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Extracurricular Activity
As stated earlier, touch is intimate. Permission for such intimacy is accorded based on the massage therapist’s professionalism and the trust of the client. At the same time, a relationship is established…a professional relationship but a relationship nonetheless. Understanding and honoring the boundaries of that relationship will allow both parties to fill their roles appropriately.
It is generally accepted that there ought not to be any personal relationship between the therapist and a paying client. Allowing the relationship to expand beyond the massage table to a social or even romantic connection is to invite a host of ethical dilemmas. A therapist could be perceived as taking advantage of a client who might be in a vulnerable state due to stress or physical ailment. In the state of Washington it is illegal to date a client within two years of the last session. That is strict stuff and is as likely to protect a therapist from misunderstandings as it is to protect a client.
Borders and Boundaries
Providing the healing power of touch is an honorable and ancient profession. The benefits of massage therapy are numerous and continue to gain acceptance as a mainstream health practice. No one should ever have to feel uncomfortable about getting a massage and they won’t if they are in the hands of a well-trained and ethically centered massage professional.
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There is no avoiding this simple fact about massage therapy: Providing or receiving the healing power of touch is intimate. And intimacy, even in the most professional settings, can expose vulnerabilities and lead to uncomfortable and even awkward situations.
It is the responsibility of the massage therapist to create an environment that is conducive to a healthy, relaxing and satisfying experience for the client. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of the client to communicate with the massage therapist in a manner that allows the therapist to provide the service in a manner that puts the client at ease.
An experienced massage therapist will be able to guide the recipient through the massage process so that there is little confusion about some of the basic areas that cause embarrassment or confusion.
Take It All Off?
The amount of clothing worn during a massage is dependent on the type of massage being administered. It is normal to be completely undressed during a full body Swedish massage but is not absolutely necessary. If a client prefers to wear panties or briefs during the massage that is fine. Frankly, the client should be able to wear whatever makes them most comfortable. Regardless, the therapist will appropriately drape the client so that only the areas of the body being massaged are exposed.
The therapist will usually instruct the client about what to expect before they begin undressing. The therapist will then leave the room and allow the client to undress and get comfortable on the massage table under a sheet or towel. The massage therapist will then uncover only the area of the body being massaged.
Touchy Feely
There are a variety of reasons that an individual may want a massage: stress relief, relaxation, general wellness, enhance circulation, improved flexibility, etc. No matter what the reason for the massage the therapist is always under the obligation to respect the boundaries set by the client and to establish his or her own boundaries.
Therapeutic massage is, by nature, a sensual experience. However, it is not intended to be a sexual experience. If a client, male or female, makes any overtly sexual requests or suggestions then the therapist is obligated to professionally and forcefully identify the inappropriateness of these comments. Conversely, no therapist should take liberties or make assumptions relative to what parts of the body can be touched.
In general, it is never appropriate to touch the genitals during a massage session. The client cannot expect to be touched sexually and the therapist cannot touch a client in a sexual manner. Either case will betray the trust in the relationship between the two parties…to say nothing of the potential for legal and ethical issues.
And let’s be clear. While there are documented benefits of breast massage, it is not, and should not be, included in a total body massage. Breasts are off limits unless a very special request is made of a qualified therapist. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork includes a specific policy in its Standards of Practice. The Board states that therapists may “only provide therapeutic breast massage as indicated in the plan of care, and only after receiving informed voluntary consent from the client.” That being said, breast massage is legally restricted in some states.
An experienced massage therapist, male or female, will know how to deflect sexual advances by a client. If a subtle response does not do the job then a forceful statement or ending the session will be the correct response. Any client who feels that they are being touched inappropriately should feel confident in their right to speak up. If it is incidental contact or just an accident the therapist will apologize and continue with the client’s discomfort noted accordingly.
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Ear Reflexology
Believe it or not, some people now practice what is known as ear reflexology, or “auricular therapy”. There are points on the ears which are thought to correspond to the heart, according to TCM, or traditional Chinese medicine, and it is thought that rubbing parts of the ear will thus relieve anxiety, and promote tranquility and calm. Rubbing other ear parts will have effects on other parts of the body.
Ears as a window to health have fascinated us for centuries – indeed, millennia. It is reported that in 400 BC people used to burn parts of their ears to relieve back pain, and that auricular acupuncture took off as early as 400 AD. A French doctor called Dr Paul Nogier reportedly worked out the modern-day reflux cartography of ear therapy, which is used today, in the 1950s after treating patients who had suffered ear burns in an attempt to treat other injuries.
