I just cannot resist adding to this thread....
Having Acupuncture treatment in a chinese medicine emporium, about 5 years ago.
The ageing chinese practitioner....great I thought, knows what she doing....
She didn't speak English, no problem with that, because she had English speaking assistants in the shop, downstairs, who did the consultation etc.
However a problem arose when..as I was lying almost naked, on her couch, with pins stuck along allsorts of meridian points and could not move!!...she decided to pull the curtain round me while she cleared her chest/throat of phlegm in the sink which she used to wash her hands for her treatments.!!!
Well I ain't deaf, and I am bit fussy about personal hygiene...couldn't tell her to take the pins out then I could go, because she didn't understand and left the room anyway......
What a hoot that treatment was not..........and nope, I didn't go back.
It seems they thought I was too yin....doubt I was after that treatment.
she decided to pull the curtain round me while she cleared her chest/throat of phlegm in the sink which she used to wash her hands for her treatments.!!!
:D:D Thats the best so far i think!
Hi
The thing that makes me not go back to a therapist is if their heart is not in it. For example, I went to London a few months ago to go on a Qigong workshop.
Stayed at a friends place (who happens to be a massage therapist) and we went to a Chinese run clinic around the corner to have a Tui-Na massage that was on special offer. She (the Chinese therapist) gave the worst massage we ever received and on a badly adjusted on-site massage chair. She simply wasn't interested. Thinking about it, her boss ordered her to give the massage because she was trying to sell us acupuncture instead. Because of language difficulties we just went with the situation and being British of course. Should of just walked out.
The moral of the story: just because someone is of an ethic origin doesn't mean they can practice a decent treatment from their own culture. Attitude is so important in massage.
RP
The moral of the story: just because someone is of an ethic origin doesn't mean they can practice a decent treatment from their own culture. Attitude is so important in massage.
RP
Ha ha, I suppose if that was the case, we should all try to see a Swedish therapist for a Swedish massage? 😀
Well Pinky I was just thinking that, I do have a half Swedish friend who does give a good massage 🙂
My last trip to Thailand I tried different massages in different salons. Most were crap. Once again I could tell their heart wasn't in it. Only one therapist I went to knew what he was doing, a highly respected master/teacher, and heart was in it. One of the topic of conversations amongst foreigners (farang) was how the standard of massage in Chiang Mai had dropped.
I went to one salon for a foot massage and they offered clients a glass of whisky at the end of the treatment, could you imagine that happening here in this country.
Best Wishes
Pixie
Well Pinky I was just thinking that, I do have a half Swedish friend who does give a good massage 🙂
Pixie
i second that!:D
Well i thought i would take Mr Luke's thread into a constructive environment!
I have begun to ask my clients for the No1 thing they would change about the treatment process i provide.
( and before you say...i know they a present clients and not ones that 'have'nt returned', but there is sometimes a thin line between staying with a practitioner and not, and what better place to start)
I explained Mr Luke's thread to them and asked them to convey any negative reasons that might have influence them to leave treatment.
Client 1: didnt know what to expect with Tuina and it took a couple of sessions to get used to it. Other than that very happy. Likes the cat too!
Anyone else up for it?
I will let you know the rest as they happen.
INDO
I'm wondering from some of the replies if there is burn-out experienced by many massage therapists simply because of what the work entails? Then what may start as a good practitioner could go bad leading to a fall off of clients.
Conversely I wonder what therapists can do to avoid a decline in service. CPD might be one thing but that sounds a bit dry and academic. A 'have to' not a 'want to'. Maybe learning variants of core massage skills to extend and re-energise practice?
I'm opening this out as a debate now (contrary to my earlier posts!) as I think it can interweave with the initial reasons clients don't return examples which can be added as and when.
I don't have a recent bad experience I'm afraid 😉 because I had a fantastic massage this week, nice room, heated couch, towel (not horrible paper cover) changed for the next client, music, scented oils, caring masseuse who is capable of tailoring the treatment to the individual and still enthusiastic about her job:) and a great massage.
I don't have a recent bad experience I'm afraid 😉 because I had a fantastic massage this week, nice room, heated couch, towel (not horrible paper) cover) changed for the next client, music, scented oils, caring masseuse who is capable of tailoring the treatment to the individual and still enthusiastic about her job:) and a great massage.
