Manny Maven
Sunny Southern, CA
Male, 60
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Hello, Kyanks1!
When you say unshowered, how long are we talking about? Days or weeks? If we're just talking, like, a client showered the night before, then worked all day and then came in for massage, nah. Actually sometimes a client that wears too much cologne or perfume is harder to work with than a client that's been a go dog all day long.
I think the question behind your question is regarding a person's hygiene? Well, if you're stanky that's something else. Has it been more than 24 hours since you bathed? Sniff yer pits! Smelling gamey? Um, yeah, then that's an issue.
Here's a relevant story: I once had a female client who was a little eccentric. She rescued stray dogs, never wore shoes and had poor personal hygiene. I suspect that she may have been a dog hoarder because her filthy feet always smelled like poop. I would always start the session with warm towels and baby wipes to clean them off. It was really challenging because I was repulsed by the smell but she was in fact a very sweet lady that I got along with.
As for clients coming straight from the gym? Honest, hard working, sweaty people are cool with me. I've performed sports massage for professional as well as amateur athletes during competitions, games races, meets or triathlons and when you work a sporting event, it's part of the job. However, sometimes an athlete will be so sweaty I am unable to get a good connection with the muscle and fascia because their skin is just too slippery to work effectively. In cases like those, I'll simply towel them off and maybe apply some talcum powder to get a good grip. It depends on the massage modality that's being applied.
I'll qualify that I have never worked for a "massage clinic" that offers massage and bodywork sessions for relaxation purposes. I'll lump "day spa" in with this type of working environment even though they may provide more services like saunas, manicures/pedicures, body scrubs and facials.
However, I have worked in a clinical setting (i.e. chiropractors and doctors' offices) earlier in my career but that is different because it's a medical setting and there is an entirely different skill set required on top of massage training including the understanding of medical coding, SOAP documentation, etc.
My students report that at one time, massage therapists at massage clinics were hired as independent contractors and would have to provide their own linens, oils/lotions, music, room temperature control devices and any other additional items for a cut that was 15% to 30% of what the spa charged. The therapist got to keep the tips. The trend is for the lower end of the range these days due to a limp economy.
Nowadays it's more common that the bigger chain massage clinics hire a therapist as an employee instead of an independent contractor and pay them an average hourly rate of $18 with the pay range being anywhere from $12 to $20 depending on experience and training hours. I'm unclear if these employees were eligible for medical benefits due to the fact that they usually work part-time shifts. Now that the Affordable Care Act has gone into effect, I'm even more unclear how this plays out.
Another business model I've heard of is where the therapist rents out the room on a weekly or monthly basis like hair stylist rents a station. This is more typical in for an independent massage professional with their own, established client base.
And yes, most therapists in a massage clinic or spa are required to sign a non-compete agreement in which they agree not to treat the establishment's clients privately. I've been told, but cannot verify because I'm a masseuse and not a lawyer, that when it comes to the average massage therapist, non-compete agreements are just a blatant attempt to restrict free enterprise, and they won’t hold up in court.
Oh, a good question and a great opportunity to educate the public! Thanks for asking, Billy.
I take great pains to market myself by using key phrases as a "therapeutic" and "non-sexual" massage therapist. It's on all my business literature including my business cards, brochures and marketing pamphlets, as well as on my website. And if you ever step into my studio, the first thing you'll notice is the wall of certificates that I hold in many different bodywork modalities for which I've trained.
But once, a long time client who was aware that I was a legitimate masseuse asked me at the end of his treatment if I would massage his you-know-what.
I was crestfallen and angry at the same time. I had worked with this guy for years. But I snapped into professional mode and said "I don't offer that type of service and I never have. You know that! So if you're seeking that kind of treatment, I recommend you check out the back of the L.A. Weekly." (This was before the paper had gone on-line and was proliferated with sexual massage ads in the back).
You see, Billy, while I don't personally provide a sexual service I'm pretty tolerant of the fact that there are sex-workers who do and there are certainly clients that seek out such services. I just wish they wouldn't call it "massage" because it really sullies the reputation of massage therapy as a profession. Most massage therapists spend hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars to be certified at the national or state level and it's just not right to call a sexual service a massage treatment because it’s not.
As a customer, please use common sense when reviewing an ad for massage services and try to read between the lines. If a massage therapist like me is using words like "non-sexual", "therapeutic", and "wholistic" and they provide a wholesome headshot then it's a good bet this is what you'll get. If the ad reads "tantric", "sensual", "full body release" and the photo is even slightly suggestive, then well, you know what I'm saying? Caveat emptor!