The best part is that now you can practice therapeutic ear massage yourself, simply by grasping your ear between your thumb and forefingers and rubbing them gently together. For maximum effect it’s recommended that a qualified ear reflexologist shows you the ropes first. Just make sure you’ve used a Q-tip in the last year or two to avoid embarrassment. Happy rubbing!
Does Reflexology Really Work?
One of the more popular alternative treatments, reflexology has countless proponents who say it has far-reaching and long-lasting health benefits. Reflexologists claim their therapy can help everything from arthritis (because they say it can help stimulate the adrenal glands and reduce dependence on cortisone) to urinary tract infections (by working the bladder and kidney points located on the bottom of your foot).
However, its critics say that it’s a load of old hokum, and that the only health benefit is one anybody would get after spending time in a tranquil, quiet room having a (hopefully) pleasant massage. Dr Stephen Barrett MD, for example, has written an article about reflexology in QuackWatch, where he recounts several reflexology sessions her personally undertook to ascertain their effect.
During one session, a reflexologist told him that he could cure his severe shoulder pain, which had already been approved for major surgery, in just a few meetings. “His ‘treatment,’ which lasted about 10 minutes, consisted of massaging the foot and from time to time, pressing hard on the ball of my foot, a procedure that was quite painful,” Dr Barrett wrote. “The ‘treatment,’ of course, did absolutely nothing to help my shoulder. A few months later, I had the surgery, which cured the problem immediately and permanently.”
Reflexology should not be intended as a substitute for conventional medicine, but if it can make you feel better and you actually enjoy the experience it might be worth a whirl. However, you should consult your doctor before trying out any alternative treatment, even one that may appear seemingly innocuous.
If you have a foot fracture, open wound in the foot or active gout in the foot, you should avoid this therapy. Ditto for people with current thrombosis or embolism. If you are in the early stages of pregnancy tell your reflexologist so he or she can adjust the treatment accordingly. Talk to your doctor first if you have vascular conditions of the foot or leg.
It goes without saying that a suspension of disbelief is important if you are undertaking any alternative therapy, and that keeping an open mind is vital. Reflexologists are adamant that they themselves are not healers; instead, they are participants helping the body to heal itself. Don’t expect reflexology to cure you of any major health conditions, but it might just help alleviate minor foot pain. Then again, it might just be another (rather costly) pain in the ass…
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Truthfully, the median income for massage therapists is below $50,000 per year. Many earn much less than this. This is predominantly because many choose to work part time. But what about the entrepreneur who wants a full time massage therapy business and wishes to make a 6 figure income?
How To Make Six Figures From Your Massage Therapist Business
Well most massage therapists have a base rate that equates to around a dollar per minute, so an hour massage would be around $60. Mind you, I’ve seen much higher, in 2002 In some resorts you can make up $250 or more USD per hour for a massage! But let’s use $60 per hour for this example.
6 x 1 hour massage per day, 6 days per week, 48 weeks per year. This is certainly ‘do-able’. 2 treatments in the morning, 4 in the afternoon / evening, 6 days per week with 1 month off per year for holiday, and you’re making a 6 figure income. $103,680 to be exact.
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4. Gift Certificates. Gift certificates are a great way to get your current clientele referring their family, friends, and associates to you. When offering gift certificates build in an extra promotion like 10-20% off, and watch your sales increase. There are a number of ways to do this so that both you and the customer feel good about the discount.
5. Package Plans. One of the best ways I found to build a massage practice was to offer package plans at a discounted rate. For instance, I would sale 4 treatments to 85% of my customers on the first visit. I did this by first offering a freebie, doing a consultation before the treatment (this allowed me to emotionally connect to them), then giving them the best treatment possible, and finally I would recommend 4 treatments at a discounted rate.
6. Offer Workshops. Give regular massage workshops where you teach your customers valuable massage techniques they can use at home. This could range from self massage to massage for lovers. The point is to offer workshops that people want to attend. I generally offered 1-2 hour workshops for free, and weekend workshops for a fee. The free workshops will generate new leads and customers for your more advanced weekend workshops.
7. Get a Website. Websites are the most valuable way to get new customers through passive external marketing. Websites also offer the opportunity to build a mailing list, sell products, and inform potential customers about your massage practice.
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1. Get Known by the Public. Reaching out with helping hands to the public is one sure fire way to build a massage practice. This can occur in a variety of ways such as attending health fairs, and giving massages at summer festivals and local health food stores. I have used all of these methods in the past, and it was common for me to get 3-5 new customers each time I did this.
2. Give Some Freebies. Offering freebies is a great way to get people into the office, because it overcomes peoples money barriers. You can do something simple like offer a free aromatherapy session as part of the massage. Or give them an extra 1/2 hour free massage when they purchase a 1 hour session. Building in little extras like this can go a long way in attracting and keeping customers. This leads us to the next point.
