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?

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! 

A Dose of Inspiration: Holiday Magic

What a fantastic holiday season it's been. About 60 gift certificates for massages went out this season, including those from my Black Friday Special. Two of my clients shared some of their home baked goodies with me when they came for their massage. A couple clients padded their tip to me, as a special "holiday bonus." Another client brought me a Worry Doll wall hanging, soon to be gracing the wall in my massage room.

I am feeling the love!! I am thankful for all the gift certificate purchases. It means so much to me that my clients value my services so much that they want to share that experience with their family, friends, and coworkers. 

So. So. Good!! I only have a picture of one of the goodies shared, because the other ones disappeared before I even thought about taking a pic. Delicious!

When you see these Guatemalan Worry Dolls on the wall in my massage room, I welcome you to tell them all your concerns. May they help you relax and find even more enjoyment from your time on my table. 

PS--I still have lots and lots of the Lindt Lindor Truffle samples. They're sticking around a whole lot longer this year, since I vowed to keep MY hands off!! ;) They are SOOO good though, and come with a $1 off coupon too. 

Hope everyone enjoys this holiday season as much as I am! 

Upcoming Events: Open House

Update on my study/mentor programs: I'm almost caught up with reading my massage magazines--chugging away impressively at a week and a half per magazine. Just 2 1/2 more magazines to read, then I'll be all caught up (until the next one arrives!). Once I'm caught up, I will be able to pore my attention into these programs. I feel confident that I can be ready to launch and begin really marketing for the study/mentor programs by the end of the year.

Ah, the end of the year. It is September now, so be careful--in the blink of an eye, it'll be January!

The tail end of this month marks my 5th anniversary as a licensed massage therapist. I've decided to celebrate by hosting an open house in the office on Saturday, October 8th from 9am-6pm. I plan on having a drawing for at least one free massage. Stop in and get one entry. Bring a friend with you (who is not an existing client of mine) and you both get two entries. Book a massage appointment within the month of October or buy a gift certificate and get another entry. If your friend books their first massage session with me within the month of October, they'll get 2 entries into the drawing. I'll have some light refreshments. This will be a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about anything massage related, or specific to my business. Or just come in and peek at my new room!

Rumor has it we'll be having an acupuncturist joining the team at Heidi's soon--into my old room downstairs next to my new room. As I find out more information about that, I'll see if he'd like to participate in my open house event as well. 

Are you following me on Facebook? If not, you'll really want to start! As my clients from years past may remember, I had a pretty fantastic offer go out for Black Friday last year. I plan on running the same special (with minor provisions)--but I think I may only be announcing it on my Facebook Page this year--and that's why I'm emailing this post to everyone as well. I'd also love to have this blog be more of a back-and-forth between us, so your comments are always welcome and appreciated. Subscribe to my blog & follow me on Facebook now. You won't want to miss this!!

If the Black Friday tease isn't enough reason for you to follow me on Facebook, try this: I often post my same-day open appointments at $15 off. This is good news for those that aren't able to book in advance due to complicated/inconsistent/irregular schedules. There's often only a few hours' notice for these appointments, so you really have to keep your eye out.

Massage Package Bonus! *Limited Time Special*

Have you been wanting to get massages more frequently? This is the best deal I have ever offered! Not only do I have massage packages at various levels and huge savings, I've just sweetened the deals even more. These deals won't last long--maybe a month or two--so call me to get your package now! Even if all you are interested in are the massages, and not the sweetened deals, you're getting amazing value at an amazing rate, and I would be happy to write up the bodywrap and mini-facial onto gift certificates for you--just in time for the holidays that will be here before we know it. Talk about getting more bang for your buck!

See Heal Your Body, Save Your Cash for more information about the massage packages. 

**Just in case I wasn't clear, the deals below are added into the massage packages (as described here) for free for a limited time only!**

Platinum Package

Receive one 8oz bottle Bodywrap Solution Gel plus one  Warm Linen Bodywrap and mini-facial free! 

$185 added value!

Gold Package

Receive one bonus 90 minute massage plus one Warm Linen Bodywrap and mini-facial free! 

$175 added value!

Silver Package

Receive one 75 minute massage plus one Warm Linen Bodywrap and mini-facial free!

$160 added value!

Bronze Package

Receive one 2oz bottle Bodywrap Solution Gel plus one Warm Linen Bodywrap and mini-facial free! 

$114 added value!

Contact me now to get a package for yourself, or to make you the star of someone else's life by giving them such an amazing gift!

Phone: 503-318-9626 or Email.

Holiday Gift Certificate Special

Just a reminder about my Holiday Gift Certificate Special going on now through Christmas. Purchase a 60 minute massage or a body wrap gift certificate and choose between adding on an additional 15 minutes massage or mini-facial for free! A 75 minute massage is the perfect session for people needing their relaxation time just as much as getting tension relieved, and you can't beat the price. My mini-facial includes cleansing, pH toner, mask, and moisturizer with some light facial massage. Buy now!