hippy-chick
Well-Known Member
As I've done a consumer's view on mani and pedi, thought I'd hand it over to you to offer your opinions on massage.
Consumers' view on massage
- Thread starter hippy-chick
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FlawlessBeauty
Well-Known Member
Well you've given me your opinions, so its only fair i do the same.
I don't like it when the therapist presses too hard over the ribs. ouch! Or when its so light that it tickles and makes me squirm. All the therapist has to do is check the pressure with the client, which makes it feel like they care.
I don't like the therapist to talk throughout, especially about their personal problems.
I like the therapists to vary their movements, not just stroking the same area for ten minutes.
I like effleurage to start and finish the massage nicely.
I love it when the therapist uses a hot steam towel to remove excess oil so it doesn't get on my clothes.
After the massage, i like the therapist to explain what i should do. E.g. get up when you're ready, get dressed and come to the reception area. I had a massage before without any of this and i didn't know if i was expected to wait for the therapist to come back or not?!
I also like it when the therapist leaves a glass of water because you feel sleepy and sometimes a little dehydrated at that point.
HTH xxx
I don't like it when the therapist presses too hard over the ribs. ouch! Or when its so light that it tickles and makes me squirm. All the therapist has to do is check the pressure with the client, which makes it feel like they care.
I don't like the therapist to talk throughout, especially about their personal problems.
I like the therapists to vary their movements, not just stroking the same area for ten minutes.
I like effleurage to start and finish the massage nicely.
I love it when the therapist uses a hot steam towel to remove excess oil so it doesn't get on my clothes.
After the massage, i like the therapist to explain what i should do. E.g. get up when you're ready, get dressed and come to the reception area. I had a massage before without any of this and i didn't know if i was expected to wait for the therapist to come back or not?!
I also like it when the therapist leaves a glass of water because you feel sleepy and sometimes a little dehydrated at that point.
HTH xxx
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I like to be warm and snugly and i like to lay on something really soft and be wrapped up, so not just a towel on a couch and a towel over me i would say a massage in the cold is THE worst thing.
I like to know i am having nice oils and not just some mineral massage oil.I would then like it to stay on i would prefer to be offered a massage blend in a vegetable oil even if someones not an aromatherapist i would then like this to stay on to soak in and not rubbed off.
I like to be asked where i would like most massage as i like my back and feet done really well and not so much on my tummy and arms i also like my head done so i like to be offered a bit of a tailormade massage.I like it slow and deep forget the hacking,cupping,plucking and flailing.
I also hate to be cut short i always look at the clock before the start i want my full hour
.Oh and nice music and no other noise i wouldn't go back to a salon if i could hear lots of other stuff going on around.Im quite demanding but then thats how i work and i expect nothing less.
I like to know i am having nice oils and not just some mineral massage oil.I would then like it to stay on i would prefer to be offered a massage blend in a vegetable oil even if someones not an aromatherapist i would then like this to stay on to soak in and not rubbed off.
I like to be asked where i would like most massage as i like my back and feet done really well and not so much on my tummy and arms i also like my head done so i like to be offered a bit of a tailormade massage.I like it slow and deep forget the hacking,cupping,plucking and flailing.
I also hate to be cut short i always look at the clock before the start i want my full hour
.Oh and nice music and no other noise i wouldn't go back to a salon if i could hear lots of other stuff going on around.Im quite demanding but then thats how i work and i expect nothing less.
leannehunter
Well-Known Member
Being massaged with cold hands!!!! generally being cold! And being massaged at the wrong pressure :green:
I agree, being snuggled up cosy on the couch is a must! i only like the particular area being massaged to be uncovered, the rest of me i want all cosy!
i'm not bothered about my head and not too fussed about my tummy but would like more time spent on my back (especially at the very top and very bottom)
nice warm atmosphere with soft music playing, not much chat...and the room needs to be filled with a nice smell!!!
sorry to be so random!!!
i'm not bothered about my head and not too fussed about my tummy but would like more time spent on my back (especially at the very top and very bottom)
nice warm atmosphere with soft music playing, not much chat...and the room needs to be filled with a nice smell!!!
sorry to be so random!!!
hippy-chick
Well-Known Member
I agree totally so far!
Florriedee
Well-Known Member
I like pretty much what everyone else has said. I like the pressure to be just right, I have had massage where I could barely breathe when she was doing my back (Thank god she didn't do my tummy) and I have had one that was soooo tickly that I equally couldn't breathe!