3. Offer Lots of Extras. From a free 1/2 hour massage, to cups of tea and foot baths, building in extra products and services is a great way to provide better service and generate additional income. By offering products such as herbs, teas, supplements, and spa products, it is easy to earn an extra $500-$2000 per month.
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External Marketing is any marketing that you do to try and attract new leads/clients from the general public (i.e. people who do not already know you).
This can be done through a variety of different media such as Yellow Pages ads, Magazine Editorials, Newspaper Advertisements, Flyer Letterbox drops, T.V ads, Radio ads, Cinema ads, Cold Calling, SMS Marketing…the list goes on and on.
Internal Marketing is any marketing that you do to motivate your ‘existing clients’ to repeatedly come back into your practice for more treatments as well as send you referrals.
Internal marketing also includes any marketing you do to try and convert your ‘existing leads’ (i.e. people on your mailing list who’ve not yet had a massage) into actual clients.
The most effective method of internal marketing is by making regular mail outs to your list such as a printed monthly massage newsletter or other special promotions. Email too is another effective medium for marketing to your existing clients and leads.
The key to successfully marketing your massage business is to create a system that is both effective and easy to implement. This will take you some time as you test out different strategies to see which work best for you, however when you have a good system in place, you will find that your massage practice will grow faster and faster with less and less effort.
In a career that is becoming extremely popular, it is not the best massage therapist who wins but rather the best massage marketer. So if you’re not doing so already, it is time to build up your massage marketing savvy.
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You could be the most amazing massage therapist in the world but if nobody knows you exist then it is highly unlikely that you will be successful. Success in building a thriving massage business requires two essential things, exceptional massage skills (and people skills) and marketing savvy.
What is marketing?
Well, marketing is about exposure and communication. It’s about effectively getting your ‘message’ out there in front of your target market(s), grabbing their attention and convincing them to respond in a ‘specific’ way.
That’s all marketing really is.
If we delve a little deeper though, we find that marketing can be broken up into 2 main parts:
1) External Marketing
2) Internal Marketing
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Future after pursuing Sports Massage Courses
As sports are gaining prominence in the worldwide arena, the need for qualified sports massage experts is increasing. Most teams and individual players require some form of therapy to obtain relief from their sport related injuries or pain. Here the role of a sports massage expert becomes important. If you wish to go into this, there are many sports massage courses which you may be able to pursue. These courses are available with most leading training centres.
Pilates Courses, Pilates training and Pilates Teacher Training
Pilates has made its way into most popular workout regimes. It is growing popular and is being practised by many people in the same way as yoga or even aerobics. Pilates courses Dublin offers you the opportunity to possess a professional qualification as a Pilates instructor. The basics of the courses include Pilates training which equip you with the appropriate skills and knowledge which are required. If you want to become a personal trainer or a fitness instructor, courses for Pilates teacher training are good options to get started.
Physical therapy and fitness training are the emerging fields in the healthcare industry. These are good career options if you plan to become a qualified physical therapist or an instructor.
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Master Your Communication Skills
An old standard truth that has been taught in sales training for decades is the importance of having your customers ‘like you’, because they will not buy from someone they don’t like. It doesn’t matter how outstanding your product knowledge is, if they don’t like you, they will NOT buy from you.
As the owner of your own massage therapy business, master the art of likability. There are key skills that anyone can learn to become more ‘likable’, that can be used both on the phone and face to face. A good place to start is putting the phrase “how to build rapport” into Google and you’ll be amazed at the list of great free tips at your disposal.
Create Something Unique About Your Massage Business
To set your massage therapy business apart from the rest in your area, find something you can incorporate that no one else does. People who are seeking a regular massage will often try out a number of massage therapy practices in an area to find the one they like the most.
If you are able, actually go and have a massage at your competitors in your area and take great mental notes of everything that’s good and bad about their practice. Then simply incorporate all of the good and none of the bad into yours. On top of that, find something unique that none of the others have. It could be something to do with your physical environment, the massage techniques you use, the products you use, or even the music you play. Create something that makes them think of you first when ever they want a massage.
Conclusion
It’s not rocket science. To have a successful and profitable massage therapy practice, you need a massage therapy business plan that put’s the odds in your favour. There are really only four things you need:
* clients and customers
* products and services to sell to them
* systems and strategies to ensure they return to you
* systems and strategies to have them refer others to you
Create a massage therapy business plan that covers these points and your business will thrive. I hope the ideas shared in this article help to set you off in the right direction in your massage therapy practice
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