Opinions Wanted Please

[Meliciarth]

I had a lady call me for a Reflexology treatment because she had been recommended to try that for lower back pain. I have done the Reflexology, paying extra attention to the spine area and after the treatment the lady said she didnt feel any improvement, could I do a massage for her next time.

Anyway, went and did the massage on Monday night. I do Swedish and am used to my clients (well, probably only done about 30 treatments since I qualified) saying how wonderful they felt afterwards. This lady talked all the way through the massage and afterwards said it wasnt what she was expecting and her
back and shoulders felt slightly better but not as good as when she had a previous massage (she couldnt remember what sort this was)

She has booked again for 2 weeks time but said could I just concentrate on her back and shoulders and "go in deeper like the other girl did"

It sounds to me like she had some deep tissue massage or sports injury therapy previously and I am not sure, with my Swedish massage, that I can really do what she wants. So, in a bit of a dilema. Do I refer her on to another practitioner or does anybody have any tips where I could make my Swedish massage more effective in loosening up her muscles.

Sorry, this has got a bit long.

Jackie

 

[xieaiuhoizuijpebt]

Hi jackie, its not easy for clients in uk to remember names of massage techniques/definition as there are so many, try asking her if she remembers words like neuromuscular technique or trigger point therapy (as used in sports and remedial massage therapy) as these can very often provide the kind of relief your client may be looking for.
And if its not your area then refer on.
regards steve

 

[massiel248]

Hi Jackie

She may have just wanted a deeper swedish massage, most therapists differ hugely in how much pressure they can or want to apply. In order to apply more pressure - you can use a flannel to remove a lot of oil after the intial back warming effleurage. This gives more friction. Next when you are massaging take a step or 2 away from the bed then lean in to the client making your pessure much firmer. I do this from the top of the bed and use my thumbs on the rhomboids with my weight leaning in. Obviously you need to have lots of communication with client so as to ensure within the pain threshold. Also try some compresion with your forearms - practice this with a friend and get lots of feedback but using your forearms and elbows can be a great way to apply more pressure. Make sure your couch is low as well - this helps you to use your body weight behind your hands and thumbs. Sometimes when using my thumbs on traps i also dig my elbow into by body and use my body weight to give extra pressure bearing into the
tops of the shoulders. Feel free to ask if you're uncertain of any of this. But just using your normal moves but thinking about using forarms instead of hands or using body weight more.

Good luck

 

[the doctor of thugonomics]

Hi Sally
Thank you for some very useful information.

As it turned out the lady phoned me to rearrange her appointment whilst I was on holiday in Tenerife (which she knew) I said I didnt actually have my appointment book with me as I was on holiday and she said she would call me when I got home but hasn't. I can't say I am too disappointed about that as she didnt do much for my confidence. Anyway, have had massage clients since who have said the treatment was lovely and have rebooked !! I suppose you are going to get difficult people along the way.

Best wishes

 

[em101]

Hi Jackie

With the best will in the world you are not going to please everyone, all you can do is the best you are capable of doing in any situation