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Going over time
I've noticed that I have difficulty ending massages on time. I do focused deep tissue work on clients who have lots of tension in their bodies, who sometimes only come in once a month or less. Although my goal is to do a full body massage because any tension in one area affects the whole, I feel like I cannot adequately address their problem areas and the whole body in a 60 minute or sometimes even a 90 minute session. Do others have the same problem, and if so, how have you handled it? Many thanks for your thoughts :)
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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Hi Paula,
I for one almost never give a 60 minute massage. My pricing is based on a session and I let clients know that my session is anywhere between and hour to an hour and a half depending on what i find. Although I know I can do a one hour session, I feel less satisfied in that scenario versus the 90 minutes. So instead of trying to force feed that to myself, I have opted to go for my routine to be 90. with that said, if I have a client that comes in and requires a 2 hour, I do a 90 minute and suggest that next time they book 2 hours. I'm happy with what i'm doing right now.
Of course I don't have the overhead as some and I also don't do massage full time. but i think if you can work your rates to where you can make a comfortable living doing 90 minute sessions than do it. I'm a real believe that the massage should be to YOUR satisfaction if it is ever going to be to the client's satisfaction.
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Permalink Reply by Paula Goldman on
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This is great food for thought, Lisa. It definitely makes me start to think outside the standard 1 hour session model. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa said:Hi Paula,
I for one almost never give a 60 minute massage. My pricing is based on a session and I let clients know that my session is anywhere between and hour to an hour and a half depending on what i find. Although I know I can do a one hour session, I feel less satisfied in that scenario versus the 90 minutes. So instead of trying to force feed that to myself, I have opted to go for my routine to be 90. with that said, if I have a client that comes in and requires a 2 hour, I do a 90 minute and suggest that next time they book 2 hours. I'm happy with what i'm doing right now.
Of course I don't have the overhead as some and I also don't do massage full time. but i think if you can work your rates to where you can make a comfortable living doing 90 minute sessions than do it. I'm a real believe that the massage should be to YOUR satisfaction if it is ever going to be to the client's satisfaction.
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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on
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I feel that the most excellant massage is 90 minutes. If I have a client who requires more work and they only book an hour I suggest they book 90 minutes the next time. Most clients do book 90 minute sessions now which is very good. it is all a part of educating the clients.
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Thanks, Darcy. That's a great idea -- education really is key, and once a client has experienced your work I think they are more likely to feel comfortable scheduling a longer session.
Darcy Neibaur said:I feel that the most excellant massage is 90 minutes. If I have a client who requires more work and they only book an hour I suggest they book 90 minutes the next time. Most clients do book 90 minute sessions now which is very good. it is all a part of educating the clients.
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I only book sessions and sessions for me run about 90 to 120 minutes usually closer to two hours. An hour I can do if its just spot work on a specific location. I actually worked on a client for 180 minutes and that really worked for me, thats the way to go IMO.
Jason
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Thanks, Jason. Do you price your 90-120 minutes at a lower rate than you would a shorter session to encourage clients to schedule a longer session? Do you educate clients about why a longer session is beneficial and recommended? I often have folks who get used to the 60 minute session, but I end up going over, and I find it difficult to negotiate a longer session once they're on the table, or if I have another client book right after them. Any ideas on when and how to approach recommending a longer session? Many thanks!
Jason Day said:I only book sessions and sessions for me run about 90 to 120 minutes usually closer to two hours. An hour I can do if its just spot work on a specific location. I actually worked on a client for 180 minutes and that really worked for me, thats the way to go IMO.
Jason
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Have a chat with the client(s) in question and suggest they come in more frequently or for longer sessions at a time. Educate your clients on the connectivity of the body, and explain to them how a full-body approach would benefit them. Also, discuss with them their specific goals for each session. Sometimes you have to let go of your personal attachment to a full body and do more localized work.
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I do believe in the value of educating the client so that we're both on the same page. I like the idea of discussing with them before the session their preference of a full body session vs. a more focused approach. Thanks so much!
Kimberly Jansen said:Have a chat with the client(s) in question and suggest they come in more frequently or for longer sessions at a time. Educate your clients on the connectivity of the body, and explain to them how a full-body approach would benefit them. Also, discuss with them their specific goals for each session. Sometimes you have to let go of your personal attachment to a full body and do more localized work.
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Hey Kimberly...I'm not sure letting go of the full body approach to more localized work is within everyone. I know for myself, I don't want to do localized work. Part of giving a great massage is how the therapist feels giving it. I truly believe that if you go against the grain of your personal preferences, you're less likely to give the best massage you can and therefore risk losing that client as a repeat client.
With that said I know lots of MTs that JUST do localized work. So i think there's a place for everyone and certainly clients will be drawn to the therapist that works the same as what they are looking for.
I agree though...educating the client is key. it's amazing how when i describe the muscles to a client and how they are attached and how a muscle from here can affect the body there....the light suddenly goes on for them. :)
Kimberly Jansen said:Have a chat with the client(s) in question and suggest they come in more frequently or for longer sessions at a time. Educate your clients on the connectivity of the body, and explain to them how a full-body approach would benefit them. Also, discuss with them their specific goals for each session. Sometimes you have to let go of your personal attachment to a full body and do more localized work.
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Jeffrey on
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This is where you have to listen to your intuition and listen to the client ...no matter what they came in with before, and the fact you been very sucessfull looking after them previous yrs since ? every session is unique to that person and every session is special oppertunity for you learn to grow as a therapist.
Its not about your's or their's personel preferences, its more about the fluidity of your intuition to engage and resolve the traumer in the tissues, be it held consciously, or sub consciously, in any given time span.
Lisa said:Hey Kimberly...I'm not sure letting go of the full body approach to more localized work is within everyone. I know for myself, I don't want to do localized work. Part of giving a great massage is how the therapist feels giving it. I truly believe that if you go against the grain of your personal preferences, you're less likely to give the best massage you can and therefore risk losing that client as a repeat client.
With that said I know lots of MTs that JUST do localized work. So i think there's a place for everyone and certainly clients will be drawn to the therapist that works the same as what they are looking for.
I agree though...educating the client is key. it's amazing how when i describe the muscles to a client and how they are attached and how a muscle from here can affect the body there....the light suddenly goes on for them. :)
Kimberly Jansen said:Have a chat with the client(s) in question and suggest they come in more frequently or for longer sessions at a time. Educate your clients on the connectivity of the body, and explain to them how a full-body approach would benefit them. Also, discuss with them their specific goals for each session. Sometimes you have to let go of your personal attachment to a full body and do more localized work.
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