Occasionally male clients will gain an erection during a professional, non-sexual massage treatment. While they typically are embarrassed, I am never offended, because I realize this is a natural, physiological response to human touch. All certified massage therapists understand this as well as it is a topic that always comes up during training. As long as the client does not exhibit any lewd or unsavory behavior during or after the session, I just simply ignore it. Now, it can be an elephant in the room if there’s some major tent pole action going on, but I believe to ignore it is the only professional thing one can do. These clients came in for relaxation purposes or treatment for a sports injury so the last thing I want to do is make them feel ashamed or judged. I also think that "ignoring it" is probably the most common strategy for other trained professionals.
Emergency Room Manager
Car Salesman
Radio program/music director
Yes, I have been attracted to some of my clients. I'm human. However, I wouldn't risk my income and professional relationship with a client to take it to a personal one.
You nailed it, Karyn! Learning inspires me and I love to share my knowledge and experience by passing it along.
The anatriptic arts is vast, wide and full of history in almost every culture around the world. Learning new modalities or studying ancient methods has always appealed to me. It informs my work as a therapist and as an instructor.
One can plan an entire trip around learning a new or different technique and use it as a tax write off. However, if you're going to do that, be sure the hours or training is accredited. You'll want to submit your certification to your local governing board when you get back home in addition to saving those receipts for the tax man.
Another reason I stuck with it for as long as I have is that I truly enjoy connecting to people. I've witnessed the life stages of many of my clients. I've trained as a doula to help a client deliver her two children and I've also provided therapeutic touch to those who are at the end of life.
When I started in this profession, I wanted to make a positive difference in a person's day. I could not have foreseen that as the years have gone on, these people have made a positive difference in my entire life. It has been honor and gift to be of service.
Thanks for asking. I'm a bit concerned about how severe your back pain is and if it's simply due to a sedentary lifestyle (sitting in front of a screen all day), the stresses of the job (that you've indicated), or if you may have past accidents and/or injuries or repetitive motions that are compounding your current state of pain.
Before you begin any massage treatment, it's important that your massage therapist receive information about your general health. This entails completing an in-take form indicating any health issues, your health history to include any accidents or injuries you've sustained as well as any medications you are currently taking. It may also include other questions about your lifestyle to get a sense of how you use your body in activities and how frequently you do so. For example, you mentioned you sit in front of screen all day but a good therapist will also want to know how long your commute is and how active you are. Like if you golf weekly, do yoga daily, hike yearly -- stuff like that.
A therapist will also want to know if you are under a doctor's care and if your primary health provider knows you are seeking massage treatments. Depending on your health condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
Now, assuming you're fit and have no major health concerns, the array of massage modalities is numerous. Depending on your preferences, you could enjoy a Swedish massage, a shiatsu treatment, a deep tissue session, a hot/cold stone massage, etc., etc. There are literally dozens of modalities featured on the website MassageTherapy.com and I invite you to check them out here: http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/index.php
If this truly is your first massage session, I recommend a Swedish massage treatment because it's exceptionally beneficial to relaxing the entire body. I also feel that this is what mostly comes to mind when people think about getting a massage. It's the basic Western style of bodywork that most professional massage therapists learn before getting certified.
Now when I say basic, it's doesn't mean bare bones or common. A Swedish massage treatment is yummy and your muscles will melt like buttah!
The medical term for muscle knots is "myofacial trigger points" which are hyperirritable spots in the muscle caused by overuse, misuse, sedentariness, and/or moods such as stress or anxiety.
Trigger points are comprised of taut sections or "strands" of fiber within a muscle that fire into action. Those fibers fail to relax but harden into that knotty mass -- technically they build tone much like when you lift weights to build burley muscles -- that you can feel when you rub them. As such, trigger points are often tender if not painful.
In addition to massage therapy techniques, the application of hot and cold packs, electrical stimulation and ultrasound as well as the use of pain relievers and muscle relaxants are common methods to treat trigger points. These treatments focus on managing the condition rather than eliminating them. So yes, Garrett, the skilled application of massage therapy can help reduce knots.
An additional towel is usually placed over the groin for modesty purposes to avoid any "oopsies" when a therapist need to reposition the client's lower extremeties. It's just an insurance policy.
I wouldn't say it's normal to brush and/or touch the nipple during a therapeutic massage at all. While the pectoralis muscles lie beneath the nipples it would be a mistake to confuse breast tissue with muscle tissue. The therapist may be demonstrating a lack of expertise, sloppy technique or worse: inappropriate touch.
