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Should I Cancel My Massage if I’m Sick?

May 19, 2019 admin Leave a comment FAQ

Short answer: Yes, please.

Long Answer: Yes, please.

Massage is great. You know this. But it’s not always a great idea.

As cold and flu season approaches again, it’s important that you know when it may be necessary to cancel your appointment.

Why?

When you are sick, your body needs rest. It’s strange to think about it this way, but receiving massage is an active task, it is not entirely rest. Massage causes change in the body, and your body has to work to maintain stability. Getting a massage when you are sick takes attention away from infection-fighting. That’s no good.

You’re not going to be cozy on the massage table. Sure, it sounds like a warm squishy massage table would be great. But the moment you put your already-stuffy head into that face cradle, you’ll realize the error of your ways. Gravity and pressure are not your friend here. Even if I do a great face massage to drain your sinuses, you’ll likely feel worse when you get off the table.

You could get me sick. Since most of the common winter viruses are contagious even before symptoms show up, I could pass the cooties along to more clients before I even know it’s happening.

Further, when I get sick, I have to cancel clients and take a few days off work. I work for myself, with no paid sick days to compensate for lost wages. Sure, as a responsible business owner I have a fund for these situations. But I would rather use that fund for a jetski or a fancy new oil holster. So I’m gonna try to stay germ-free this winter.

So it’s a deal. You’ll cancel so as not to infect me and my massage room, and I’ll do the same for you. We’ll keep each other safe.

When to cancel

If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or are still feeling punky from a recent bout of such things.

If you’ve had a fever in the past 24 hours, or fever-related symptoms. This includes chills, aches, and fatigue. Even if you’re keeping the fever down with medicine, you’re still sick. The fever counts.

If you are itchy, runny, and/or sneezy, and you’re not 100% certain it’s seasonal allergies. And even then, allergies may leave you so miserable that the hour on my table would be wasted time and money for you.

If you are coughing constantly, or just a lot.

If someone in your household is ill and you are feeling at all funky, please cancel.

There is often some gray area here, especially if you are in the recovery phase of a virus or bacterial infection. If you’re unsure about your situation, please call me before your appointment and we can make a decision together.

What to Expect at Your First Massage

May 18, 2019 admin Leave a comment FAQ

What to expect

When you arrive at the office, if you hadn’t completed the intake form online, we will go over it briefly in person. We’ll talk about why you’re coming in for a massage and what you your goals are for the session. Are you having pain? Do you need to relax?

I’ll show you the massage room and walk you through the massage process. I’ll leave the room so you may undress, get on the massage table, and get comfortable under the draping sheet & blanket.

Most massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, what you wear it is entirely up to you. Simply put: bottom undergarment can be left on or taken off. You will be properly draped throughout the massage.

I always like to start the massage by rocking the body and working on the back. I use an unscented jojoba oil to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. While I have scented essential oils, I will never use them without your prior permission.

During the massage

It’s great if you can let your body relax and sink into the table. If I need to move your arms or legs, etc, I’ll do the work! This takes practice. It does help me a bit if I’m trying to move the bolster under your knees, if you could bend your knees for me. But I can also lift your legs if you’re zonked out.

It’s really important for you to tell me if any massage techniques I use cause pain. Pain is not okay. There may be a certain level of discomfort and ‘good ache’ if we’re working on a problem area. It’s important that you tell me about that, too, so we can tailor the massage to be most effective without causing injury.

I’ll check in with you as we go, but please speak up if you become too warm or too cool, if you are not comfortable on the table, or need another pillow, or if you just hate the music!

After the massage

You should expect to feel mellow and relaxed after your massage. If we addressed pain issues, you may immediately feel a reduction in pain, or it may take a day or two before you feel that relief. If you are ever very sore following a massage, (it’s rare, but it can happen) please call me so we can discuss the best course of action, and so that I can make notes to adjust your next massage.

I hope you enjoy your massage! You can schedule online here anytime.

What Makes a Bad Massage

May 17, 2019 admin Leave a comment Client Relations

I’ve gotten a lot of massages in the last 16 years – from students, new practitioners, well-seasoned therapists, instructors, and friends. I’ve gotten massages in spas, clinics, school, trade show floors and home offices. I’ve been worked on by practitioners who knew I was also an MT and by those who thought I was a game designer.

Of them, there are just a handful that I remember as truly spectacular. Yeah, I can be a persnickety client. When I’m slapping down my money, I am super picky and highly critical. (I’m not picky at all when it’s free – massage me Any Time).

