Hey guys,

I posted a chair massage youtube video a few months ago (in response to students/grads request).

Let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvNVnsreTWk&feature=channel_page

Susan, I watched the video and loved it. I am always on the look out for various ways to massage. I even used some of the actions today while performing a chair massage. A big thank you Susan!

Awesome!!!

While I admittedly need some work on my body mechanics, I have lots of fun with technique.

Hello All!

Thanks to Ariana for creating this group.
I have been doing exclusively chair massage for almost 5 years now. !0 years ago I graduated from school "with a table and a dream". : ) After much onsite experience, I slowly morphed from table-only to 80-20 table chair, then quickly to 20-80 table chair and finally, all chair.

I love working onsite for businesses and organizations and I really enjoy the wide variety of folks that come to my chair.

I look forward to connect with folks here. Anyone else a "chair only?"

Hi, Susan G. Salvo, I tried commenting on your chair massage video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvNVnsreTWk&feature=channel_page
on you tube, but I had problems posting them so here are my comments:

Hi, Susan. Thanks for posting the video. I am a student in MT training at Ralston School of Massage and will graduate in Dec. http://www.ralstonmassage.com
They teach Touch Pro chair massage from David Palmer and I noticed many times in your video you had bad body mechanics (hunched over shoulders), not bending your knees when doing compressions in the end (hunching over again). I loved your shoulder work.You just need to bend your knees more keeping back straight. I also noticed a lot of thumb usage (not good). Our school teaches us that thumbs go out w/ overuse. Ralston actually teaches us to use a stacked thumb or closed fist, but I appreicate you and your video. I will be trying some of the shoulder and neck techniques you did. Thanks!
~Angellynnn in Reno NV

Thanks Angellynnn.

The chapter in my book about seated massage is written by Ralph Stevens. I use a lot of his stuff. I will definitely work on my body mechanics. Thanks for your suggestions.

I hope to post a seated routine featuring a regular chair rather than a massage chair soon. This will give students more options.

Susan, I look forward to seeing a seated massage in a regular chair. Thanks!
:-) ~Angellynnn

I'm new to massage and have been doing all chair massage so far, which I really enjoy. Any suggestions as to which CEUs would benefit me the most? Thanks for any input! :-)

Jill, I do mainly chair massage, specializing in the corporate and convention area. I also do table from my chair clients. Been doing massage for 9 years and bought my chair right out of school. I do none of the routines learned in school, rather I have incorporated from many modalities to form my own style...as I'm sure we all do.

By the way, I use an Earthlite Avila II. It is my second Earthlite chair. The Avila II is awesome. It takes all of the work I can give it. It is highly adjustable. I can put my 5'0'' 100lb wife on it and 2 of my 6'7" 265lbs clients on it. It folds in a snap into a bag that is on durable rubber tires. Plus, ALL of the pads can replaced 1 at a time as each pad is velcroed and not glued on. I only wish Earthlite gave me royalties for the good words I give their chairs.

Hey guys,

I just nixed a long post I was adding by hitting the wrong darn key so I'm only going to cliff note all that I said:

the #1 criterion for selecting ANY piece of equipment that is worth hundreds of dollars? MADE IN USA. If you live elsewhere, then make sure it is made wherever YOU ARE!

Here's something I know: Oakworks is made in the USA. Other leading brands are not...necessarily. One leading brand claims made in USA but should rather more honestly say: assembled. I found their chairs and tables on a import-export trade website: made in China. Do you care about carbon footprints and local economies? Make sure that besides "light and adjustable" it is also actually crafted locally.

Actually, my criteria for selecting equipment is....will it withstand the rigors I put it through...and can I work with it comfortably? The last thing I need to do is buy a piece of equipment, say my chair, every 2 years because it does not have the performance promised. Also, my health problems dictate that my chair has to work for me and my clients. I'm all for "made in the USA" and buy local, but that better not mean "inferior product." Unfortunately, sometimes it does.

How many of actually perform chair massage on a regular basis? Every Tuesday I go to a major farm equipment manufactuer and do chair massages for the workers. I get new clients and they really need a therapisst do to the job they perform! In my office no one really requests it.

Most of my work...95%....is corporate/convention chair massage. I have companies I go to weekly, bi-weekly, yearly. I have companies that bring me in only for special events. I have some that have me work their conventions every year. Some of my businesses pay for me to work on their employees. Other have the employees pay but provide time and space. I had one client whose company took me to their tradeshows to work in their booth....New York, Milwaukee. But the economy forced them to table that for now.

Personally I'm just getting started with my practice and doing chair massage. So far I've been doing it at local charities, non profits, and community events as hands on marketing to get my presence out there + bring support to those who need it. I've had a lot of fun + possitive feed back for volunteering ten minute chair massage sessions for the volunteers at local events - supporting the support staff :).

