No consultation

[awallofstars]

This morning I went for a body massage at my local salon. I am studying Swedish Massage part-time and wanted to experience a full body massage and also wanted some relaxation due to my stressful job.

I was taken into the room and told to remove my clothing and bra and face the ceiling. No consultation..... nothing. Therapist comes in and just says "so you're treating yourself are you?". Starts off with the massage, does not say are you comfortable, is the pressure good etc..... She seemed a bit grumpy and not in the mood to actually do the massage - I could just sense it so felt that the whole experience was not relaxing. The massage lasted an hour, and she did not say one word to me, even though I commented how nice my back massage was. Then left me to get changed and pay and that was it.

No after care advice either?

Is this standard is some salons - I'm not going back there again, thats for sure!

 

[hferauwpilriikexn]

Hmm, this has happened to me several times in salons. I get the impression that some salons work as though you are on a conveyer belt. Like you, I was not particularly impressed and no, I wouldn't go back either, no matter how good the massage was.

J

 

[EeeEdk]

Thank goodness I am not the only one - you'd think that they are a professional establishment and say for example, I had high blood pressure or a recoverer of cancer or had a thrombosis - obviously I know these things, but if I had never had a massage before and did not know the ins and outs - they are putting themselves at risk of having a claim made against them- very silly.

I know someone that does massage from her home - so might try her out - because I did not get the good service there, I am now on the prowl for even better!

 

[MusicFan44]

Definately worthy of a letter to the manager/salon owner, as they could be open to all sorts of complications. What about first aid if something went horribly wrong?
I had a seated massage when I was at Amsterdam airport a couple of years ago - I had to fill out a consultation sheet while I waited (they were incredibly busy!) and the therapist read through it before she treated me. It was bliss!

 

[Ecorgejitiece]

I've only ever had a massage in a health place in Holland and I must say they didn't do any of the things taught in colleges here either - no consultation, no aftercare advise etc. However, from Jabba The Hut's comment they are obviously taught the same in Holland but not everybody applies this.

I think from the comments above it is obvious that these 'bad' people will work themselves out of a job as nobody will go back to them and the power of word of mouth is incredibly strong. People who do a good job, have a good rappor with clients and treat them as they themselves would wish to be treated will go far.

Pemba, maybe this is a good lesson for you and you will retain your clients once you finish your course. Probably prooves another thing - lot of people have a piece of paper which is worth nothing - it is not finishing a course that makes you a good therapist.

 

[koauzfwa]

My sister-in-law knows the owner and says that I should definitely complain, which I will do via letter as I feel more comfortable. Said that I may receive vouchers or even the offer of another massage (?).... who knows.

Luckily I have no disorders, or on medication, or pregnant, although do suffer from low blood pressure and was careful when getting up from the couch. Still mad about it though.

 

[khkjrjbl]

The therapist that massaged me was pregnant ( although I did not notice this as she was wearing a black uniform) and I commented to her that she must get tired doing a full massage. She replied that she did as she had 9 weeks to go until she gave birth.

I could sense that she was not bothered so felt extremely uncomfortable. I do have plans to have my own business from home (working part-time when qualified) and really want to offer the best and most professional service. I agree with you that it is a lesson as I went into the session feeling stressed and came out feeling more stressed - which was not the effect that I wanted.

I'm about to compose my letter - thanks all for your advice!

 

[ddeftukrimfioqeny]

I've experienced this before in a beauty salon that just gave relaxing massages, which they were, but I didn't have a consultation of any description other than being asked to fill in a form about contact details and asked if I'd had a massage before.

 

[oscarinnetawl]

Pemba, how dreadful and disappointing for you - expecting an hour of blissful relaxation and to be treated like a lump of meat :-(

At least you have the experience to know better. Imagine if this had been your first massage and you didn't know any different and didn't feel comfortable / looked after / respected / safe - chances are you would think allmassage was like that andnever go for another massage, and worse tellyour friend how awful massage is.

I would be really pleasedif you could complain on behalf of all dedicated massage professionals out there - esp those on HP. We all owe it to each other as a profession to quality control the treatments wereceive and give,and keep the standard as high as possible.

