Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/70065
BUSINESS SIDE Don't make the wall decorations too busy. Of course you will want to display your credentials; in most regulated states it's a requirement. Other than your license and/or certification, a few well-placed pieces of artwork or photography are all you need. Massage suppliers sell posters and framed prints specifically for massage therapists. If you don't want to use those, choose artwork that harmonizes. For example, use all pictures of birds, flowers, landscapes, or other things that are coordinated. A reprint of Leonardo DaVinci's Creation is nice, and so is Andy Warhol's popular culture art, but it's distracting if they're hanging side by side. You may also want to have a muscle chart in your treatment room—not because you don't know the muscles, but because it's a great client education tool. A lymphatic drainage practitioner might want a lymphatic system chart instead; a Shiatsu practitioner might have a chart of acupuncture/acupressure points. WHEREVER YOU ARE No matter what type of place you're working in, if you can't do much decorating, there's one thing you can do: make your massage table as luxurious as possible. A waffle pad or memory foam pad can easily enhance a massage table, even if it has thick padding. Add a table warmer for an extra degree of comfort. If you're supplying your own linens, invest in flannel sheets or the highest thread count cotton sheets you can afford and a wonderful blanket or comforter. Quality linens can turn the most functional table into a comfy and cozy nest. They will make clients feel good before you even place your hands on them. Don't forget to equip yourself with a couple of pillows and/or bolsters. Another strategy that works great for therapists who can't permanently personalize a space is to have a small folding table or tray covered with a beautiful scarf. It can hold your massage oils or lotions. Add a small vase with a single rose, an iPod, and a dock, and you have instant atmosphere. Baskets are also good. They can be used to store and/or carry everything except your massage table, and they add a nice, natural-looking touch to a room. Use one with a lid for your soiled linens. AT A GYM Clients who get massage at the gym are either athletes looking for sports massage or people who work out there and find it convenient to receive massage at the same place. Before you take a job or rent space in a gym, check out the room during a busy time when the gym is full. Noise may be a prime factor including humming treadmills and bikes, aerobic music, and clanging weights. There's not much you can do about the noise unless the owner had the foresight to put extra insulation in the walls and use an exterior door for the treatment room. If it's noisy, you might offer the client a pair of earplugs or an iPod with earphones, or invite them to use their own. Another alternative is using a white noise machine. Some have programmable sounds like the crash of ocean waves or falling rain. AT A SALON A busy salon may have the same noise issues as a gym, and on top of that, the smell of chemical odors may pervade the air. If that's the case, a little aromatherapy may be in order. Avoid using chemical air fresheners. They'll just compound the problem and many people are as sensitive to Quality linens can turn the most functional table into a comfy and cozy nest. connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 23