As you may, or may not know, I am a remedial massage therapist in my spare time. And I have a standard that I have set for my clients in terms of the treatments that I give. I have to assume that I do a good job otherwise I wouldn't have the repeat appointments that I do have. My aim for a client when they leave my therapy room is that they have had a great experience and would like to repeat said experience when they can get back to me.
The problem comes when I am getting a massage - I have high standards for the therapist that is giving me a massage. And, sadly, I haven't been able to find someone who is able to meet those standards.
For me, these are HUGE no-nos :
- having a fan blow directly onto a client (and having two fans blowing onto me is likely to make me twice as cranky
- taking your hands off me once you have started the treatment - unless it is to hold the towel up so that I can turn over, is a big no-no
- I know that I am not small by any stretch of the imagination, but giving me a towel that is only slightly bigger than a hand towel is not going to do it for me. Lying on my back and having it barely cover my 'bits', never mind about keeping the areas you have just massaged warm is not going to let me enjoy the experience
- having loud 'doof doof' music is not going to see me coming back to your practice
- rubbing my skin is not going to see me coming back to your practice
- rubbing my skin so vigorously that my teeth chatter is just plain annoying
- if I ask for you not to do tapotement on me, I mean for you not to do tapotement on me
Do you have anything you could add to the list ?
Do you live on the Gold Coast ?
Can you recomment a good massage therapist ?
Have the best Tuesday and take care !
TFTD : You can have all the knowledge in the world, but it means nothing without building up the confidence to do something with it.
What's a tapotement? Spell check wants to call that a tapir event. I'd like one of those.
ReplyDeleteTapotement is when you cup your hands and pretty much thump your client – or use the edge of your hands to ‘chop’ their muscles – I HATE IT !!!!!! And never use it on clients – there is nothing worse than lying there relaxing and then they start with that cr*p !!!
DeleteI'm off to have a look at what a tapir event is - sounds like it could be fun !!
Have a fantastic week !
Me
I hate if I have a treatment of some kind and they do nothing - as in, they might put something like a mask on my face or wax on my feet or something and while that happens the therapist just sits there waiting....I want more attention!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely - when you are paying for it, you don't want to be paying for them to sit around - they could do a hand massage while they are waiting for the mask to do whatever it does.
DeleteHave a great day !
Me
Oh i know this feeling when you are so not enjoying the experience. Did you let them know ? I think anybody offering a massage, hair cut etc need to be so aware of their client and how they are most likely using this time to escape their busy life and they should try and accommodate this by making you feel relaxed.
ReplyDeleteI did let them know - especially before they started the second treatment (I had two vouchers given to me) but they just did waht they wanted. It was really annoying.
DeleteHave the best week !
Me
thankfully i have never had the doof doof or the tiny towel. i want mood, comfort via towels and room temp, and a responsive therapist (ie reacts to my body language and sounds - sometimes i might sigh or wince - those tell you things lol).
ReplyDeletemy big no no is external noise - i hate a massage that is relaxing and then there is mood interruption via the room next door, someone coming into our space or outside traffic noise etc. i like to get my mellow on
You have nailed it - that is exactly how I want it to be. I don't get a massage often but I would really like it to be a good experience when I do have one !
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
Oh how frustrating! I'm not a fan of massage - only because they are usually so bad. Once particular time - I was freezing! Air con on, cold hands, no towels, I literally was shivering - and all she kept saying was "oh soon you'll warm up!" Never-going-there-again :(
ReplyDeleteThat is the worst !!! I leave so many treatments absolutely saturated in sweat and have it running down me (although thankfully not onto my client) because my room is a temperature that is good for them lying there with nothing but a sarong covering them. It should be about the client not the therapist !
DeleteHave a great day !
Me
have to admit I am not a huge fan of massages either. The last time I had one it was a 90 minute massage and 60 minutes into it I was busting for the loo and had to run down the hall of a hotel lobby to the bathroom! Ugh. I hope you find someone satisfactory soon! xo
ReplyDeleteIf I have a client coming in for a 90 min treatment I generally get them to go to the loo before we begin for that very reason.
DeleteI hope I find someone good soon too !!!
Have a great week !
Me
The only massage I ever had was in Thailand and it was sooooo painful I have shied away since...they just pressed too hard on my soft bits. Sounds like you would be much better! Glad I found your blog ;)
ReplyDeleteCheers Tanya
It's all about finding out what the client wants - not just giving everyone the same treatment. I get so annoyed when I hear stories like this because it does our industry so much damage. I'd love to have you for a client and I'm really glad I found your blog as well !
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
I think my attention span is too short to appreciate a decent massage, but when I was pregnant with my last bub and terribly ill with HG, I had acupuncture and Chinese acupressure massage and it was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found something that worked for you.
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
Ooh I hate when it's too cold... or when the therapist keeps talking and talking and all you want to do is relax!!!! xxx Lucy from Bake Play Smile
ReplyDeleteI forgot that point - yes, he spoke all the time too - just waffle about things I had no interest in. I only talk if my client initiates the conversation. I prefer not to because I kind of zone out a bit when I am giving a treatment so sometimes it's hard to follow the conversation !!!!