I need the smells to be good too, I like to be asked what I want to get from the massage (invigorating/relaxing etc...) and I like the therapist to not look like this is the last thing she wants to be doing today and wearing a "why are all these clients making un reasonable demands..." face. I like to be warm too but not too hot and I like there to be soothing music, not waterfalls/running water etc... which I did have once and boy did I need the loo at the end of that! Lol
Lx
I need the smells to be good too, I like to be asked what I want to get from the massage (invigorating/relaxing etc...) and I like the therapist to not look like this is the last thing she wants to be doing today and wearing a "why are all these clients making un reasonable demands..." face. I like to be warm too but not too hot and I like there to be soothing music, not waterfalls/running water etc... which I did have once and boy did I need the loo at the end of that! Lol
Lx
hippy-chick
Well-Known Member
tempertature
room should be warm but not over-bearing, when you relax your body temperature drops so the room should be cosy.
hands should be warm - a good tip is to have your oil warm so that helps to warm the hands up and the oil feels so nice when applied warm.
cocooned
a client should be covered up with large generous towels, only the area exposed should be exposed! I like to have my arms and chest covered all the time too.
if its a cold day I place a warmed wheatbag under the feet.
pressure
a good therapist should discuss what the treatment pressure should be, simply asking what the client wants out of the treatment is good practise.
I generally ask "would you like light, medium or firm pressure". If the client doesn't know I offer medium pressure and ask them to let me know if they want me to ease off or apply more pressure.
asking the client once or twice "is this pressure OK for you" but not asking every 5 minutes as that is irritating.
customising
everyone has a picture of what they want from a treatment (see above). If a client wants their back and shoulders doing but is not bothered about their arms, chest and tummy, then tailor-making a treatment to include what the client wants is quite frankly what all therapists should do. Whats the point in having a full body massage if you only want certain areas doing?
I ask a client to tell me what they want from their treatment that day.
Then I listen to what they want and decide on the treatment plan then.
A lot of my clients have an hour's back massage, or an hour for back and back of legs.
I have one client she has an hour on her neck and shoulders, she sits bolt upright and I only have access to those areas.
Another client has an hour just on her feet and lower legs.
talking
I hate someone talking incessantly to me throughout a relaxing treatment, so I don't do it to my clients.
If its their first time with me, I tell them that its their treatment, and they should get out of it what they want, and it doesn't involve keeping me entertained, so if they want to zone out and relax they will get more out of their treatment. I offer them the chance to talk if they wish, but watch for their cues, and (hopefully) know when to fade out and let them relax.
Saying that, some clients love to talk! They feel uncomfortable with silence so for them it would not be an enjoyable experience for them.
I have one client comes every 2 weeks for a treatment, she likes to "catch up" with what I am doing, and then she likes to fall asleep for the rest of the treatment. I usually fade out after 5-10 minutes so she can sink into the treatment.
informing the client
If a client is having their first treatment, then information is everything! If you tell the client a) what the treatment is going to entail b) offer them an opinion on what they want from it c) tell them what to do next, ie how much clothing to remove and where to lie/sit d) at the end of the treatment, tell them what you are going to do and what they need to do, ie please stay where you are and enjoy the peace and quiet for a few minutes and only get up off the couch when you are ready, I will be back for you in about 5 minutes but I will knock before I enter.
Telling the client exactly what to do helps them to relax, they don't have to guess what to do
noise
this is a big no-no. Gentle music is great, but always check that your client wants music. I personally don't like dolphin music, it makes me uncomfortable.
all other noise should be kept to a minimum, so putting your phone on silent, putting your answerphone on silent, and having a sign in reception asking people waiting to keep noise to a minumum helps.
i go for treatments to a local salon and you can hear everything, the receptionist chatting nosily, the therapist talking in the next room and I find it off-putting, I therefore don't book relaxing treatments there. Once her washing machine went into spin cycle throughout a facial, that was the last facial I booked there.
smells
I used to burn essential oils in an oil burner, but some clients didn't like the smells. I don't like the strong lingering smell of incense, and I hate cheap scented candles.
If a client books a massage they get plain grapeseed or almond oil.
If they book an aromatherapy massage, they get essential oils.
oil residue
if you ask your client on their first treatment if they would prefer the oil to be removed after the treatment, then you can do this, but to be honest, I make sure that I use just the right amount so that they can get dressed straight away. I do sometimes use steamed mitts to remove the oil, but thats because its been requested. aromatherapy oils NEED to be left on for the treatment anyway.
so thats my take on a massage. look forward to reading your comments.
room should be warm but not over-bearing, when you relax your body temperature drops so the room should be cosy.
hands should be warm - a good tip is to have your oil warm so that helps to warm the hands up and the oil feels so nice when applied warm.
cocooned
a client should be covered up with large generous towels, only the area exposed should be exposed! I like to have my arms and chest covered all the time too.
if its a cold day I place a warmed wheatbag under the feet.
pressure
a good therapist should discuss what the treatment pressure should be, simply asking what the client wants out of the treatment is good practise.
