using heat during home visits

[diamondsandsapphire]

I only have a few clients I visit at home. One expressed to me that she misses the heat she's received in the past at the office. I would love to be able to offer her some but haven't figured out the best way to do that.

For the last visit, I brought my green heat pads that have a cartridge inside which, when pressed, changes the liquid to a heated gel (magic). This would be a decent solution except for the fact that one must simmer them for about 20 minutes to liquify them again (tedius) and that they don't have much longevity- I haven't used them too much and they are already spontaneously "igniting". Because of that, I would have to simmer them before each visit and use them right away. I've got a 10 and 3 year-old and I just can't guarantee I will have the time. I also don't think I want to invest more in a product that has, I feel, prematurally pooped out on me....

I also have the elasto-gel packs which have exploded in the micro- so they're out too.

Help? What do you seasoned on-the-road people do? Are there any products that I'm missing? Are towells in clients micro pretty much my best option?

Thanks!

 

[Sean :)]

I forgot.... I've considered taking an electric table warming pad- maybe the fleece one. Has anyone had experience doing that? Any pitfalls?

Thanks again

 

[Jeff H.]

http://www.thehappycompany.com

warming mat

 

[skeptic]

I haven't actually done this, but I plan on it and I think it will work. Two things:

1. Heated rice pack. Take the largest tube sock you can get, fill it with about 4 pounds of rice. You can heat this in THEIR microwave for between 3-5 min (depending on size of microwave) while they are undressing. It's a little longer than I normally would give for them to undress, but they will understand if they want the heat. You can use this to lay on their back or anywhere they have pain. For me the heat usually lasts 45-60 min. Not too bad. Be sure to use regular rice, not instant.

2. A skillet. This costs about $30-40 at walmart, is light enough to carry around, and can be filled with water and heats up in about 10 min. Sooner if you add hot water. I plan on using this at my outcall clients house to have available to heat bottles of oil, and also to dip towels in so that I can wipe them down for mud wraps or salt glows (although theoretically they could use their own shower. I'll have to think about that!) Or just use yummy hot towels anywhere on the body. You can use them as a hot compress and stack/lay dry towels on top to let the heat penetrate.

These things I'm talking about for a client that already has their own massage table. If you are already lugging a table around, you may not want to bring this extra stuff as it will add to the weight you are carrying here and there. But they are options.

You could also put a few hot stones in the skillet and use those as needed. I myself would not bring a whole set of hot stones because it would be too much lugging.

Good luck!

Shiva

 

[laineyette]

I use a Thermophore moist heat pad. It has a fairly long cord and there's usually an outlet within reach. I put it on the client's back when I work their legs, and vice versa. I think mine was about $50, but that was years ago, don't remember clearly.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have an electric mattress pad that I use as a table warmer. It heats up pretty quickly and folds and refolds without any problem. I have thought about the smaller table warmers for easier carrying, but I'm not sure how well they would take to being folded constantly, rather than just staying on the table.

 

[JUDY 3000]

1. Heated rice pack. Take the largest tube sock you can get, fill it with about 4 pounds of rice. You can heat this in THEIR microwave for between 3-5 min (depending on size of microwave) while they are undressing. It's a little longer than I normally would give for them to undress, but they will understand if they want the heat. You can use this to lay on their back or anywhere they have pain. For me the heat usually lasts 45-60 min. Not too bad. Be sure to use regular rice, not instant.

This was what I was going to suggest!

Only difference being that I use a little less rice.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I have a table warmer that I can take with me on outcalls, it has worked well in the past. I also have several rice packs of different sizes that I can take with me if I like.

I actually have a pretty good set up for outcalls. I have my table in its bag w/bolster, which I have a cart for. Then I have a very large rolling duffle bag. It can hold my stereo, 2-3 sets of sheet, a rolled up fleece pad and/or table warmer, oil, lotion, a towel or 2, cds, crystals I travel with etc. Oh, and I can get the head and arm rest in there too! Basically it is my office on wheels.

