massage and bodywork professionals
a community of practitioners
How do you feel about this.
I am wondering how other therapist feel on the matter of places such as massage envy?
Views: 674
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by kristi marco on
-
I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it gives people that have never had a "massage" a chance to become familiar with it. This can be a good transition into understanding the massage isn't really a "sexual thing", it is more of a "wellness thing". On the other hand they have a cookie cutter mentality that at best you might get lucky enough to find a mediocre, unfulfilling, and unproductive massage. Of course that fact the pricing is ridiculous and demeaning to the rest of us out there giving effective massages that aren't so clock conscious .
-
Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
-
They provide employment and an environment that brings people in for massage. We are a diverse profession and this is just part of the diversity. Not my cup of tea nor would I ever be interested in a job there, but that is diversity. Any form of competitiveness can be threatening if you haven't established a niche. Sometimes you have to keep reinventing yourself. But competition wont stop with or without ME. I am more concerned of the threat to operating with an American lifestyle against the proliferating Chinese Foot Massage places that devalue massage with immigrant (legal or not) labor, renting a bed in a crowded room, no social life, sending cash earned out of the country. We may lead an extravagant lifestyle but there are laws about wages and taxes. Massage Envy and other chains in that respect is playing with a level playing field.
-
-
Good point Daniel.
-
-
As mentioned above, Massage Envy may help increase the overall demand for massage, by at least opening up people's understanding of what therapeutic massage is not. It is up to us to sell to this wider pool of potential clients. It seems like the main way to do this, as mentioned by Daniel Cohen, is by establishing a niche and selling the sizzle, not the steak, so to speak. Against the Asian places, probably the best we can do is to make sure that they are all legal, and encourage our local governments to police for any violations of codes, illegal workers, or tax evasion. I admit that I am not quite sure how to recommend such things to my local government, but it seems at least possible that if they become convinced they are being cheated out of tax dollars, they might look into it. Enforcement of a level playing field is the only way to go, it seems. The underlying fact that they have a workforce that is willing to live a far simpler lifestyle is their greatest asset, and there is no way to go after that directly.
Anyway, Massage Envy doesn't have to be seen as only a threat. It broadens the base, and reminds us that we need to stay sharp as a business, and always be ready and willing to adjust tactics when necessary. It is just like the wide range of medical services that exist. The more expensive, 'elite' hospitals are hardly going to go out of business because there are cheaper ones, or even free clinics.
-
Permalink Reply by Jenny Lancey-Flammia on
-
Thank you for your points of view, i personally would never work at a place like it as i have worked in a similar environment and was not very happy in it personally, i see the cons and a few pros so i was looking to see others point of views as i have had some students ask me if it is a good place to work, i told them i would have to look into it before i could answer the question. personally i feel maybe to start but not a long term position for a well seasoned therapist, again thank you
-
-
When I think of Massage Envy I just see it as a another place for people to for a nice relaxation massage. It's usually less expensive than a "Spa" and because of the hours they are open it is really convenient for people to stop in last minute or even on their way home from work. But for a therapeutic massage? Not really. Even before becoming a massage therapist I wouldn't think to go there for pain relief. Well, that isn't entirely true. If I was sore from a hard day of yard work or something I might. Anyway....... if I was needing a therapeutic massage for pain relief or pain management I would look for a place that offers clinical / medical / therapeutic massage not relaxation massage.
I do think that ME makes it challenging for those trying to run their own buisness. Their prices are affordable. And with the hours they are open and all the therapists working there makes it easy to get an appointment. So that alone makes is hard to compete with. Honestly the biggest thing people are looking for right now is a good deal. People are looking a way to still pamper themselves without spending half a day's pay to get it. Even when they NEED it. There are some out there that can still hand over $80+ for a massage and not think twice about it. But most can't afford to do that even once a month.
-
Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
-
What does it cost for a massage there? How much does the therapist make per massage?
Jimswife said:When I think of Massage Envy I just see it as a another place for people to for a nice relaxation massage. It's usually less expensive than a "Spa" and because of the hours they are open it is really convenient for people to stop in last minute or even on their way home from work. But for a therapeutic massage? Not really. Even before becoming a massage therapist I wouldn't think to go there for pain relief. Well, that isn't entirely true. If I was sore from a hard day of yard work or something I might. Anyway....... if I was needing a therapeutic massage for pain relief or pain management I would look for a place that offers clinical / medical / therapeutic massage not relaxation massage.
I do think that ME makes it challenging for those trying to run their own buisness. Their prices are affordable. And with the hours they are open and all the therapists working there makes it easy to get an appointment. So that alone makes is hard to compete with. Honestly the biggest thing people are looking for right now is a good deal. People are looking a way to still pamper themselves without spending half a day's pay to get it. Even when they NEED it. There are some out there that can still hand over $80+ for a massage and not think twice about it. But most can't afford to do that even once a month.
