Archive for May, 2008
Is The Well Being of Your Massage Therapists An Issue?
28 May 2008Some people may think transference is Hocus Pocus or mumbo jumbo. But have you ever gotten off the table from a physically great massage and felt horrible, like the day is all wrong? If there is nothing in your life that gave you that feeling before the massage then those feelings just might not be your own.
I have had massages from people who act like Massage Therapist, but don’t have the heart to love the trade their in. So the out come of those massages where an ok lotion rub down. I have also been on the table with MTs that love their career choice but haven’t quite grasped that it’s ok to listen and dig in. On the other hand I have gotten up from a massage and felt like a new person, and everything in life will all work to my good, having thoughts of missing out on who I am and wondering why I haven’t paid attention to the person I’ve truly become.
The state of each massage I’ve received, was always with the intent of an open mind and close attention to different techniques. Most of these therapist didn’t know I was a therapist others are great friends. The health and well being of each MT is and was, weather I like it or not, transferred upon me in some shape or form.
We all must balance, and one way or another your health and disposition in whatever profession you choose will determine the fruits of your labors, that’s just a fact of life.
Massage Time Constraints
20 May 2008My workday starts out at 9am, I have an hour lunch and the last massage ends at 6pm. So If I am to get at least a 15-minute break between each massage to set up the room, do paperwork and get my next client on the table I need to make sure I start and end on time.
I have always struggled with ending on time, but now that is a luxury I can’t play around with. I must watch the clock closely to make sure I complete on schedule so I don’t make myself behind for the rest of the day.
The Acupuncturist I work with said that my hour starts from the time we enter the massage room, and that I need to cut it at least two minutes short, so really they are getting a 53 min massage. However, I always start when I enter the room after they have gotten on the table. The time on my clock I see as I come in is the time I set my hour to. Sometimes the client is late and that is the only reason I cut massages short. If I set it to where I have a ½ hour between each, I get one less massage in for the day or don’t take a lunch.
What are some ways you have gotten around your time constraints?
Hot Stone Massage, In The Summer?
15 May 2008It was a nice sunny day today, rare in the NW so we must enjoy when we are graced with it. I have been using the stones for 10 months now and today was the first a regular lover of hot stones requested to opt out. I love the heat the stones give to the muscles, it lessens the time I spend on warming up the tissue. So I started wondering if I will have more requests as the summer progresses.
I am sure it wont be the last but I just might need to try and get cold stones as well so I can Warm up the tissue, Cool them off and bring them back to room temp again. I’d hate to lose my little BIG helpers.
Is there anyone out there who does hot and cold stones that can give me a little insight?
Almost Done With Massage School, Now What?
13 May 2008Some students have everything planned out, but most don’t. Even if you do have a master plan the anxiety at the end of your studies will defiantly set in. What do I do now? Will my plan work? What’s my backup plan?
If you plan to be a sole proprietor, make sure you have another source of income that will pay for your needs for about a year or two. This is to cover your back and lesson the stress levels. You may only be working nights and weekends at first, but that’s when many working people have the time for a massage.
Pace yourself, don’t get tired of your career before it even gets off the ground. The best thing you can do is to know what you can and can’t handle before you sign up for anything. If you are a person who needs to be in charge, don’t think you can work at Massage envy and be happy. Places like that unfortunately are temporary situations unless you like not having business responsibilities and can handle $15 for each massage you give.
Don’t give up, if you find the perfect room to rent and the best atmosphere for your personality stick to it. Don’t bounce around from place to place, your clientele will build when you stay in one place and are constant in what you offer and produce quality results. Love what you do and all will work to your advantage.
Renew Massage License
12 May 2008In the state of Washington MTs need to renew every year. The fee is $25 and it is always due on your Birthdate. The 16 CEs are due every 2 years, however your first year doesn’t apply. So I graduated in 2007 and my CEs are not due until 2009.
The one retarded thing about the payments is that you must send in a check or money order they don’t take debit or credit cards. I keep track of all my business transaction on my credit card I hope they change this. Oh you can go in to pay with a card but I am far away from the office so I might as well send in a personal check and make copies for records.
MBLEx Now Available In Florida
7 May 2008For anyone living in Florida about to graduate from massage school, this is something you should know.
The MBLEx from the FSMTB as of May 2nd 2008 is now an option to take other then the NCETM/NCETMB exam from the NCBTMB. In one years time the MBLEx will be the only acceptable Licensure exam in Florida.
Why Have The Government Involved?
6 May 2008When it comes to private agencies that give out certifications, why have Government connections? Well lets see, the MBLEx was established by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards with Government ties so it gives a License of competence to practice basic Massage Therapy, sanctioned by a Government agency. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork has the NCETM/NCETMB that is a certificate by an independent organization not licensure. This simple fact along with relevant exam content, poor customer service, hard to reach testing facilities and price are among the top reasons the FSMTB established the MBLEx.
Now that the MBLEx is established the NCBTMB has changed to the same testing facilities, lowered its price and now are establishing Government ties. I am not sure what they are going to change about their customer service and exam content, but I can assure you more changes are on the rise.
NCBTMB Changed Price Of Exam
5 May 2008I just read this, gee I wonder why the change in price. Could it be because of the MBLEx?
World Massage Conference
1 May 2008What a great idea. Doesn’t look like all the info is here yet but just to make you aware.