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
You trickster!:)
Anyway it's obvious you are saying for a medical treatment such as you received it's the efficacy of the treatment that's important and the rest superficial. Fair enough.
If the treatment is more relaxation, being pampered etc. then the other 'superficial' factors become more important to the experience desired. If you went to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant for a meal :rolleyes: you might complain if the surroundings were not up to scratch, e.g. served in a building site. If you wanted the same standard of cuisine for next to nothing you can get it from a street stall in SE Asia but sitting on the pavement. Horses for courses?
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.
Myarka.
Are they the 'tiniest minority' ? I would put it higher than that. A lot of 'bank clerks gone native' for my money (my moneeeeeeeeeeeeeeey :eek:).
Incidentally, the FHT no longer supply insurance certificates. There is a document which has all the insurance details on it, but evidently, according to the FHT if certificates are displayed in a therapy room, this could encourage a client to make a false claim against the therapist.
Are they the 'tiniest minority' ? I would put it higher than that.
Perhaps you should start a review site and award stars?
Myarka.
Im jus checking if my sig wurks
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
Was this just off Russel Square by any chance? Went to a great guy there when I went to UCL but then he left and this dame started and she was reeeaaaallly bad. Never went back:( Sahem as it was thye highlight of my month with my wee guy who chastised me about my livvvver:D.
Patchouli
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
Good question Indo I have asked myself the same question.
I do a reasonable amount of 'first aid' hand reflexology and have worked with people at their desk at work, on campsites, outside the x-ray department at the hospital, in their kitchens, in the queue for the cinema, in their living rooms surrounded by mayhem to name but a few - and found that the results have been astonishing and in some cases more effective than an hour in the lovely chair, with a blanket, candles and music. So I must conclude that the therapy is king.
However I think for some people the theraputic value of just having some time, space and your undivided attention is a factor.
Lou xxx
On the subject of what goes around the therapy. I'm just starting in a new clinic, which up to just has been operating as a hypnotherapy centre. The emphasis here is twofold: on projecting the image of the most professional place in the world, and also on ensuring clients can relax deeply and thoroughly, as this enhances the effectiveness of the hypnotherapy. When I was asked what my attitude towards relaxation was, I replied that in my therapies I found it wasn't a priority as the energy would still work regardless of whether the client was relaxed or not. I've found this as has been said earlier, by practising Reiki at exhibitions and events where things aren't as quiet as maybe I would like!
How effective do you ( as therapists )think your treatments would be if you removed all the superficial & atmospheric relaxation material?
INDO
As a massage client, I much prefer it. 🙂
I have found that the most stress busting thing for me is knowing someone isnt going to walk in, so door bolted, no clutter, no expanses of vibrant colours (such as walls) that I cant avoid visually unless I close my eyes, the right temperature, and during the actual massage treatment minimal talking or even complete silence, no scents (base oil with bach flower added is a favourite) and a good massage by someone I intuitively feel comfortable with. With my eyes closed and not being distracted by sounds and smells, or thinking of verbal responses, I can really "feel" what is happening on both a physical and emotional level. 🙂
For me, the treatment starts the second I walk through the treatment room door. The more stressed I am, the more simple the treatment room needs to be (not clinical, a few soft touches) and the less distractions to the main treatment. Whatever the intention of the therapist, sometimes its just "noise" to a very stressed client.
I have two therapists who give me what I call raw massage and the sheer simplicity and comfort of their treatment rooms make me sigh with relief as soon as I go through the door. (Just thinking about it makes me smile :)). Its then easy to add what I can cope with. Sometimes its music, but if so I can take in my own cd if I wish to. 😀 Sometimes Ill opt for aromatherapy. Sometimes I'll choose another treatment they offer.
Its that which takes me back time after time (now in year 4 for one therapist and year 3 for the second - I need two because its who has got a gap, I like to book as and when and I don't want to wait 6 weeks for an appointment). And my daughter has been introduced to massage (and other treatments) by the same 2 therapists. 😎
But for the very stressed client, which is often why I am booking, sometimes less sensory and informational input during a massage treatment is very definately more. 🙂
You trickster!:)
Anyway it's obvious you are saying for a medical treatment such as you received it's the efficacy of the treatment that's important and the rest superficial. Fair enough.
If the treatment is more relaxation, being pampered etc. then the other 'superficial' factors become more important to the experience desired. If you went to a Gordon Ramsay restaurant for a meal :rolleyes: you might complain if the surroundings were not up to scratch, e.g. served in a building site. If you wanted the same standard of cuisine for next to nothing you can get it from a street stall in SE Asia but sitting on the pavement. Horses for courses?
