Massage Tutorial: Talking to Clients On the Massage Table
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 18. 06. 2024
- My new book is out! It's called Massage Is Weird: massagesloth.com/book/
Want to maximize your session time with your massage clients? Take a few moments to explain the "why" of your massage, as you do it! Here's how.
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Bringing the client "on board" with their treatment plan
2:22 Increasing client satisfaction and compliance
2:58 Avoiding stigmatization: Emphasize acceptance and resilience
4:15 Avoiding overload (let the client lead!)
4:58 Examples: Explaining the rotator cuff
6:20 Explaining the hip/low back pain relationship
7:00 Explaining uncommonly massages muscles (gluteus medius, SCM)
Do you find yourself clamming up during your sessions? I used to, but I was forced to start talking more during sessions when I worked at a franchise. It was either that or never get to say a word! I found that by explaining my process while I was in session, I was able to point out parts of my process that I could never explain with words alone. It's a great time to tell them about the "ironing out" feel of myofascial release, and talk about how it's a slow conversation with the nervous system. You can spend more time explaining your trigger point strategy, or asking them about their pain. As long as the client is responding and seems inquisitive, you can make use of the great teaching resource under your hands!
As always, let the client lead the way here. If it's your first session, or if they're just not very responsive that day, then err on the side of talking too little. You can expand on things as you go forward, or you might have found a client who prefers silence! Ironically, communication is the best way to discover this about your client đ
As always, emphasize the resilience of your client's body, and avoid framing the information you present in a way that could feel like labeling or judgment. I've had too many clients come to me who had been told that they had the "tightest neck" or the "most knots" their last massage therapist had ever felt. When I palpated those regions, you know what I found? Normal, healthy muscle tissue! So resist the urge to sensationalize what you feel. Instead, try to express how normal it is to find tight shoulders and trigger points, etc!
What's your communication strategy on the table? Do you have any examples for language that works well for you? Let us know in the comments!
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This is a great summary! I have 50 minute massages with 10 minute breaks too. My ice breaker is, "How's your mind? How's your muscles?" " Is there any area that needs a little more time and attention today?" I try to ask that before and toward the end of the massage. Since there's very little time between clients, I summarize my plan in the consultation, then explain my techniques when therapeutic work is being done. Clients are comfortable telling me their communication preferences.
I like that approach, and the language you've come up with!
I really appreciate this. I don't usually talk to my clients unless they initiate conversation. I do like the idea of describing the work I am doing and why. I'll try it out!
I have been working for 35 years as a massage therapist and you should talk to them at the beginning and the end. People want to relax, they don't want an anatomy lesson. If they do, they WILL ASK YOU.
Thank you... Communication with a client is always a good thing. I think this might be one of the biggest failures for massage therapist around the world. Communication in everything we do is key. Perhaps ask your client if there is specific areas they would like to address.... Tell them to give a "umm humm" to continue an a area that feels good. Again, great vid!
Great suggestions. Makes all the difference being in clear communication and consent. I appreciate this and you. Any further videos on communication are helpful. It is one of my challenges as a therapist. Finding the balance of speaking and holding space for silence. Each client is different and sometimes I feel different too. Often I want to just go into my intuitive process while other times I sense that thr client needs me to communicate to create safety and/or education
Great video once again.. Iâm very mindful and do like to run through things if applicable, one thing I do note is clients responses to touch; they may be quiet on the table and not saying if something is uncomfortable however their hands might twitch or fingers clench.. I like to read these responses during treatments and ensure clients comfort. đ thanks again
Great video. I'm an RN as well, and talk to my clients about what I find and what I'm doing. I want them to understand and always be able to participate in their treatment. I find it also helps them relax and builds trust. Nursing has taught me to make statements factual and very neutral when describing things. This is a great video! Thanks a bunch for making it.
Thank you!! This is so helpful, as someone who likes silence in session and also was never trained in school to communicate properly and efficiently
Right on! Let me know how it goes, and it's okay if you have to force it the first few times :)
Thank you for this information! I am a tattoo artist and struggle a bit to find a balance on what to say, when to speak and how much is too much conversation (on my end). âLet the client lead the conversationâ is honestly a great tip. Thank you!
Didnt realize how many questionsthey are as a client.. Kind of forgot a bit, I do avoid talking during massage thinking I rather have them relax for me to be able to work .. It makes much more sense and appreciate this, thanks for your knowledgeđđâđ
I talk to my client all the time its also a way one connects which relaxes them and allows you to have that trust factor for deeper release due to them relaxing more. recently found your channel I am enjoying the content. my clients very much enjoy when I educate them on how they are creating the issue.
I'll often ask clients about the origins of more prominent pain. If they can't think about why their lower back is sore I'll ask about the functions they perform at work or any tasks around the house they've done lately. I find trying to deduce the tasks that can cause pain can be educational and help clients to be a bit more aware of their actions and well being.
Eg. If someone is regularly driving to a labor intensive job I'll try to reinforce the idea that a short bit of stretching or movement before getting started can help alleviate some of the back pain that may be caused by the job. Just getting the client more conscientious in general.
