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[cyanosis]

So I am about three weeks into working in the student clinic, things are running smoothly, but are still a bit rough in places. I find myself getting very nervous leading up the my sessions with clients, not so much about the massage, but more so about the intake and exit interview. I seem to be having a hard time asking the right questions to get as much information from the client as possible without it feeling like I am hammering them with a million questions. I am also trying my best to have the conversation come naturally and not like I am reading a script. I need tips on questions that will get me the most bang for my buck with getting the most information I can in the quickest way possible, with it flowing into conversation easily. Does anyone have any intake interview tips for the pressed for time student clinic? t017

 

[MelanieT]

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Go by system, rather than individual conditions (respiratory issues, joint problems, skin conditions, etc.)
Ask followup questions to answers.
Have you had any recent injuries or illnesses? This covers a lot.
If they've had massage before, but not from you, ask if there's anything that they particularly liked or disliked about the massage.
At the end: is there anything else you think I should know in order to give you a safe and effective massage?

 

[blue ribbon]

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Thank you!

 

[Pompal 09.]

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I think this thread might be helpful to you:

Starting clinic and nervous.

 

[Pompal 09.]

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I usually start with an easy question. I say "Tell me about your aches and pains." I have always had a way with putting people at ease with the way I speak to them. I try to break the more clinical questions down to a level that's both easy for them to understand what I'm asking and I ask the questions in a way that I hope will elicit a response more easy for me to pin point there problems. After first entering my room after reading their intake if I find joint pains I work in questions as to any movement restrictions in with a little description of undressing to their comfort level and my brief description on how my treatment will progress with them today. I can usually let a client know what to expect and gather my treatment information with in just a few short minutes on the walk back to the room. More involved issues like swelling and arthritis ailments may take a little more discussion to them on the treatment but not much more. And I also visually inspect my client from the moment they get up from the waiting room. You can gain a lot of confidence from a client if you can point out some of their issues before they tell them to you. Study how they rise from a seated position, look for signs of pain or discomfort and watch how they walk. A clients posture can tell you a lot. Hope this helps a little. Though I find no client to be routine in their treatment I have found that finding your own routine for the intake and info gathering was the first step in feeling real comfort working with the wide variety of clients you will in clinic as well in your future business. Trust me it takes time to find your own way of gathering this information. I suppose its different for everyone. But once you find your own flow you'll be amazed at how easily that process becomes second nature.

Eric

 

[Praiser]

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I simply came up with a script I'd pretty much use for every client the first time they came to me in clinic. That way, you know you cover all the bases and don't skip anything. (Our instructor made sure we recommended water each time as well, which I saved for after the massage - people tend to forget whatever you discussed immediately before a massage afterward, I've noticed.)

 

[TemskyncTes]

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I simply came up with a script I'd pretty much use for every client the first time they came to me in clinic. That way, you know you cover all the bases and don't skip anything. (Our instructor made sure we recommended water each time as well, which I saved for after the massage - people tend to forget whatever you discussed immediately before a massage afterward, I've noticed.)

It's nice to offer water, but there is no need to recommend it. Massage does not "flush toxins", and that's usually the main reason for drinking water in the first place.

 

[Cameron aka Ashley]

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Here's a nice thread regarding water and a document I linked to regarding metabolic boosting: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=21574&p=165311&hilit=water#p165311

 

[b*tch]

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I always offer water. Most people are grossly under hydrated and this can lead to many issues that we as massage therapists do treat. I always urge my clients to drink more water not because I feel our session has flushed them but just as a general courtesy to them and a mention as to how important being properly hydrated is to their body.