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I have been licensed and working in the field for almost 2 years, and I'm running into a problem. I don't know if I have the wrong mentality and this is just a reality I should adjust to or what. I'm not getting any breaks. Is it customary for LMTs to work an 8 hour work day with no break? I usually get 15 minutes between appointments (a lot of the time, not even that much) but by the time you get one person off the table, turn over the room, get the next client, do a consult, that 15 minutes is long gone. After 7 consecutive one hour massages, my body hurts. I feel like my employer is more concerned about "productivity" than comfort and morale of staff. It is something I have run into at other massage jobs too (with non-LMT bosses) Is this common practice? Should it be tolerated?
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Hi Lauren,
Better still, look at starting your own practice :)
Lauren, sorry you're having such a problem. I agree with those who have already encouraged you to start your own practice so you can set your own appointment times and breaks. But the other thing I urge you to do is take good care of your body mechanics.
I had a most gifted teacher while I was in massage school who offered a one-day body mechanics workshop. Taking that class was one of the smartest things I've ever done. By being aware of my body mechanics while I'm working, I can easily do long days with no problems. I own my own practice which has really blossomed in the past couple of months and I perform 5-9 hours of massage regularly 3-4, sometimes 5 days a week. Plus, I work one morning a week in a chiropractor's office where they book a 40 minute block for a 30 minute massage. Yesterday, as usual, I was booked solidly there - 6 massages between 8:30 - 12:00. I had lunch, then saw 5 more private clients for one hour each, including 3 new ones, 1 of which was an emergency referral from a doctor's office. I left work at 9:00 p.m. Tired? Yes. Exhausted, sore, aching, battered? Absolutely not!!!
By the way, I'm no spring chicken. I have 5 grandchildren!
Body mechanics and good self care! Therein lies the secret. But don't let employers take advantage of you, either. You'll be more empowered to help others when you empower yourself to help yourself.
Wishing you well!
KJ
Stephen Jeffrey said:Hi Lauren,
Better still, look at starting your own practice :)
I'm with Stephen on this. I think a lot of these type of massage places are good experience when you first get out of school. However, you should look to starting your own practice. You should also look to working at different places on different days so you really get a broad spectrum of clients. One of our teachers shared her experience and it was a couple of days in a spa, a day in a chiro office and then she had her own clients. When you break it up like that you reach a lot more variety of clients as well as you dictate your own schedule.
Don't accept this type of work behavior. Speak up but also start looking.
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