Changing it up for long time clients

[kisses]

Hey guys, I have some clients who generally come to me Bi-weekly. I have been seeing them for 6 months. They tell me I'm doing a great job, but that it's predictable and it kind ruins the adventure of it. How do I change it up?

I start face up and then:

1. Shoulders/neck
2. Arm
3. Leg
4. Leg
5. Arm
6. Turn over
7. Legs
8. Glutes
9. Back
10. Scalp
11. Cover them up, do some compression and some other basic manipulations just with a cloth over the skin - helps grip too. (This alerts them to it being over very soon)
12. Done.

I can obviously add techniques but I wonder what I could do to throw them off even just a little. I can't imagine anything really. It's like a damn chess game.

 

[Spaz]

Stretches are great. Definitely switch off techniques, including switching out swedish techniques on each area of the body.

It's amazing what difference in personality makes in how we give massages. I about choked once when a client asked me to ALWAYS do the back sequence I'd just done, because it was "perfect". I already wasn't sure what, exactly, I had done, because I have never given the same massage twice. I do whatever "hits" me at the moment, in a relaxation massage. I have sometimes wondered if I should have a few basic massage routines to pick from, and always do a routine. Then I could note "Sally prefers #1 or #4, hates #3".

 

[Enjoy Life]

I rarely follow a routine of any kind. Even if someone says they want "full body relaxation" I ask some questions and usually learn they have a few specific problem areas or health issues. Then I tailor the massage accordingly and rarely do the same session twice.

This can be as simple as going slower on some areas and quicker on others, or doing the same areas in a different order. But there is really no reason to keep doing things the same way all the time. To me, that would be both boring and pointless - it's impossible to improve when you are always doing things the same way.

If nothing else, start your clients prone now and then. That alone should spark some creativity for you and make things more interesting for them. Otherwise they may get bored and start looking elsewhere.

 

[cattledog]

When I feel that my routine with a client is getting a bit stale, I usually add in some myofascial stretching or assisted stretching to their body. I've also found that TMJ work is greatly appreciated, if you don't already include that. I have a very flexible "basic" routine I follow (and adapt), according to what I am working on. Lately, I have been laying the palms of my hands against the soles of the feet and just pressing on them for a minute or two before I begin the massage. The clients have commented on how GOOD it feels and it seems to relax their bodies faster (a big plus when doing a 30 min. therapeutic massage in a chiro office!).

 

[Sagittarius]

Great suggestions so far, everyone!

Do you ever do two hour massages? How many modalities do you know? I do two hours and know 4 modalities (so far); that leaves me a fair amount to draw from in a one hour session.

What about face massage?

I like the idea of switching up prone vs. supine; also, honing in on a person's specific issues is key. If someone has tight levator scapulas and traps, I have a host of techniques to pull out that I don't do just on anyone. I think switching up technique might be more important than switching the flow of body parts. I've even played with massage strokes, speed of the stroke, and knowing MFR lends some variety to a "regular" massage. Ever done a long, slow MFR stroke from the neck to the ankle? Ahhhhh......

Definitely learn some stretches (or more stretches).

Oh, and another thing that has opened my eyes to new techniques is having traded massages with more and more therapists. I almost always pick up tips and ideas from being a recipient.

Good luck!

 

[goofy]

Oh right, I forgot to mention face. I recently added that in to change it up a little. They enjoyed it.

I don't really know to many modalities because I'm pretty fresh out of school. I graduated in Sept of last year.

I have some new ideas now thanks guys. Of course anyone else is more than welcome to post here, I'll be back

 

[BIG_Jason]

Hi.

I am pretty much like RoS. It seems I can't do the same massage twice and have had clients ask for the "same move (for some area) as last time" and I cannot for the life of me figure out which move it was, since I use a lot of them and just do what my hands and head tell me to do most of the time.

However, I do find that there is a certain rhythm to the flow of the massage that I use for a good portion of my full body clients, so I can at least expand on that if it will help you.

How about this for a simple change up:

1. Head/hair
2. Neck/shoulders
3. Arm / hand
4. Arm / hand
5. Leg (including specific work around the knee)
6. Leg (including specific work around the knee)
7. Foot
8. Foot
9. Turn over
10. Leg
11. Leg
12. Glutes / sacrum
13. Back
14. Shoulder/ arm / hand
15. Shoulder / arm / hand
16. Back again for finishing work
17. Cover them up, do some very light fingertip swirls over back, down arms and then down legs -- then back up legs, up arms, over back and very lightly take up a few strands of hair in both hands to pull toward the crown of the head and drop at the end.
18. Done.


