Seated massage

[bridgeee]

Hi all,
Just seeking advice. I have been given a month's trial to do on-site massages where I work. Company would never bring in an outsider but they seem willing to at least see how it goes. I will be doing them during my lunch break.
I have tried a practice one and find I felt hindered by the clothes. Are there any tips?
Also I will be doing 10-minute massages. Again any tips on beneficial techniques.
For your info I qualified a few months ago and although I have a treatment room this is my first 'venture.' Am feeling nervous.
Live to Ride

 

[Othelia]

Good luck ! can't offer any tips but I'd be interested to know how you get on.

There is a company that does a course on seated massage, they teach you the different accupressure points and how to work using your bodyweight through clothes. I am saving to do it cos I think it looks fascinating. Has anyone else done a course like this ? I think it's a company called touchpro. Only drawback is the cost (of course).

There are a few books out there, videos even but it's no substitution for a proper tutor...

 

[Lady Candy]

Hey Coolcyclist,

I too am about to embark on a very similiar trial where i work, i recently bought an Earthlite Avilla II Massage Chair while on a weekend break in the states.

There are essentially two forms of Onsite / Chair / Seated massage - Accupressure which works on Meridians and Muscle based which is just that, working the muscles of the body. In ten minutes it is quite possible to achieve quite a lot, almost surprisingly so. For massaging over the clothes i would avoid long sweeping strokes, effleurage type work as this can be hard work with the clothes. I'd try much smaller strokes, think of your hand anchoring the clothes onto the skin / muscle and then with small movements moving the clothes / skin as one working the muscle. You can start this quite lightly and work deeper as you warm the muscle.

Also since you only have ten minutes I tend to concentrate on the areas that people like to have worked the most, shoulders, neck, arms, hands and head. With the arms some nice scretches, a quick hand massage. I also try to finish on tapotment or lively strokes, you don't want people going back to their desks all dozy and sleepy and too relaxed.

For training try:

TouchPro UK - http://www.stressbusters.co.uk/
Academy of Onsite Massage - http://www.aosm.co.uk/

Sorry this is a bit random and short, in work about to dissappear out to lunch myself ... if you want some more specific examples let me know.

Good luck and enjoy it!
Foz xxx

 

[Lois20]

Hi Fozzyo,
Just the type of comments I hoped for. I practised on a friend last night and came to same conclusion, circular is good, long effleruage isn't. I started off using a hand held tool down side of spine and worked upper back, some lower back and then arms. As journos we are at a screen 90 per cent of day. I start the trial next week so bit anxious that they don't think I am a dud as I am not used to doing this type of massage.
Live to Ride!
PS Good luck in your venture. I had never thought of going in for on-site work but felt that since company would never bring in outsiders if employees were going to ever get the opportunity then I would have to give it a go.
Am starting off with them just propped in a chair but am considering getting a desk top face unit, not a proper chair as this is not my line of work.

 

[Cutie001]

Hi, you got good advice above. You get used to working through clothes with a bit of practice and it can be fantastic.

Re your desktop thingie Think you might find these are quite dear anyway, Costco are selling on-site massage chairs for £160 inc vat if you are interested.

We are getting ours tomorrow!

 

[Cypriot Princess]

Hi Cool,

I trained with the Academy, qualifying Feb 2003. On site massage is the therapy Ii have used most in the last year since I became self employed. I work one shift a week at a massage company based at Glasgow Airport and have picked up lots of useful ways of working from other on site therapists.

I also have done a fair bit of corporate and community based work too.

I still retain elements of the origial Kata sequence I was taught, but incorporate a lot of hands free techniques where you use the soft part of your forearms and the elbow to press into and knead the muscles. I tend to save my fingers for work across the neck and shoulders.

With a little practise and experimentation I am sure you will find a technique that is very satisfying for you and your customers. Good luck!

Pete

 

[Rissa C]

PS I have an Eathlite Avila chair and desk top portal for those who cant straddle the seat too easily.

You get what you pay for, so would recommend shelling out if you plan to use the equipment a lot.

 

[anthonyny]

Does anyone have any handouts on how to perform seated massage

I have just bought a massage chair from Costco and it is fantastic. The same company do a good massage table which is extra wide at about £185.00.

 

[invackamn]

Got the CostCo chair and it is great. We used it at a Fair this weekend. It is very comfortable and stable and comes in a fantastic bag with wheels. It is very compact and light, fits in the back of the car and is really a fantastic buy.

Their massage tables are good too. Everything you buy in CostCo is usually a good third or more cheaper than you would pay in the shops. I bought my couch from New Concept and paid almost £500 for it four years ago and haven't regretted it, but I have used the CostCo couch also and it is good.

I'm a bit of an equipment snob so you can rest assured, it is good.

 

[SED]

Exactly what I do Pete, use the large areas for the big muscles and then you save your fingers for the smaller more concentrated areas. Particularly when you are doing a fair few massages in a day.

I have the Avila II chair - its fantastic! I love it and more importantly my clients love it! )

Foz xxx

 

[[email protected]]

Hi,

I have just come across this wonderful site after my return back to the UK from France, hence my question to you!

I would be most grateful for any information regarding prices for this service -(on site massage).
I have been asked to provide this service at a local firm and I have arranged a consultation with the firms Manager next week. However I cannot seem to find any prices relating to this service, can anyone help? Also I am at a loss of who will pay me? Is it generally the business or each individual? Also how often would I need to offer this service?
Any information would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks, Tabby.

 

[MonicaB]

I trained with the Academy (www.aosm.co.uk) and cannot reccomend it highly enough.
As for costs, I would not like to comment on in a public forum, but with regards to who pays, I find this is very flexible, I work in Companies that are totally subsidised, part subsidised and also where the employees pay the full cost. It is all dependant on circumstances.
Seated Acupressure massage is the mainstay of my income and I love it!
Hope this helps, pm me if you need more info

 

[rdcds6520]

Hi SallyB

I was just wondering if you work alone or with other therapists when going to companies.

I am thinking of taking this route next year but as I work alone, I am wondering if it may be too much for one person to take on.

Any advice please?

Thanks

 

[smoochy "yassassin"]

Hi!

I tend to go in on my own (although I have done a few days with other therapists) and it can seem quite daunting, but the training I got taught me to get maximum effect from using body weight and so forth, so even for me, a very unfit 38 year old, I can do up to 13 appointments in one day without keeling over!!

Hope this helps,

Sally x

 

[Magenta]

Hi there

I have heard that AOSM is a good place to learn on-site massage. Just need to have a re-think because it is quite an expensive course.

thanks for the advice

 

[Yahzmin (US)]

Hi Therapywise - what area are you in? I'm going into this too, I'm in Yorkshire.

 

[Ginger]

hi Spiritmantra

I live in North West London - too far from you which is a shame. When are you doing the course?

 

[Syslexyswonee]

Hi - Therapywise - I did the course a few years ago now before I went to live in France.

To anyone - Are there any books which are specially for on-site massage with the best manipulations etc illustrated as I guess I may need to brush up on my skills!

Many Thanks x

 

[Peaches32]

Hi all,
Glad this thread sparked a lot of chat. I finished my 4 week trial today and was told to continue to end of December and write down what I think. I think the company will let me continue, as long as I want to.
Am feeling confident that it is beneficial as I am getting repeat clients.
I have decided to finish the session with a soft tissue release technique for the trapezius and found it is really helpful (although painful as it is being done).
Also use my arm on the back and a 4-prong han-held tool to come down and stretch out the erector spinae muscles.
Many thanks for all the comments, it helped me a lot.
Live to Ride!