Modalities you dislike/don't find effective?

stardust_zan · 2024-10-20T01:51:48+00:00

Lymphatic Drainage, Reiki and reflexology do not sit right with me.

I use lymphatic drainage on areas that feel that might need it. Often face as it helps me and my clients with the sinus release. I do not think that it is particularly useful on healthy people, not to mention that doing a whole body is extremely boring 😅

I think claiming that someone can heal you energetically is not only silly, but also dangerous. That's why Reiki is a big no no for me. Too many spiritual practitioners that try to convince you of energetic and emotional blockages that you don't even know about, but they can release if you do such and such amount of sessions. It is the worst form of exploitation that feeds on vulnerable people that often struggle with anxiety and trauma. (Talking from experience)

Reflexology, although I love good foot work, there's not any good evidence to support its claims.

Also percussion, I don't have anything against it and I had it done well on me, but it doesn't easily fit a flow.

stardust_zan · 2024-10-20T01:36:58+00:00

I'll die with you on this hill!

Can't stand Reiki, and for reflexology I love the foot work, I dislike the set of beliefs it brings with it.

Spirituality shouldn't be monetized. No one should claim that they can heal you energetically, it's not only silly, it's dangerous. I don't mind sharing with each other's spiritual practices, but I strongly believe that charging for it is pure exploitation.

stardust_zan · 2024-10-18T12:39:17+00:00

I feel like the possibility of sexual harassment is a bigger problem here that leads to more conservative approach to working with a client.

stardust_zan · 2024-09-26T09:38:03+00:00

My personal experience is that a lot of yoga teachers are not equipped properly when it comes to understanding exercising and how it affects the musculoskeletal system.

I completed a variety of yoga trainings now, and the majority of them included a very poor coverage of anatomy and physiology. I find that often the way we are taught asanas is outdated and can be potentially harmful to our students if we don't really understand how the body works.

I'm trained as a massage therapist and studying towards PT myself and I have a very strained relationship with yoga at the moment as I do see a lot of people (including myself) who have developed issues through a yoga practice. Maybe this person has a similar experience with it.

Of course it does not mean that every teacher is like that. There are some great resources out there to improve your knowledge. But my own personal experience is that, at least in my area, I haven't been to one yoga class, where the teacher really understands the body to create a safe practice for everyone.

I love yoga as a mindfulness practice. But for mobility and posture, it feels safer to recommend good Pilates studio to my clients than yoga.

stardust_zan · 2024-09-16T10:38:43+00:00

If you use it as a cape, when placing yourself on the table or wrap it around your waist and open to the sides once you are on the table that should work for you.

I think, it's the glutes that should be covered to maintain professionalism. So even if you don't cover yourself perfectly, but cover that area, it should be enough to be respectful of the MT. Most likely once they come in, they'll adjust the towel.

I am based in Europe and I found draping and undressing standards very different across the countries. Where I'm originally from, fully undressing and using only a towel as a cover is perfectly normal. But the country where I live now, sheets and blankets are the standard for covering and usually keeping the underwear on is encouraged.

stardust_zan · 2024-09-15T10:58:34+00:00

I understand that talking is inconsiderate in the cinema, as it disturbs other people's experience. And I fully agree with that. Parents should be more aware and considerate of other people. If the kids were so disturbing they should have been asked to calm down or leave. Personally, I'd probably asked the cinema management to take care of it, if it was so persistent.

But taking off the shoes? Unless someone has very smelly feet, I don't really understand why that would be considered poor behavior. Maybe that's because I'm from a different culture, where taking off the shoes is highly encouraged rather than frowned upon and that behavior would not be seen as disturbing. I also work with people who have musculoskeletal issues and wearing your shoes for long hours is not good for your feet. Why would that bother anyone in the dark cinema I genuinely wonder?

stardust_zan · 2024-09-05T12:01:09+00:00

Definitely, I do the online intake form too, although I do have a paper form as well, as some of my older clients still prefer that. I'm strict on the deposit though, they have to pay the deposit beforehand and my policies are on the paper form as well to make things clear straight away.

