Archive for January, 2010
What Do You Want?
27 January 2010Sometimes Massage Therapists are the biggest hypocrites. We tell our clients they need to take care of themselves. Take the time to exercise and stretch, breath in deeply and take time to meditate and rejuvenate so your life can be one of health and happiness. Ice a new injury, heat the old and come in for massages as often as possible.
When was the last time I went in for a massage, or exercised for that matter? Its not that I can’t sympathize with my clients, because I do. In the course of the day we have a list of things that must get done or we can’t sleep at night. My solution now is to go to bed early and wake up early. Yeah I know, not a new one but, I haven’t done it in a while. I would love to get things checked off my list so I can have the rest of the day to take care of my family and myself, or myself and my family.
I know what I want, but don’t take the necessary steps to obtain these things. New Years always spurs this kind of thinking. What did I accomplish this last year? What do I need or want to accomplish this year? What do I need to do to get it done?
What is a comfort to me, is knowing I am not alone in this plight. Our goals as a whole, in the professional massage community is to build our credibility for proper recognition and efficient utilization of our training and gifts. This train is moving and it will continue to move, because there is no end to our learning.
Here is to the new year and here is to crossing things off our lists. Good Luck my fellow therapists!
Clearing One’s Mind
20 January 2010Integrity in business is not optional if you are seeking longevity. There are no short cuts, blurred lines or adequate excuses available to cover up a lack of integrity. What attributes clients are looking for are consistency, knowledge in the field, competency, and trust.
Sometimes our personal life can get in the way of a clear focused mind, that is necessary for connecting with our clients. IF that happens all the time, then you can count that as consistency and your clients expect it or are prepared when it occurs. When you stop to think about what is said and done with your client on the table, you might be surprised to find out that the session was not about your client, it was about you.
I don’t pretend to know what everyone’s situation or character is. I only know what I am looking for when I step into a massage and prone in a faceplate. Yup, you guest it a quite, relaxing, and rejuvenating massage, with the full presence and attention of my therapist.
Everyone’s needs are different, we all don’t desire to be a lead singer in a band, or the worlds best superhero. Our talents are individual to us, along with our thoughts, words and actions. So it is nice to know when an appointment is made and necessity calls for relaxation, massage is here for us all.
Last week I was not the same as I always had been, going into my massage’s. I was distracted and frustrated, oh man was it hard to focus. I really had to concentrate hard on my client’s and their needs, when it normally comes easily. I am here and what do you need?
The sad thing about personal issues, is that they can’t always be solved as soon as they arise. I don’t want a repeat of last week. However my issues are not resolved and are pressing heavily on my mind continually. What can I do to clear my mind?
Got Scar Tissue?
13 January 2010Who doesn’t? As a Massage Therapist I work on sub-acute and chronic issues dealing with the fascia scar tissue. This is my first time coming across the Graston Technique. They have an awesome slide show that you can direct your clients to about the formation of scar tissue. Their schedule for CE classes is on the site for this year as well, the nice thing about having muscle knowledge and learning simular techniques in school is that I don’t need to pay additional money to learn what I already know. I bet you have to pay additional for the tools as well. They look cool, but I rather spend my money on something that wasnt in my massage curriculum.
Also the Chinese have been using this method for thousands of years, its called scrapping or Gua Sha. It is mostly used on acupuncture points for specific pathologies, but can be used to break up adhesion’s as well. I love knowledge, I will always seek for more and never get board.
It’s All About The Partners
5 January 2010Massage Envy is the largest franchise in the massage industry. They have partnered up with Sentinel Capital a privet equity firm that invests in up in coming companies. It doesn’t sound like they will be changing much about the company, but you never know. Sentinel Capital is partners with Golub Capital a lender helping them in the Acquisition of Massage Envy. Now these companies have a reputation for making money. They must improve on the foundations of the other buyouts or they wouldn’t be able to continue.
Massage Envy is perfect for newly graduated Massage Therapy students. They will interview with perspective graduates and help insure that their employees pass the licensing exams for the state requirements. Schedule is flexible, so you can work out of your office and utilize Massage Envy to supplement your income until you no longer need the extra income.
Working as a therapist (partner) at Massage Envy insures that you will keep fresh on the information acquired at school so you can put into practice what ideas you have for your new talent. Also other therapists working there will have advice on all the aspects of the massage business. It is a great stepping stone, or if you wish to remain, it is great employment without the worry of business owner duties.
I have learned that not all therapists want to own their own business, to each their own. Good Luck in what ever you decide to do with your training. It is an awesome profession that changes peoples lives. Mostly the therapists. 