I absolutely love what I do however I'll be honest, I am tapering off from it after 23 years because my hands ache more frequently and take longer to recover from giving treatments.
Because giving a massage is so labor intensive, statistically about 90% of massage therapists burn out and transition into something else after working in the field for three to five years so I've been really blessed to be in it for as long as I have.
The times when I find myself wishing I was doing something else are usually an indication that I'm working too much and I need to take a break. I can't sell wellness if I am not practicing it myself so self-care and receiving regular bodywork is the key -- at least for me.
Putting aside the erroneous notion that massage is a sexual service, let's be clear that it is a therapeutic one.
With that in mind, the combination of a therapist's education of human anatomy, kinesiology and bodywork training, it can be more effective to treat a client who has stripped completely BUT WITH THE CAVEAT that the client is appropriately draped for modesty.
Are you aware that the glutes (i.e. your butt) can contribute a great deal to low back pain? Yes, even buns of steel can cause this! So oftentimes the glutes will need to be assessed and treated along with the low back.
Boxers, briefs, panties, cycling shorts, et.al. do indeed inhibit a therapist's ability to make a complete and effective massage stroke especially when treating the low back. However, I always drape my clients so that their privates are covered therefore linens are arranged and often times tucked to achieve that.
As a client, you should never have your ass hanging out (or anything else for that matter) when receiving a massage even if you are laying buck naked on the table. You should always be covered by a towel or sheet with only the part of the body that's being worked on exposed.
Of course, if you are really uncomfortable stripping completely down prior to your session whatever is easier for the therapist goes out the window. Your needs whether physical or emotional take precedent and must be respected. It is up to you to communicate your discomfort with your therapist as they are trained in massage and not mind reading.
Only after you have completely communicated your discomfort with getting naked for the session can your therapist make appropriate accommodations to respect your feelings and treat your low back.
I'm pretty well trained on skin conditions and know what is contraindicated and what is not. Nothing's really grossed me out, but some things have me concerned about my client's wellbeing. In those cases I ask if they've seen a doctor. Surprisingly, I find a lot of women have issues with body shame due to razor stubble on their legs. It's really no big deal to me. Really.
Good question and one that I'm respectfully not going to answer.
First of all, what is the definition of healing?
And what is considered a healing modality?
I don’t mean to be evasive, as I have personally had relief and recovery from a myriad of treatments appropriate to my ailment or injury.
Growing up I was raised on a religion that believes in healing through prayer and eschews any medical intervention whatsoever.
While as an adult I don't practice this religion, I have witnessed incidents where faith has greater healing powers than science. And I have also seen medical miracles based on science happen to those around me.
I am also grateful to have become a massage therapist despite breaking my arm when I was teenager because one parent fought to have me taken to the hospital to have the bone set.
But no amount of prayer or medicine was able to save this parent when they died from lung cancer despite the fact that the never smoked a day in their life.
And for the record, I don’t claim to be a healer. I am a licensed and certified massage therapist. I know that my dying parent and I both found meaning and succor through human touch as I held their hand when they passed.
In this instance, I don't give a damn about a "proven medical study". It has no merit in this life affirming experience. Maybe YOU should conduct your own study on the longterm benefits of human touch instead of passive-agressively trolling these boards. I'd be very interested in YOUR findings.
I'm really sorry you're in pain, Dan. Facet joint inflammation due to trauma or progressive joint degeneration is tough, I understand that. However, I'm not a doctor therefore I can't diagnose or treat, give advice or offer "tips and tricks" for your issue within the scope of this Q&A but will advise you to talk this over with your primary care giver. I will say that hands-on treatments such as massage, specialized forms of soft-tissue mobilization and sometimes spinal manipulation provide relief from the pain and that is why they are prescribed. I wish I could offer more than that, but I'll defer to your doctor on this one.
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.
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.
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.
I never had Carpal Tunnel, but I have exhibited repetitive strain injuries.
In the beginning, like the first month, there was this pain due to giving massages that interfered with doing other tasks. For example: when I opened a door with a knob or turned the car steering wheel my wrists really hurt. I wore a brace and worked with the brace on. It made some of my clients uncomfortable to see that (understandably) but others didn't even notice.
Massage is like walking on your hands all day long. Do your feet hurt at the end of walking all day? Sure? Will your hands? Sure!
As I started into my third decade of doing it, I just wasn't recovering as quickly as I did in the past and that's why I'm crossing over into another career using transferrable skills.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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