Its tough because by complaining to the salon they may well come down on the therapist - and I see a large portion of the blame on the salon in not doing its own quality control and giving full body massage workto heavily pregnant staff. I can sympathise with the therapist to a reasonable degree - but even soif she is not able to give a safe and basic relaxing massage then she really should not be doing it - I would guess she needs support and training to help her cope.

Whatever you do - and whatever the outcome - how ever much you were disappointed, view this incident as a valuable gift for your training: how NOT to treat clients, and what it feels like tobe on the receiving end of a poor massage. I canbe certainthat you will never treat your clients that way - ever.Also its important to note that the feelings and intent of the therapist comes through to the client at some level - in this case pretty loud and clear! It might be good to share the experience with your tutor and training group (and to get a really good and sensitive massage).

I do hope that helps put a positivelight on it - IMHO we typically only ever get one chance to loose a client, and hundreds to keep them!

InTouch

P.S. And sorry if this sounds like I am on my high horse - its just that I care - hence being in a caring profession - and get annoyed bytherapists who don't .

.

 

[Mindfreak885]

Hi Pemba,
Sorry you had a bad experience,however don't let that put you off.In my experience a majority of 'salons' are like the one you went to,however there are some excellent ones who really know how to treat clients.My tip for you is ask questions yourself if no consultation happens,get the treatment you want,if you don't like what you hear or you think their attitude or body language isn't right LEAVE and try somewhere else.

 

[shygirl93]

Excellent advice from everyone and a warning to us all. Taking a positive from it, though, I think it does point up the difference between a possibly disinterested salonemployee fitting in a massage treatment between a manicure and a bikini wax, and those of us working forourselves in a therapywe enjoy - and with a personal reputation (and business) to protect.
It's up to us to promote the image of the independent therapist - caring, dedicated and professional.

 

[thegreatone]

I totally agree with what you say. I've sent the letter now and it was a very good one... I will let you know the response.

I think about my mother as she has very high BP and is a high risk stroke victim. She regularly goes for physiotherapy and if she had undergone a massage there - there would have definitely been serious complications. She has experienced already no consultation and as a result of it fainted and it affected her BP for a couple of days. She now goes to a reliable therapist who goes through her details each time.

It definitely does let us therapists down and it makes me want to achieve and work harder and give my very best to my clients and who knows I may be working in that salon one day.... !

 

[whattup]

Hi Scorpio.

This was my first ever massage, apart from a couple of body parts which my fellow students have practised on me, I have an excellent tutor and she has taught us brilliantly and so in-depth are the lectures and advice.

I will definitely query the next time I book in for a massage - at a salon elsewhere - whether they carry out consultations otherwise I won't book a massage.

As I said before it is a lesson.......... will let you know!

 

[Not Grey]

I've also been to salons and have had aromatherapy massage and reflexology and was given no consultation and no aftercare - it just makes me more determined not to let any of my clients down and I do a consultation with every treatment and give them an aftercare sheet to take home with them. At least by recognising what others are doing wrong hopefully means we wont make the same mistakes

 

[Kevin Parrinello]

Hi,

I just had my sister visiting and gave her a massage while she was here. She was a bit nervous, as when she had one before at a beauty salon they did no consultation. When she got off the couch she felt so dizzy she had to sit down for 20 mins before she could drive home and felt weird for a few days. Turns out she has slightly low bp- though nothing that requires medication or anything. I gave her a massage after taking full medical history. When we had finished she stayed lying down for 5 mins, then she sat up and had a glas of water. Only when I was sure she felt okay did I let her stand up and she was absolutely fine.
I don't think beauty salons should be allowed to practice massage if they are not going to do it properley!

 

[climbitalltheway]

I received a letter from the Salon and a full refund. She apologised for the lack of communication but then stated the therapist has not had a happy pregnancy and had been off on sick leave, but no excuse for her attitude. Said that she would be discussing issues at a staff meeting. Also mentioned that they only do a relaxing massage (so don't massage abdomen and chest) and not a remedial massage..... I feel that they should mention this when advertising rather than saying a full body massage.

Am glad that they responded and I got my money back. But sadly, I will not be going back to the Salon because I still feel that not offering a consultation is not best practice.

Thanks for all your responses

Pemba