This is my list of massage complaints I’ve wracked up in my years as a massage consumer. (The complaints are mostly in my head, I haven’t always expressed them to the therapist or establishment. More on that later.) In the past year, I’ve actually started a Massage Journal where I write down everything about the massage I received – positive, negative and in-between. I’ll get to that later.

The intake form was lengthy and irrelevant
I had to fill out the intake form by hand while the therapist waited in the other room. I’d have rather typed it out ahead of time or answered the questions directly to the therapist, in person
The therapist assumed I knew her protocol because I’m also a therapist, saying “you know the drill” as soon as I arrived, and left the room for me to get undressed
The room was too cold
There was a white noise machine
The massage table was lumpy
The face cradle didn’t adjust
I asked a question about her location and she said “that is very much too confidential for you.” and when I asked a question about some equipment in her room, she said it was none of my business.
The therapist didn’t address my neck/shoulder/knee or whatever I specifically requested.
The therapist used too much pressure
The therapist didn’t use enough pressure
I asked for more or less pressure and the therapist acknowledged my request but didn’t actually change the pressure
The therapist initiated small talk during the massage
I made a request to adjust the heat/music/pressure and the therapist seemed put out.
The therapist’s hands smelled like cigarettes.
The therapist used a ton of oil and left me greasy, or got lots of oil in my hair after I requested that not happen.
Got scratched repeatedly by long fingernails.
The therapist used a jasmine scented oil…I hate jasmine, and had to go home to wash it off afterwards
The therapist sniffled through the whole massage
The office was dirty.
The therapist sold nutritional or health products or gave advice out of their scope of practice.
The therapist commented on my apparent fitness level.
With no warning, the therapist left the room after the treatment. Without a clock, I didn’t know what time it was, if I was supposed to get up or if she was going to come back.
The therapist made fun of me for snoring.
There was no hook or chair for my clothes, had to just pile my clothes on the floor.
The therapist spoke negatively about other clients.
I saw her take cream from a bowl that was clearly used with the client before me and obviously cross-contaminated.
The tube or bottle of lotion was noisy. Every time they went for more. Every. Time.
The therapist didn’t leave a towel for me to wipe off with.

I’ve experienced the last two without being annoyed by it, but because other people find it bothersome I’ll leave those complaints in there.

With all this said, let’s take a moment to appreciate that I’ve also given some lousy massages in my career (mostly at the beginning, I hope). I’ve probably even committed a bunch of the offenses I complain about.

Moreover, I also realize that many, many of my complaints could have been resolved quickly if I had spoken up. Sometimes I do. Other times I feel like it’s futile. That’s on me. Kinda. It’s also up to the therapist to create an environment where I feel comfortable speaking up. That hasn’t always happened.

I get it.

My career as a really picky client is part of what makes me a better massage therapist now. Most importantly, it’s what makes me very receptive to your feedback.

I know how annoying it is to put your money and time into a massage and not feel satisfied with the experience. I know what it is to leave a massage office feeling like the therapist missed that ‘one spot’ between my shoulder blades that I really wanted worked on.

When you tell me the pressure is too much, I won’t ask you to breathe through it. I’ll back off and find a better way to treat the area. If you’re cold, or warm, or hate the music, I’ll make it better. When you tell me, I won’t be annoyed or put out. I will not think you are high-maintenance. If you make a short conversation and I get too chatty, I will not be offended if you cue me to hush up by saying, “Okay, I’m gonna be quiet now so I can enjoy this massage.”

When you make a request, I will be utterly pleased that you are speaking up, so I can make the experience perfect for you. For reals.

See you on the table soon!

Massage Lubricants: Oils, Lotions, Powders, oh my!

May 16, 2019 admin Leave a comment Client Relations, FAQ

Massage Products for the Skin

First of all, you’ll be pleased to know I sanitize the lotion and oil pump bottles after each client.

Lotion: Biotone Advanced Therapy Massage Lotion. Grapeseed, apricot, sesame.

This is my go-to lotion. It lasts long enough so I don’t have to reapply it too often, but it does absorb into the skin so you don’t feel too greasy after the massage is over.

Oil: Pressed Jojoba

It comes highly recommended, as it is hypoallergenic, it won’t stain sheets, and it will never go rancid. It is quite a bit more expensive than other oils, but I love the way it glides over the skin.

Dry: Baby Powder

No one has ever requested it, but I keep baby powder available in case anyone wants to use that instead of oil or lotion.

Fabric: Satin

Another offer that hasn’t been requested yet, but I do have a large amount of satin fabric available in the event I get a client who wants to remain clothed. Satin is slippery and allows me to glide my hands or elbows over the body’s muscles without getting stuck and caught on the clothes or skin.