Non-Verbal Communication

This is one of those thoughts that comes up in my mind during almost every massage, and that I repeatedly forget about when the time comes to write a blog. Well, at long last, here it is! 

Non-verbal communication is what I depend on for a large percentage of massages I give. Here are some signs that I pick up on, and my interpretation of what they might mean to you, the client. PLEASE tell me if my interpretations are wrong, as I do use this information to guide the session. If I'm reading your signals wrong, I won't be giving you what you want, and that will make for a less than 100% satisfaction for you when we're done. 

Breath/Breathing

This is a hugely important strategy that you can use. A stand-alone deep sigh can mean you're finally beginning to relax. It might also mean I might need to back off from the intensity or the area that I've been working at. You can also sync your breath to the work I'm doing, so that you breathe in while I'm getting to the tight/tense/trouble spot, and then exhale as I zone-in and hold that spot. When I can sense you are doing this is one of my favorite things about giving massages. It means you and I are working together on this issue you have, and when we do that, you'll get the results you're after even faster. Here's what you need to know about this process: When I'm zoning-in on that spot, sometimes I need to hold into it longer than your breath cycle. For those times, I will ease up my pressure a little for you to inhale, and then I'll sink back into it as you exhale again.

Fidgeting or Flinching

You might fidget if the pressure is too much, or if I'm haven't found the right spot. A flinch might mean you're beginning to doze off and catch yourself, so you're alert again. You might also flinch if I've hit a nerve or an exceptionally tight band of muscle tissue. Depending on what my senses are telling me, I will probably check in with you to make sure you're okay. This is your opportunity to steer me back on track, tell me to lighten up or dig in deeper. Take advantage of this invitation to get what you want from your massage.

"Helping" 

This one tells me that you are not relaxed. Pretty much the only time I really need you to help is to lift your feet or knees so that I can move the bolster under them or take it out. I can usually get the leg drape without help, though lifting your leg is helpful if your skin has lost elasticity, and you NOT lifting your leg might result in me inadvertently pinching your skin as I try to tuck in the sheet. I'm working on improving that anyway. Those without skin elasticity concerns who do lift their leg make me nervous, that I might reach somewhere I don't intend when I tuck the sheet under your thigh. :-/

Holding

Holding also tells me you are not relaxed. I know sometimes it can be very difficult to relax. If you're getting your very first massage, or if it's been a very long time since your last massage can make it more difficult to relax--when you aren't really sure what to expect next. If you are one of those people who just have a hard time relaxing period, here's what you can do: Focus on your breathing, counting up to 8 while you breathe in, and then back down to zero as you exhale. It's good to take a pause between your exhale and inhale too. Another alternative to help relax is to really focus on what my hands are doing, specifically, how your body feels as I work on you.

Resisting

Resisting is a spin-off of holding. You might resist me as your body's way to protect itself if an area is particularly tight or sensitive. Some resistance can be prevented by me clearly communicating with you on what to expect, but other times, it's just your body's instinctive response. What can you do? For the former, I may give you a little wiggle or try to move your body in a way that distracts your mind from trying to anticipate what I'm doing. For the latter, get into your breath. Exhale as I'm working through that area of tension. 




Are you surprised by how much information I gather without you saying anything? I am quite fascinated by body language and am eager to learn more about it. These are the most prominent methods of non-verbal communication that I use and pick up on during sessions. As a client, do you try to communicate other ways with me that are not listed here? Let's talk about it, I'd love to learn what else I should be looking out for in my clients. 

Experience=Skill?

Dusting off the ol' blog, and hope to touch back once in a while with refreshing topics. Today, I share with you two greatly varying experiences of receiving massage. I'd love to hear feedback from your own experiences. Please share your comments below, or back at my Facebook page.

Experience #1--My Own Personal Experience

Last week, I went to my school for my (free for alumni) monthly massage. My student therapist was Veronica. I must say, I was quite impressed! She was very receptive to everything I said I was needing that day--a little more therapeutic than just relaxation as I had just begun my P90X workouts. Veronica's pressure was great. She asked about what kind of pressure I liked in our intake, and checked in with me a little bit into the massage. I said it could be just a little deeper, and she adjusted her pressure perfectly. I also asked her about doing glute work, as every massage I'd had at the school in the past 6 months, no one had worked my glutes, and I didn't know if that was a new clinic rule or something. She said it was not, and was happy to work my glutes (they're big muscles, and one of my favorite areas to get worked on!). 

