Top 10 Questions Massage Therapists Are Asked
I have been asked repeatedly the same questions in the last few years by first time clients as they are trying to get comfortable in the clinical setting and with me as their new practitioners. I often speak with former classmates and have found that “First Massage Jitters” questions are the same no matter where your practice is located. I thought this may be an interesting article, I have the questions and my own personal answer, and please by no mean do I speak for any other RMT than myself.
1. Don’t your hands get tired?
No, they don’t get tired if you use your body and leverage yourself properly.
2. Do I have the worse knots you’ve seen?
Often the answer is no. All people have different threshold for pain, its more of a clarifying question, looking for confirmation that they should be uncomfortable, or to valid the pain they are or have been experiencing.
3. Is it harder to work on overweight people?
As a therapist I would say that it is not harder to work on them, however they are more sensitive then their average size counterpart.
4. How do you deal with hairy backs?
Simple, use more oil! And you can not be in this line of work if your not comfortable with all the wonders of the body have to offer!
5. What made you get into the massage field?
I have always done massage since I was a small child, and I figured that since I enjoyed doing manual work perhaps it could be a career.
6. Does your partner must always ask for massages?
The best answer is yes. Whether one is given depends my fatigue level, and what needs to be addressed. No one like to work when they are “out of the office.”
7. Do you give your family free massage?
Absolutely, if it weren’t for their support and guidance I wouldn’t be doing what I love.
8. What is the worst part of your work?
This is always a sensitive question, and to be honest, it’s body odour. Of course this isvery rarely a problem, it is almost never offensive, but when it is, it is a huge distraction from the therapists point of view, and there is always fear of the client rebooking.
9. What is the most common area treated?
As I am located in Yaletown, myself and the other practitioners in the clinic I work at do see a lot of back, shoulder and neck complaints, however; being in an active city like Vancouver, there is also an abundance of sport injuries that vary depending on the season.
In closing this I must say that all questions are valid, and never be afraid to ask any medical professional questions. I learn a lot from answering questions, as in how to answer one fully without confusing a client, or how to address certain issues (body odour as an example), by clinical experience. I also learn by asking question in regard to a clients health and other life process, if I can ask questions- shouldn’t any patient have the same right?