I had been limited by not having my own chair and feeling badly about pestering a friend to borrow her's too regularly. This last weekend I found two great chairs in a garage sale though, and am all set to start scheduling more venues!

Lindsay, I have a chair and plan to do just as you have been doing.. donating and getting my name out there..
Good for you!

I donate my chair to just 2 groups. They are the lupus and the scleroderma foundations....only because I have those illnesses. I do not give out freebies any other time. After 9 years of doing this kind of massage...and after many discussions with colleagues also doing this work, we have found that you get very very little referrals. Yes, the feedback is always positive and it is fun, BUT, you have to decide if this is a part time hobby or is it going to be your career.

During Teacher Appreciation Week I am inundated with requests for free massages as the teachers "deserve it", Sure they do but I deserve to be compensated for my work, which has required lots of education and costs. Just as a teacher would not tutor or teach for free, neither will I, except on occasions, work for free. This is but one example

Most schools still use the chair as a "marketing" technique and treat it as a stepping stone to your "real" massage job. The AMTA position used to be that beginning therapists give out free massage. It will help build the resume and get your name out.I hope their position has changed on that.

Not meaning to be so direct, but I am 53 yrs old. I've been doing massage for 9 years. I came into this profession late but I have noticed younger therapists just out of school....and even some older ones....look at massage as an ethereal type of experience....with healing and giving being most important. And I agree, it is. I love love love my job and I'm good at it. But if you don't approach the business side of it too, then you will soon find yourself in a negative position.....everyone wanting freebies, not enough income, boundaries being broached as therapists burnout. I've seen it happen.

Once you start doing freebies, it is hard to ask these same people to start paying. Many many therapists are guilty of not giving themselves enough props or credit for what they do. It is ok to be a business too. I am an example that you can take care of others AND take care of yourself.

Remember, we have a limited amount of time, energy and resources (you). Use them wisely.

I'm off my soapbox. Hope I didn't discourage anyone. This really is a wonderful profession. It has been a major reason I am still alive today.

Choice, thank you for the advice. You are CORRECT and I agree w/ you!

Very true and thank you for sharing!

During Teacher Appreciation Week I am inundated with requests for free massages as the teachers "deserve it", Sure they do but I deserve to be compensated for my work, which has required lots of education and costs.

Bingo. That, right there, is why I don't do specials for teachers, teenagers, firefighters, military, and so forth. There are just so many people that "deserve" a massage--in fact, everyone does. But I deserve to be able to make a living and pay my bills, even if I do it by helping people. Last I checked, doctors make a living by helping people, and they don't exactly come cheap.

Choice Kinchen, RIGHT ON! I too am a long time MT--16 years--and yes I have done plenty of free massage, but I'm very specific about where I donate my time. So many places ask us to donate our time, but this is generally not worthwhile the possibly 1 person we may get from the chair massage gig. It's just not cost effective. I actually had a professional say to me, "Oh I never get a massage, it's too expensive. I just go for the freebies." while I was giving this person a free massage. I acted professionally, and gave that person their full time but I was highly insulted. Do doctor's, nurses, chiropractors, acupuncturists, dentists, etc. give their services away for free? Do their clientele deserve their services?

Chair massage start-up #zubio folds http://public.zubio.com/

Alex Frigino, your website is excellent! I love it! I will be certified in Touch Pro, too!
~Angellynnn

Lisa, I've had the same experience in an upscale sports club. My manager wants me to start up again with the freebies, even though we've already discussed the downsides. At least encourage gratuities and, PLEASE, inform them not to hop on the chair after a workout, dripping sweat!!! Would they dare show up at their hairdresser's or nail tech's, or any other professional establishment like that? I can take alot, but that disgusts me. Thanks for letting me vent!

However, you are in a sports club. Yes, they could towel off, but I work in a private company's gym and I do not require them to shower before getting on my chair. I'm sure the sports club provides towels like my company does. I just put a stack by my chair and offer it to the clients that are unusually sweaty. If you work sporting events...marathons, 10K's etc....your clients will be sweaty. It's part of the environment. A nail tech or hairdresser will not be found in a gym or sports club atmosphere anyway. On the other subject, press as hard as you can against freebies. It's not like a restaurant giving out freebies. There, one chef can provide thousands of free samples. With massage, one person = one freebie...a very definite limited resource. As for a marketing ploy, after 9 years, I can successfully say it...giving freebies...is not successful. I don't do it.

I am in my fifth successful year of chair massage, although Myofascial Release is my passion. At the beginning, I learned from Eric Brown of Relax to the Max. One of his theories is to give freebies as a form of Give to Get. If you have few or no clients, then offering a freebie, especially as part of a package, can work well to get people in your chair. Once you have enough clients, don't give it away! I do do occasional charitable events but have started to ask for an honorarium. People love chair massage and we are worth it!

