Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72093
TEN FOR TODAY (www.purepro.com), a good source for essential oils. "It's better than a business card. It's not gimmicky—it's simply extending your treatment." 5. PROVIDE A HAND TREATMENT Paraffi n therapy is an effective way to apply deep heat to relieve pain and stiffness, and it can also moisturize the skin. Simply dip a client's hand into a paraffi n bath. Kathy Lindberg, education and training director for Universal Companies (www.universalcompanies.com), also recommends Eco-Fin Paraffi n Alternative, which is made of only natural ingredients and contains no petrochemicals. Rather than dipping your client's hand into a bath, you melt the Eco-Fin cube, then rub it onto the hands and cover them with mitts. "Unlike old-fashioned paraffi n, which you have to roll off, the Eco-Fin can be left on the skin and becomes the massage medium," Lindberg says. 6. PROVIDE A FOOT TREATMENT Lindberg suggests Pedigenix, which is a new product line from the makers of Biofreeze. It's designed for massage therapists to use on clients' feet. "If clients struggle with foot odor or sweating, they may not know what to do or whom to ask about it," Lindberg says. "This is one of the things you can discreetly add to your intake form. These products have herbs that help prevent excess perspiration and help hydrate the feet." It's also a good retail product to make available to clients after the massage. 7. REMEMBER BIRTHDAYS This is one of those little extras that will make clients feel especially cared for. Send them birthday wishes, or better still, send them a coupon on their birthday good for a free or discounted service. If you don't know when your clients' birthdays are—or don't feel organized enough to remember to send out birthday greetings—LocBox (www.getlocbox.com) can help. "We upload your customer database and will automatically track birthdays," says Saumil Mehta, founder of the company. "On the week of their birthday, we'll automatically send a little gift to clients, whatever you want to send them. And if you don't know their birthdays, we'll do a birthday collection for you." 8. 9. OFFER A BACK SCRUB You can buy premixed body scrubs, or you can create your own. Mix in locally grown herbs and botanicals, or make it seasonal so it smells of pine in winter or lilac in spring. A spa "cookbook" will have lots of good recipes for such scrubs, which are typically sugar- or salt- based. "This is a special touch," Lindberg says. "You give clients a nice back scrub with sugar or salt and remove it with steaming compresses. This will really set you apart." SEND CLIENTS HOME WITH A WATER BOTTLE You can order inexpensive customized water bottles for as little as $5, if you order in bulk. These water bottles not only help your clients to stay hydrated after the massage, they also carry your name and contact information so your clients may remember to call next time they reach for a drink. Check out what Café Press (www.cafepress.com) offers. 10. STONES MAKE GOOD KEEPSAKES Remember the power of earth elements. Place a small, smooth stone in your client's hand during the massage and let the client's body heat naturally warm the stone. "The heat of it is warming and centering," Dapkins says. "It's a very simple thing you can do for people and the warmth will help them become grounded." Let them take the stone with them if they wish. It's another good reminder of how much a massage can help when life gets crazy. Rebecca Jones is a tenured Massage & Bodywork freelance writer. She lives and writes in Denver, Colorado. Contact her at killarneyrose@ comcast.net. You can order inexpensive customized water bottles for as little as $5, if you order in bulk. Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 23