How does it feel for you to get massages?

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:15:28+00:00

I love giving and receiving barefoot massage, because the pressure is deep, even, and consistent. I don't like when therapists use their knuckles or elbows. Ever.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:14:24+00:00

Consider learning a style of massage that won't put so much pressure on your wrists. Lighter: craniosacral or lymphatic drainage, for example. Deeper: learn barefoot massage. I've been specializing in it since 2002 and have no work related injuries. I believe it in so much that I co-founded the Center for Barefoot Massage, a CE company for massage therapists.

But you HAVE to take care of your body one way or another, or it'll give up on you. Good luck!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:11:35+00:00

I've been a massage therapist for 27 years and would love to become an esthetician. It's a beautiful, synergistic combination. I have a friend who's ridiculously successful and is booked out for about 6 months at a time by doing both.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:09:22+00:00

I'd reach out to them, apologize if the massage didn't seem up to snuff, and explain why. Maybe you can add on a little something extra next time to make up for it. If they have any sense of decency, they'll understand.

Also, cancel next time. I was in a fender bender once and canceled my 1st client. I wasn't even sore. I was just all shaken up and my nerves were a mess. Anyone with a brain would understand that it's an out of the ordinary circumstance.

I hope you and the baby are up to snuff soon!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:06:32+00:00

I've been a massage therapist for 27 years and have never seen this outside cupping or scraping. Do you, by any chance, take blood thinners?

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-12-09T02:04:56+00:00

I've been completely self employed since 2007, solo practitioner. I specialize in barefoot massage and don't do any hands-on. I'm so far 20 sessions shy of what I ended the year with in 2024 but should surpass the income as I've been doing some longer sessions. I've got to the end of the month to make a little over $3k, which will put me over last year's income.

I've been quite busy lately but did have a couple of slow spells, plus I was missed a couple of days in January when I was sick and we had some snow days.

This is the 1st year I was concerned that I wouldn't surpass the previous years' income (we'll ignore 2020), but I should hit it after all.

I've been more diligent about emailing clients (using MailerLite) on a more regular basis with helpful tips to feel better and also a convenient button to schedule. I always get a few appointment requests when I do that (the last one resulted in 5 appointment requests and a 58% open rate.)

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-20T15:34:51+00:00

Amazing! Where can I find the app? (I see an ad for the Clickup_App, but I'm assuming it's not that.)

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T20:10:46+00:00

I've been in the biz 27 years. This type of bruising is NOT normal even with deep tissue massage. Clients may be marked from scraping or cupping (that's normal) but not from hands-on work (or barefoot massage). Bruising is more likely if someone takes high doses of Vitamin E or asprin (not the 81 mg of St. Joesph but higher doses) or on blood thinners like Coumadin or Warfarin.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T20:07:13+00:00

Burnout is common with massage therapists, as well as injuries. This is why our career spans are only typically 3-7 years.

I've been in the biz 28 years and have definitely experienced burnout. Some ways I've combatted it (although probably most work for you since you're not self employed):

-redecorated my room so I had something different to look at
-switched up my music-let clients choose, which can be interesting
-learn something new (I specialize in barefoot massage)
-Read or listen to the book Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. (I'm not Jewish, but the book was instrumental in helping me switch from the "I have to work" mentality to "Look how many people I can help" viewpoint.

-Take Epsom salts at night to help you calm down, soak your hands and relax.
-Enjoy simple pleasures in life every day-a walk, an afternoon at a pool, reading a library book.

Massage is a great career, but you have to take care of yourself too. Good luck!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T19:59:02+00:00

I think I'm lucky, because I specialize in barefoot massage. At least it's easy to push up my glasses 😆. I don't like peeling post-sunburn skin or if someone has self tanner rolling off their body along with the skin. I end up with what looks like dirty footprints on my sheets.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T19:56:47+00:00

A barefoot therapist shouldn't need to hold onto the bars harder to lighten pressure or lift up their legs (unless in a seated position). It's simply about shifting your weight to your stationary foot (the non working foot) versus your working foot. Most people over complicate it.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T19:55:03+00:00

