Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/640605
HONE YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS Massage and bodywork is a very personal experience, and its success is based on a real connection between two people. We have all had the feeling that we are just a body lying on the table while the therapist performs a set routine and isn't present in a personal way. The most common complaint, especially in spa work, is that the therapist didn't listen to the client's wishes. Simply asking what your client is looking for is the first key, but to then actually listen and accommodate is crucial. Don't forget your hands are also a major source of communication, not just in performing strokes, but also in reading where our clients hold tension. Ophelia recently asked a regular client if there were any special areas he would like her to work on, and he replied, "No, you always seem to find the areas that need it, even if I didn't know they needed it." Following are some considerations for improving communication with your clients. Start by scheduling enough time for you to communicate and connect with clients. Abruptly sending a client out the door can damage TAKE STOCK OF YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Don't try to be better at doing the same massage as everyone else. Take inventory of your strong points and your passion, and find a niche. For some, it may be therapeutic work with injuries or athletic performance; for others, it may be energy work or having a deeper understanding of relaxation work. Become skilled working with clarity with the nervous system, and creating balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, possibly with added skills in craniosacral therapy either as a specialization or an adjunct to regular massage. Honestly assess your personality skills, both to work on improvement and to accept your basic nature to use to your advantage. For example, my science background, somewhat left- brain leanings, and high energy led me to Rolfing and a more therapeutic practice. However, my upbringing to try to be a good Cub Scout and have a warm and caring nature, along with a somewhat wacky sense of humor and ability to chat while working brings a close connections with clients and distinguishes my practice from a more Western medicine "white coat" ambiance that sometimes turns people off, as our profession seems to be moving toward imitating physical therapy. 3 NO. 4 EXPAND YOUR SKILLS At first, Kenny wanted to build his practice around the techniques in my classes. I advised him to take other courses from different people and pick things from each teacher he could blend into a style truly his own. The varied skills he learned from his teachers were what distinguished him from more limited practices. Another way to dramatically expand your skills is to get bodywork sessions from recognized experts to feel their touch and therapeutic vision. I once flew to Santa Fe to get a session and tutoring from Jan Sultan, a Rolfing teacher I greatly admire. Michael Salveson is my favorite teacher in the Bay Area. I have to book months ahead of time, but I make it a point to get several sessions a year from him. I consider it a bargain, as I get fantastic work and the opportunity to try to translate the feeling from his magical hands into my own work. Conversely, it is important to have specific strengths as the core of your work rather than being a jack-of-all-trades. I've seen some therapists 5 with practices that don't live up to their dreams actually taking too many continuing education classes, assuming that if they know more, they will be successful. Looking inside to the deeper issues that may be limiting us is often the key. As much as I'd hope that buying a few more fancy golf clubs would make me a better golfer, I'm afraid I really should look at my tendencies to overswing and lose concentration, and put pressure on myself by focusing on my weak points instead of developing my strengths. 56 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a r c h / a p r i l 2 0 1 6