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Salon/spa

What would be the ideal set up for a massage therapist in a salon/spa setting for you?

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Permalink Reply by gwyn franklin on June 12, 2016 at 2:43pm

First time I've posted....sorry the question didn't go first

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on June 15, 2016 at 8:39pm

A spa/salon/pain clinic that actually encourages their therapists to work to relieve pain issues, often of long-standing, instead of concentrating on relaxation massages.

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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on June 16, 2016 at 12:35pm

Yes, yes, yes! What Gary said.

Gary W Addis, LMT said:

A spa/salon/pain clinic that actually encourages their therapists to work to relieve pain issues, often of long-standing, instead of concentrating on relaxation massages.

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Permalink Reply by Camilla Ilves on July 4, 2016 at 11:00pm

Each massage therapy space is unique, along with the practitioner who works within it. That being the case, there is not simply one room set up that works for everyone.

However there are some basic requirements as follows-

1) Dressing Table

2) A Cozy Changing Spot

3) Supplies Area

You will want to create a discreet and easy to reach area for all of your supplies. Supplies include:

Oil and lotion
Heating cabinet
Hot stone
Towel warmer
Rice bag warmer
Other massage tools
Spa kits, waxes, paraffin, etc

4) Wall Decoration

Need ideas for your walls? Something simple and elegant can make your room feel more luxurious, but don't overdo it. Most likely, your room is small enough that you'll want to hang something on just one wall.

Mirror
Tasteful painting from a local artist
Wooden, metal or mixed media wall art or collage
Decorative plates or frames
High quality poster print
Tapestry

5) Extra Nice Touches

If you have plenty of space to work with, consider these extra areas for your clients:

Vanity with sink & soap dispenser
Products shelf or table for oils, lotions, therapeutic products, candles, local jewelry and art flameless-candle
Waiting area with chairs, coat rack, magazines, water, snacks, end table and lamp
Flowers and plants

6) Lighting

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Permalink Reply by Ilan Lagnado on July 16, 2016 at 7:45pm

Thanks for the question. Although spa recovering male therapist, I would have liked to:

1. Never ask again clients: Do you prefer male or a female therapist..rather ask: What is that you are looking to receive..let me find the perfect therapist for you..

2. Allow male therapists to book first making sure male & female therapists caring the work load together equally. That will help male therapists to earn more money & help female therapists bodies from getting insured again & again because of over working.

3. For God sake, pay better to therapists, they deserve it.

Thant's All Folks :)

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on July 16, 2016 at 8:04pm

Good response, IIan. Spa-clinic do a great disservice to both the therapists and the clients when they ask for sex preferences. If asked of relatively new-to-massage clients, almost all will choose a female MT: men because, well, they are men and prefer the touch of women and many are homophobic; and women because they have been conditioned to be just a bit leery of disrobing with a male they don't know. So, I certainly agree with you. As for being assigned equally, that's easily handled if the next available therapist is assigned regardless of the MT's gender.

Ilan Lagnado said:

Thanks for the question. Although spa recovering male therapist, I would have liked to:

1. Never ask again clients: Do you prefer male or a female therapist..rather ask: What is that you are looking to receive..let me find the perfect therapist for you..

2. Allow male therapists to book first making sure male & female therapists caring the work load together equally. That will help male therapists to earn more money & help female therapists bodies from getting insured again & again because of over working.

3. For God sake, pay better to therapists, they deserve it.

Thant's All Folks :)

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on July 16, 2016 at 10:03pm

I'm a male therapist in a spa. Often I've gone out to meet my next client only to have them say. I didn't know I had a male, then get up and walk out. Thats with both male and female clients. Sadly it's a big deal for enough people that the front desk has no choice but to ask if they prefer a male or female. Clients are very disappointed and complain about it too when that happens. It's definitely more difficult to be a male therapist in a spa environment.

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on July 16, 2016 at 10:48pm

I hear you, Gordon. One answer is what IIan suggested, asking whether they have any issues that needs to be addressed, then suggesting the appropriate treatment and the therapist most qualified to administer it. For assigning one of the feel-good massage ladies to someone who is suffering from, say, sciatica, is a mistake: the client will leave after the dissatisfying session, still hurting, and will never reschedule. "You can, of course, be assigned a female therapist if that is your preference, but...."

Gordon J. Wallis said:

I'm a male therapist in a spa. Often I've gone out to meet my next client only to have them say. I didn't know I had a male, then get up and walk out. Thats with both male and female clients. Sadly it's a big deal for enough people that the front desk has no choice but to ask if they prefer a male or female. Clients are very disappointed and complain about it too when that happens. It's definitely more difficult to be a male therapist in a spa environment.

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on July 17, 2016 at 12:09am

They try to do that where I work. Lots of clients will not schedule with a male regardless if they hurt or not. Of Course there are people that don't care if it's a male or female therapist. And some actually prefer a male therapist. But the male female thing is still a big deal for a lot of people. There have been many days when I have only one appointment for the entire day when the five other female therapists are booked up with five or six hours of massage. Often, if one of the female therapists is sick. Most of the clients on her schedule will only switch to another female therapist. Even though they may not know her or have ever been to the spa before. I worked for ten years in a chiropractic clinic, the male female therapist thing was not an issue. I've been, until recently,the only male employee ( 21 years )working with 50 female co-workers in a spa just because of the demand for females by both male and female clients.