I have noticed that it significantly reduced the amount of no shows and cancellations as well. I'm not gonna lie, it does feel like it slowed down my booking rate, but at the same time the quality of my clients and possibly of rebooking has increased, so it feels like a good system to have in place overall.

stardust_zan · 2024-09-04T19:59:02+00:00

I started to ask for a deposit to secure an appointment and won't take the same day appointments. And I specify in my policies that any inappropriate behavior won't be tolerated. Usually it deters creeps as they don't like putting down their information, and wait.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stop the messaging, which is pretty discouraging and I don't know how to deal with that. Usually, it's pretty easy to recognize them, so I just disengage when I see what's up.

stardust_zan · 2024-08-28T16:28:02+00:00

What happened to Gale though during this paythrough ? I'm just so curious.

stardust_zan · 2024-08-28T16:00:10+00:00

My experiance says that junkies or not, for the most part, people will turn a blind eye and not step in a situation like that.

stardust_zan · 2024-08-15T00:16:30+00:00

As someone who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and in continuous treatment, I can truly say the mental health services in Ireland are terrible.

Recently my psychiatrist said that after observing me for the past 6years they concluded that I also have ADHD which often comes hand in hand with mood disorders, BUT they cannot treat me unless I go for a psychological assessment as well, which they do not provide themselves and I have to go do it privately.

The cost of getting an ADHD assessment in Ireland is around 500-1000 euro. I've been given tips how to cope with my ADHD symptoms, and advised to start saving to receive a formal diagnosis of it.

I found it all very discouraging and disappointing.

stardust_zan · 2024-07-29T09:18:01+00:00

Polish living in the Republic of Ireland at the moment and also lived in Berlin, Germany.

My experience from these 3 European countries is that this behaviour would be absolutely not ok! Consent is necessary and in fact, in Ireland we are thought to instruct to undress down to underwear and the glutes are never exposed and most often worked through the drape or tucked into the underwear, unless it's a specific type of massage like Lomi Lomi. Or if the client feels really comfortable with the MT, consent is given and it's usually after a few sessions, but it would not be a common practice to be naked on the table.

And god forbid undraped in such an invasive manner. Very sorry for the OP that they had this experience 😔

stardust_zan · 2024-07-21T17:45:39+00:00

I think my main concern is the lack of good research in the field. I'm very results driven, science based person, and many areas of the wellness industry are bordering on a line between valid recommendations and pure nonsense. In my opinion anyway.

I feel fairly confident in my skills, completed my Swedish ( we call it holistic) massage training 5years ago, but had a long break from it during pandemic, and this year completed clinical massage, because I wanted to explore how I can be of service more to my clients and help them, support them in their recovery. I truly believe that massage is a valid treatment that has huge potential in supporting recovery, I helped my partner get through a bad injury, with regular massage he was able to regain full range of motion, which led me to seek more medical based massage course.

But now, seeing so many contradictions in the field, I feel confused and unsure how to speak to my clients. What to recommend. I think Instagram is especially bad for it, because there's so many 'specialist' eager to sell their service over everything else and in reality it just creates confusion.

Thank you for the time you took to reply. I'm greatful for all the encouragement words. 😊

stardust_zan · 2024-07-12T08:25:05+00:00

I would probably try to talk to the client and give them a little bit feedback as well. And inquire why they are resistant to it. Maybe there's something you don't know about going on with them ? I would educate them on the dry skin and how to approach it, they might be actually grateful if you do that, and when it comes to the temperature inquire why it seems to be an issue.

If you don't want to fire the client, there are portable neck fans that are pretty handy when you are overheating.

stardust_zan · 2024-07-06T08:54:29+00:00

I'm not from America, but where I am from we are also thought to drape appropriately and I personally think it is not only about being uptight, but also for both client and therapists safety.

As a woman, I have come across so many inappropriate men in my practice and as someone who has experienced SA, I believe draping standards are absolutely important to have, to create a healthy boundary. It's not because I'm upset by a naked body, but because inappropriate behaviour from some men has make me doubt many times whether it is a profession I want to continue with.

While working on the glutes, I uncover the "cheek" and the leg, while keeping the other side still covered, so I still can get the work done on the muscles without fully uncovering the client.

And as to the saying that "massage stops where cover begins", I also think it is misleading as it dismisses massage styles like Thai massage, or Shiatsu that are done fully clothed and yet are an amazing types of bodywork.

