What makes a great massage for you?

[Okami]

One thing that bothers me is when the therapist scratches his head or face or touches anything other than their lotion/creme/oil pump and my body. I've had several massages where the therapist does that and it bothers me because they should really wash their hands again before touching me and don't.

So, I just don't go back to those therapists. I haven't yet determined a way to tell them without coming across as rude.

How do you know they are doing this during a massage? Do you have your eyes open all the time? What about when you are face down?

 

[dave w]

Maybe I'm just really aware and sensitive to my surroundings. When a therapist breaks contact to scratch, I can hear the sound of fingers scratching their hair or what-ever body part they are messing with. I can feel the motion of their scratching hand transfer down into their other hand---that's the best way I can describe it.

I notice anytime the therapist breaks contact, I also have a super sense of hearing, so If the therapist sips out of a water bottle, I do hear it--or if they adjust their clothing or anything really.

Being a slight germaphobe, those kinds of things do bother me about any therapist (if they don't wash their hands).

 

[antonia.]

Some stuff written here makes me wonder if MT's responsible are almost "Touch illiterate"..

Things I consider real blunders:
* Taking phone calls during massage.
* Letting someone wait on the bench. (maybe some monster will enter? )
* Dropping touch contact.
* Doing your thing without listening and change course of action depending on that. The massage is FOR the client.
* Don't rush things. (Stress relief anyone?)
* In session sales pitches. (gosh..)
* Incomplete strokes.

I think massage should be a flow without interruptions. If client is forced by circumstances to focus mind then that's a failure.

I conclude the thread like this:
Private and descrete entry to treatment room.
Be upfront weather you massage abs, quads, hamstrings, glutes, adductors, and feets.
Keep touch contact. Don't break it or put it on hold.
Listen for requests on methodology, problem areas, pressure.
Take it slow, too little time -> Do fewer repitions.
Be tolerant of things that might slip the clients mouth. They are not totally in selfcontrol atm.
Respect modesty. Wheather people outside profession regard naked encounter desirable or not.
Be on time.
Dimm lights.
Use proper amount of oil, easier to add than remove. And avoid face/hair etc..
Don't push rebooks. Especially in session..
Give time to recover to reality.
Nice looking and clean smelling textiles.
Ask about essential oils before using them.
Play some real music, not obscure stuff that makes people cringe.
Pay attention to where your body parts will contact the client.
Go on the depth when appropriate, it's most likely not a tactile massage.

Provide a glass of water after. Makes recovery faster.
Have eyecontact.
Warm and quiet space.
Plan your time.
Do what you say, and if time doesn't allow then do fewer repitions on part. Rather than skipping or rushing.
Avoid politics, religion, economics or other potential social minefields.
Design you music setup to work without your interaction. There are computers these days..!
As soon as the client can be expected to be on the bench. Start the massage. Even tell some seconds before touching to allow anticipation.
Use complete strokes.
Avoid scented candles.
Try to a have an predictable flow on which order you massage various parts.
Think of client vs touching other things. It doesn't necessarly mix. Same goes for feets and other parts.
Footmassage does wonders so if feets smell, solve it, with "peppermint,spearmint or lavender EO mixed with a bit of grapeseed oil"

Missed anything ..?
Comments?

 

[sailingblue13]

Some of the things on your list go more to individual client preference, not so much rules for every massage. There was another thread along a similar line and what we found out was that there were some thing that one client would love that another client would hate and visa versa.

For instance scented candles...some clients love them and expect them....some clients hate them. Face/head massage as well....for me personally I expect my head to be massaged as it's my favorite part of the massage. For swedish/relaxation massage then yes, it's important to never break contact, but for some of the other more therapeutic modalities it would be impossible to do them correctly without breaking contact.

What it comes down to is listening skills. Finding out what your client wants and making sure that you provide what they are looking for.

Angie

 

[old cat lady]

Some of the things on your list go more to individual client preference, not so much rules for every massage. There was another thread along a similar line and what we found out was that there were some thing that one client would love that another client would hate and visa versa.

For instance scented candles...some clients love them and expect them....some clients hate them. Face/head massage as well....for me personally I expect my head to be massaged as it's my favorite part of the massage. For swedish/relaxation massage then yes, it's important to never break contact, but for some of the other more therapeutic modalities it would be impossible to do them correctly without breaking contact.

What it comes down to is listening skills. Finding out what your client wants and making sure that you provide what they are looking for.

Angie

Angie,

My list actually was intended so that people could post their personal preferences. Obviously many of the things I posted pertained to me and not to others, and I think it is interesting to see if others needs/wants are the same as mine. As for breaking contact, I didn't mean really to never break contact - obviously that is impossible. But I have had one or two therapists that would start, stop, start, stop, taking 30 seconds every time to get more lotion or walk around the table. Out of an hour, it felt like I got about 15 minutes of massage time...

I agree that listening is key.