Starting face down is also a great way to change things up (I think others mentioned this already). You can use the above routine and move backward through it, using number 17 at the end and doing the same light strokes, but not on the anterior torso (just the arms and legs and finishing up by the light hair pull as noted).

Another variation to this is to ask the client what is going on with their body and would they like concentration in any area of the body. I find most people who want this like concentration for neck, shoulders and back (some for glutes/legs/or arms - but generally these seem to be clients who are coming in for very specific reasons and not a general massage)... and you spend about 50 mins. for the neck and back work, which results in skimming (not as many strokes - lets just say 3 strokes for each limb which would include the hands/feet) for each the arms, legs and feet during that last 15 mins. Then you still have a little time to do your finishing work.

Another idea would be to only do concentrated spot work and not even include full body. Just makeing sure that you do some sort of over-the-cover work to pull together the whole body, since your in a spa climate and most of this clientele is looking for that full body "experience". Possibly just add a hot rock on each palm or something when doing something like this.

Hope that helps your creativity sing.

 

[Bee+P ? TTC #1 again]

Specific work is often a major change from what people are used to. I've had people come in for a 1/2 hour chair massage on their neck and shoulders because "table massages just do a few minutes there so they can get to the rest of my body." :shock: :irked: They are pleasantly surprised when I tell them we can spend as much time on specific areas as desired, even skipping the rest. Most of the people I see now are happier when I really focus on their problem areas, even if that means skipping arms, legs, etc.

If you haven't received much training in specific work, start by studying just one area of the body, such as the back, and start developing a wider range of skills. Brush up on your knowledge of anatomy in that area, and use that knowledge to inform your application of different techniques. You should be able to EASILY spend an hour working any given portion of the body without getting bored or overly repetitious.

 

[Lance R]

Metalhead20,

I just ran across this old thread... maybe it will also be of help.

Change "routine" on frequent client visits?

 

[D. (Da Dude) Danderfoose]

I don't really do a "routine" although I generally start my clients prone. I'm very new to massage work, so I'm not sure how this will evolve in my case. In general, starting prone works for the clients I've seen because when asked, most of them have back, shoulder or neck issues. Therefore, I start out there. Even if you think another area needs more attention to decrease pain in the shoulder/neck/back area, I think it kind of puts clients at ease to physically assess/touch the area of complaint so they know you are addressing and considering it. Of course, you can verbally tell the client that you are or are going to address any areas of complaint, but I think sometimes it takes a physical touch to assure them of that.

I guess my input here is kind of circular. I guess the reason I don't have a routine is because I always start at the area of complaint and go from there. It's such a rare instance that I've encountered a client that has absolutely no ache or pain anywhere.

I guess it could still get "boring" for the client. I kind of get bored myself if I find people coming in with really similar complaint areas, so I change things up on my own to keep the massage more alive and active and keep me alert and from going on automatic. That automatic feeling is one I do not enjoy at all! and I'm sure any client can tell when their therapist is on auto pilot.

When I feel that auto pilot feeling come on I really focus in on details I encounter with my client. Look for changes and alterations in their body from one session to the next and there might be new things you notice to spend a few moments addressing which will in turn change up the routine for the client.

Even though I generally start my clients prone and start at the back then follow a general order I never greet my client with that idea. That way if a client comes in with a certain complaint or a certain energy or area of tension it doesn't totally throw me off and each interaction is unique-even if somewhat predictable?

Hope this isn't too convoluted and somehow answers the original question! and hope something here can help in some way!

edit: i also wanted to add that whenever things seem too routine or the feeling of just doing my job/auto pilot comes on i focus in on my thoughts too. this might sound strange but i try to change any sort of lack of focus or boredom on my part into thoughts like, "wow, [client] you are so cool!" and "it is so cool to have this privilege to be a massage therapist!" and "i love what i'm doing" or even just saying "happy, happy, smile" in my head, lol. it's interesting because sometimes when i start doing this i will look at my clients face (if supine) and occasionally a really peaceful, soft face with a little smile even sometimes comes across them! p.s. i do keep my thoughts silent! but at least if one slipped out it wouldn't necessarily upset anyone! haha. i swore to myself i would only settle on a fun job so i do all i can to keep it that way!