Hello everyone
I am about 8 weeks into my course and have a client who is coming regularly at the weekend to have her back and shoulders massaged to release all the tension in them.
I felt that i was slowly making progress and releasing the knots in her shoulders, however her feedback this week has been that her shoulders are still tender (4 days on) and were uncomfortable for a couple of days after. Should I recommend a lighter massage this weekend if they are still sore? As i am only learning I am nervous of doing damage rather than healing anything.
Also she asked for more stretching techniques across her sacrum lower back area although strictly speaking I havent been taught techniques that stretch this area, would more applied pressure and adding in a few of my own stretching moves be ok? as this would enable her to feel she had had a fully worth while session after.
Any advice or comments would be very useful
thank you 
Hi LL
Even for experienced therapists, it's hard to gauge sometimes pressure levels and how the client is going to react. Soreness happens, but after the initial session often the further treatment are less sore. If you feel that on the next appointment that the client needs a lighter pressure just do that, and explain that in your case study.
Not knowning the course you are on, but since you say it's a holistic massage, I would just keep to the routine you were taught. If the client needs stretching, unless you have been taught that, then refer to someone else. Don't be pressured into running before you learn to walk!!
As a student you can't have clients dictating to you methods that should be using. Of course you have to negotiate with the client a treatment for their needs.
This situation is a good example of when you graduate, you need to carry on studying more advanced and indepth aspects of massage and bodywork. Many people want a more deeper and stretchy massage than often provided by holistic massage.
Best wishes for your case studies
RP
Thank you that's really helpful. There seems to be so many fine lines you could forever be asking should i do this or can i do that!
I'm just eager to learn more and more when people want something i naturally want to be able to help and do something for them, so the more courses i do I'll be able to do that.
Thanks again
Laura Lou