As the massage was nearing the end, she had worked on my right arm, then went to my left. I felt like my right arm, particularly my triceps, needed a little more work thanks to the workout I'd done that day. She spent more time with my left before going back to my right. As I was already face up, she wasn't quite sure how to work my triceps as much as they needed. I suggested that one way would be for me to flip over, and have my arm off the side of the table, also to get into the lats that way. She quickly thought to bring my arm so my hand reached my opposite shoulder, and that worked well without needing to flip back over to my stomach again. I was impressed too, that Veronica didn't seem at all intimidated to be getting such feedback from a licensed therapist--I remember as a student or even newly LMT that I was a bit intimidated by having other LMTs as my client. 

All in all, she did a fabulous job, and I was completely satisfied. I can easily say she has been the best student therapist I've had since I've been going back to the school for massages. She'll be in clinic at Anthem College in Beaverton for another 5-6 weeks, so I definitely recommend going to see her if you happen to live/work in that area. It's $25 for a one hour (think 55min or so) massage, cash only. Call 503-906-9045 and ask for an appointment with Veronica. Appointments are Mon-Thurs at 2:15, 3:30, and 4:45. I'm not sure if there's later appointments than that currently. And let her know I sent you--I'm sure she would love to hear that!

Experience #2--Client Feedback From Massage at Massage Envy

Also last week, one of my regular clients (who has been through massage school, but is not yet licensed) emailed me after receiving a massage from a gift certificate that was given to her. Here's what she had to say: 

"So a friend gave me a free massage for Massage Envy. I used it tonight...the whole time I was just thinking about how it wasn't done very well.  Not really well at all actually. The therapist I had has been a LMT for eight years. I'm not a massage therapist, yet, but I'm pretty sure I do better than that. And I'm really not trying to be mean or anything. I mean it wasn't horrible, just very different from yours. (which I love!) Missing a part here and there, not very smooth or flowing, didn't do any compression before pulling the sheet down, just different. I found it interesting and wanted to say Thank you! By far, you are the best massage therapist I've met and I really enjoy and appreciate you and your services. :)"

What a contrast in experience, right? Not all therapists are a good fit for every client, and some may have seen the therapist at Massage Envy and be perfectly happy with their experience, just the same as you may go see Veronica and think that I'm crazy too. We all have different needs, and as therapists, we all interpret our clients' wants/needs and have different ways to reach those goals. I definitely side more with making sure I understand your wants/needs prior to beginning the massage, and hope you'll also be honest with me during your time on the table and tell me what you need to have done differently if I'm not quite getting it right for you. As a client, you have only so much time on the table--however, if my schedule allows, I may suggest you take a little more time so I can really work out what needs attention/what brought you in--and I value your time and want to make it a good investment for you. 

Have you ever had a massage at a student clinic at one of the massage schools around town? What has your experience at a massage chain (Massage Envy, Elements, etc) been like? What is your "best massage ever" story? Worst?

On My Mind...

My posts may begin to have new topics coming soon. I've pretty much blogged about every product and service I offer, and I don't do a whole lot of cooking, so I often forget to find one new recipe a month--my family and I have taken to eating huge, delicious green salads during the week (because I work in the evening and can't make us dinner), and then save our "special" dinners for the weekends. 

In this post, I'd just like to take a minute to share some things that have been on my mind recently. I don't intend this to be a rant, but an opportunity to shed some light on recent happenings. If you are reading this, please jump in and make this a conversation. I'm glad to know people are reading my posts on my Facebook page, and would really like to share more interaction within those posts and these.

