Relaxation vs Therapeutic Massage

After much thought and consideration, I have decided it is time to change my rates. If you're curious as to what lead me to this, I encourage you to read my Self Performance Evaluation here. Effective January 1, 2013, I will be raising my rates by $5 raise across the board for all massage sessions, and will then be distinguishing between relaxation massage and therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massages will then be an additional $5 or $10. Now, I know you want to know...what is a therapeutic massage versus a relaxation massage?

Relaxation massage is best described as massages that are:

• gentle on the body (both yours and mine),
• usually not exceeding medium pressure,
• that do not require special focused attention or extra time working on known aches, pains, tensions, etc, and
• can have the full body treated within one hour. There are some exceptions to this, depending on the size or build of a person's body, but for the most part, without giving extra time to "troubled" areas, a full body relaxation massage can be done in 60 minutes, and may certainly go on longer if the client chooses to have even more down time.

Therapeutic massage is best described as any session that specifically and skillfully addresses any of these 11 points:

1. Aches, pains, spasms, tensions, or sore spots and/or use of pain scale assessments for session-to-session progress evaluation;
2. Working primarily on a specific area of the body, though this will likely include surrounding areas that may be affected by or contributing to the "problem;"
3. Use of very firm/deep pressure whether throughout the majority of the session or on specific points of the body that require time to allow them to release;
4. Coaching before, during and/or after your massage for:
   (a) stress management techniques,
   (b) referrals to other healthcare modalities (chiropractic, physical therapy, yoga, etc),
   (c) stretching,
   (d) strengthening, and/or
   (e) other suggestions to modify the way you use your body throughout your life;
5. Monitoring frequency/severity of your ailments, such as:
   (f) headaches/migraines,
   (g) numbness/tingling,
   (h) pain medications.
   These sessions may be limited to certain areas of the body for focused work done on a time/financial budget or may be worked in a full body massage within a longer session, and may be done with any range of light-firm pressure. The cost of your session will be $5 more than relaxation massage rates if 1-5 of the above points have been provided, and will be $10 more if 5-11 of the above points have been provided.

Included in EVERY session will be a discussion prior to your massage to see how you are feeling that day and how you want to spend your time. I realize most new clients who come to see me are not accustomed to this question and that it is something that sets me apart from most other massage therapists. I also firmly believe that it helps us reach the goals you have for the time and money you invest into receiving massages. This discussion will largely determine whether your session will be a relaxation or a therapeutic massage.

What happens if...
--If you expected one type of session and it turns into the other, the pricing will be based on what is actually provided to you.
--If, during our intake conversation, we decide you'll be having a relaxation massage, but then as you're on the table, I find things that could use more time spent working on, I will check in with you to see if you want to convert your session to therapeutic and address those areas more thoroughly, or if you want to continue on with a relaxation massage and not spend any extra time on those areas. If you decide to convert to therapeutic massage, your session will be an additional $5-10. 
--If, conversely, we expect your massage to be a therapeutic massage, but there isn't any coaching involved and your body doesn't have much going on to "work with" in terms of tight muscles, I will have the pleasure of telling you your massage that day would be $5-10 less than we expected! 
--If you are somewhat concerned about the financial implication of the new rates, remember that I have always considered gratuities as "never expected, always appreciated." If the new rates mean you aren't able to be as generous with gratuities as you have in the past, it's okay to leave less or none at all. While tips have made up 9% of my income so far this year, the bottom line is, I'd rather see you and not have a tip than have you stop coming altogether because you don't have money for a tip. Additionally, you can "like" my Facebook page and keep your eye out for when I post same-day appointments I'm looking to book at a $15 discount. 
--If you are really concerned about the financial implication of the new rates, I encourage you to take advantage of my upcoming Black Friday special offers and/or purchase a package of 5, 10, or 15 massages before the end of the year that can be used up to a year from date of purchase. That's a great way to lock in my current rates, and the packages are even offered at 5%, 10%, and 15% discounts. 

Raising my rates means I can continue to offer a Client Loyalty Program. A couple months ago, I was beginning to feel really sore about the Client Loyalty Program, because I really make it easy for clients to save money and was worried about MY bottom line. I almost felt like I needed to wipe out the Client Loyalty Program altogether. 