Oh Yes....got there in the end 😀 case rested;)
P.s. what a thread!!!!! :rolleyes:
INDO
Good question Indo I have asked myself the same question.
I do a reasonable amount of 'first aid' hand reflexology and have worked with people at their desk at work, on campsites, outside the x-ray department at the hospital, in their kitchens, in the queue for the cinema, in their living rooms surrounded by mayhem to name but a few - and found that the results have been astonishing and in some cases more effective than an hour in the lovely chair, with a blanket, candles and music. So I must conclude that the therapy is king.
However I think for some people the theraputic value of just having some time, space and your undivided attention is a factor.
Lou xxx
'get in there'!
I beleive that some therapies are built on 'superficial' relaxation, unfortunately this can be traced back to greek times when massage like this was limited to kings and queens, even 'swedish' ( and don't shoot me down you lot!) was born out of a very intimate culture, which holds great treatment value, and even that has probably lost some of its roots in 'modern' massage.
Maybe it be a good thing to include some history into some of the 'modern' courses avaliable.
You could say that the treatment should dictate the environment, but as you mention an effective massage will work through anything 🙂
INDO
Hi Patchouli, re: post #81 - the Qigong course was in Notting Hill.
Hi Indo, just got back from Womad. Tired but a lot of fun.
As for your comment about about (quote) "some therapies are built on 'superficial' relaxation", an interesting point. Don't bother anymore asking clients about music and stuff. They're not bothered. More interest in decent therapeutic massage without the frills. I think it comes down to the intention to heal.
As Scooby said early about first aid hand reflexology and the effectiveness they had. I have had many similar experiences with reflexology, acupressure and massage. No special conditions, just get on with the job. I have treated many people (for example friends) in the most inadequate situations; but headaches, PMT stuff, ankles probs, digestion troubles, and sciatica often just melts away. Why? Because of focused intent!
I think we can be so precious in the UK. In East & South East Asia, massage can often be a communal gathering or a shared experience. This preciousness is a sign of our (as a society) high level of stress. Stress irritates the nervous system and creates preciousness.
The term precious in this case defined as: over fastidious.
Going back to Womad Festival. As I have spent 3 days in a field treating people and seen the reactions of the clients to the stall and basic facillities, most couldn't give a damn. They just wanted a good firm massage. It's up to the punter to decide whether they wish to have a treatment more or less in public, or go home and receive one in a 'fancy pants' salon. It is of course a personal decision.
In reality me and my colleague turned down 100's of clients as we were fully booked!
Best Wishes
A very muddy Reiki Pixie
Because of focused intent!
ahh the most powerful thing in the world. 😉
'fancy pants' salon.!
:D:D:D sounds like one of those modern beauty places!!!
In reality me and my colleague turned down 100's of clients as we were fully booked!
glad to hear it! hope you and alex managed to have some fun too!
Indo
I think we can be so precious in the UK. In East & South East Asia, massage can often be a communal gathering or a shared experience. This preciousness is a sign of our (as a society) high level of stress. Stress irritates the nervous system and creates preciousness.
Hello RP,
I think this preciousness might be an example of how in the West every 'natural' thing is turned into a commodity for sale, therefore not encouraged to offer it (massage etc) for free among family friends etc. It is a lifestyle choice rather than a part of everyday life as in SE Asia.
Regards
Luke
I've just come, rather belatedly, to this thread as I was on holiday when it started but great idea and it's been fascinating. It's just disappointing that in five pages, so few clients have come forward to tell us their pet hates.
Have to say, my favourite was:
Someone having a holistic or aromatherapy massage suddenly been told by the therapist half way through the treatment they a getting messages from the dead or even angels. The message being you should wear yellow for the solar plexus.
One thing that has come across has been how different people's expectations - on both sides of the couch - can be. Someone above said she didn't like bright colours, yet my clients have said they love my red walls. I've had clients ask for no music, but others say they love the music I play. Everyone has different preferences, but I always make clear that this is the client's time and it is important that he/she tells me what they want when I can do something about it, rather than waiting until they go home, wishing I'd done something differently.
The American website BodyworkOnline has a section for clients, which is always interesting, though I guess that is more of a specialist site than Healthy Pages.
Anyway, let's hear some more! We all like to think we are perfect, but some of us know we aren't... what more can we do?