You may have seen my post on my Facebook page about last minute cancellations. In the past few months, it seems I've had a huge spike in the number of last minute cancellations and even a couple no-call, no-shows. I think I've been fairly flexible and understanding about people's reasons, when they are able to give me one, but I'm beginning to feel like I've either been TOO flexible about my cancellation policy, or that people are just out right abusing my time. In either case, I'm committing myself to firm up on this issue. I don't mean to scare anyone away, because my good clients are REALLY good clients, and I appreciate them tremendously. Many businesses operate with a cancellation policy, and many who work in such businesses do so as employees, who still get paid whether their clients schedule or show up for their appointments or not. In my business, I am not paid unless I see clients on the table. Period. If you have scheduled an appointment with me, that means I have reserved that time FOR YOU, not anyone else. When clients cancel their appointments with less than 24 hours notice, it's much more difficult to refill that reservation of my time, my income, and is completely impossible when clients neither call nor show up for their appointments. 

As is the case for many people who work, I put effort in just to BE there for your appointments. Sometimes that means arranging to have a babysitter for my kids, for me to walk about 2.5 miles to get to the office (we are a one-car family), taking time to bring clean sheets to the office earlier in the day--knowing that I won't be able to carry them with me when it's time for me to walk to work later in the day. Not only these reasons, but I often get phone calls from potential new clients looking for same-day appointments that I could have booked with them, had I known sooner that a scheduled appointment later would go empty. 

If you are unable to keep your appointments, provide at least 24 hours notice. Less than 24 hours notice will result in a $25 cancellation fee. A no-call, no-show will be billed for the full amount of their scheduled appointment. You are welcome and encouraged to send someone else in to take your appointment and avoid the cancellation fee when you are unable to provide 24 hours notice to me.

We're hardly a week into March, and I'm already anxiously looking forward to April. This month holds my oldest son's birthday, and the anniversary of us buying our house. Should be celebratory, but unfortunately, it's not feeling much like celebrating this first week. Someone my husband and I know died very unexpectedly on March 1. She was about my age, leaving behind a husband and 3 year old son. We weren't close, but our similarities made this strike a nerve in me that I still can't quite explain. In the days following that, two other friends of mine have lost someone in their family, and a client of mine is also approaching a loss as well. I guess the "calluses" I developed in my 4-5 years working in assisted living and Alzheimer's care facilities have softened, because this has been a rough week! I leave my emotions at the door when I'm at work, but they do come back outside of that. My emotional energy is feeling low. I know this doesn't go on forever, I'm just not used to grieving. My energy will be back soon.

Please take a minute to comment. Page views without any commentary feels kinda like I'm being stalked! ;) Come on out and play, lurkers! :)

A Dose of Inspiration: The Doors of Opportunity Knocking

Let me begin by saying: DON'T PANIC!

A few months ago, one of my massage school classmates told me we alumni can get a free massage each month at the student clinic. Where had this knowledge been for the 5+ years I'd been out of school?? Thinking back, it seems I may have known that, but due to the extreme complication of scheduling involved in years past, it just wouldn't have been worth all the trouble to actually get there to have that free massage. The school I went to is in Beaverton, and my family used to live in Gresham. Juggling one young child at that time, two opposing work schedules, and one car just didn't make driving a good 45 minutes both ways to get a free massage.

We're a little closer being in Oregon City now. Still juggling two opposing work schedules, one car, and now two, albeit older, kids, but I became determined to make use of this opportunity right in the palm of my hand (or should I say, a student's hand?). I've been getting my monthly massage there since November, unfortunately missing December due to holiday break and the busy-ness that always accompanies that month. 

After leaving a message to schedule my massage this month, the clinic supervisor called me back. She informed me of an opportunity to work at the school, and if I was interested, to submit my resume. My interest was piqued and I've put some thought into it. All the details are not ideal, I admit, and expressed so when I came in for my massage on Tuesday this week. As an alumni of the school, she wanted to give me that opportunity. Others have been informed as well. 

Back to that resume...guess how often you need one when you're self-employed? ;) I have yet to find my latest resume. I have one place yet to look, and I hope it's there. I'm sure I would have to completely revamp the whole thing at this point, but at least it would provide a template and not have to go entirely from scratch. 

My thoughts about this opportunity are no cause for concern. The job available sounds like it's pretty much all evenings, M-F, full time. Late evenings. Beaverton. Commuting. One car. Opposite schedules. And the light at the end of the tunnel is how far away?