DeleteHave a great day !
Me
So when can you come over and sort my VERY BAD KNOTS OUT! Hee hee.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great place in Nerang I've been too, holistic, quiet and she picked up on my back problems right away. I haven't been for ages because of the cost/time. Remind me to look it up and get back to you. It's in a cottage, no air con, just candles, minerals, salts and very calming environment and they do late nights!!!!!!!
LOL - you are more than welcome to come over to me - if you don't like what I do, you don't pay !
DeleteThanks so much for that info Em - I am going to see what they offer and will definitely give them a go. It sounds like just what I am looking for.
Have a great day !
Me
So it's called The Healing Cottage 5500 4299 xxx
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what tapotement is, but it doesn't sound good :) Having fans blow on you is not good at all. My remedial therapist is quite good, but she talks non stop. I mean really. I know it's not a relaxing massage, but I don't need to hear the ins and outs of your life. Sheesh! Good luck with your search!
ReplyDeleteTapotement is when you cup your hands and pretty much thump your client – or use the edge of your hands to ‘chop’ their muscles – I HATE IT !!!!!! And never use it on clients – there is nothing worse than lying there relaxing and then they start with that cr*p !!!
DeleteI'm with you and not wanting to hear what they have been up to and going to do - some remind me of hairdressers !!!
Hopefully I will find someone good in the near future !
Me
I'm with you Linda on if I request something not to be done that it not be done! Hope you find someone that meets your standards soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steph - me too !!!!!
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
I don't like it when masseurs/ses talk to me! I had one awhile back who just chatted away like a hairdresser. I'm fine with questions about pressure etc obviously, but not 'so, what are you up to on the weekend?' And the fan thing too - I agree!
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY !!!! I forgot about the talking as well - I just want some quiet time - ask about pressure and comfort and then that is it !!
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
Getting a good service is not being fussy!!
ReplyDeleteI know but sometimes I just wonder why I always leave feeling like I have sort of wasted my money because it wasn't what I wanted !
DeleteHave a great day !
Me
I can totally relate to the doof doof music. At my last massage (at a new place), the music they were blaring made me feel like I should be gearing up for some sort of epic battle. They also had very harsh, bright florescent lights -- there was just nothing relaxing about it. At one point while I was laying on my back, the therapist (and I use that term lightly) took my head in her hands and pushed my head forward with a lot of force (so my chin hit my chest). By the time I got home, I had an electric shock-like pain under one shoulder blade that stuck with me for four days. I'm just glad it wasn't my first experience, because I never would have given massage another shot.
ReplyDeleteThat is no good at all. It's therapists like that that give this industry such a bad name. I wish you lived closer to I could show you how it should be done !!! If you are ever on the Gold Coast - get in touch - I'd love to treat you.
DeleteHave the best week !
Me
I agree with you list there, except for the last one. I don't know what tapa whats its face is....
ReplyDeleteLOL - tapotement is when you cup your hands and pretty much thump your client – or use the edge of your hands to ‘chop’ their muscles – I HATE IT !!!!!! And never use it on clients – there is nothing worse than lying there relaxing and then they start with that cr*p !!!
DeleteHave the best week !
Me
Can't believe a massage therapist would play doof doof music!! Very uncool. I adore massages but have had professional ones very rarely. When I treat myself to one, I am disappointed if it's not relaxing. I agree with you about taking the hand off during the massage - that interrupts the flow of everything, doesn't it? I also don't like it when the therapist leaves the room to answer the phone or talks non stop. When I am having a massage I do not want to talk! Hope you're having a wonderful week. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Lizzy - yes answering phones and talking are just huge no-nos !!!
DeleteHave the best day !
Me
I have a brilliant massage therapist and beauty therapist here in the Redlands, wish I could afford to see her more often, she is a treasure. Might be a bit far for you to travel though?!!
ReplyDeleteI may get in touch with you - I don't mind travelling for good service. I go down to Currumbin for my osteo because he is so good so travelling up to Redlands a couple of times a year for a good massage would be fine. I'll see how I get at The Healing Cottage that Em mentioned.
DeleteHave a great day !
Me
We have a massage/beauty therapist in my shopping centre that I work in…would love to be able to go to her…the music and the smells that come from there are wonderful……ahhh dream on Jen
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely isn't it. Sometimes I just go into my therapy room, light some candles and incense and just sit - not as good as a massage but it does help me to slow down.
DeleteHave a great week !
Me
Oh my goodness have you really had those things happen to you? I can't believe they would really do that! I love a good massage and thankfully haven't had any of these happen to me
ReplyDeleteI have absolutely NO problems with massage places/practices as I HAVE NEVER EVER had a massage and don't plan on having one either. The thought of ANYONE putting their hands on me body apart from Stew and me Dr is enough to make me shudder!
ReplyDelete