communication with client during massage

[Magic is Might!]

Hi all,

Can someone tell me how often we should check in on pressure applied during massage. I've just started out after having qualified over a year ago so feel somewhat rusty! I guess my worry is that perhaps I check in to little for fear of spoiling the experience for the client. I think the massages I've given to date have been well received, and have had repeat clients.

I just wonder how others approach this?

Many thanks in advance

Marion

 

[sinking_into_darkness]

I've got two months until I am qualified and usually just ask if the pressure is ok on the leg, arm, stomach and back, especially if I am doing effleurage or friction - I suppose it also depends on what kind of massage they have requested i.e. stimulating or relaxing. Also you usually can sense from the client if they are enjoying the massage through facial expressions. I've not had a problem so far with my massages and all my clients have responded well to treatment.

Hope that helps

Pemba

 

[just me]

Hi Marion[/align][/align]If you are applying general body massage then it should not really be an issue, it is only when you go in and sort something out that you start to go in deep enough to cause discomfort/pain during a treatment.[/align][/align]If you are qualified to treat injuries then it is advisable to stay below a persons pain threshold as much as possible whilst addressing the dysfunction, this requires you to keep looking and asking as well asasking them to communicate what they are feeling.[/align]

 

[Kristy]

Hmm, not sure I strictly agree with you there Paul. I was massaging a client last week and he won the prize - it felt like I was massging skin-covered concrete, he was so tense. As such I had to use the deepest techniques ever, and I asked him if it was deep enough and he said it was a great massage, but I could 'always go deeper'. He then told me about a massage he'd had previously where the girl asked, "Is that deep enough for you?" and his reply was, "Oh, I didn't know you'd started yet." He thought she was still putting the oil on.

I do agree with you that with some clients you get a feeling for them straight away, and can tell what's deep enough for them. Indeed, sometimes a client's shoulders can feel swollen more than tense, and then I explain that I won't be pouding them, just using more gentle petrissage. But I do know people from the class I trained in many years ago, that I simply wouldn't pay to give me a massage because they had no comprehension of any technique, and would simply 'wipe' their hands over a client during the treatment, like you do as you're applying the massage medium.

Marion, I think you're on the right track. I don't think you can go wrong asking, especially if you hit a very tense or noduley area. It strikes a chord with the client that you know exactly what you're doing, and more often than not you'll pick up on something before they feel it, then they feel safe that you're doing something great for them.

 

[jeebs]

Thank you all for your replies, very useful and much appreciated.

Marion