It just looks like I'm moving in for a bit! LOL

 

[eEz]

It just looks like I'm moving in for a bit! LOL

LOL! That's what I jokingly say to clients! It's a science, getting it all portable and compact. An ever changing one...
I think adding a heat component was good. This is something people might expect in a spa or office, and it makes their home visit perfectly yummy.

It would be fun to have a thread about our portable set ups with pictures. Over the course of 2 years being strictly outcall, I've arranged and rearranged my system numerous times. I'd love to see what others are doing.

 

[GunnerRose]

Grandma's water bottle, like Fomentek. You can fill it w/warm water. You can get them at ebodylogic.com

 

[lois]

moose-goose, do you boil water for the bottle at your clients house or use hot tap? Is hot tap enough?

 

[Mike Hunt]

moose-goose, do you boil water for the bottle at your clients house or use hot tap? Is hot tap enough?

Hot tap water is good enough.

It's like a big hot water bottle, made out of clear plastic.
http://www.ebodylogic.com/granhotwatba.html
has a pic

 

[ffl04122007]

I don't know if it is too late to respond to this, but I do mostly outcalls. I use the electric warming pads designed for massage tables and my clients love them! I especially love the warmers in the summer, I make a deal with the clients to keep their a.c. on at a decent temperature for their hard working M. Therapist and I will bring the warmer for their comfort!
You won't believe what I just accomplished, ALL of my clients have their own tables now, I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. *L*

I bought the Fomentek's a couple of years ago and have never used them, do they hold their heat for the full massage?

 

[in_lovebaby13]

I bought some of those cheap 10 hour hand warmers and tried that with a client last night. She started prone, so I started them on the backs of her knees over the blanket, then soon moved them to her upper back as I did compressions down her spine and legs. When I folded the sheet & blanket down to massage her back I placed them on her glutes on top of the blanket - nice anchor! When she was supine I moved it around a bit, too, ending with it under her suboccipitals. She loved it! Made me miss working with hot stones, but SO much more portable! They come in different sizes, so I'll be experimenting, but that smallest size was already great!

 

[anastasia198320]

I bought the Fomentek's a couple of years ago and have never used them, do they hold their heat for the full massage?

They hold heat for the whole massage and more! I admit, I don't use them in my practice too often, but I use them all the time at home and give them to friends to use when some extra heat and comfort is needed and they work great.

 

[rurouni]

You won't believe what I just accomplished, ALL of my clients have their own tables now, I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. *L*

Wow! Congratulations! How did you manage to make that happen. Was it luck or negotiation?

 

[Gabrielle Bell]

Hi, I use an electric mattress pad on my tables, but will also roll up towels in a plastic bag, place into the microwave (with a glass of water) and nuke for a minute or two. That makes them nice a warm..then I place them on the client's back as soon as they get on the table..and cover the hot towel with a heavy blanket - or you can use silver thermal covers. Sometimes I'll put the towels in the washing machine and place them on a spin cycle - then heat them in a bag in the microwave for one or two minutes. You get great heat this way.

I also use a hot towel cabinet for small towels.

Hope this helps.
Jules

 

[SupR]

You won't believe what I just accomplished, ALL of my clients have their own tables now, I feel like I have died and gone to heaven. *L*

Wow! Congratulations! How did you manage to make that happen. Was it luck or negotiation?

Thank you, Blisss!
It has been mainly negotiation. 4 of my original clients already had tables and I picked their brains on how their previous therapist managed to get them to purchase them. And then I worked from there. Several of my clients had upstairs rooms that they wanted to use so I started requesting first level rooms be used and then progressed to this.
I also see these clients on a weekly or bi weekly basis- so it really makes sense to them to have the equipment set up. Some have bought bolsters, and hydrostatic stools too!
They all have said that they want my strength saved for the hands on bodywork...*L* I really believe that any client that wants ongoing appointments would consider this if asked. That is why I wanted to bring it up, it might be something to consider. There are some great tables and reasonable prices now for in home visits..which frees me up for carrying the wamers, and heat packs and etc. I feel I can offer more spa like tx's now and the clients love it.