-
-
I am not sure exactly. I know that they offer packages of some sort. But I have a coupon for for an introductory massage for $49. Each location is different as far as pay. The one I know of pays the therapists $17 per massage hour. And they get add-ons of some sort.
Gordon J. Wallis said:What does it cost for a massage there? How much does the therapist make per massage?
Jimswife said:When I think of Massage Envy I just see it as a another place for people to for a nice relaxation massage. It's usually less expensive than a "Spa" and because of the hours they are open it is really convenient for people to stop in last minute or even on their way home from work. But for a therapeutic massage? Not really. Even before becoming a massage therapist I wouldn't think to go there for pain relief. Well, that isn't entirely true. If I was sore from a hard day of yard work or something I might. Anyway....... if I was needing a therapeutic massage for pain relief or pain management I would look for a place that offers clinical / medical / therapeutic massage not relaxation massage.
I do think that ME makes it challenging for those trying to run their own buisness. Their prices are affordable. And with the hours they are open and all the therapists working there makes it easy to get an appointment. So that alone makes is hard to compete with. Honestly the biggest thing people are looking for right now is a good deal. People are looking a way to still pamper themselves without spending half a day's pay to get it. Even when they NEED it. There are some out there that can still hand over $80+ for a massage and not think twice about it. But most can't afford to do that even once a month.
-
-
Well, not bad for just starting out..You can get experience that way for sure...And you could do trigger point work if its needed...And Im sure it would be...And if you averaged $10.00 and hour tips. For just starting out.. Everything is all set for you...You can always keep looking or a better situation... So lets say you work six hours work a day, if you can..$100.00 plus say $40.00 in tips...Thats ok...Get good, and move on.
Jimswife said:I am not sure exactly. I know that they offer packages of some sort. But I have a coupon for for an introductory massage for $49. Each location is different as far as pay. The one I know of pays the therapists $17 per massage hour. And they get add-ons of some sort.
Gordon J. Wallis said:What does it cost for a massage there? How much does the therapist make per massage?
Jimswife said:When I think of Massage Envy I just see it as a another place for people to for a nice relaxation massage. It's usually less expensive than a "Spa" and because of the hours they are open it is really convenient for people to stop in last minute or even on their way home from work. But for a therapeutic massage? Not really. Even before becoming a massage therapist I wouldn't think to go there for pain relief. Well, that isn't entirely true. If I was sore from a hard day of yard work or something I might. Anyway....... if I was needing a therapeutic massage for pain relief or pain management I would look for a place that offers clinical / medical / therapeutic massage not relaxation massage.
I do think that ME makes it challenging for those trying to run their own buisness. Their prices are affordable. And with the hours they are open and all the therapists working there makes it easy to get an appointment. So that alone makes is hard to compete with. Honestly the biggest thing people are looking for right now is a good deal. People are looking a way to still pamper themselves without spending half a day's pay to get it. Even when they NEED it. There are some out there that can still hand over $80+ for a massage and not think twice about it. But most can't afford to do that even once a month.
-
-
That's all true. I don't work there.
Gordon J. Wallis said:Well, not bad for just starting out..You can get experience that way for sure...And you could do trigger point work if its needed...And Im sure it would be...And if you averaged $10.00 and hour tips. For just starting out.. Everything is all set for you...You can always keep looking or a better situation... So lets say you work six hours work a day, if you can..$100.00 plus say $40.00 in tips...Thats ok...Get good, and move on.
Jimswife said:I am not sure exactly. I know that they offer packages of some sort. But I have a coupon for for an introductory massage for $49. Each location is different as far as pay. The one I know of pays the therapists $17 per massage hour. And they get add-ons of some sort.
Gordon J. Wallis said:What does it cost for a massage there? How much does the therapist make per massage?
Jimswife said:When I think of Massage Envy I just see it as a another place for people to for a nice relaxation massage. It's usually less expensive than a "Spa" and because of the hours they are open it is really convenient for people to stop in last minute or even on their way home from work. But for a therapeutic massage? Not really. Even before becoming a massage therapist I wouldn't think to go there for pain relief. Well, that isn't entirely true. If I was sore from a hard day of yard work or something I might. Anyway....... if I was needing a therapeutic massage for pain relief or pain management I would look for a place that offers clinical / medical / therapeutic massage not relaxation massage.
