Relaxation or Specific Work?

[winifred]

I've recently found myself in a quandry regarding client sessions.

I do an intake, talk to the client and find out what is going on with them and what they are hoping to get out of a session. I explain that if more specific work is desired or required, it can take up a significant portion of the table time.

Most people that I have worked on so far all want RELAXATION, but many also present with some issues that if worked could really help that client. I always discuss this with the clients prior to the session and also during the session and leave it up to them. This should be the end of it, right? I realise that every session is about the client, not me however...

I can't help but feel that many of these clients, although they often times give permission and seem to understand what I am saying about spending extra time in a specific area or areas end up feeling a bit disappointed that they didn't get "The Full Body Relaxation Massage".

I am not sure how to resolve this in the future. I have a strong desire for the client to be satisfied with their session. Can it really be as simple as rephrasing what I am already saying? Like: "I might come across some areas that could use some extra work - if I linger in some areas that is going to give us less time to address other areas of the body and some parts might be left out entirely due to time constraints. *If you would rather I make sure to hit everything regardless of what I find, I can do that.*"

I feel like in the long run, if I am just going to get one session in with this person, does it really matter? Should I be caring this much if they want to gloss over an area that is screaming for work?

I think what is bothering me is that I don't want to end up doing all relaxation Swedish techniques. Not never, but I don't want it to make up the bulk of my work. Do I even have control over this? With time, do enough clients become repeat clients to balance this out? I'm not at a point where I want to turn anyone away simply because they want to *relax* - so this is just something I am kicking around in my brain and I wondered if anyone ever felt the same and how it worked out.

 

[Bozema]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

I still feel the same way. Unfortunately, I also still don't have a solution. Sometimes it seems you present an either/or situation and they pick the one they think they're supposed to pick.
I have often explained that they can get one hour focused work or 90 minutes full body with some attention to areas needing more work. Sometimes that helps, not always.
But, I hear you.

 

[zenda]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

Wow... send some of those 'just want relaxation' my way please.

 

[Citizen of the Cosmos]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

This is really about good communication.

In a verbal intake it is up to you to make sure you understand your client's goals/purpose for the session.

"are you looking for relaxation today or do you have a specific issue you would like to address?"

Most people will respond with what they want.
But then I repeat what I think they said...
"So we will be doing a full body relaxing massage today with a little extra focus on your shoulders."
If they are requesting therapeutic work in a specific area - most often back,neck, shoulders - I will offer them the option of just doing upper body so as to give more time to those areas.

Okay - so the people that just wanted the relaxing massage...
I can feel areas that need specific, detailed work. Since the client did not request the extra work, I just acknowledge the condition by my touch, back off and mention at the END of our session the area(s) that would benefit from a therapeutic session next time. All of my clients understand that I have no judgements or agendas for their session. I will give them my opinion if they want it - but it is THEIR massage, not mine.

Your clients are more apt to become those repeat clients when you listen to them and when you provide the service that they ask for. Sounds simple. But if, like me , you have ever gone for a massage and were clear and specific about what you wanted and what you did not want - you probably KNOW how it feels when they don't listen and just do whatever they want. It sucks.

 

[odinsragess]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

How you communicate is key. It sounds like you are having difficulty getting your message across in a way that inspires your clients to choose differently.

Your clients are more apt to become those repeat clients when you listen to them and when you provide the service that they ask for. Sounds simple. But if, like me , you have ever gone for a massage and were clear and specific about what you wanted and what you did not want - you probably KNOW how it feels when they don't listen and just do whatever they want. It sucks.

I completely agree... yet there is opportunity for a client to change their mind about what they truly want from a session. With effective communication, it is possible to inspire some clients to decide that what they really want is what their MT suggests. If that session results in a satisfactory conclusion, they will be more likely to follow up on that MT's suggestions in the future.

My own clientele is largely comprised of people that see me for specific work. Many of them started as people who came in expecting a basic full-body massage, then changed their minds about what they wanted during the initial intake. Few ask me to do full-body relaxation now, though occasional exceptions occur. My intakes are fairly thorough, even for regular clients, and our goal is always to achieve the maximum amount of relief in the time we have available. I make my recommendations during the intake and educate them as needed. My clients go with my suggestions at least 80% of the time.

Because I don't know how you do an intake, I can't give much in the way of specific advice regarding how you make recommendations. However, here is a simple way to phrase the question in a way that might reframe the client's perspective regarding the choices available. I recommend using this at the end of your intake and prior to getting your client on the table:

"We have several ways to use the time available to us. We can try doing a basic full-body session with just a little extra time here and there, OR we can really focus on the areas that are contributing the most to your discomfort so we can give you maximum relief. Which option sounds better to you?"

Notice that you aren't denigrating the full-body session, but you ARE emphasizing that the focused work might be a better option for them at this time. This creates a "win/more win" choice for your clients that may inspire some of them to choose to do more focused sessions.

Hope that helps you!

 

[Hope<3]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

Thank you all, the suggestions do really help me and I feel that the frustration is born out of my worries over communication and being so new still.

I like the idea of the win/win more scenario. I think that I just need to be more concise on how I phrase what I say and WHAT I say. I like the repeating back to the client idea as well. It lets the client know that I heard and reinforces that I was listening and heard them and so that when they get on the table they can let go instead of worrying in their head if I really understood what they wanted.

There have been times that I read the intake form and my brain is going with what I can do/should try and then I have to switch gears to listen to what they are saying and what they want. I HAVE had sessions where I felt the the therapist did not listen very well and it does suck. I definitely do not want to be making that mistake.

I think that by tailoring my intake form I can fine tune this as well, at least to get the person thinking while they are filling out the form what their choices are before they are *put on the spot* with me asking and them feeling that they have to give the correct answer immediately.

I still remember the first time I ever had a massage and the therapist asked what I was seeing her for. I was very confused! t017 I really thought everyone sought massage for relaxation purposes only. It is good to remember that some people might not have prior experience with therapists trained to relieve pain or ROM issues or may be brand new to massage. Explaining what we do and what we CAN do goes a long way toward fulfilling the clients wishes and having satisfied repeat clients. All good reminders for me and all therapists!

 

[LQ_MASSAGE]

Relaxation or Specific Work?

"We have several ways to use the time available to us. We can try doing a basic full-body session with just a little extra time here and there, OR we can really focus on the areas that are contributing the most to your discomfort so we can give you maximum relief. Which option sounds better to you?"

Great summary--thanks Jason! I would and another "or," as in, "OR we could add another 30 minutes and accomplish both specific work and thorough relaxation."