Confidence in massage

[jzmiozfk]

Seasons greetings everyone!

I just thought I'd post this to hopefully get some relief from thisnagging feeling I'm having at the moment.

I'm studying VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Swedish Body Massage and in the last few weeks we have had a few tests and, although we do the practical side of things every week, it's felt a bit like the focus has been on the theory side lately - which I know is obviously important as well. I get as much massage practice as I can during the week but have had to neglect it a little bit because I've been revising so hard for the tests. When we go back on the 10th of January we have to take our case study person in to college and our tutor will be assessing us as to whether he feels we're are competent. After this we are then let loose on the public.

At the moment I'm just feeling a lack of confidence in what I'm doing. Everyone I have practiced on says they have enjoyed my massage and these are people who would tell me if they didn't but the course will be ending at the end of February and I just can't imagine how things will change. I'm obviously going to practice as much as I can but I just wondered if anybody else felt the same and if so, when did they feel completely confident when carrying out treatments?

The other thing that concerns me is that in class the other week I was massage by a classmate and it was, in my opinion, rubbish! It was all pinchy and jabby! How is our tutor going to know if we are competent when he hasn't experienced our massage? I asked my friend if it felt like this when I massaged her and, luckily, she said not!

Anyway, sorry to ramble, it's just that if I'm going to do something I want to do it properly and would appreciate any advice on offer!

Thank you!

 

[chris j]

Hi Sarah

Believe in yourself
Truse the feedback from those you have done (especially if they have had a massage elsewhere, so they have a benchmark)
Your tutor - if he/she has seen you working will know

We all look back and see how "green" we were, but there is a big differance between green and pinch scratch etc, so to a couple of tips

Develop a routine that is so well known you can do it automaticly (yes I can hear others hold their hands up in horror, but wait, this is only at this stage) This will allow your mind to concentrate and focus on HOW you are doing. Count to yourself - this keeps things equal, even, and controles the speed- (ten years on I still sometimes use this, I work in 6's) Make sure you keep on the move - it hepls reduce your body tention which is transmitted to the client. Last but not least - Don't fuss and flap with the towels, move- position and fold as required to give coverage but not so your hands keep bumping into or catching the towel, it is distracting for the client, ( I call it towel tickle, I am sure its been done to you)

Go for it.
Brendan

 

[Michael Ferreras]

Hi Sarah

You have nothing to worry about, as we've all felt this way!

I was extremely nervous when I had my first assessment on a member of the paying public, but tried to appear confident in front of my tutor because I thought the more nervous I appear, the more questions she would ask and also the client will pick up on what you are feeling. The first assessment was the hardest but after the initial consultation and then the massage, I really enjoyed the whole experience and was looking forward to the second. I made sure to revise beforehand and our tutor gave us a list of questions that she would be focusing on when assessing us in massaging a client. By the 3rd and final assessment I felt great and had built up all this confidence from massaging people that I didn't know (think I did about 6!).

As the saying goes "practice makes perfect" and am sure your tutor is not expecting you to perform miracles the first time round.

I also asked myself the same question about the tutor not knowing how good we are without experiencing a massage herself but its all about the technique, your stance, the way you project yourself and deal with the client. Of course it also encompasses the theory side and the amount of work you put into your tests/assignments - they have years of experience and can see whose good and whose not. Also they will be observing you and marking this in the purple book.

Also confidence in developing your own techniques will come in time, when you're out of college and you will gain much of this dealing with your own clients/business - at this point it will be far more relaxed as you won't be subjected to tests/assessments!

Hope it all makes sense - brain a bit frazzled.

If you want I can email you the questions that my tutor focused on during assessments.

Regards
Tracy x

 

[Wu Songding]

Hey there must massivly agree with the above.

If your people are telling you it felt good, you feel good doing it and they look relaxed after it then it is just a case of learning to trust your self.

Work out a pattern. Make a dance of it. Enjoy the smooth flow whilst maintaining good posture and before you know it you will feel like you are doing some sort of tai chi or Balinese dance.

I did VTCT in 12 wks 6hrs a week and really didn't feel confident until the first stranger I worked with said wow thats ace I feel great. That clinched it.