I do think that ME makes it challenging for those trying to run their own buisness. Their prices are affordable. And with the hours they are open and all the therapists working there makes it easy to get an appointment. So that alone makes is hard to compete with. Honestly the biggest thing people are looking for right now is a good deal. People are looking a way to still pamper themselves without spending half a day's pay to get it. Even when they NEED it. There are some out there that can still hand over $80+ for a massage and not think twice about it. But most can't afford to do that even once a month.
-
Permalink Reply by Donna C. Agrinsonis, LMT on
-
I would not work for them. They do not pay you for when you are not working. You are not allowed to use tools or stones to do deep tissue work to help save your hands. They do not provide neck rolls and use a tiny bolster and the table is not heated. I know. I am spoiled. My practice has every client comfort imaginable.
However, I have tried getting my massage "friends" to commit to working on me when I call on them and there is always some excuse as to why they are not available. They refuse to treat me like a REAL client so I joined the local Massage Envy because I can pay $60 a month and get one massage FOR SURE each month and additional massages are $40 each. I do not like the 50 minute thing but I can work with that. I get serious deep tissue when I want it, which is MOST of the time. My regular therapist (not at Massage Envy) barely wants to do real deep tissue and to me is lazy and does not want to use real pressure so I stopped asking. Don't have time for that because I have to take care of myself.
Their ambience is very nice. Lovely inside. Their business model is not bad. Not good for you if you are in competition with them. But are you? I don't believe that I compete with them. My massages are phenomenal and I pamper my clients beyond anything they have ever experienced. Massage Envy therapists RUSH big time when they do deep tissue work which can be very painful. I do not. They are not allowed to use warming gels or Sombra or Biofreeze unless they buy it themselves - things that make deep tissue feel better, but I use things to help my clients tolerate the deeper work and which allow them to actually ENJOY having a deep tissue massage. So anyway, as to Massage Envy, it depends. For me, they are helping me to keep moving so I can keep seeing my clients. I have a serious ankle injury/issue and I have to get serious deep work on to keep walking so they are a Godsend. When I have worked on way too many clients and my hands and arms feel like they are about to fall off I know I can go get my massage. They offer after hours and weekends. Way cool. Love them. Hate them. I mostly love them....
-
Permalink Reply by Kimberly Campbell on
-
When I first graduated, I worked for one that had heated tables and paid hourly or commission (which ever paid higher). There were lots of ways for a creative person to make a client comfortable. They never tried to force me to do more massages than I could handle physically and made sure I had a lunch break.
What made me leave was more what should worry anyone, and it goes as follows:
Anybody with money can buy and own an Envy franchise whether they know about massage or not. The one I worked for hired a manager that knew nothing about massage and promoted a girl to lead therapist that didn't know what her scalenes were, she didn't listen to clients, told people that they needed to be in pain to get better, failed the National exam 3 times... I can go on forever. Not to mention there is never enough time given to do a proper consultation.
That's my feel for it anyway. That's why I left and took with me the good and left behind the bad.
Donna C. Agrinsonis, LMT said:I would not work for them. They do not pay you for when you are not working. You are not allowed to use tools or stones to do deep tissue work to help save your hands. They do not provide neck rolls and use a tiny bolster and the table is not heated. I know. I am spoiled. My practice has every client comfort imaginable.
However, I have tried getting my massage "friends" to commit to working on me when I call on them and there is always some excuse as to why they are not available. They refuse to treat me like a REAL client so I joined the local Massage Envy because I can pay $60 a month and get one massage FOR SURE each month and additional massages are $40 each. I do not like the 50 minute thing but I can work with that. I get serious deep tissue when I want it, which is MOST of the time. My regular therapist (not at Massage Envy) barely wants to do real deep tissue and to me is lazy and does not want to use real pressure so I stopped asking. Don't have time for that because I have to take care of myself.
Their ambience is very nice. Lovely inside. Their business model is not bad. Not good for you if you are in competition with them. But are you? I don't believe that I compete with them. My massages are phenomenal and I pamper my clients beyond anything they have ever experienced. Massage Envy therapists RUSH big time when they do deep tissue work which can be very painful. I do not. They are not allowed to use warming gels or Sombra or Biofreeze unless they buy it themselves - things that make deep tissue feel better, but I use things to help my clients tolerate the deeper work and which allow them to actually ENJOY having a deep tissue massage. So anyway, as to Massage Envy, it depends. For me, they are helping me to keep moving so I can keep seeing my clients. I have a serious ankle injury/issue and I have to get serious deep work on to keep walking so they are a Godsend. When I have worked on way too many clients and my hands and arms feel like they are about to fall off I know I can go get my massage. They offer after hours and weekends. Way cool. Love them. Hate them. I mostly love them....
© 2024 Created by ABMP.
Powered by
