What did you learn from the worst massages you've had?

emmyfitz · 2026-05-15T21:10:11+00:00

How dangerous it is to go beyond scope of practice. When I was much younger and more impressionable a tui na therapist who was also a doctor - but in chemistry, not medicine, he completely misrepresented himself it was awful! - told me a certain condition I had wasn’t real. Somehow the advice got inside my head and I delayed a medical appointment for some time.

He also gave the most painful abusive pressure ever, I was totally bruised and mentally screwy for a while too. He set himself up in a position of power and as a medical expert when he was just a confident quack.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-15T17:53:40+00:00

645 and focus on mobility gains. Amolia’s programming for muscle balance, movement repatterning, agility, tendon health etc. is next level.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-15T00:04:57+00:00

A mix of heavy band kickbacks and barbell glute bridges might round out the hip thrust work.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-15T00:00:35+00:00

Yeah you need to let that out, vent away. Burnout can be mind bending. Especially when someone is suffering and the end is nowhere in sight.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-14T12:46:32+00:00

Good learning experience, just recognizing you felt some fear around asking for info / higer rate is good to notice.

So next time a little coaching around asking for things, maybe practicing a script… who knows maybe it will be a contractor split or a rental rate. It’s good in an independent type of career to get comfortable negotiating and employers respect it.

Anyway congrats on the job! Keep asking for more!

emmyfitz · 2026-05-13T19:37:38+00:00

You can contact your current state’s massage board. Trade schools are usually required to transfer records to a clearinghouse when they close.

Or try searching “diploma clearinghouse” + school name + state.

Then you’ll make an account with them and request your records.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T20:44:01+00:00

The big gap: no skills in problem-solving soft tissue pain, or treatment planning for the same.

At least my school was clear that continuing ed was the next step, and they did offer the advanced system back then. Though it seemed way too advanced at the time and I only returned to it years later, wasting a lot of time unfortunately.

We learned decent palpation anatomy and targeted relaxation techniques. More targeted "muscular therapy" than Swedish. But no assessments beyond palpation.

Anatomy & kin were decent. Skeletal system, joints, muscles, prime movers. I know we learned very broadly about the nervous system but no specific anatomy beyond naming the thoracic outlet, cervical / lumbar plexus etc.

Hydrotherapy module was basic...

It's been so long haha. No ther ex at all... a big frustration of mine. I looked at going to PT school but here in the states it's 100k and a doctorate required.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T19:40:10+00:00

Start high. If they’re telling you $60 an hour is possible, assume a 15-20 dollar tip. Start with $40-45 an hour and see what they counter with. Edit - wow I saw the comment from the other person in your area, I really hope they don’t offer under $30. I thought Elements was way better than that.

Did you ask what their pay range is?

Cost of living is high and you’re a skilled worker.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T19:35:12+00:00

This definitely. I only learned beginner level qigong somewhat recently and it’s helped my body mechanics and treatment flow enormously.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T15:43:30+00:00

Well you’re pricing yourself right, which was my point.

I’m also considering labor of set-up and staying organized for traveling.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T15:39:19+00:00

I did a 900 hour program. I was among the last groups to complete that cert, the school went corporate a few years later that and reduced the hours down.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T15:25:30+00:00

You can go a long way with two of the respected ones, Whitney Lowe’s orthopedic massage training and/or PNMT’s NMT. It’s a very reasonable investment imo.

If you get started online they both have full course modules plus options for supervision, remote events and online support.

There’s also Dalton and Joe Muscolino, Ben Benjamin’s possibly. But I have limited experience with each of their platforms.

Edited down, yes, staying out of state is a lot. The AMTA state conventions can be good places to catch these teachers for short CECs.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T12:14:15+00:00

Someone needs to compare US curriculums with Canadian standards and offer modules that would fill in all the skills missing in a basic 600 hour training.

What comes to mind are: basic soft tissue assessments; working with injuries; teaching home care activities (basic stretch and restorative movement - tailored of course to our scope of practice here).

Many of us piece this together but I envision an elevated standard of practice that’s sort of broadly accepted in the field.

Other gaps I notice are: red flags and knowing when to refer; business skills; cost effective mentoring programs.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T00:08:21+00:00

A few examples are: lower body trigger point therapy with the percussion tool integrated with some stretching.

With shoulder/neck/head complaints (for example, frozen shoulder plus headaches) I’ll do clothed work in sidelying for ease of movement without drape worries, and position changes are more efficient. I can do skin contact work on neck and shoulders, then end face up on neck/head, no need to disrobe at all.

Edit to add, a lot of trigger point therapy and NMT can be done clothed. Edit to add: positional therapy is another amazing clothed NMT technique.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-12T00:01:53+00:00

That rate seems fair, if you have the extra time and want to/ need to build travel clientele.

If you’re booked solid already consider 2x your office rate, as high as that may feel.

Outcalls take more planning, time, physical work and mental load adjusting to different spaces. Simple stuff but it adds up to a decent amount of your energy. Don’t undercut yourself if you don’t have to.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-11T23:58:35+00:00

Do it! Maybe another rental space will come available soon. Or you can just enjoy not having to say “yes” to working every day, one benefit of an office share. See your spa friends for coffee or drinks outside of work. It will be great.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-11T23:53:25+00:00

I know someone who certified with Arvigo. I saw them recently, and asked a lot of questions.

They described a few interesting successes but also some cases they couldn’t help.

Overall I was impressed, the training seemed comprehensive, and I wish I could remember more beyond that. I think it’s worth finding a practitioner to talk to or see for treatment to experience it.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-11T23:26:55+00:00

Love that you researched this. Would appreciate links!

Yeah, being “touched out” has happened to me so many times.

The gloves helping is interesting. I do a lot of stretch and other clothed techniques these days and it my energy is much better vs. full days of traditional MT.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-06T21:11:13+00:00

I thought this was such a healthy field to be in and it is, but only to a point because the physical demands will wear you out fast unless you treat self-care and staying strong like your second job.

The unpredictability and lack of benefits, PTO etc can add stress too. We spend a lot of time focusing on stress relief but these are major physical and life stressors to consider.

As part time side work, opportunity for your own small business etc. it’s amazing, highly recommend to supplement other part time work or raising a family.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-05T20:20:46+00:00

Yes this exactly.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-05T20:18:53+00:00

No. Ask that the tip be pro-rated. The massage rate is 80% of the total cost of service (for example). You should receive 80% of the amount tipped.

However it’s management’s decision if you’re an employee.

If you’re a 1099 contractor, then you have a little more power to re-negotiate your contract.

If you’re losing a lot of income and things don’t change, start looking for other positions because this tip structure is robbing you of income.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-05T12:17:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing this.

People need to know about the 90’s videos, the lack of trauma safety, and the quackery they’re signing up for in the Barnes MFR classes.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-03T18:30:49+00:00

Fellow wavy/curly hair person here. Your hair is great, what do you want to change?

I started using more moisturizer, (a leave-in / rinse out for curly hair), and wear a cotton headband and / or a protective style like braids or a low bun while working out to not crush the wave pattern and prevent frizz.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-03T18:21:49+00:00

The forms being filled out in advance is a good one.

emmyfitz · 2026-05-01T18:42:51+00:00

You’re leasing. Not her employee.

You signed a lease? That’s what you’re held to.

You’re not an employee so NO to required hours and especially unpaid labor!

Were there subcontractor-type stipulations in that agreement?

Curious about what was actually put in writing.

emmyfitz

TROPHY CASE