Hi people,
Im in a dilemma - i have spoken to a lady who is coming to see me for a back, neck and shoulder massage. She suffers from scoliosis and last November had a quite big back operation to have metal rods inserted in her spinal column. She is still suffering aches and pains in her back and in particular her shoulders.
I explained to her that I wouldn't feel happy massaging her if she was still suffering from the effects of the operation but she insisted i book her in anyway. I gently asked her if she could obtain a doctors note to say it was ok for her to have the treatment but she told me she was fine to have the treatment as she has had many massages whilst on holiday and they've never even asked her for her medical history.
I have spoken to my manager who says that she personally wouldn't do it and told me if there's anything im not comfortable with then dont do it.
I can fully understand and sympathise with the fact that she must be aching and sore but i cant stop the warning bell going off in my head at the thought of massaging her.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated...
Many thanks xXx

I would write to her GP and get confirmation that it is acceptable/appropriate to perform the treatment. I would explain to her you have to do this as it can be a contra-indication to the treatment, so for her safety, needs her GP to confirm.

I'd do the same thing. If she still asks why, tell her you need it to be covered by your insurance, and it's for her benefit as well as yours.

Really though, if you're not comfortable doing the treatment then you shouldn't do it.

Hiya

I have scoliosis and had the same opertion when I ws 13 (I'm 35 now). I had aches and pains before the op, after the op, a year after the op, two years after the op and still 22 years after the op I am still getting aches and pains.

My point is, if you have scoliosis, whether you have an op or not, you will get back pain and whether your lady has had massages before or not, it's not a contraindication for massage. It will more than likely relieve her and make her feel so fab that she is likely to come back to you again .

If you still feel uncomfortable, get her to sign a disclaimer or add it to your treatment form. She most probably feels self-concious anyway, please don't make her feel more so.

Just my 2cents

Excellent - ill give her a ring tomorrow so she has plenty of notice. i think she thinks im acting a bit over the top but it's just how i've been trained - thanks a lot for replies xXx

I honestly wouldn't make her feel self-conscious at all, i took her into the treatment room to discuss it with her in a professional manner as i would with all my clients, i take your point though and that is why i wanted to make her feel as comfortable with me as possible and hopefully this will lead on to many more relaxing massages for her...xXx

Oh hunny, don't get me wrong, I didn't mean your professionalism ! I meant making her go to the doctor for something that isn't even a contrindication, she has to go around with this lump on her back which is achy and painy (are they even words??!), whether anyone can notice it or not, she knows it's there and doesn't really want to acknowledge it. Making an issue of it will make her feel more uncomfortable than she does already. I know I do, that's all

hey no worries, i know what you mean, thanks for the replies xXx