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Getting regular massage

I am a big fan of getting regular weekly massage. About 5 or 6 years ago I actually even just started paying for them rather than doing them in trade which was a big step and well worth it. I learn so much about working with clients even after 20 years of being in this profession. I have to say though I have the toughest time finding competent people who stay focused on the massage and me when I am getting a massage. Is it just me being a massage therapist and being too picky or what?

People don't listen and even when I directly ask they don't get it. It makes me pay more attention to what it is that I am doing with clients. Am I giving what they needed and wanted?

I have to say that most of my training is in structural integration (Zentherapy) and while I don't practice it strictly what I learned from taking 5 years of classes/100 hours of training a year really made quite a difference in my understanding of the body and the way it works.

Maybe I am wanting my massage therapists to massage me the same way I work (or think I work) on my clients!

Even when I say - could you work on this exact area - pointing to that darn quad/it band that always gives me trouble after a running injury in my mid-30's they work on it for 2 minutes and that's it.

I have had most of the same clients for over 16-18 years coming in once a week or even twice a week regularly. I have yet to find a massage therapist for myself to develop that kind of relationship with. I have seen people for a few years regularly but then the other thing is that I also see that my needs change. For awhile I just wanted deep relaxation massage but now I am needing more therapeutic work for my aging body!

Do you get regular weekly massage? What do you learn about doing massage from getting massage? Do you trade or pay for sessions? If you don't get massage why not? If you only go once every few months - why?

I also have been a big believer in that if I want people to come to me once a week for a massage that I need to do the same!

Just some thoughts for this beautiful Sat am!

Julie

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Comment by Laurie on September 17, 2009 at 3:06pm: A weekly massage would be a dream come true! Like many therapists, I prefer to pay outright for the massage, that way I can enjoy the session like all other clients. As far as technique, I value the uniqueness of each therapist's work. Sometimes I need a light relaxing massage, other times, deep tissue or neuromuscular and then there are days when some type of energy work is what it takes to get me going. As long as there is purpose and intent to the work, I am happy.

Comment by Cindy Greenwood on September 13, 2009 at 5:14pm: Hi Julie!
I have been paying for massages for about 3 years as I have been unsuccessful with trade partners.
My budget at this time only allows for a massage every 2-3 weeks. Actually it's a stretch for my budget - but my body really needs the work!
It is a challenge to find competent therapists.
I am amazed and sometimes disturbed by what some mt's say and do.
Last month I requested some deep tissue work on certain areas and the MT proceeded to slather me up with a hunk of massage cream and dig around on my body with her elbows (when she wasn't sliding off!) sithout focus or purpose as far as I could tell.
I think receiving massage is a wonderful learning opportunity...seeing things from a client's perspective, seeing and experiencing what you like and what you don't like. It helps me to be more aware of the service that I provide - giving more empathy and awareness

Comment by Marissa on September 12, 2009 at 1:44pm: You are not alone! I think that a lot of us wish that we could get the massage we give. I am currently trading with someone and we both feel the same way. We have been trying to implement some of the techniques that the other uses in treatments to try and appease the request. Also, I think that a lot of massage therapists are so use to being the one treating body aches, that we put ourselves on the back burner. We are the "treaters" not the "treated". Which is a crying shame! I just recently posted a blog that stated we should "practice what we teach". I know it's working for me!

Comment by Darcy Neibaur on September 12, 2009 at 12:53pm: I have always paid for massage as I think that is the way it should be. That way no one is feeling taken advantage of. I receive weekly 90 minute massages, as to me that is the most benificial. I need therapeutic massage because of a rear end accident 2 years ago. I was rear ended by a drunk at a high rate of speed. At that time, Mike Hinkle was my massage therapist and worked on my back and body twice a week at the Pensacola Massage Center. Now I have a different therapist working on me. My back is always the priority in each session. Sometime the whole time is spent on my back, while other times I am able to receive the whole body massage. I let the therapist who is working on me decide what is best at the time, as the back is a trickly place for me. The therapist who works on me respect my back issues.

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