small vent

[dingding]

Im a MT, but Im posting here as a "client". I like to try out new places for massage occasionally, but I dont like to tell them what it is I do. Either I get a whole hour of talking shop while Im trying to relax, or worse, the therapist is so nervous the work isnt good.
I booked a massage this past Tues. The owner of the salon made a point to come into the room before we began to announce to the MT that I was, in fact, a MT myself. Woo, boy. I got a 30 min massage, and it was BAD. Too many questions, and she let me know she was so nervous working on me that her poor hands were shaking. Then she asked me for a job, in the MIDDLE of my massage! From a MT point of view, I like to be told if Im doing something the client does not like. But from a clients POV, I didnt have the heart to tell her that this profession is not for her. (aside from the above listed issues, the quality of the massage was not even that of a student)
Would you have told her? I just hate hurting anyones feelings. and she looked as if I had said anything adverse, she would have cried.
Methinks I just needed to vent!

 

[shadow78]

I myself probably wouldn't have told her anything. Maybe the massage was bad because she was so nervous. Then again she could just suck. Or a combo of both.
I have a friend that I get to massage me every once and awhile. I HATE her massages. When she is doing my scalp my head is getting jostled all around (imagine the shampoo girl at your salon going crazy while washing your hair). She pust way too many hot towels on me. Never enough pressure no matter what I say, lack of attention in my problem areas that I have stated. She has fingernails(that hurt). Uses only her fist cause she doesn't want to blow out her thumbs or fingers.

Like you I can't tell her. Lord knows I should but it can never just roll out of my mouth.
I massaged a MT from another state the other day and she was the one that kept talking which I didn't mind at all. I was trying to not talk so she could relax more but when it got quiet she started talking again. I wasn't nervous. I liked it. I took it as a compliment that she wanted me to work on her. I know how picky I am with who I get massages from, I know some of ya'll must be as well.

Venting is always a good thing!!!

 

[I love yanking your chain]

Personally, I love working on other MTs because of the potential for knowledgeable feedback, but I make it a point to not impale them with questions or shop talk outside of things I would normally ask a client (pressure, focus areas, etc.)
Besides, MTs need bodywork, too
I think it is unfortunate that some MTs, when they know they are working on another MT, lose thier professionalism (assuming they had it in the first place). That being said, I probably would not have said anything either t102
Sorry to hear your massage was not so fabulous.

 

[Cheyanne]

I am just curious as to how the owner knew that you were a MT? I would have told the owner off at that point in time. It is my perogative if I want to disclose my profession for that exact reason.

I have a general GC that I can use to get a massage, hopefully I won't know the therapist since the place is near my school. I know 1 therapist that works there but I don't know her schedule... she also teaches at my school so hopefully I won't get her. I just want to go in an relax, have my time, and have a decent massage.

 

[Brittani]

Its really hard, do you tell someone the truth and make them feel awful or just the "that was nice, thankyou" ending. I would have probably made a comment about not wanting to talk, so i can concentrate on enjoying the bodywork.

Also would have had words with the owner about their little announcement - that would have really wound me up.

Mat xxx

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have recently been meeting with other therapist to find someone to help me with new clients. I am pretty booked up, and would like to share the wealth, and maybe make a little bit of money on the side, and also prepare to start having a family. So, I have had to kind of "interview" some MT in my area. I specifically stated in my ad that I required Deep Tissue, and I would reiterate that when I spoke with them on the phone. Some therapists were actually so rude on the phone that I would call them back later and cancel the interview with some lie like I had already found someone. When it came time for me to give them feedback I found that I just couldn't do it. I just thanked them for their time, and complimented them on their touch. Out of the six MT that I interviewed not one of them demonstrated deep tissue. Most of them demonstrated deep pressure, but were not muscle specific. I guess my point is that I would not have been able to say anything to her either. She will probably figure it out on her own by her lack of success.

I also love to work on MTs, who else better at understanding a MT aches and pains then another MT.

 

[Angela M]

small vent

Wow, it's tuff to get a massage! I would have handed her my card and said
"call me, set up an appt for massage and then we can talk". O.K. that was the sarcastic me, but hey, I know exactly what you went through. It's uncomfortable and all you are trying to do is get a massage! I have been known to express my discomforts ie to much/to little pressure, unscented products please etc . I think it's perfectly acceptable to express your needs.
I am not sure you can do much about her nerves or ability to give a good massage. But, if you feel comfortable with the person giving you a massage and they are feeling a bit nervous, I think it's ok to reassure them. Hopefully, you can take care of these things before you get on the table.

 

[magix151]

I can totally empathasize with you all. While I was going to school, I had arranged to do an exchange with one of my instructors. I think I was like maybe 4 or 5 months into the program. I thought I was doing fine and dandy (and looking back I can definitely note my learning curve as my massage didn't really have any of my 'personality' in it - know what I mean). Anyway, afterwards, I asked him how I did and I could just tell he wanted to say something, but he was supportive and simply told me he thought I was nervous. Also, towards the tailend of school, I asked another teacher to allow my to do a one-hour massage because I wanted her feedback on overall technique. Now this time I WAS nervous. At mentioning this, I consciously calmed myself (I remembered to breahe). At the end of the massage, she thought it was great. She commented that a massage therapist will, over time, develop a style and technique that is unique to that therapist. She told me I had found mine and advised me to further develop it. I guess what I'm saying with this is that perhaps you can tell the therapist(s) a positive and not a negative and leave it at that.

As far as doing deep work, I gotta say that, in my opinion, most students and those employed at a spa most work is fluff-and-buff (because I believe most schools do not attempt to teach clinical work), deep tissue work is equated with more engagement versus addressing specific muscles or muscle groups.

I, too, love to receive work from another MT. And, yes, fortunatelly or unfortunately, you tend to expect a level of professionalism and technique that you, perhaps, like to believe you maintain with your clients.

 

[dfuerstcat]

Nervous Nellies.

I am an the Advisory Board for two different massage schools. Quite frequently the placement directors will occasionaly have a "Near grad" that meets what I am looking for in a therapist. So the placement director will call me set up a student massage for me at the school.

When I go in and fill out the intake sheet, as my job I truthfully write down that I'm a pro soccer referee, and I take my massages very deep.

After the massage I'll be filling out my evaluation form in front of the clinic supervisor, and tell the near grad this. "I truly am a referee, but there's something I left out." The supervisor and I start smiling. I then hand them my business card and tell them that I'm the owner, and when they pass their national, and have their state license, give me a call.

Suddenly in their eyes I transformed in Denzel Washington or Brad Pitt (Yeah in my dreams), but they start shifting from side to side, get nervous, and their voice shakes. I've heard so much about your company, this is great, this is great! Thank you, Thank you.


Others in the past when I told them who I was, and why I was here before the appointment, they get too nervous. Several try to go too deep, which is fine for me, but end up running their elbow up and down my spine 7 times, and 5 times across my ASIS. Result: I don't tell them anymore.