Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1174218
Ta k e 5 a n d t r y A B M P F i v e - M i n u t e M u s c l e s a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / f i v e - m i n u t e - m u s c l e s . 15 Is there a way to increase word-of-mouth advertising for your business? A doctor in my small town is very much pro- massage. He and his staff refer people to me quite a bit. Many of these people have said they never considered massage as a "health" benefit before. I also refer people to seek medical care when I know their problems are outside my scope of practice. This has greatly increased my value in the community. Perhaps educating the medical community in your area or offering specials that target businesses and specifically health clinics? CELESTE MURPHY KREUTZER Until doctors of allopathic medicine start recognizing and recommending manual soft-tissue therapy as an early treatment alternative to injections, drugs, rest, and ice, we won't get the general population in the door. Education, based on current research, is the best tool we have to introduce the benefits of massage therapy to the next generation of potential clients and their future health-care providers. KEVIN REBMAN Education. We have to take initiative in our profession by educating the public about the benefits and dispelling all negative (sexual) information out there. It's not enough to just have bodies on our tables once without educating them on why they should return. CHERRON LAMPKINS Medicare for all. Include prevention and alternative health-care modalities. There's no reason we should be exempt from this. Bodywork shouldn't be a luxury. KANDY KIGER Maybe quit the whole new- age, spiritual, hocus-pocus crap. Maybe base things on science. ROBERT SANTORO Before I went to massage therapy school, I used to think it was a luxury and only rich people had the benefit of receiving massages. I was in for a big surprise. My favorite motto now in regard to massage therapy is "Massage is not a luxury but a necessity." Education is key. MONICA GARZA More support from Western medicine. Having medical doctors be more aware of what massage can do for their clients. Having massage more widely accepted by insurance providers so that doctors can refer their patients to an LMT, rather than recommending surgery or sending them home with pills. MIKE FARRINGTON I encourage everyone to get as much bodywork and as many massages as possible. There is good, beautiful, healing touch everywhere you go. After the treatment, I'll ask my clients to not keep me a secret and tell everyone they know. TOM OBOS As massage therapists, we are not seen as important or as elite as medical doctors, when we should go hand in hand with surgeons. Medication is not always needed and other therapies are not always beneficial. Sometimes a simple manipulation of the muscles and tissues is all that is need—it relieves stress, circulates blood flow, empties the lymphatic system, and so much more. Showing the importance of the massage community can be done with more advertising or by having knowledgeable therapists interviewed about how important body maintenance is. ALISSIA JONES FROM TWITTER Educate corporate wellness program facilitators on the benefits of massage for productivity and focus, then build on it from there. @SCHASSE49 People just don't want to spend $60+ for a massage. Most families would rather spend that on groceries. If insurance covered massage—and not just for injuries—I think that would pique people's interest. @CHRISTINAJREED "More support from the health community. Promoting more of the physical and mental benefits and the positive outcomes of massage therapy."