Archive for July, 2007
Nutritious & Delicious
31 July 2007Want a stimulating nutritious and delicious massage oil. Try genuine dark chocolate without artificial ingredients or preservatives. A spa in Israel indicates that chocolate provides essential minerals and vitamins vitalizing the skin and absorbing toxins and diminishing cellulite.
They also said that because of the hormones the scent of chocolate produces, it leaves the client feeling vary satisfied. I watched a clip, it reminded me of art class with finger paints, check it out:
http://itn.co.uk/news/bd0ec0e791338a4b9cba875f32921ec6.html
Chocolate Massage Anyone?
I am also thinking that you would have a hard time getting the point across that it IS indeed a professional massage. There’s satisfaction, not happy endings involved. Try it on a client you trust and know, see how it goes. Why not, you might start a trend for your wellness center.
Determination
30 July 2007I write these blogs for my benefit as well as for all my fellow students of Massage. No matter how long you have practiced, a month, two years or even 20 years or more you will never know all there is to know about massage. That alone can guarantee you a lifetime of success in an ever-increasing market for alternative, natural ways of acquiring well-being.
With CE requirements to maintain a license or for your own profit, our professional massage associations across the United States will continue to grow in strength and number. Educating ourselves and colleagues about different modalities and tips can gain the validity of not just the relaxation but the infinite health benefits as well. Along with this education comes the education of our clients. Client education is most crucial if our nation is ever to conceive postural or repetitive strains and stresses of body’s that occur on a daily bases and there prevention.
We are truly Health Care Professionals.
Do You Want To Be A Massage Therapist?
28 July 2007My first week as a Massage student was an eye opening experience. Number one not everyone that was there knew they had to be naked under the sheets and actually get a massage. I heard one person say, I don’t like to be touched. Uh, yah.. In order to be a therapist you must know what it is like to have a massage in order to give one. Others insisted on only massaging people they knew, not knowing anyone in the class that would be kind of hard.
I blamed this on the administration of the school I was attending. Yes within the first two weeks the original 27 students in my class became much less and by the time I graduated had 9 original classmates graduating with me. I am not saying this to scare anyone away from becoming a therapist. I just believe some things are not confirmed to prospective students. I found “The Massage Therapy Little Book” online by the Cortiva Institute.
This guidebook is available online or it can be sent in the mail. It talks about the history of massage, present and its future. What it means to be a massage therapist, how to find the right school and what to expect after graduation. To find it go to this link:
http://www.cortiva.com/littlebook/
Taking Things Personal
26 July 2007When working with clients, it is sometimes necessary to understand that they have lives and will forget appointments. I have seen other practitioners take this situation way to personal, thinking that it was maybe something they said, did or didn’t do. Thinking in a self-destructive manner, ensuing attitude without just cause. You may truly never know what goes on in your client’s life and it?s really none of your business. If you did your best and they enjoy your work, they will be back. You can’t please everyone.
One method to insure my clients make their scheduled time is to call the day before and remind them of their session time. If it’s an initial appointment, I can have them download the intake forms off my website or remind them to come 15 minutes early to fill out the paperwork and discus desired treatments. I also have on the back of my business cards appointment reminders that I hand out each time appointments are made. Sometimes there’s nothing anyone can do. The only person you have control of is yourself, don’t loose sleep over missed appointments. Save your energy and turn what could be a negative experience and make it positive.
Another method to insure your appointment times are full is to call your regular clients and ask if they would like to fill an open appointment. I have heard from fellow Therapists that this works for them. Gathering my professional self and getting over silly eccentricities will have to come fast if I am to do everything in my power to make my business successful.
Do Massage Therapists Accept Tips?
25 July 2007I have heard that some students can accept tips during clinic. The state of Washington however considers Massage therapy to fall under health care professionals and does not allow tips to be received during Education. After education is complete and licensure is accomplished, tipping is not required but is defiantly appreciated.
When I give tips, the first thing I consider is the quality of the service provided. If my time spent was enjoyable with good company I tip well, if the opposite occurs my tipping is not inspired. Whenever I have a trade for service, I always tip. There are also courtesy tips for below minimum wage food servers, even if I have had a bad experience I feel obligated to give 15%.
Tips are a great way to show appreciation for a job well done. I have heard that some people can be under the impression that giving tips ensures little extras not taught in Massage Theory. I have not yet encountered this, thank goodness nor will I ever want to encourage that type of behavior. Sometimes no matter what you do, people will try to push the envelope. The nice thing is, we can refuse service, end the massage or report repeaters or agitators to the authorities.
Reporting tips on your quarterly tax returns are also a requirement. Counted as part of income subject to taxation. Do Massage Therapists accept tips? Absolutely.