It's all about knowing that KINES!
Youâre awesome man! Iâm in school right now and I learn a lot more from your videos than I do in class lol. I really respect and admire your perspective on the human body. Itâs inspiring đ
Again a beautiful, very helpful video - thank you a lot! :) I love your videos and also learned again quite a bit in the comments.
Especially the part with the negative remarks about the body that some people get from other therapists was so good to hear. I sometimes wondered about it. To worried people I sometimes like to point out parts that are healthy and relaxed. In most cases the "problem" is tiny compared to all the things, that function perfectly.
An approach I like in general is to awake a sense of compassion for what the body is doing saying something like: "this or that muscle is just faithfully overworking for you, to protect you, to keep you safe. Maybe we can show him, that it can let loose a bit. LetÂŽs see what the connection is and what it needs." If it fits to the massage client I ask them, if they know Dobby from Harry Potter, who also tried to rescue relentlessly, almost killing Harry. But he is so loving and wanted so well! A client gave her Iliopsoas names after hearing that, we now are working with her bodyguards Karl 1 and Karl 2.
In general I learned to refuse being too brutal with the body (when some people want their massages as hard as possible). I prefer to show the muscles where they can go and what they can do instead of knocking out the poor things.
Some people like to tell me a lot and for some it seems to be helpful. When they are relaxing while doing it, I let it be and also react to it like a normal human only without initiating too much. And always being careful, that they stay in a positive mood. With some clients it happens, that we are laughing tears and that can definitely help the relaxation.
Every massage is different. And I was and am surprised to learn with the massages how incredibly different we humans are.
Greetings to all massage therapists!
This is lovely, Renate! I really like the visual of muscles as faithful protectors, loyal and true, who can be slowly convinced to lay down their arms. Thanks for that đ
When will you do an ASMR video?
Some great ideas and techniques to educate the clients in a way to make them part of the treatment..thanks so much!
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
I also read through some of the below comments which are helpful as they reflect how every client can be different. I myself don't want to talk when I am getting a Swedish massage, but feel more comfortable if someone explains to me what he/she does during a remedial massage (e.g. I noticed your left pelvis is rotated anteriorly. So I am going to work on...which will help...). So, I guess I can empathize with both sides :-)
I love this video, especially the part about not stigmatizing the client. I think people like the âideaâ of knots less bc its a competition (who wants more knots?) and more bc they think you are doing something significant if you are working out their knots. Unless I observe that the client knows about anatomy, I try to use more laymans terms. Instead of âinfraspinatusâ I may say shoulder blade muscles....just bc they are in a pretty deep state of mind so I dont want them to have to think too hard. Also instead of education I like to use talking as a way to get them deeper into awareness and investigation. So for example I ask them if they remember any actions they may have done that lead to the pain/area of tension (if its a significant area). This is great bc it gives me alot more information and it is a way to connect what is happening on the table to their actual life and then hopefully from that awareness they can be motivated to change. My problem I think is that I am not assertive enough, bc I dont like assuming that the client wants to be âtrainedâ like I see alot of therapists doing. Sometimes I have couples sessions and then the other therapist tells my clients what to do - So rude! But sometimes I think that I say too little at the end of sessions, when people expect that âend of the massage moral.â I have alot of high end clients though that dont like to be told what to do so that may be it too.
Hey! I pretty much approach my clients in the same way! Good job!
One more great video. Thanks đđŒ
Thank you for sharing.
Great video as always!
I see you changed your hair! Glad to see you back. I hope you are well.
LOVE this channel! Wow
Wow dude thanks man!! Feels tailored to yer audience i.e. me. Very kewl.
Really like your content will definitely be implementing some of this as a new mft
I'd rather not to talk. I've anxiety so me talking is a no go for me. I just want to relax and let my mind relax. Just please give me a great massage. Thanks đŹđ
See, Iâm the type where I want silence during my massage. đ€·đŒââïž
Patrick Keown my husband is the same way. If Iâm working on him, I can talk all I want, Iâm just not allowed to make him feel obligated to talk. Heâs not able to relax if he feels like he has to talk
Great video thank you!!! Random question - my joints crack so much, my fingers and wrists mostly... when Iâm massaging, I get so embarrassed because my hands will crack so often! But I donât know how to stop it! Anyway just wondering if you know why some people crack so much and any advice on how to stop it
Same
That is typically out of the scope of practice for LMTs to go into with our clients, however you should reach out to a chiropractor. That is different more their area of expertise.
I know this is an old comment⊠but I highly recommend doing joint mobilization exercises every day for at least a half hour! Eventually the clicking will lessen if not go away entirelyâŠ
Great information as always, thanks :).
The one that always gets me is when a client says something along the lines of "Pretty tight back there, huh?!" or "Oh my back is sooo tight, does it feel really bad!?" Almost like they're proud of having tight muscles.
Do you have a recommendation of what to say to that? I'm definitely more than happy to explain what I'm doing and feeling to clients as I work if they seem interested, but still find it so strange that some seem almost excited about having an issue.