Guess you came in to see me then:D
Seriously tho, I have lovely white towels, no paper (nasty stuff) as towels changed between clients. Room always nice temp (even if too warm for me) music of choice from an ipod (most genres) plain or aroma oil (no preblends) and I can go as heavy or as light as you wish.
I do have a high % return but even at that there are still those who I may not suit. I don't get too hung up as we can not be all things to everyone. I do what I do as this is what I would want.
p.s. I also do "extras":D JOKE!!!.......i.e. as long as client is o.k. time wise (and me too) and open to this I throw in a bit of reflexology or reiki for nowt
These are things which make a difference to a treatment.
P.S. have had some lousy massages myself...not always bad technique but baltic cold rooms, no choice in music (Jack Jones played loudly:confused:) noise outside, therapist late for appt (she came back for lunch ten minute late loaded with shopping and didn't even apologise):mad:
I rarely tell therapists I do massage (I usually only say after I gave been a few times).
Patchouli
I find that a lot of therapists LOVE to do CPD courses, and have a problem with trying NOT to attend too many.
I think one of the biggest differences to complementary therapists is (am ducking ready) whether they are self employed or employed.
If you self employed then you are going to do your utmost to ensure that the client returns.
if you are employed then it doesn't really matter, you are still getting paid.
I went for a treatment the other day! only to find that there was a thai course being taught in the same room!
started with a massage on a chair, then couch, with 'that' couch paper you all mention.
Then i had some acupuncture. After the needles were put in the 'therapist' moved to the next couch where his mother came in to do a treatment for him, leaving his mum to continue with my treatment!
After my needles were taken out i thanked him while he still laid on the couch ,and left the room!
Ahhhhhh just the way i like it :p treatment worked like it says on the tin!
This also begs another question :rolleyes:
How effective do you ( as therapists )think your treatments would be if you removed all the superficial & atmospheric relaxation material?
INDO
I am sure when we have our prefessional training that most therapists are given guidelines on personal hygiene, cleanliness of therapy room, presentation, health and safety, client care, basic counselling skills, etc as well as other tools of the trade such as massage techniques.
A lot of these considerations are common to many modalities of client care, such as psychotherapy, chiropody, etc. Sometimes we may have a blindspot about an aspect of our practice and that is why it is important to ask for constructive feedback following a treatment. You can even include a box for this on your consultation form.
No one is absolutely perfect and not everybody expects perfection but we can all strive to give the very best service possible.
I think it is extremely important for therapists to look after themselves, and by having treatments with other therapists you can see for yourself what it is like to be a client and also get new ideas, or something you haven't thought about before to add to your therapeutic skills base.
When I was a practitioner at an exclusive women's spa in central London they allowed their therapists free entry and half price treatments, plus meal and all of the facilities twice a year. of course it was really relaxing, but it also gave me an insight into the other side so to speak.
Binah
x
I am sure when we have our prefessional training that most therapists are given guidelines on personal hygiene, cleanliness of therapy room, presentation, health and safety, client care, basic counselling skills, etc as well as other tools of the trade such as massage techniques.
I wonder how many clients ask or find out if their therapist is qualified and or insured?
Myarka.
Hy Myarka,
I have never had a client ask me, but the proof is on the wall.
Therapists I know usually display their certificates including current insurance one. Good idea to do so don't you think, as they're all there to see.
I have never been asked, but for every spa/centre/charity I have worked for I have had to produce certificates (originals). I guess there may be some people practising without anysuch proof and be it on their own heads I would say.
Binah
x
Hy Myarka,
I have never had a client ask me, but the proof is on the wall.
Therapists I know usually display their certificates including current insurance one. Good idea to do so don't you think, as they're all there to see.
I have never been asked, but for every spa/centre/charity I have worked for I have had to produce certificates (originals). I guess there may be some people practising without anysuch proof and be it on their own heads I would say.
Binah
x
Hi Binah,
Yes, I can see organisations checking the credentials of therapists working for the, and I agree the majority of self employed therapists display their certificates. But was wondering if the therapists that don't exhibit exemplory professionalism are actually qualified.
But it's like all occupations, there are good and bad in everything. Even if the poorer therapists are the tiniest minority, they still let the side down for the rest of us.
But then that sounds like a good argument for regulation?
Myarka.