just effleurage?

[T. Ruth]

What would you say to a client who wants just effleurage, just on the back, for 30 minutes?

 

[Serghey]

just effleurage?

What would you say to a client who wants just effleurage, just on the back, for 30 minutes?

After finding out if they really understand what they are asking for, I would say "OK".

 

[Manushi G]

just effleurage?

"My fee for a half hour is..." :~)

Might be kinda interesting to see how many different ways one can find to do effleurage for a half hr?? Looooooong flowing, short hand-over-hand, light feathering ......???

Keeps thing interesting when clients request things outside the 'norm', I think...

 

[reis]

just effleurage?

What would you say to a client who wants just effleurage, just on the back, for 30 minutes?

Did my husband call you for an appointment? lol
That is what he loves. Me personally, its rough doing just that for 30 minutes,

 

[judy.gideon]

just effleurage?

I'm wondering if the repetitiveness would injure me even if it is ...just effleurage!

 

[Empress of Trolls]

just effleurage?

As for repetitiveness, I think as long as you're aware of yourself and what you're feeling while you work, you should be fine. I was taught that the moment a particular stroke or movement I'm doing causes a negative sensation (fatigue, soreness, or anything remotely uncomfortable) to immediately change what I'm doing. This could be as little as changing pressure or my angle of approach, or switching to a different technique entirely. Working this way, I've had days where I've worked on 5 clients back to back, and felt ready to do a 6th or more.

Just don't overwork yourself on anything specific, but consider it a healthy challenge to dig through your "toolbox" and see if there's been any techniques you're been overlooking.

 

[apple]

just effleurage?

I might ask if there's any particular reason for their request, such as a health concern. Personally I couldn't imagine why anyone would want just 30 minutes anyway - but then I love longer sessions.

 

[Keegzz]

just effleurage?

I once spent 80 minutes on just 4 extremely slooooooooooooowwww and moderately deep effleurage strokes along the erectors from the upper to lower back. It's gotta be the absolute slowest effleurage I've ever done, but the results were surprisingly positive. The client really relaxed and his bunched-up erectors melted like butter in the sun.

The other 10 minutes of that 90-minute session were spent on 5 minutes of "normal" effluerage over the back, then 5 minutes of "normal" again at the end. The client really enjoyed it, but I never repeated that experiment. It just isn't practical for most clients.

 

[Ren]

just effleurage?

I have had MANY clients that come to me for specific body parts to be worked on their ENTIRE session. I remember my jaw dropping when I was first scheduled a 60 min for a client who only wanted his back worked on. And then the client who wanted their left leg worked on for 60 min. And then the client who wanted a 90 back only session. Whew! I really love to branch out and try new techniques with my clients, so I have done effleurage only sessions where I only use my forearms, a medium pressure, lots of oil, and minimal diaper style towel draping. I've done sessions with no lotion, only MFR, and triggerpoint work combined with stretching. I've had massages where we did rocking, stretching, vibration and friction the whole time! I personally love "relaxation massages" where the flow is smooth and steady and light to medium pressure the whole session, but everyone likes different things! :massage:

 

[evanescence 667]

just effleurage?

Thanks for the responses. I also usually listen to any cues to switch techniques. And I switch techniques.
I ordered the book Jason recommended in the hopes of additional protection against overuse.