Massage - what should I have done?

[Threadhead]

I had a corporate day today - several clients for back neck & shoulders, Swedish.

I stupidly walked into a door between clients, and cut my knuckle - not badly at all, but it was bleeding a fair bit. Fortunately, I had a good hour before my next client. I applied a plaster, and changed it when I washed my hands for the next client.

Obviously, as soon as I applied the oil - the plaster was sliding about my hand. Being on the knuckle, I felt it was difficult to provide a good massage, and I was very concerned it would start bleeding again just with the movement in my hand. I made the decision to cancel my remaining clients and gave them gift vouchers.

I've been qualified since August, and dont have a lot of confidence in myself (although my feedback is fantastic), and I'm wondering what I should have done differently.

 

[Martin Duffy]

I would have put latex gloves on over the plaster, but then you probably didn't have those with you!

 

[Threadhead]

Thats helpful actually. They were available, but I had never heard of using them during massage, and thought they might be a bit off putting to the clients?

 

[hippy-chick]

well, I admire you for conscientiousness but I would have found a way to continue with the massage.

 

[Threadhead]

I actually did two clients wearing different plasters, but I felt so stressed that the cut would open/the plaster would get caught in their hair/etc, that I felt i wasnt concentrating on the treatment.

I'm so annoyed with myself.

I'm going to have a wee try at massaging wearing gloves so I am prepared for other clumsy moments!

 

[Martin Duffy]

As long as they're not too baggy they're easy to use & the client won't notice much difference. Grab a pair & try it on a friend some time so that if it happens again you'll feel confident gloving up!

 

[Threadhead]

Thats what i'll do.

I assume you would say to the client "i have a small cut on my hand - so i;m wearing gloves",? rather than leaving it to their imagination??

 

[Martin Duffy]

Thats what i'll do.

I assume you would say to the client "i have a small cut on my hand - so i;m wearing gloves",? rather than leaving it to their imagination??

Yes, it's probably best to let them know why - who knows what they'd expect you're about to do if you didn't!!:lol:

 

[Threadhead]

lol

I've just emailed a friend to ask her to be my latex glove guinea pig!

Thanks for your help, Martin.

 

[huberella]

I would just put on a bandaid and then put a finger cot on. That way you don't have to wear an entire glove, just latex on the one finger, the client woudn't even be able to tell the difference.

 

[Bev Rose]

I don't do massage - but, from a client point of view I think you were being very professional.
I would not of minded you being gloved up on one hand either.

THESE THINGS HAPPEN TO US DURING OUR WORKING LIFE AND THEN THEY BECOME OUR EXPERIENCE, WHICH GIVES US THE LEARNING WE NEED TO BE EXPERIENCED IN ALL (sorry about the caps!) the aspects of the jobs we do.
I'm a nail tech & suffer with open wounds now & then as I have excema - when it gets split I wear gloves. My clients are informed at the start of the treatment as to why I'm glove up & they are fine with it. It shows responsibility for your/their health & safety - re your clients and I'm sure they will respect you for it now & in the future.:hug:

 

[Threadhead]

Thanks for all these helpful replies.

It would have been possible to cover it with just one finger/finger cot, as the cut is on the knuckle on my hand, not a finger - looks like i punched someone!!

My guinea pig friend is a nurse, and she has suggested that non latex gloves would be better as people can develop latex allergies. Anyone got any thoughts on that? My worry is that the oil will damage the gloves in some way and defeat the purpose.

I agree with you Bev Rose - its all a learning curve.

 

[Martin Duffy]

You can get vinyl gloves, but they don't 'fit' the skin as well - worth practicing with though to see how you get on!

 

[Brandywine]

I have got some of the spray on plaster stuff that I have for just this reason. After washing and drying the cut you spray it on the area and its nicely sealed. its quite expensive but goes a long way.

 

[Threadhead]

I have got some of the spray on plaster stuff that I have for just this reason. After washing and drying the cut you spray it on the area and its nicely sealed. its quite expensive but goes a long way.

I was trying to get hold of that too - but no-where nearby had it, and I wasnt sure whether it was "enough".

Thanks for your advice