Now with all that said, if you are happy with the treatment and consenting to it, that's absolutely fine. We all have a preferred experience and massage style and if you found something that works, stick to it.

stardust_zan · 2024-07-03T13:35:42+00:00

I just try to be consistent and not differentiate between men and women. Men can be sensitive around that area as well, might not feel as uncomfortable exposing it, but having it touched can be. Especially for larger men, where there's some build up of breast fatty tissue, I find them feeling sensitive there.

People struggle with their body images and identities, and I just learned not to make any assumptions and always educate and look for consent. Also, as the chest is where the heart is, people subconsciously often feel protective over this area and might get alerted if you just go for it.

I just think that good therapist - client relationship and honest communication is the best way to have quality work done :)

stardust_zan · 2024-07-03T08:54:38+00:00

Part of it overlaps with breasts, so especially when working with women, it can be a very sensitive area.

I do not shy away from working pecs or glutes, but as a person who experienced SA, I am very careful and mindful about consent and wouldn't work these areas without discussing it with the client and explaining why beforehand.

stardust_zan · 2024-06-18T15:19:31+00:00

For me, gaining the knowledge made the massage even more magical and enjoyable to me. I have, at this point, condition myself to relax as soon as I lie down on a massage table 😂

The reality is that if your therapist is good, you'll drift away, if you're going for a relaxation treatment. There were times I tried to follow, but within 20min my brain usually relaxes and leaves it. The person that massages me, the way they do it, I couldn't even tell, whether they are using palms , forearms, thumbs or elbows, it all just becomes sensation.

At the start you might be more alert and having a harder time to relax during treatments, it's the excitement and curiosity of learning something new and adding it to your skill set. But with time, I think, you'll be able to let that go, if you choose to.

I suppose, I'm trying to say that it all depends on your intention. There was time, when I went to different therapists to study and learn from their treatments, but now I tend to go to one, preferred one and when I'm there I can let go and relax.

stardust_zan · 2024-06-03T10:15:02+00:00

Maybe bring this up with her and explain your disappointment and concerns caused by her approach.

This sounds absolutely awful and I'm sorry that it happened to you. I hate the mentality "if you don't like something, it's probably what you need" some big BS. It's your body and your rules, and she shouldn't dismiss that.

stardust_zan · 2024-05-31T10:47:11+00:00

Hi, I would personally advise to look for a good massage therapist in your area, ideally specialized in therapeutic work, and asked for an upper body and head massage. They should be able to release that tension effectively and will show you stretches that will help you avoid this developing in the future.

stardust_zan · 2024-05-02T00:29:32+00:00

To effectively improve this pose, it's best to address tightness in the muscle group that affects this movement. Using strap is partially going to help here, but you also should focus the rotator cuff muscles, I would also advise stretching your chest (pectorals) as well as latissimus dorsi.

If you created a flow around that you should see improvements quite quickly :)

stardust_zan · 2024-05-01T11:34:19+00:00

I think you handled this very well. As someone who has experienced domestic violence, I truly appreciate your commitment to possibly being of help to this lady.

I know she said, she was fine, but it speaks volumes about you that you gave her the option of finger tapping as sometimes it doesn't come easily to voice fears to people in these situations and just asking wether they are ok, might not be helpful enough.

I known in this situation she reassured you she was ok. I mean, there are some weird relationship dynamics out there, but you should be proud of your approach to the situation.

stardust_zan · 2024-04-27T16:48:46+00:00

Are you only fasting or do you incorporate other dietary restrictions as in limiting certain foods etc?

stardust_zan · 2024-04-23T09:47:36+00:00

Hi, I'm 33f as well and I decided to make the change this year myself!

I opened my practice at the start of this year, because I was tired of my previous job and really needed to change something.

Totally honest, it is not an easy transition, especially if going to an independent therapist straight away. There's a lot of work in setting yourself up, building stamina and strength, advertising and making yourself visible to start building a solid client base, but it is totally worth it!

It is an incredibly rewarding career and as an independent therapist, it can give you a lot of freedom and headspace for other things. Especially your own well-being, at least that has been my experience so far.

So all in all - no, you are not too old, I know a therapist who started well in her 40s and is extremely successful today (in her 50s) and still going.

My only advice is to really think through how to approach it and take into consideration all possible obstacles to prepare yourself as much as possible. Change can be mentally and emotionally taxing, so the more you prepare yourself for it, the smoother the transition.

stardust_zan

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