Our 1rst day of chair massage clinicals

[Neicy]

In class, for full body massages we work on each other, but we have clinicals in chair massage. We set up in the massageplaneteteria at school and took anybody that we could. It lasted about 4 hours. I am surprised how sore I am!! I am completely exhausted, but at the same time really energized. I guess thats kind of odd sounding, but its sooo true.

I was really starting to doubt the whole massage therapy career. It gets pretty boring sitting in class, doing the same ol routine. A friend of mine who is licensed told me to hang in there that its TOTALLY different when you get out of school, and now I think I believe her. I really enjoyed myself. I got to work on a good variety of people, and even though I felt like I didn't have enough techniques apparently I did well according to their verbal feedback.

In a couple of weeks we are going to a veterans nursing home to work on the patients, and I can't wait. I currently work in a nursing home so thats right up my alley. The students (whom were all about half my age...eek) were kind if intimidating to a certain degree to me. But I think I will really enjoy working with the old folks.

I guess I have rattled enough, I'm just super hyped right now.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Ania B]

Hi Ocean,
It sounds like you had a great day! And I agree, chair massage can be exhausting, it has a different set of body mechanics from table massage, for sure.
I really was interested in your comment in regards to becoming bored in class, that is a good point. I remember getting so tired of talking the theory of massage and working on the same people (fellow students).
I have been scratching my head, because the students in my class are acting soo burnt out and you have just given me great insight as to how I might possibly snap them out of it!!
BTW--- it IS MUCH different working out in "the real world" hang in there, you will be out there soon enough and will be so grateful that you stuck it out.

 

[student]

Wow. I don't ever recall spending so much time on a routine that we had a chance to get bored. For that matter, the instruction really didn't focus on any routines, though we worked through a few as examples of how we *might* choose to combine different movements. The primary thing about the routines was learning to transition smoothly from one thing to another. Once you can do that, mix it up and get creative!

Real life is not about routines. It's about finding the best way to treat your client, and every body is different! You never need to get bored again.

 

[krk]

Ocean, glad you enjoyed the chair massage clinical. I don't recall liking it that much when I was in school. But have come to enjoy doing chair massage more over the years as well.
I think because I took what I learned from other modalities and started integrating a bit of this and that into my chair massage.
Yes, you have more freedom to use your intuition to find the right position that will release tight muscles... to use a different technique, to combine or invent your own... to combat a particular problematic area.
Changing things up helps combat boredom.
Also I would encourage you to try to keep an eye on your posture when giving chair massage. Especially if you are going to be at it such long periods of time... and don't forget to stay hydrated!
Having a water bottle and drinking it between clients also sets an Excellent example for your clients!
Please review back to us in this thread how your next experience with chair massage goes!

 

[Holly M]

Yeah. Four hours of chair massage (even table massage) can be a real physical drain. Even though you're working in smaller time increments, remember to take a break after every two or three (may be 5 or 10 minutes) and remember to break for food. And hydrating your poor body is very important. You may also consider wrapping your wrists (you can also wrap your wrists when doing pre- and post-sports event massage - such as a marathon).

As for the day-to-day task of learning massage (and it CAN be a real task at times), stick with it, take notes. Your intuition will be better fed if you have a sound working knowledge of the muscles, their actions, insertions/origins, etc.

Yep. Real life massage is SOOOOO much different than in class. If you're working on your own, you're you only source of info (plus the info on MassagePlanetL). If you work with other therapists, if you have a question, don't try to fake it. Your co-workers will probably be more than happy to help with advice or other perspectives.

Most important. Have fun! Make your body dance as you give a massage (freeing your body up while you perform massage allows you to free your body and not be caught in negative body mechanic H@ll).

 

[el tom]

I've been doing chair massage for 7 years. With experience, you can get to that point where 4 hours is not a drain. I usually do events/jobs of 3-6 hours. Of course, I drink fluids (doesn't have to be water) and maintain nutritional needs. But I also work out quite strenuously during my free time........hiking, snowshoeing, cycling skiing, weights. It keeps my physical body strong enought to handle the stresses of massage.....plus my mind is refreshed from doing things that I love.

I'm always in a learning mode, either thru classes or books or dvds, so boredom doesn't have a chance to plant itself.