Conduct an Interview

It is always important to speak with your client prior to beginning a massage therapy session, to ensure that you are both on the same page about the expectations for change, focus, and treatment during the massage. Clients may sometimes come in for a deep tissue massage, even if they normally receive a light, relaxing Swedish massage. Techniques that you normally use might not be preferred in a new session, and some clients may want you to focus on their legs and back, even though you normally work on their neck and shoulders. By conducting a thorough interview with your client, you can be sure that you are well informed of their focus areas and expectations, which is essential to providing exceptional service and to giving a good massage.

Before a massage, the clients’ interviews are the ideal time to speak about factors that may have led to the problem areas, to help you tailor your massage techniques. If a client comes in complaining about low back pain, find out the history of the pain, and possible causes of the problem. Do they drive often? Is there any past surgery or accident that may have contributed to the pain? What kind of pain is it – a shooting pain that may be linked to a pinched nerve, or general muscle soreness that they want addressed during the massage? Clients provide a wealth of information and when you speak with them, you can better prepare for giving a good massage.

Be Aware and Informed

Once you are in the massage, being totally aware and informed of your clients’ expectations might mean changing the plan mid-way through the massage. Clients may communicate to you that they want to switch from deep tissue massage techniques to a Swedish massage, and giving a good massage means being able to communicate to the client any changes or focus areas that you believe would be beneficial.

For example, imagine a client who has requested a Swedish massage for relaxation, and indicates noticing some adhesions in their shoulders and back. If you want to change massage techniques to address these areas, you should always ask the client if they want you want to address the adhesions with deeper techniques before actually doing so – “never assuming” is part of giving a good massage! Just because a client mentions a problem area in the initial interview does not necessarily mean that they want you to spend time on it during the massage. Clients may just be giving you background information to be helpful. This can be understandably confusing, but it is a common break in communication between the therapist and the client, and can unfortunately lead to your client leaving unhappy, or uncomfortable if you use the wrong massage techniques.

Understand Appropriate Positioning

Giving a good massage means being ready and able to adjust your 강남 오피 table to accommodate all clients. Not everybody will want, or be able, to lie on the table prone or supine during a massage. The clients you encounter will likely have a number of unique personal and medical needs. By understanding how to appropriately position clients and alter your massage techniques for any number of issues, you can be sure to give each of your clients the individual service and attention that they deserve. Some preparation recommendations for always giving a good massage:

Stocking your room with at least two extra bolsters, or three pillows. These can be used to support a side-lying position, and can provide extra comfort to people with injuries or painful areas. In the event that you are performing pregnancy massage, techniques aided by bolsters are essential in giving a good massage.
Positioning also includes ensuring that the client is enjoying a comfortable temperature during the massage. Clients should always be asked whether they are too cold or too warm. Be prepared to accommodate them with extra blankets of varying thicknesses and warmth.

Preparing for Emotional Issues: Existing or Brought on by Massage Techniques

Giving a good massage also means being ready to address clients’ emotional issues. Sometimes, an emotional memory may come up during an otherwise routine massage. Clients experience muscle tension due to emotional stress, and when addressing the physical ailments of a client, thoughts and memories of the related cause of the stress may occur.