Clothed table massage...?

[Anne K]

Hi all,

I have not posted much, but I am an avid reader of the posts and know there is a lot of great advice going around in this community. Maybe someone has some advice for me, too?

I have been contacted via email by an IT training company my fiance works for. The branch coordinator, who is also a friend/aquaintance of ours, suggested to have someone come in for massage on a monthly basis. He suggested me because I have massaged him before and he was thoroughly impressed. The contact person given, though, is someone else whom I don't know...

I will call them on Monday to find out what they had in mind. However, I would also like to be able to make some sort of proposal. The problem is, I have never done corporate massage before and am only trained in table massage, and I don't own a chair. So here is what I thought I'd do: take in the table, offer 20 minute half-dressed (with oil and hot towels) table massage (in a spare room, if there is one) and charge my normal hourly rate, plus a flat travel fee, eg. $10.

As yet, I don't know who will be paying for the massage, the company or employees (suspect the latter). Do you think 20 minutes is too long, especially when the company pays? If I need to cut down on time, I will have to learn how to do clothed massage on a table. Any suggestions for a routine (besides just doing compressions)?

Also, how would you go about health fund rebates? I am registered with most health funds here in Australia, advertising this would be a great way to get people into the chair, wouldn't it?

Any input is welcome as I am a corporate-massage-virgin. I am excited about this opportunity, as I think it would be fun and a good way to supplement my income.

Thanks a bunch in advance,
:woohoo:
Schnuckess

 

[Grace B]

Oh I would always present it as having the company pay. You will get more people in to see you that way, and always know you will be paid. You can emphasize in your presentation the research about employees being more alert after a massage and performing tasks more accurately (I'll try to find a link) . . .

When the company pays, they will usually like some evidence of who is coming to see you, so expect to keep a list for your records; this shows them that the service is getting used.

Compression, rocking, and shiatsu go a long way over clothing. I am a 10-minute gal but I use a chair and my last gig was only 2 hours long so 20 min would have been impossible!

Good luck -- corp. work can be really fun!

 

[Jiji]

Thanks for your speedy reply and your encouragement, BJB.

Your suggestion sounds reasonale, I'd really prefer the company paying, would save me the hassle of collecting money individually and writing out multiple invoices. Lets hope that's what they have in mind (they already provide free lunches and after work drinks for employees)

What are some good shiatsu techniques that can be used on the table for people in work clothes? I'm not trained in Shiatsu, and only know the compression with your thumbs along two lines beside the spine. Any other ones or simple stretches that can be performed on people wearing business suits and skirts?

Thanks again,
Schnuckess

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi. I wanted to share that I do corporate massage therapy with a table. I do not have a massage chair (yet!) and althought the table is sometimes cumbersome to haul around, I have had a really positive response to it's use. I do 15 minute sessions, usually without oils or lotions (unless some is needed for sinus or neck probs) and it works great. People are always pleasantly suprised when they see that I bring a table.
My routine consists of on top of the clothing work. I usually do a little neck and shoulders with petrissage and effleurage as well as that on the back. Sometimes it is only the back. I leave it up to the client and what they are feeling that day. Hope that helps!

 

[WINGATE14]

Yup, I do "chair" massage gigs with a table, too. I do them somewhat regularly, and have never had an issue with working over clothing. I don't use any oils or lotions, either.

Just set it up like doing a sports massage event. No sheets even! Just bring a box of disposable face cradle covers, some cleaner and paper towels to wipe down the table between clients, and you are good to go.

As for techniques: compressions, range of motion, MET, rocking, light efflurage, jostling, trigger point work, and I am sure a lot of other techniques can be applied easily through clothing.

Good luck. What a great opportunity!

 

[Earl W]

Dear Shannah & palpable, its great to hear that "chair" massage with a table is do-able. Using trigger point is a great idea, I think. It didn't even occur to me.

I haven't actually heard back from the company yet, but I am feeling a lot more confident now after your comments. Thank you.

However, any additional advice/ideas are very welcome and greatly appreciated.

Love,
Schnuckess