An appointment with a massage therapist is not just about receiving a massage, but we get in touch with the person performing the massage. Identifying customer needs, approach, and communication are just a few things that can make a great massage a little less enjoyable. Here are some common mistakes that come up in conversations with customers:
1. Ask the customer “Is the pressure good?”
We are living in a world where being “Politically Correct” literally muzzles people's true thoughts. Rarely will you hear a customer say, “No, can you put more?” or any other direct response.
The right thing to do: Instead, choose a choice-of-answer question for better information. For pressure, you can ask a question like, “Would you like to have less, more or I continue like this?” This way you make sure to tailor your massage to your customer's preference.
The right thing to do: Instead, choose a choice-of-answer question for better information. For pressure, you can ask a question like, “Would you like to have less, more or I continue like this?” This way you make sure to tailor your massage to your customer's preference.
2. Talk to the customer throughout the massage.
It's not every day that we let a stranger touch us. Several customers will ask a few questions and talk the first 5 minutes of a massage to overcome the barrier of discomfort. However, some massage therapists continue to talk throughout the massage despite the customer not really asking them a question. People usually come to relax and they won't dare ask you to shut up because they are afraid of the effect this might have on the massage.
The right thing to do: Answer your customer's questions, but make sure you don't speak more than your customer. Do not hesitate to continue the conversation if the atmosphere of the massage allows it and if it is a good way for the customer to relieve his stress. Just don't decide for your customer.
The right thing to do: Answer your customer's questions, but make sure you don't speak more than your customer. Do not hesitate to continue the conversation if the atmosphere of the massage allows it and if it is a good way for the customer to relieve his stress. Just don't decide for your customer.
3. Breathing too hard
Though you can’t hold your breath during one hour of massage, if the customer hears your breathing more than the music, this is probably the only thing they will remember about your massage.
The right thing to do: If this is your case, simply turn up the volume of the music to hide your breathing. Avoid breathing sounds that are taught in yoga or breathing.
The right thing to do: If this is your case, simply turn up the volume of the music to hide your breathing. Avoid breathing sounds that are taught in yoga or breathing.
4. Speaking too close to the customer's ear.
Although a massage requires that you enter into minimal privacy with a customer, speaking can be done from a slightly less intrusive distance. While you don't want to wake the customer up too abruptly, talking to them less than a foot from their face is definitely not something he or she had considered.
The right thing to do: If you don't want to startle your customer, just ask your question initially in a low voice. If that's not enough, just increase the tone slightly with each repetition until his attention is captured. Often just putting your hand on an arm or shoulder before you start speaking can often be enough to capture his/her attention.
The right thing to do: If you don't want to startle your customer, just ask your question initially in a low voice. If that's not enough, just increase the tone slightly with each repetition until his attention is captured. Often just putting your hand on an arm or shoulder before you start speaking can often be enough to capture his/her attention.
5. Add too much oil
The oil that a massage therapist puts on the body is to facilitate the sliding of the hand to make the massage more pleasant. Yet this tool can be a double-edged sword. Too much oil will not allow good contact with the customer, making your fluidity difficult to maintain. For a therapeutic massage, several maneuvers such as crushing and kneading require a minimum of oils on the body. If it is too much, you will reduce the effectiveness of your therapeutic massage, for each maneuver.
The right thing to do: Start the massage with a minimum amount of oil. Do not hesitate to add more if the body has absorbed the previously applied oil. Better to take 5 seconds to add more than embarrassed to wipe your back with a towel. If you work with a minimum of oils, your massage will affect the muscles, but also on the fascia of the body. It's also a great way to do more without wasting your energy!
The right thing to do: Start the massage with a minimum amount of oil. Do not hesitate to add more if the body has absorbed the previously applied oil. Better to take 5 seconds to add more than embarrassed to wipe your back with a towel. If you work with a minimum of oils, your massage will affect the muscles, but also on the fascia of the body. It's also a great way to do more without wasting your energy!