Why I haven't brushed the thought away? I'm interested in learning more about the possibilities in my life. Teaching could be fun. I'm interested to see what their process for hiring into daytime positions might be. And I don't honestly think I would have gotten a cold call out of the blue to be informed of this, had I not just recently become a regular visitor to the school again. It is exciting to be even remotely considered for this position, even if I am not even remotely interested in it right now.

It's been a week since this was presented to me, and my eyes have not taken in a glimpse of my resume yet. Interviewing for a job. Yeah....not sure that's ME. Hearing that knock of opportunity is exhilarating, nonetheless.

Product & Service Spotlight: Warm Linen Wrap Deluxe & Hot Snapz Reusable Handwarmers

Last month, I shined the spotlight on Aloe & Herb Bodywraps--click here to view that post--so I'm spinning off of that to tell you more about the Warm Linen Wrap Deluxe. When you schedule this treatment, you'll not only get the same bodywrap, but you'll also enjoy neck, face, scalp, hand and foot massage while you relax in the wrap. The Warm Linen Wrap Deluxe is $95 of pure pampering pleasure.

Carrying on the heat element, I have some of my career-saving handwarmers available for purchase. Hot Snapz is the brand I have on hand now, and they are holding up very well. What are they, you may be wondering? Small, hand-size pouches filled with sodium acetate, with a small metal disc inside. When you need to activate them, they will be in liquid state. To get them warming, simply click/snap the metal disc inside. The liquid inside will begin to crystallize as it warms up. It helps to squish it around during this rapid process to keep the pouch pliable. As the warming elements fades away, it will become more solid. 

To make the handwarmers ready to be reactivated, they need to be boiled in a pot of water, with a washcloth underneath to keep them from coming in direct contact with the hot pot. I set my used handwarmers on top of a folded washcloth, cover them with water and the lid, turn the stove to medium, and set a timer for 20 minutes (too many times I've forgotten I'm boiling them and get reminded by water boiling over in the pot!). Use tongs to lift them out. Be sure they appear to be clear throughout. If there are any bits of crystallized material remaining, they will often reactivate spontaneously. I then leave any that have crystals still in them in the pot, covered, with the heat turned off until I come back to them later. Allow them to cool completely before intentionally reactivating. Each hand-size handwarmer is available to purchase for $10 or 3/$25.

Recipe of the Month: Hearty Lentil Spaghetti

This. Is. So. Good!!! I made this recently when hubby was out for the night. The kids are pretty easy to please, as long as the supply doesn't run out, so I opted to make a meatless dish for us. I don't think I'll ever go back to "traditional" spaghetti after this. 

Hearty Lentil Spaghetti

Ingredients

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1-1/2 cups dried lentils, rinsed

4 cups vegetable broth

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian diced tomatoes

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil

1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti--I used the wagon wheel pasta, which worked really well to scoop

      the sauce

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the lentils, broth, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
2. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, basil and oregano. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40-45 minutes.
3. Cook spaghetti/pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve with lentil sauce. Sprinkle with cheese.

Upcoming Events: Valentine's Day

Can you believe the first month of the year is already behind us? Maybe it's because I took my vacation in January, but that month sure flew by.

In less than two weeks, Cupid will be making his appearance. I won't be available for appointments on Valentine's Day--the Blazers are playing and hubby got quarter season tickets, so that's where I'll be! I will, however, be more than happy to be a part of making your sweetie's day fantastic. You can purchase a gift certificate online through my website (www.rslmt.com), over the phone (503-318-9626), or set up a time to pick one up in person (707 Madison Street, Oregon City--call first)--whichever is easiest for you. I'd say that would be a wonderful gift to get on Valentine's Day! 

My schedule seems to be booking up more quickly lately. If you've normally booked your appointments one week at a time (car accident insurance clients...this is you!), or called looking for a same-day appointment, you'll find it's going to be much harder for me to get you in. Please try to have a few days/times in mind a week or two in advance that you think would work for you--I don't want to leave you hanging and not getting the care you need. I guess that's one negative side-effect of reaching a new level of success in my business!