Freebies always work well to get people in your chair, on your table....as long as it's free. It's just like therapists that start out offering table massage for $25/hr, thinking they're going to rack up the clients. They will, until they try to raise their rates up to a liveable wage. Then the clients will bolt and look for the next therapist that gives away massage for nothing or close to nothing. I offer free massage to 2 groups ONLY...because they are associated with 2 illnesses that I have. Otherwise, I DON"T give away massage. Teachers don't tutor for free. Doctors don't give office visits for free. Mechanics will not fix your car for free. Why should we be different? Instead of giving free massage, why not add a little extra...aromatherapy (if that's your thing), an extra coupla minutes on the hands, maybe a 2 minute hot pack on the shoulders warm-up. People will then perceive your massage as valuable. I don't want clients that just want free stuff anyway

I have worked many sports events and we never worried about sweat, mud or dirt. We keep bottles of rubbing alcohol around to wipe our chairs down, although have paper towels around would be good to have them wipe off the excess...

I opened a whole can of worms with that comment and didn't mean to get off the track. My manager is actually in total agreement on that issue, by the way, but what I'm pleased to see here, and what is my main issue, is the fact that most of you feel we should be compensated for our work. That's what I wanted to know and thanks for your feedback, everyone!

Chair massage is a phenomenal way to build clientele if it used in a strategic way. Just doing free massage anytime, anywhere and thinking that people will become paying clients is a flawed plan. Carefully choosing the time, location and recipients of your chair massage is key. And a sample is just that, a sample! When I go into See's Candy, the clerk does not hand me a box of chocolates, I receive one piece, two if I'm really lucky. Likewise, my samples for clients are short usually no more than 3 to 5 minutes. And yes, with the right work, the receiver will feel a difference in that short period of time. Once they feel the change, then we can promote the value of massage and make sure they leave with cards, coupons, etc.

As a private practitioner and a massage school owner, I turn down dozens of events every year where people are just looking for free massage. It is not insulting that people want free massage. As massage professionals it is our responsibility to develop a mature approach to these requests and a strong ability to say no, nicely.

As massage therapists, especially those who use a lot of chair, we should get away from the practice of pay-by-the-minute. Charge by the hour or by the massage...much more professional in my opinion.

When someone asks me for a sample, I turn them around and give maybe 30 seconds-a minute on their shoulders, saying something like...."I don't work for free though, see what you're missing." or "when my lottery check comes thru, then I can give free ones." or something similar, off the cuff. I'm outgoing and make friends easily, so I joke around and keep everyone happy and relaxed while still letting them know I don't work for free. With the convention and tradeshow atmosphere, it works.,

wow! some good debating going on here...nothing too intense i like that just low key...but to the point..and with so much info...thank you people!!!

I really like doing chair massage . Its fun to see how many people you can give a chair massage to . My teacher had made us give other students a chair massage and she kept count on the board.After we were finish she total up the amount people we massage and showed us how much money we made and i was surprise. Chair massage is going to be one of my strong points once i get my license.

Hello Everyone! I am a licensed massage therapist in Amarillo, TX. I practice alot of on-site chair massage in office environments, but I have a golf tournament coming up and would like any tips you can give me about giving the player a chair massage that is more geared towards sports, or golf really. Any helpful hints would be much appreciated!

Hi Belem,
I'm a golf pro in Virginia. There is no golf specific routines that I know of but I would suggest the following: Work the scapular region thoroughly with emphasis on mid trap and rhomboid for thoracic mobility.Then rotator cuff and deltoid work. If you have time include some fore arm and hand/ wrist work as well.I always include some stretches and scapular rotation for increased shoulder mobility at the end. Hope this helps.But I'm sure the golfers will tell you what's tight or hurts and you can go from there.

If the golf massage is ahead of or during the game, you will want to keep the massages fairly short and brisk. Don't relax them too much or they can't play!

Thank you both! I appreciate the advice :)

Many golfers experience pain in their low back, hips, glutes and legs due to repeated one-sided dynamic body rotation as well as the upper back and shoulders. And no matter what they will credit or blame you for the better or worse game after the massage if you do pre-event massage or during the event massage because massage will change the action of those very repetative muscle patterning that they count on for a consistent game. For that reason I prefer to offer post-event massage.
However, a concern for post-event massage is that if this is a casual, fun golf tournament there could be an over consumption of alcohol. Every event has its own challenges and learning processes- one of the reasons I love chair massage, it is always interesting.

Hello all,

I am researching massage chairs, and want to get an opinion on the best and worst chairs. I'm not looking for anything too expensive, but I will pay a premium for reliability. I need to order a chair very soon.

