How to Be a Pro Massage Client

How to Become a Favorite Client

These are general rules of thumb for all massage and alternative healthcare clients. 

SHOW UP

More specifically, show up on time with a pretty solid idea of what you need and want that day. It’s really wonderful for the two of us to collaborate on an informed plan for your session so it’s uniquely tailored to your needs that day. Even if you just do a quick check-in in the car on the way to your session to tune in to your body’s needs, that’s a win!

BE EFFICIENT

Massage therapists have a lot to do in a short amount of time between clients, so here are a few tips to help you help us make that the most efficient time possible.

Do: Have Your Payment Ready

If you can write as much of your check as you can in advance or have your credit card ready to swipe (if you haven’t prepaid), you’ll score a ridiculous number of bonus client points (these points may or may not be redeemable

for fantastic prizes). Not only does this save time but, trust me, it’s nicer for you to not have to think at all—let alone to have to remember your name and my name to write your check—when you’re in the postmassage zone.

Don’t: Check Your Phone

We recognize that the world continued to spin while we were working together. Chances are pretty high that you received a voicemail or text message or two during the session. But the time allotted for you to get dressed and let your therapist back in the room for your after-session check-in really isn’t the best time to check your phone. Turn your phone off or to silent mode during your session, please! While we like the Star Wars theme song, we don’t necessarily want to hear it as a ringtone halfway through a session (and we’re guessing you probably don’t either)

SCHEDULE ONLINE

Please use the online scheduling program. It’s easier for everyone and is such a time- saver over playing phone-and-text tag. You’re also able to set up multiple appointments in advance so you can lock in the appointment days and times you want.

SPEAK UP

At the core of everything, our passion is to help you feel better by giving bodywork that is both effective and feels incredible. While we think we might know what that means, each client is beautifully different and so the only person who really knows what’s best for you is you. We rely on your honest feedback to make the experience the best it can be.

• What You Don’t Like

We don’t like to hear after the fact that our client was cold, didn’t like the music, felt the pressure was too light, etc. Please tell us what’s not working while we still have the chance to fix it! 

The things- you-can-tell-us-about list includes (but is not limited to):

 a no-go body part you don’t want worked,music, pressure, scents, technique, and temperature.

• What You Do Like

Please feel free to tell us what did work for you. We really like that, too, and it’s actually very helpful to know what you thought was effective and/or just felt great to you; we’ll make sure to keep using those techniques in your future sessions.

BE LESS HELPFUL

It’s counterintuitive, we know, but sometimes being helpful isn’t all that helpful. Please let us move your body parts—like your head, arms, and legs—without assisting (or resisting). It’s actually easier for us to give effective bodywork if you can completely relax.

It’s OK, though, to lift your knees a little (but not a lot; I once took a knee to the chin from an overly helpful client) to help us out when we’re adding or removing the bolster.