Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/135515
ten for today Supercharge Your Chair-Massage Business Equipment and mobile technologies make a difference By Rebecca Jones 1. Make Your Chair Work for You 3. Chair massage usually focuses on easily accessible areas like the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. But, if you want to work on a client's low back, look for a chair that allows for horizontal positioning. The Dolphin II, made by Pisces Productions, is capable of going from vertical to a horizontal position that's similar to a table. Respect the Rest of a Client's Day 2. 4. Watch the Weight Limit Make sure you have the right equipment. "The chair has got to be strong enough to handle whatever client comes along," says Jeff Riach, founder and CEO of Oakworks. "You don't want to say 'yes' to one person but 'no' to someone else who is too big. A person up to 300 pounds needs to be able to safely get on your chair." Little things like the face cover matter, too. "People coming during lunch don't want to return to the office with a big stripe across the forehead," says Steve Gern, owner of Sew & Sew, which manufactures massage accessories. "After a lot of experimentation, we made face covers that don't leave a crease on the forehead." Another option: draping inexpensive paper covers atop more comfortable covers serves both comfort and hygiene needs. Study for Specialization Improving your chair massage techniques through continuing education can really set you apart from the competition and help protect your body. "Gliding and kneading techniques you learn in school don't work when you have to massage over clothing," says Eric Brown of www.chairmassagetechniques.com. "You need to learn a new massage vocabulary and adopt a new approach to work effectively and in a way that is easy on your body." Also check out www.touchpro.com; the site is hosted by the father of chair massage, David Palmer, and has a variety of resources. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 25