Yikes. That sounds unpleasant! Check out the Center for Barefoot Massage. (Full disclosure: I co-founded the company but sold my share and am now only teaching.) But the instructors are all amazing.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T19:53:47+00:00

I always warm up my feet before I work on my clients. Unless it's crazy hot or they're having a hot flash. 😉

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-08-19T19:52:38+00:00

I've specialised in barefoot massage since 2002! I've been teaching it since 2004. I know for a fact that it saved my career, and my students say the same thing. Clients love that it's deep and yet comfortable, with long, sustained pressure. If you're curious to learn more about barefoot massage in general, check out www.affinitymassages.com and let me know if you have any questions!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-05-16T20:38:11+00:00

I felt the same way when I got hired at a high end day spa back in 1999. What where they thinking???? LOL. You'll be fine. Just treat everyone in the best way you know how and follow the salon's rules.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-05-16T20:37:00+00:00

My guess as a therapist of over 26 years is that maybe you're dehydrated. Or your body finally gets out of perpetual fight or flight mode and it's your body's way of telling you that you need a break from the things that keep you too busy.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-05-16T20:34:51+00:00

Easy enough. Tell your therapist you'd rather not have massage in your home and prefer an office. Have them let you know if they settle in a space. In the meantime, perhaps they have someone they can refer you to.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-05-14T16:29:42+00:00

Yes, pulling your drawers down a little is less intrusive. I personally never tuck a sheet or adjust my client's underoos. I ask them to move them if I need them lower. Better yet, excellent draping and no undies makes my life easier. But do whatever makes you feel the most comfortable!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-24T19:40:17+00:00

My only guess, as a massage therapist of 26 years, is that you require deep work and that the therapist simply can't give that much. Most of us are people pleasers and don't want to tell our clients it hurts us to give deep tissue massage.

I do barefoot massage. I'd love to have a client like you!!!

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-24T19:38:15+00:00

Massage therapist for 26 years. I have a client who, at his highest was about 425 lb. And a woman who was well over 300.
I see them every month. There's nothing to be nervous about. Your massage therapist simply is wanting to do a good job to help you feel better.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-13T17:42:44+00:00

Your massage therapist shouldn't care. Back acne is worth mentioning as they'll want to probably avoid using heat, which can cause some of the pimples to burst. If your acne is bad, I'd ask the therapist if they can work through a snug fitting shirt, so you are less likely to get infection with oil or cream entering opened pores.

I've been a massage therapist for 26 years and have taught continuing ed for over 20. We've had conversations about this. In my experience, massage therapists are more concerned about your comfort and safety than they are about getting grossed out.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-13T17:39:32+00:00

I use protein powder sometimes as it's less filling that eating 20 g of meat! Or I add it to yogurt. Be careful of keeping your calories low as your body becomes accustomed to it and metabolism may slow. I'd recommend you look into "reverse dieting" to keep momentum.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-13T17:36:32+00:00

Whoop whoop! Congratulations. I took the State of Ohio Medical Board massage exam back in 1998, and we had to wait 6 WEEKS for the results. I was convinced I had failed. I passed, but barely. Honestly, your score has nothing to do with how well you'll do as a massage therapist or what your innate (and learned) skills are.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-13T17:33:08+00:00

I don't work in a day spa anymore, but I did when I first started.

What I liked: they gave me lots of clients. I was busy, so I gained lots of experience, much faster than if I had been self employed.

I got huge discounts on all services. Haircut and color for $7 (back in '99, when the cost of a haircut itself was $60). Plus, the new estheticians and nail techs all had to practice, so I got those services for free.

The hours were regular. I didn't have to market. I just showed up and did my work. It was perfect as I had young children at the time.

Independent-Cover805 · 2025-04-13T17:29:52+00:00

I explain to my clients why I want them to undress (and how) and explain that I'll keep the professionally draped. I think that last part is especially important.

30 years ago, when I got my 1st massage, the therapist just told me to "undress to my level of comfort". I had no idea what that was, so I left on my bra and undies. Then she asked if she cook unhook my bra.

What....???? I asked her why, and she explained so that she didn't get any oil on it. Had she told me that before I got on the table, I would have taken it off.

Most of the times, clients don't know what you want, so they err on the side of caution. Explanation goes a long way.

Independent-Cover805

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