Medieval Thinking Regarding Massage
24 July 2007I am a firm believer that you must experience a massage to know what it is all about. Many people who are unaware of the benefits and professional manor in which a massage is executed fear the idea. It also doesn’t help that even the news can mislead consumers by encompassing Massage Therapist into the ever-risky masseuses happy endings category.
Massage Therapist are for the most part licensed or certified and have had at least 500 hours under their belt from an accredited school. Not to be confused with a masseuse who needs no educational requirements and therefore shouldn’t be lumped under any regulations or laws that govern a Professional Massage Therapist. Educating the media in your local area whenever the need arises is a must if we are ever to shake any misconceptions.
Peanut Butter & Jelly as to Hot Stones and Massage
24 July 2007Now that I have researched a bit, I am sure that adding hot stone massage is a great enhancer for my clients massage hour. I have even heard that it is just better to book 90 minutes to allow time for movement and placement of the stones.
The stones may also be used as a tool in deeper work, saving your hand and forearms. Increasing circulation to the area and enhancing range of motion and tissue health. Even in the summertime people are asking for hot stone treatments? I haven’t found a therapist that does cold stone yet? Hummm. I love a good Ice massage, the stones would cut down on the melting mess.
Entering Into A Career With Competition
22 July 2007I am finding there are so many attitudes between therapists as to sharing helpful information. For the most part, plenty I have met are more then willing to enlighten me as much as possible about the realities of a career in Massage. Anywhere from advice on the exams to what technique worked on a certain condition. While others may be completely closed off, feeling intimidated by the ever increase competition for clients. Don?t worry, even therapist need therapist.
I say let us work together to aid each other in strong informative growth. My advice to students of massage or prospects of this awesome career is first, to know where you want to go. Finding an environment that will enhance techniques and foster healthy energy for growth is most ideal. Your personality has a lot to do with where you choose to spend your early years as an MT. Some may feel they have no choice, I have this student loan and need to utilize this skill and take what every may come along.
Despite the wide spread rumor, having your dream job right out of school is near imposable. Working on a business plan before you even start school is the smartest thing I?ve personally seen someone do. She said she changed it several times while in school but her basic ideas where still intact. Weather you own your own business or travel on a cruse ship, having a plan will give you something to fall back on. You may get out there and find that you need a whole new environment.
Find an existing therapist that has your dream job and inquire detailed steps or advice to help you on your way. Most will be thrilled to pass their experience on to you through a formal interview. Ask your teaches for their opinions. Inquire, utilize, inform and proceed.
Massage ENVY?
19 July 2007OK, so I am have a real hard time with the Massage Envy concept. Not for the consumer, but the therapist.
I know I was told when I went to school; you can be your own boss, make your own hours, make 60 to 80 dollars an hour and pay off your school loans within the first year. All gimmicks to get me to sign up, when all I really needed and wanted to hear was how I could help people out and earn a good living for my family.
Getting paid $15 dollars an hour giving anywhere between 2-8 massages a day does not sound appealing. Are their benefits to being a Massage Envy MT? Why yes there are, do the pro’s outweigh the con’s? I guess it depends on where you are coming from.
Owning your own business takes hard work and a majority of your “free” time. You have advertising, customer service, supplies and rent. However, on the flip side you have the satisfaction of maintaining good personable client relationships and time for one on one consultations for bettering the health of your clients tissue with self help information and proper time for PA and ROM testing.
With over 230 clinics across the US, Massage Envy has taken away the responsibility of the MT to properly assess and treat clients. It is an assembly line rolling through with no time for lasting benefits. Sure there is always benefit to healthy touch, but can they truly call it therapeutic? The MT gets a discount on their yearly payment for insurance ($15). Oils, lotions, sheets, music, advertising, equipment and sometimes even healthy and not so healthy snacks are provided. ENVY? I will let you be the judge. Where is the satisfaction?
Addiction or Necessity?
18 July 2007I’ve had someone actually tell me that receiving a massage is dangerous for fear of addiction. He had heard that once you start you are going to want to go all the time. To that I say, moderation in ALL things. A massage when you need it is not an addiction but necessity.
In this world of fast paced satisfactions, this is one of the healthy ways to increase vitality and receive restoration of energy. Alternatives to medication are rapidly increasing in referrals from family physicians. Kaiser facilities even have there own MT and Acupuncturists on hand for their insured. More and more insurance companies are offering better coverage with at least 12 massage’s per calendar year with the clients co-pay.
With this increasing recognition comes responsibility. MT’s and alike cannot stress enough to clients the maintenance of healthy tissue through daily stretches and water intake. Forming healthy habits so necessity does not mimic addiction.