonderful thing. Listen to your clients and learn.

5.Music choice-I like to have a variety of music available just in case. some of my clients prefer nature sounds, some like rock music, some like instrumental. If you know what someone likes, play it. It is not about you. Otherwise, have options. You might trigger something appealing for a client.

I see these practices done poorly and done correctly all the time. It makes a huge difference. Having a massage is a healing process. It requires trust from your client and confidence in yourself. Making your client happy is the number one priority, and I have faith that my clients are quite content. While I may not have 20 hours a week, the time I do have with my clients is precious, and I want this time to be sacred for them, not for me.

Post-Oncology Massage

I feel a new energy since taking my class....my massage is different, I can focus, I can effectively help people on a whole different level. I see their bodies differently, I know the impact that my work does for them, I make the quality of their life better. It's beautiful. I clear my terminus. I know what it does, where it goes. It's very clarifying and beneficial for both me and my client.

Oncology Massage

is amazing. I have never felt so connected and holistic and focused on my client. I was shocked that something so gentle could be so wonderful and so effective. Taking this class gave me a new viewpoint on non-invasive techniques. Maybe it was that it was taken so seriously from a medical standpoint or maybe it's knowing how you are going to impact your client. It was wonderful. I highly recommend any massage therapist that wants to advance their career, be taken seriously by the medical profession, affect their client in a new non-invasive way, and who wants to break down the barriers to who you can and who you can't work on should soooo take this class.

Entering a new chapter...

I am about to begin oncology massage classes tomorrow. I plan on them changing my life, and I hope that this experience lives up to my expectations. I need a niche, an edge in this competitive field that I am in, and even though I greatly enjoy what I do, I still desire to learn more and do more. This is a way to impact the lives of people, create peace and joy, mend broken spirits, and contribute to the saving of lives. This is a way to express myself, and a way to find balance in the universe. I will keep updating on a daily basis.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury,pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand;to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Massage Oils

I definitely want to make massage oils. I tried a wonderful brand of oil yesterday called Ravenwood, based out of Traverse City, and I loved it. It gave me so much inspiration to create, market, and inspire others who want to do the same thing as me. It was a wonderful experience to have my massage therapy practice completely lifted simply by using a couple of fantastically scented oils. I would love to do the same for others and truly touch their experiences in their careers in such a simple way.

Alternative Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine:The Debate.

Honestly, in the years I have been doing massage therapy, I have seen a number of clients that come in complaning of a wide variety of symptoms. Everything from depression to pain to stomach ailments to sinus infections has been brought to my attention. Many of these things are easily treated with home remedies or massage tactics. So, if there is an easy solution available, that is not harmful to the client, why is alternative medicine still under so much scrutiny? I do not have a degree in science or medicine. I do not do cruel, inhumane, studies on animals. I have never conducted a controlled experiment to discredit a physician. And the reason why is because I don't need to! I don't need to prove that massage is more effective than any pain killer, because the proof is in the person. I don't need to prove that sinus infections can easily be cleared up due to massage or aromatherapy, because if the person walks out feeling better, my job is done. I think commonplace practitioners need to experience some of these things firsthand. Society already knows more than enough about Western Medicine. So why can't they be exposed to alternative medicine? Thousands of years ago in ancient China, do you think they used steroids and pencillin to treat their ailing? No. And while the longevity of their lives may have been limited, the quality was probably much better. There were no horrendous lists of side effects and withdrawal syndrome. People were not scared to have a treatment. Western Medicine needs a wakeup call to effectively treat their patients or run the risk of losing their credibility forever.