Right around that time, I had 3 clients come in within a short time span--one had just referred a new client to me and I had sent him a referral reward, another was in a delicate emotional state that I gave coping suggestions to, and another was using her benefits through her HealthNet insurance to receive massage with only a $25 copay. The man with the referral reward didn't even bring in his coupon, but paid my full rate plus a $15 tip. The one who received coping strategies then tipped me $25. The woman using her HealthNet benefits also tipped me $30. 

Not only did the generosity of all three touch my heart beyond words, it helped me understand that I AM worth it and that both my Client Loyalty Program and my rates needed to evolve with my business, skills, and experience (the Client Loyalty Program hadn't been changed since I first put it in place at least 3yrs ago, and I have never raised my rates in my 6yrs as a licensed massage therapist). So I chose to modify it a little, and to also raise my rates. In doing so, I can continue to extend my thanks to you in all the many ways still in place for your continued patronage and trusting me enough to refer your friends and loved ones to me. The clients I have already mentioned these changes to over the past few weeks have been very supportive, and I appreciate all the feedback that has been shared with me as you've helped me reach this decision.

Product & Service Spotlight: Spa Treatment Closeout!

In the next month or two, I plan on phasing out the spa-section of my treatment menu. These services are underutilized, and, as mentioned in previous blog posts, my business is beginning to take a new direction into mentoring.

I've never been a real girly-girl, so the spa-aspect doesn't quite captivate me personally. My initial excitement in expanding my menu in that way was that it would allow me to bring in revenue without being as physically demanding as massage. Without my heart in it, I don't feel I've marketed it well, the economy may have an implication as well, preventing consumers from enjoying these kinds of services.

What I will hold onto will be the body butters (honey and mango) that can be added on during a massage, the aloe foot & callus rub, the aloe moisture cream, the aloe heat creme, and possibly the aloe body wash and lavender spa bath. Gift bags will still be available at this point, and I will also continue to provide the Detox Relaxation Bath packs for purchase.

Any samples on hand, excluding those mentioned above, can be taken with you at no charge as you come in for your regular massage appointments, while supplies last. Samples of the above mentioned products will be available for $1 each, or as otherwise labeled. 

2010 In Review

As 2010 approached, I instinctively knew it was going to be a good year, and overall, it didn't disappoint. 

The hiccup my business ran into in March turned out to be a blessing in disguise combined with another change--getting my massage room to myself and no longer sharing it with another LMT. This change allowed me to redesign my treatment room, with the express needs of MY clients and myself in mind, not also those of the other therapist and trying to blend our styles and needs together. It also allowed me to increase my availability for appointments, moving from 3 days a week up to 5. 

The increased work time worked well for my income--I made 50% more in 2010 than I did in 2009, however, my bottom line didn't enjoy such a dramatic increase. Due in part to the redesign of my treatment room, as well as several continuing education courses, including planning for an upcoming out-of-state workshop, and a few new perks for my clients: new sheets, the full-back weighted heating pad that's getting lots of praise, and sample-size containers to allow clients to bring the spa experience home with them, my business expenses absorbed more than 50% of my total income for the year, a revelation that, while necessary at the time, I hope won't repeat itself for 2011.

In 2011, I have new goals. I will be going to a weekend workshop in Boca Raton in February to become a Certified Injury Prevention Instructor, so I will be able to teach other manual therapists ways to keep their bodies healthy, and prevent, recognize, and learn effective ways to treat injuries incurred due to the nature of their careers, and add value and longevity to their careers. I am very excited for this new venture. At this time, I don't expect it to interfere with my hands-on time with clients, but see it as another source of revenue, and likely will be implemented on the weekends. I've also decided to hold myself to a budget for my monthly business expenses, forcing myself to analyze the urgency of each potential purchase. 

In remembrance of my past life as an employee in a corporation, I don't want to sound as if my bottom line is what it's ALL about, but I would like to see the scale tip more in my favor than it did last year. My income, while not the breadwinner in my household, provides a very necessary contribution to my family's livelihood. My husband and I are beginning to very seriously consider buying a house, a goal of ours that I wasn't expecting to reach for another couple of years, and one that, if obtained soon, will require much more diligence of budgets, and watching my expenses is the biggest area I can work on to increase my bottom line. 

All that said, the good news is that you, my client, shouldn't notice much, if any, effect from these goals. I believe I set myself up pretty well in 2010 that I don't expect you or myself to feel the pull. As always, please don't hesitate to tell me your concerns. Without you all, I wouldn't be here anyway, and it will always be my goal to assure your happiness in having me as your massage therapist, this year and for many years to come.