Booking clients based on therapists pressure ratings

[Lozza]

I just had an interview this morning at a place that books clients based on a 1-10 pressure rating scale.

Before you are hired at a therapist you have a practical where the person you are massaging (the interviewer) rates your pressure 1-10, 1 being the lightest and 10 the highest. You are then labeled as a therapist with that number.

When a client calls to book, they are asked how much pressure they like and then are booked with a therapist who supposedly can give them that pressure.

I found this really odd for many reasons:

1. To me, pressure is a very subjective thing. One person's version of a 5 could be another's 7. Who is to say? To give one massage during an interview to one person, who then gives you a number that will affect how you get work seems strange.

1. People want different amounts of pressure on different visits in different areas for different reasons, etc. When I go get a massage, I don't necessarily know ahead of time what kind of pressure I want. I'm sure a first timer wouldn't even know how to answer the question when asked how much they wanted on a 1-10 scale.

3. As a therapist, I am capable of varying amounts of pressure. It seems counter productive to label someone with a number.

I could go on. Am I missing something? Is this standard? Does this make sense even? I just graduated so maybe I just don't get it.

 

[Brother Jonathan]

You are right, I agree, You got it, You don't want to work there. Move down here, we'll open a great big place.

 

[Remkade]

No, your not missing anything. I have never heard of that being done and I agree with you about why it wouldn't make sense.

Plus, most therapists can adjust their pressure to varying degrees, so to label a therapist as providing one pressure wouldn't be accurate either. Not only that, but it would limit the therapist and the client on what they need or could receive.

 

[myopic]

That is a very odd idea. Who wants their whole massage to be one specific amount of pressure?? Just about everything is wrong with that concept.

 

[aznclamgrl91]

Weird. Doesn't take any of the variables into account, does it?

 

[Some Hot B*tch.]

I can agree that this does not make sense and should not be standard.

I can also tell you that I've been to many a therapist that worked a certain way,and had a certain routine. Their attitude is that's just how they work, that's just what they do and nothing about it is going to change.

And many of my clients have told me of therapists like this. I know one therapist nearby who does only light swedish. If that 's not what you want, don't call her. Another I know digs and digs and digs. I couldn't take the pain, during or after. Both with many, many years of experience and busy successful practices.

Then there are many in the general public who think of massage only in terms of pressure.

So maybe this place is simply carving out a niche for itself.

 

[mkbrocato]

i totally see where this place is coming from but it seems like they're just going about it the "wrong way". i say "wrong way" meaning pressure is very subjective. maybe if they were asking clients if they prefer or are looking for a deep, therapeutic massage or if they are wanting a more relaxing type of massage. there are therapists out there who can't offer both. there are also therapists out there who won't offer both or other varying forms of therapy.

i think it's a great idea to ask the client what they are looking to achieve from the massage and then set them up with the therapist that they think will best suit them. i wish they would have done that where i used to work. there are different types of therapists and different types of therapists....why not try to match them up to create a better experience for everyone?

 

[ALLAdmin]

That does seem strange. It's almost like the business is run by someone who isn't a MT. While I agree with matching clients up with therapists based on what the client's perceived needs are, the client doesn't always know. I've given a light swedish and the client said it was too deep. Isn't the therapist supposed to communicate with the client about pressure, sensitivity, warmth, pain, etc? Sounds to me like a McRub kinda place. You order off a menu, "I'd like the Swedish Light Combo with a side order of aromatherapy. To go."

 

[Blondie.]

Sounds to me like a McRub kinda place. You order off a menu, "I'd like the Swedish Light Combo with a side order of aromatherapy. To go."

t043

 

[shay]

Booking clients based only on therapists "pressure

1. People want different amounts of pressure on different visits in different areas for different reasons, etc. When I go get a massage, I don't necessarily know ahead of time what kind of pressure I want.

One other thing wrong I see with this is that what about the fact that different body areas--on the same person and during the same session--need varying amounts of pressure? Someones' calves may be tender, but you might be able to drive a truck through their upper traps without hurting them. So what do they do, assign an average value, or use a single area as sort of a benchmark? There are so many things wrong with this. The concept of matching therapists' abilities to clients' needs is noble and reasonable, but the method by which they're trying to pull it off needs to be re-thought.

No, you're not missing anything...this is kooky.

 

[caveman]

They should just keep it simple, and if you can do deep tissue work then you would be one of the therapist that provide deep tissue. I mean you can either do deep tissue or not, right? When I sit with my new clients and discuss their intake information, I ask them if they had to describe what kind of overall pressure they would like what would it be? And this sometimes helps me with a starting point. But I don't see how rating 1-10 would be helpful at all, but if someone said that they like a medium firm pressure then that is kind of a broad range that gives you sort of an idea of what they are looking for. There is no way I would work for a place like that. But I guess you could look at it this way. Because it is so stupid, it really doesn't mean anything. You could try and just look past it. t102

 

[BarrieG]

I too agree that this is totally bizarre and a good therapist can change according to the clients needs.

However..... IF you need the job.... I'd say do a firm medium massage on the test-ee and make sure to let them know you are capable of going deeper if asked. That should take care of the majority of the people that look for massage work (It should bump you up in the rankings of getting clients on their McRub system).

Then again, if you want the job but don't want to blow out your hands, you could consider doing a straight relaxation massage and then you'd be McRub #4 instead of McRub #7.

I know we all need work, so if you're considering it, just do what you would prefer to do an a regular basis. Maybe try to gauge what the clients ask for when coming in. Maybe ask the front desk staff that and what they are really hoping for in their next massage therapist. It could give you the edge to getting the job.

 

[jeremy.isley]

texas-gal you always have such great advice.

 

[GirlieGirl]

I'm with Gina T. Great advice, Texas-Gal, if you do want to work at the McRub.

I'm also with everyone else in thinking this numbering system is totally bizarre. t105 Talk about taking the individual out of the experience! Again, everyone's tastes and perceptions are so different and pressure needs vary greatly on the same body!

If I called that spa to make an appointment I have no clue what number I'd give to avoid either being needlessly manhandled or irritated with feathery touches. Five, just to be safe? t104