I generally ask "would you like light, medium or firm pressure". If the client doesn't know I offer medium pressure and ask them to let me know if they want me to ease off or apply more pressure.
asking the client once or twice "is this pressure OK for you" but not asking every 5 minutes as that is irritating.
customising
everyone has a picture of what they want from a treatment (see above). If a client wants their back and shoulders doing but is not bothered about their arms, chest and tummy, then tailor-making a treatment to include what the client wants is quite frankly what all therapists should do. Whats the point in having a full body massage if you only want certain areas doing?
I ask a client to tell me what they want from their treatment that day.
Then I listen to what they want and decide on the treatment plan then.
A lot of my clients have an hour's back massage, or an hour for back and back of legs.
I have one client she has an hour on her neck and shoulders, she sits bolt upright and I only have access to those areas.
Another client has an hour just on her feet and lower legs.
talking
I hate someone talking incessantly to me throughout a relaxing treatment, so I don't do it to my clients.
If its their first time with me, I tell them that its their treatment, and they should get out of it what they want, and it doesn't involve keeping me entertained, so if they want to zone out and relax they will get more out of their treatment. I offer them the chance to talk if they wish, but watch for their cues, and (hopefully) know when to fade out and let them relax.
Saying that, some clients love to talk! They feel uncomfortable with silence so for them it would not be an enjoyable experience for them.
I have one client comes every 2 weeks for a treatment, she likes to "catch up" with what I am doing, and then she likes to fall asleep for the rest of the treatment. I usually fade out after 5-10 minutes so she can sink into the treatment.
informing the client
If a client is having their first treatment, then information is everything! If you tell the client a) what the treatment is going to entail b) offer them an opinion on what they want from it c) tell them what to do next, ie how much clothing to remove and where to lie/sit d) at the end of the treatment, tell them what you are going to do and what they need to do, ie please stay where you are and enjoy the peace and quiet for a few minutes and only get up off the couch when you are ready, I will be back for you in about 5 minutes but I will knock before I enter.
Telling the client exactly what to do helps them to relax, they don't have to guess what to do
noise
this is a big no-no. Gentle music is great, but always check that your client wants music. I personally don't like dolphin music, it makes me uncomfortable.
all other noise should be kept to a minimum, so putting your phone on silent, putting your answerphone on silent, and having a sign in reception asking people waiting to keep noise to a minumum helps.
i go for treatments to a local salon and you can hear everything, the receptionist chatting nosily, the therapist talking in the next room and I find it off-putting, I therefore don't book relaxing treatments there. Once her washing machine went into spin cycle throughout a facial, that was the last facial I booked there.
smells
I used to burn essential oils in an oil burner, but some clients didn't like the smells. I don't like the strong lingering smell of incense, and I hate cheap scented candles.
If a client books a massage they get plain grapeseed or almond oil.
If they book an aromatherapy massage, they get essential oils.
oil residue
if you ask your client on their first treatment if they would prefer the oil to be removed after the treatment, then you can do this, but to be honest, I make sure that I use just the right amount so that they can get dressed straight away. I do sometimes use steamed mitts to remove the oil, but thats because its been requested. aromatherapy oils NEED to be left on for the treatment anyway.
so thats my take on a massage. look forward to reading your comments.
Joanna W
Well-Known Member
I love the idea of the wheatbag, will have to request that and offer it. At college we offer hot towels for the feet to cleanse, but then you get cold. Thanks for the tip hippy-chick.
The only time I want to hear talking is when the therapist is asking about pressure. At the consultation I don't want to be comparing ailments
Would like more time spent on my lower back, as that's where I have problems.
When therapist is performing effleurage I don't want it to feel rushed.
The only time I want to hear talking is when the therapist is asking about pressure. At the consultation I don't want to be comparing ailments
Would like more time spent on my lower back, as that's where I have problems.
When therapist is performing effleurage I don't want it to feel rushed.
FlawlessBeauty
Well-Known Member
One question i have is do you think you should cleanse the feet before a massage? Would this make you feel more comfortable and fresh? Or would it make you feel that the therapist thought your feet stink, lol?
hippy-chick
Well-Known Member
I think it offers a spa-feel/touch of luxury. I do sometimes clean the feet if I know I am going to be working the feet a lot, and I would use steamed mitts for this.
A spa I worked at did steamed mitts for EVERY treatment, regardless what it was, a drop of lime in them and away they went.
