Confused !?!?!

[grace]

I wasn't sure where to post this, thought maybe here would be best.  May be a long post, sorry!!

Hopefully some of you expeienced bodyworkers could give me your input.   OK here goes....  I just graduated from a 660 hr program that teaches "medical massage" Passed the class with 97%  ;D and passed the national board (amma)  ;D

Rented an office for 275 a month, just painted it and getting things set up.  Have post cards ready to put out all over, flyers, letters to businesses and dr. offices ect.  Think I'm doing ok with all that.  But I have this uncertainty about what I do.  From everything I have read on here and other places, what I have been taught is alot different than what most therapist do.  I will try to explain.....  We were taught "medical (clinical) massage, have a protocal to follow, assesment, treat to periosteum.  We were not taught "sweedish" long stroke, or any other type of massage.  1st & 2nd layer soft tissue prrep, bring origin & insertion closer together by folding the muscle, treat, streatch.  Always fold, always stretch.  Now from what I have gathered in my reading is other therapists help others with pain without this "protocal"  or folding ect.  

I do feel I got a good education but feel I'm lacking yet.  I have people who ask about relaxation massage.  Well I don't know how it's done!!!  We assess and treat certain muscles.  I would like to go to another school to learn a different way and increase my knowledge but can't afford the 5 grand.  

I would like to do chair massage.  Thought it would help promote myself and also another income venue ( theres a cellone call center going in the building I am at, hhhmmm 10 - 15 minute chair massages) but again don't know how to.  

Figured, OK, I know all the muscles, actions, ect. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out.  Add oil do longer strokes, ect.  But yet I don't feel confident enough.  Guess I'm just going thru an insecure seforum.xxxe being I'm finally done and going out on my own, I don't know.   So any input on my situation would be wonderful!!!

Thanks for listening!!!

 

[steve c]

Mena, if you are interested in learning chair massage I think the easiest way to do that is to get a video or two and perhaps experience it a few times from another massage therapist? Check out the postings in the chair massage section of the forum. There's even a great thread about having "seasonal / themes" to build excitement about the day the massage therapist is coming in to do chair massage.As for learning relaxation massage many MT schools teach a "please touch" type class to interested people. I think the basic cost is quite low like a couple hundred dollars  or so... and it teaches a few basics to the average layperson so that they can work on their mate.  You might consider taking that to "brush up" on your relaxation massage techniques.  Perhaps it's time to look into some "continuing education" already?Since I get the impression you are new to medical massage as well... perhaps you could "pair up" with an experienced  massage therapist who does primarily swedish or relaxation massage and they could mentor you.  Maybe you should "market" yourself to your fellow Massage Therapists since your forte is medical massage... perhaps you could help them with injuries or chronic conditions.  Don't they say that the average massage therapist is only in this business something like 3-5 years? I know I've already been injured a couple of times and I've been at it nearly 8 years now.  If we're going to last in this business we have to take care of ourselves right? You can help to keep us doing what we love... helping others!If you don't feel you enjoy doing relaxation massage yourself in the future after trying it... you would have some good contacts to refer your clients to at least!Perhaps you would even benefit from doing some "trades."Anyway, hope one or more of these ideas appeals to you!

 

[Jerry Jerry Jerry!!!]

Pickup a copy of "The Massage Book" by George Downing.  You should have all the specific knowledge of the body you need.  This book will show you the "general" massage work you are lacking.  (You may want to ignore some of his California Utopian ideals, ie nudity for both)  But the techniques are excellent!  And very well explained.  Won't cost you more that $20 and it will help a lot with relaxation massage.

 

[Amerie]

Thank you maestra & Jon o for responding!!I think I will look into a video for chair massge and maybe relaxation.I have talked a few therapist in my area and ooohhh boy!!  they don't like to network together!! Even picky with trades!!  hhhmm  my thought is we are all doing the same thing, hopefully for similar reasons so whats the problem??  I'm not asking for client lists!!!  But there are others that I will try to talk with.  I am looking at the other school in my area for CEU types of thing.  A weekend is $300.  But worth it if it helps me learn more of what I'm looking for.I will look for that book and others!!!Thanks so much.  One of these days I will hopefully be able to help others as all of you are helping us newbies  ;D

 

[Rock Firestorm]

Confused !?!?!

First, Congratulations on your achievements!You may want to see if you can get some medical doctors or chiros to refer to you for rehabilitative work while you work on your techniques of relaxation massage. You can try the hospitals too. Market yourself as someone who fixes what ails you. Helps to "put you back together". You can market yourself towards those who have chronic pain to relieve the symptoms. Do you have a particular thing that you are really good at treating? Back, carpel tunnel, tennis elbow? You can try the country/golf clubs where people might know they need specific massage work. WWork with your strengths you have and the rest will come, through videos, books, or continuing ed. My course taught mainly the relaxation massage, but now I am wanting more medically oriented education.  : Eventually you will find your balance between many different forms of massage to create something your own. Good Luck!Jenn

 

[weemundo]

Confused !?!?!

Mena, not sure what area you are in... but yeah some areas are like that... some MTs just aren't interested in trading or networking.That's ok... just keep looking... try surrounding towns. And try to keep in mind when you are going on a vacation that it's a great time to try new massage techniques!Check out the Massage Events section and see if there are any other board members near you! I'm sure continuing education seminars would be great places to connect with other MTs in your area.

 

[iloveuchriscolfer]

Wow, I must have been lucky to have learned the swedish techniques along with the corrective techniques.I agree with Maestra, you should be able to find someone willing to spend some time with you.  Also getting massage while away from home, will give you the opportunity to try something/someone else.Focus on your strengths and make a name for yourself with your talents.Best of luck to you.

Don't they say that the average massage therapist is only in this business something like 3-5 years? I know I've already been injured a couple of times and I've been at it nearly 8 years now.

That is sad to think that the majority would only make it to 5 years!Well if I remember correctly from the poll that was up, there are a decent number of us that have made it past the 5 year mark! (for me 9 years in Nov.!)  We must be doing something right!  

 

[syla]

Confused !?!?!

Mena,

First let me say, welcome to this forum!  

You mentioned you weren't for sure what "type"of massage you do.

I would call your work "Therapeutic Bodywork", if you are looking for a nice encompassing name.  My thought behind this is, that you are doing more than "just massage", though it is massage.  Medical massage is another good term.

For the swedish technique, I also recommend something else you can look at while at home.  Pick up a copy of "Swedish Massage with James Malley".

Here's one place you can order it from, though I am sure there are many others.  Check e-bay too.

http://www.spabodysolutions.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=grbw&Category_Code=mol-avb

It is a really good swedish technique video and worth the money.  You won't be disappointed.

Here are a few links to some lists of chair massage videos:

Chair/seated massage DVD's
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566

Seated Massage Videos
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=555

And a thread you may like to read regarding chair massage technique:

Muscle based Chair Massage
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=493

Hope this helps.

 

[aomf]

Confused !?!?!

Mena,

Here is a link to all of the massage schools in Michigan.  Maybe you can contact each and see if one offers a CEU in Swedish technique?

http://www.naturalhealers.com/results.shtml?location=Michigan&special=Massage


Oh, and I found this too:

http://www.thebodyworker.com/swedish.htm