Chin up,all the joy Yule can bring.

jono (I used to work in heavy engineering, now I have beautiful soft precision hands)

 

[aavlcuya]

Thank you soooo much everyone! I hated sounding like a wet blanket in my post but I thought this was the best place to say it!

I guess I knew that people felt the same but it's always reassuring to hear it and I will definitely be taking all the advice given. I'm going to be practicing lots over the Christmas period and will try and get a few different people than normal to let me practice on them! (shouldn't be too hard - funny how people are always willing guinea pigs!)

Again, many, many, many thanks to all of you - just the words I needed to hear.

Sarah x

p.s, Tracy, thanks for the offer of e-mailing those questions. Don't worry though as I realise you might be a bit cream crackered at the moment - not long to go now is it?! Take care.

 

[aaron t]

Hi

Glad to be of help! I've got 5 weeks! Eek

Another thought, is that we had to massage a variety of clients ie. old, thin, large etc., so you're using a variety of different methods on each of them, so for someone who is large and has a lot of cellulite/adipose tissue, you would use more kneading or hacking to stimulate those areas and on an elderly person you'd probably leave out the hacking as it would bruise their skin and bones are more fragile. Also, depends on what they want from a massage, either relaxing or stimulating .I found that I left out the hacking, cupping and pinching as its quite stimulating for someone who may want a relaxing massage - its really up to you what you feel is best for the client once you find out their needs from the initial consultation andyour tutor will see that you are using your own initiative - just go with your instinct - you will be fine!

All the best!

Tracy x

 

[EpikkPenguin]

Hi Pemba

Oh I remember this feeling very well. What I say to you is this: ACT AS IF you are the most professional, experienced therapist in the world. BELIEVE that you are THE MOST PROFESSIONAL THERAPIST they have ever come across.

On the day of my ITEC massage exam in 1998, I cut my fingerjust secondsbefore I had to start the massage. My finger was bleeding.I was wearing my brand new white coat. PANIC.I remember thinking I could ignore it and just carry on - then I imagined how it would look massaging blood into the client's back - not a good idea. This all went through my mind in a split second. I took a deep breath, and said 'excuse me' to the Examiner - 'I have just cut my finger, I wonder if I there is a First Aid box where I could find an elastoplast - and perhaps this should be entered in the Accident Book?

Well, my massage was the same as I always do, except that the massage movements and the oil made my sticky plaster not stick and it was flapping around hanging off the end of my finger!!! I was mortified but carried on calmly as if everything was perfect.

The astonishing thing is that I was awareded 96% forthat practical exam - the highest in the Schoold's history. I'm convinced that it was my professional approach to the whole routine, rather than the actual massage itself, that won me that high mark.

So be calm, believe in yourself, perfect your 'modesty towel technique' so that it flows smoothly throughout the whole routine, keep hands on contact with the client the entire time - so no fussing with towels orunnecessary tucking - just keep a smooth, flowing rythmn throughout and your focus on the client. Practice your routinetill itflows automaticallyand you will pass with flying colours.

Best of luck.
epinay

 

[Tanniglara]

Hi Sarah Louise

Practice does make perfect as someone has already said. Go for massages yourself. Go for as many as you can afford or fit in from all sorts of places and from all sorts of different people. We do all have to start somewhere and if you go to other people/places, you will soon start to pick up tips from others and also find out what you like and dislike and so what you want to do for your clients. That's what I did when I was starting out and I found it helped.

I went to a local lady for an Indian Head Massage once as she had loads of qualifications and a beautiful treatment room. Unfortunately she had to call me to change the appointment and so found out I was a therapist (as I don't advertise the fact when booking a treatment). After 10 minutes or so of a text book massage, she stopped the routine and said in a shocked voice "Oh I didn't get you to fill in a client record card! You don't have epilepsy do you?" Needless to say, I don't do this but even if I had forgotten, I would have gone about mentioning it in a slightly different way!

Good luck. Have faith in yourself. If you believe you can do it, that will be transferred through your magic fingers to your client. We've all had these doubts but you're not alone!!!

Take care.... [sm=smilie_klau.gif]

Jo x