Ask a Massage Therapist anything

61 Questions

Last Answer on December 18, 2013

I have trouble with the sciatic nerve and the adductors. When my regular therapist is unavailable its hard to find therapists that work on those areas. What can I do as a client to make the therapist feel more comfortable and not neglect my needs ?

Asked by Dan the Cyclist over 11 years ago

Hi Dan the Cyclist,

When I first got certified, my boyfriend at the time was a cyclist, so I know your pain.

Just based on what you've said, it sounds like the other therapists at the place you go for services are not trained or qualified to address your needs.

Are you going to a relaxation massage or spa? Your best bet is to go to a sports clinic and work with a team that specializes in addressing athletic injuries.

Even better, get a prescription from your doctor and make your way to a physical therapist's office where a qualifed team of professionals can address your pain through a myriad of modalities in addition to massage therapy.

554 Votes

Do clients notice when your hands are particularly rough or calloused? What hand lotion would you recommend? (Mine are that way from weightlifting, but you probably know better than anyone!)

Asked by Terry over 11 years ago

No, clients have never noticed my hands being particularly rough. In the span of my massage career I did rock climbing for several years (but no longer) and never received a complaint about my hands being rough. Usually the feedback I got was that my hands were strong!

There are two types of touch receptors within the human body. One of them deals with touching sensation and the other with pain and temperatures. These receptors are not evenly distributed all over the body. The cerebral cortex is used to process the feeling of touch from the more innervated areas of the human body like the finger tips, lips, face and tongue. But the back and limbs typically don't sense callousness but rather sense the pressure used by massaging hands.

544 Votes

So you wanna be a Relaxation Consultant?

Check our Jobstr's career page for salary information, educational requirements, suggested reading and more!

Hi, I'm wanting to get a tattoo on the back of my shoulder but am terrified of needles. What will the pain be like and how can I prepare myself for the needle?

Asked by Rochelle over 11 years ago

Hello. Sorry I can't help you on this one. I'm don't have a tatt and I'm not a tatt artist. I'm pretty sure you'll find one on these boards though. Good luck.

533 Votes

Do you want to learn other techniques like accupuncture?

Asked by ML over 11 years ago

While I'm not really interested in becoming an acupuncturist or an oriental medical doctor, I do learn other bodywork and massage techniques. It's worth mentioning that shiatsu, also known as acupressure, is a bodywork technique from which acupuncture is derived. That is to say it came first.

532 Votes

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Is pain tolerance something that can be improved? When I get deep tissue, I squirm as soon as the RMT gets semi-deep. Am I missing out on benefits by having her back off?

Asked by Sue C over 11 years ago

Wow. I don't know the answer if pain tolerance can be improved. You stumped me!

I will explain my approach though.

In a deep tissue treatment I will work to the client's level of discomfort but never pass that level to the pain threshold. If I were working with you and you were squirming that would be a clear sign to back off.

Also, semi-deep is really subjective as every body's sensitivities to pain is different and can change depending on different areas being worked on.

520 Votes

Do you find chatty clients annoying? Would you prefer to massage in silence, or do you enjoy some conversation?

Asked by J.J. over 11 years ago

I follow the client's lead. If they want to talk, they can talk. But I don't "chat" back unless they ask me a direct question. However a client wants to spend their time, is fine by me. I personally don't wanna talk to nobody when I'm getting a massage (sic). That said, I once had a client who always wanted to have basketball turned on the television during his session. He would even stop his massage to look up at the screen to catch a play. Whatever!

520 Votes

when you have knots in your lower body, are you able to work them out yourself? Or is it like tickling, where you can't really tickle yourself?

Asked by Diet.Schulz over 11 years ago

This may sound like a plug for a modality, but it really is true: when I have tension and knots and I'm unable to get a massage due to time constraints, I use the Yamuna Body Rolling system. Specifically for the low back, I follow the low back routine. This method is fabulous. In as little as 15 minutes I can at least do some exercises that target the area and achieve results that carry me throughout the day. Of course, as soon as I can book a session with a colleague, I'm in. Nothing beats hands, but YBR helps get me through to my next massage.

518 Votes

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Relaxation Consultant

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I have trouble with the sciatic nerve and the adductors. When my regular therapist is unavailable its hard to find therapists that work on those areas. What can I do as a client to make the therapist feel more comfortable and not neglect my needs ?

Do clients notice when your hands are particularly rough or calloused? What hand lotion would you recommend? (Mine are that way from weightlifting, but you probably know better than anyone!)

So you wanna be a Relaxation Consultant?

Hi, I'm wanting to get a tattoo on the back of my shoulder but am terrified of needles. What will the pain be like and how can I prepare myself for the needle?

Do you want to learn other techniques like accupuncture?

Also on Jobstr...

Is pain tolerance something that can be improved? When I get deep tissue, I squirm as soon as the RMT gets semi-deep. Am I missing out on benefits by having her back off?

Do you find chatty clients annoying? Would you prefer to massage in silence, or do you enjoy some conversation?

when you have knots in your lower body, are you able to work them out yourself? Or is it like tickling, where you can't really tickle yourself?

Relaxation Consultant

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

I have trouble with the sciatic nerve and the adductors. When my regular therapist is unavailable its hard to find therapists that work on those areas. What can I do as a client to make the therapist feel more comfortable and not neglect my needs ?

Do clients notice when your hands are particularly rough or calloused? What hand lotion would you recommend? (Mine are that way from weightlifting, but you probably know better than anyone!)

So you wanna be a Relaxation Consultant?

Hi, I'm wanting to get a tattoo on the back of my shoulder but am terrified of needles. What will the pain be like and how can I prepare myself for the needle?

Do you want to learn other techniques like accupuncture?

Also on Jobstr...

Is pain tolerance something that can be improved? When I get deep tissue, I squirm as soon as the RMT gets semi-deep. Am I missing out on benefits by having her back off?

Do you find chatty clients annoying? Would you prefer to massage in silence, or do you enjoy some conversation?

when you have knots in your lower body, are you able to work them out yourself? Or is it like tickling, where you can't really tickle yourself?

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