Thank you,

Rachel

Hi Rachel,
I just replaced my 4 year old dolphin ll chair with a new Portal Pro 3 Oakworks chair. The dolphin is a fine chair but it’s not that strong and you end up having to always carry around a wrench to tighten the bolts. The reason I bought a new chair only after 4 years is that the leg of the chair just snapped off. I did call the company and they said they will send me a box to mail back the chair and they will try and repair it. This will all take time and I do corp. chair massage for a corp. 3 times a week so I needed to have a chair asap. I decided to order the Portal Pro by Oakworks and I really like it and it has a lifetime warranty on the frame of the chair where as the Dolphin only has a 5 year warranty on the frame, hum make you wonder why only five years? The best thing is that that Portal Pro 3 is less expensive too; my opinion is go with Oakworks.
Best of luck, Joan

Oakworks does make a nice product. I use the Stronglite Ergo-Pro. With an aluminum frame, it is durable and lightweight. It has wheels for easy portablility, sets up quickly and has enough adjustability to accomadate all body shapes and sizes without being overly adjustable so you don't waste time setting the chair differently for each client. Package on Stronglite.com website is $349 and they are offering free shipping too.

(Must acknowledge that older generations of chairs had some issues, the company has improved their products and once again I feel comfortable recommending them.)

I vote for the Strong-lite too. It can be wheeled or carried quite easily. It adjust easily for a wide range of body types and sizes.

I have had no complaints with mine except the mechanism for the face cradle, but that has been changed anyway. I sometimes work at events with other people who have cords on their chairs. I remember one cord giving way with a client in the chair.

Check weight limits too. The Strong-lite used to hold 600lbs - does it still? Many of the other chairs have much lower limits and it could be embarrassing to ask!

From Stronglite.com

The Chair Features

Durable semi-gloss silver aluminum frame holds 1200 pounds static weight; 600 pounds working weight

Hey everyone,

I'm glad to be part of this group, I haven't done alot of Chair Massages yet, less than a 100. But my little chair has paid for itself so I'm happy. I've started doing chair massages at our local motor inn. It's really rewarding to help those weary travelers feel a little less weary. Penne Phifer

Dear colleagues,

I am happy to invite you to join my group:” Medical and Sports Massage” including FREE Medical and Sports massage lessons. Not alot of practitioners in the US are familiar with Russian Medical and Sports massage as it was proposed by a Russian physician professor of medicine Anatoly Sherback . I'm happy to offer you information about this methodology as well as some additional information about me. I hope that our friendship will be pleasant and mutual beneficial. I believe in sharing knowledge. In such a case you will be able to learn from me as well as I can learn from you . If after reading information about medical and sports massage, or viewing lessons you will have any question I'm encouraging you to make comments or initiate discussion topic . In such a case my replies will be available for many to read, as well as your replies. Looking forward for great relationship.

Best wishes.
Boris Prilutsky

Hello Everyone, has anyone tried using "palm point kneading" technique when treating? I tried it and use it because with very little effort I can give almost the same amount of pressure as though it was an elbow, but with more control and less pressure on my hands.
I have tested out many chairs and my choice is the Oakworks chair, because I can use it for pregnancy treatments, TMJ, it has the face rest that is adjustable at c1 and c7 and I am able to adjust the angle and height of the shoulders allowing me to elongate or shorten the muscles as i work.

The Earthlite Avila II can also be used for preg treatments and has a face rest that can be adjusted at all angles. I think it has more adjustments overall for the entire body than any other chair.

Explain palm point kneading. I use very few elbows and wonder if this is what I've been doing for 10 years.

Hey Choice, Everyone has varying tastes and preferences in the type of chair they use and will choose based what works for them. In 1987 when I took my very first introduction massage course, I was told the same in regard to techniques and how people will use techniques that will help them to achieve the task at hand. In essence, there could be more than one way to build a house. Palm Point Kneading is a technique where the bottom hand, digit one (the thumb) specifically is used as a place holder at the point/area you wish to treat. This hand is relaxed. This point is covered by the other palm applying the pressure. I find this techniques very effective and useful for example when getting into the lamina groove to knead the tissue or for myofascial techniques along the spine. Other examples of places I find it useful are: for cross fibre work at the convexity for people with scoliosis, treating patients with GBS, Trigger point work, muscle stripping along the Teres Major or minor, along the Supraspinatus, or along the superior border of the posterior gluteal line to name a few places. For myself I find it useful technique whether treating the client on the table or chair.

Thanks Paul...I do something similar but I am going to try your specific techniques. It feels very natural and feels like it puts less stress on the therapist.

Hey Choice, you may already be using this next techniques called 'shoulder rocking" if you have time have a look at www.paullewis.ca under continuing ed there is a link called videos. Half way through the 2nd video on the page (its only 1min 45sec long) I demonstrate it. I find this great for assessing the clients upper traps and shoulder area not to mention easy on the therapist and you can get into the upper traps, supraspinatus and levator scapulae. be well...