Haha yeah, I get that a lot. I'll usually try to deflect toward solutions (e.g., "I do feel that tightness, but it's nothing a little massage and stretching can't handle") or just basically nod my head and move on. What I try to avoid is either feeding into it OR minimizing it. I don't want the client to feel dismissed, especially because many of them do indeed seem to take pride in their tightness/knots! If possible I'll try to emphasize their body's ability to adapt and recover, especially if the client seems to feel fear regarding the perceived dysfunction. I recently had a client tell me that her chiropractor had told her that her neck was abnormally tight, and she mentioned it more than once as we were discussing her symptoms. Well, I palpated her neck, and it felt like normal muscle! I made sure to let her know what I felt, and that I was nothing but optimistic that we could deal with her neck issues.
Speaking as a client with some social anxiety... I often feel some guilt about getting a massage, like it's self-indulgent or I'm wasting the therapist's time, etc. It's irrational but it's there. Emphasising that there's a real problem that needs treatment assuages that guilt.
â@@MassageSloth Thanks! It's always a little frustrating when you can tell a client's been told by previous practitioners how especially "tight" they are to the point where it becomes a complex for them, but I love the idea of deflecting to an optimistic, solution based response. I'll definitely take that into future sessions :)
I learned from a continuing education course how important it was to validate their feelings but to remember that its mental as well. Instead of saying "wow! You're so tight!" Say, "there's tension there but it can be worked out". If people know they can be helped they will feel better instead of focusing on the pain all the time. Some therapists over share with what their findings are instead of helping the client work through them.
Thank you for the helpful video! I am always looking for ways to improve communication on the table. Speaking of which, any advice when non-communicative clients barely respond to anything on the table but then complain long after the service, usually on forms or reviews? I try to be open and helpful, but I don't know how to help or adjust for clients who are no longer on my table/county. If they say something afterwards, then maybe I can try to help, but no one says it in the moment or to my face.
For me, this is a several part process that starts before they ever see me. I do my best to put as much information on the internet (my website and Facebook business page) as possible, including videos of me in action, frequently asked questions, and various posts about my massage philosophy. The goal is for the people who eventually wind up in my office to feel like they already know me, and for them to be comfortable with my approach before we even meet. Once there, I make sure to take my time with the initial interview, asking good follow up questions and letting them know to err on the side of too much communication (I've got a video on the initial interview as well). From there I keep the lines of communication open as much as possible during that first massage.
All that said... some people still have very little to say, and it's hard to pry any information out of them đ This is another one of those situations where all we can do is our best. Keep making little tweaks to your approach, but as long as you've done your due diligence to keep the lines of communication open, you can safely let the rest go. Some people will respond well, others not so much. Keep moving forward, and you'll attract your best possible client base.
@@MassageSloth Thank you so much for replying! It really helps to get an ear what others do in their practice as I grow my own, outside of spas and salons. I love giving informations, dream of having pamphlets to take home and other items. But when reality kicks in, all other plans and things I have going on get crowded. I will definitely work on building my website and immediate info cards.
I am working on my communication skills. The challenging thing for me about massage is retaining information. I did pretty well in school, but I sort myself out and get tongue-tied while working on clients.
Just realize that your clients don't hear the "ums" or pauses. Give yourself permission to be imperfect with your delivery, and to not have all the information at your fingertips. Useful recall is more important than encyclopedic recall. As you allow yourself to be an imperfect communicator and get into the habit of finding your voice anyway, you'll find that every part of the process flows more easily, and you'll start packaging good info into tidy scripts without realizing you're doing it. Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!
Oh good the question Iâve had for a while actual pertains a little to this, if you, a client would like a MT to talk less because theyâre having an ACUTAL conversation for longer than 10 mins, (I think it was longer than half the massage) how would you get them to stop. I had that once and tried the âgiving short answersâ or not âresponding muchâ but they didnât really get the hint until I finally flipped over.
It wouldnât have bothered me as much if theyâd asked, âhowâs the pressureâ, âcan I massage your scalp (or really anywhere)â or what you did in the video and explained why youâre doing things.
I think the easiest time to set this up is at the beginning of the massage. Something like, "I think I'd like to mostly stay quiet this session, is that okay? But feel free to ask about the pressure or whatever." Or if it's a new massage therapist: "I've had MTs in the past who kind of chatted the whole time, is it okay if I don't talk much?" During the massage you could say something like, "I kind of feel like being quiet for a while, is that alright?"
Now, keep in mind that I'm just writing out the polite versions because confrontation is no fun... but know as a client, it is always your right to ask for less talk! If I was talking and a client said, "do you mind not talking quite so much?" I would say, "of course, sorry about that!" and button my lip đ
Massage Sloth thank you! If that situation ever comes up again ill be less hesitate to speak up about it.
This helps massage therapists work with skittish clients. Us ticklish clients might still laugh...
You just bother the client. She doesn't need an anatomy lesson, she needs to relax.
I would rather them to shut up when I'm paying $60. I get them for relaxation.
Quite OK as it is the experience you choose. Personally if you came to me for a treatment I would direct you to someone more fitting.
@@jessicaf2270 I went to this one place. Spend over 150 bucks. She would not stop talking.