Bad massages - do you speak up?

[wag]

A friend recently told me that she had a bad massage from a therapist at a health shop she works at. I was interested to know what made it bad for her. She said too much oil, too light pressure, no focus on any areas, no questions about where she might like focus. Also that although the therapist had been praciticing for years she felt that she hadn't moved on or progressed from her initial training. When she told her fellow workers about her massage experience they said they could have told her the massage would not be good. This therapist sruggles to get clients and people generally cancel on her. When clients are given the option of her they would rather see someone else or not book.

I thought this was quite a sad situation. I said to my friend that maybe no one has given the therapist feed back about her treatments. Then it got me thinking - what would I do if I was the client/ Unfortunately I think I wouldn't say anything for fear of upsetting the therapist or coming over as know it all. In the past I have had some very poor masages but have not said anything and just wished it was all over.

I have no problem giving construcitive feedback when I swap with colleagues. I ask my clients to let me know if there is something during the massage they don't like, to let me know if they need more or less pressure. I also look visual clues eg tightening up their muscles or their facial expression.

Do any of you speak up when the massage has not been great?
How would you feel if a client gave you feedback about your massage treatment.

 

[IM at easports1515]

I agree, if anyone isn't happy with what they're getting they should speak up, otherwise how is the therapist supposed to know. There are many different sorts of massage available, some being very gentle, some being more 'deep'. It's important that a) the client knows what's on offer and b) the client asks for what they want and c) if the client isn't getting what they want they should say so.

I had a really good remedial massage from Gussie the other day. I made it clear (I hope) what I wanted the massage for and, because she's very good at what she does, she was easily able to locate the problem areas and deal with them appropriately, and actually spoke to me during the treatment to ask me if I wanted it lighted or harder. (ooo eerrr have to be careful what I say. ).

Communication is the key IMHO.

Love and Reiki Hugs

 

[soph]

Yes I would agree. A couple of years ago during my massage course I wanted to experience a body massage for myself so booked myself in at a local salon. I was astonished as there was no consultation and the therapist barely communicated with me. I felt stressed out laying there as I could have had a few contraindications. I complained and wrote a letter to the salon as I went in there stressed and came out stressed. The owner was very apologetic and refunded me with the treatment money. She also then started making excuses about the therapist who carried out the treatment and that what had occurred would be communicated to all therapists.

So far I've had very good feedback as yourself I always ask clients whether the pressure is adequate and obviously during the consultation find out where their problem areas are. I always ask clients to complete a feedback form and state that constructive criticism is received which will help me improve my service to future clients etc.

 

[paulad23]

Since I've figured out what a bad massage is I haven't had any really bad ones, probably because now I know what type of qualifications and styles to look for. Before I figured out what a bad massage was I encountered a few that didn't feel right, but I wasn't sure if it was meant to be like that or not, I didn't know enough to comment, so said nothing. I think that applies to a lot of the general public.

I always say to people something like 'it is YOUR massage. If anything is too firm, or too light, or you're getting too warm or too cold, let me know and we can adjust accordingly' It's particularly important with using hot stones or any heat packs/cold packs, they have to take some responsibility for their own comfort level. And then a few 'how's the pressure/temp' questions if I start to work deeper or on a more sensitive area, note that's not a yes/no question.

 

[Ecorgejitiece]

Aww, thanks Giles, glad you enjoyed it..

I haven't had any bad massages myself, although I have had treatments which didn't suit my persona. I love a really deep massage and I love to just sink into it and if I get a fluffy light massage, I enjoy it, but it's not quite what I had in mind.

I remember the only client who has so far (and I hope ever) said I didn't do it right, I'd not long qualified and was doing what I'd been taught. The lady was an experienced aromatherapist and she had come for aromatherapy. So I went through my routine, I started on the left side of her body and progressed to the right and found considerable tension on the right so used more techniques on that side, I was criticised for not matching the movements on the left to the right in number. She must have been counting. I felt quite unnerved, then she criticised me for working from both sides of the couch. I know that some therapists work one side only, but to reduce RSi and in line with my training, that's what I did. I was also criticised for not using some moves which were in her aromatherapy routine (that I'd not been taught).

I was really disappointed she didn't enjoy it, I did my best in line with my training and intuition, but for her, it wasn't right. I felt very small because of the way in which it was done, not very constructive. I concede that she was expecting a service and I didn't meet all her needs, charged her half price and never saw her again.

It did teach me a lot though, you can't please everyone, but you can take on board what is said and do your research to improve in future and just ask and ask again for feedback.

As a client I am not sure if I would say there was an issue unless it was someone I knew, and would approach it tentatively. Your friend has the right to an excellent treatment, so if she didn't get it, there are ways to broach the subject in a non-confrontational way and if she feels able, I would urge her to do this. If they are colleagues, and she doesn't it may impact upon the working relationship between the two.

 

[longlong]

As a therapist I would welcome feedback from my clients, but I generally get it as I discuss the massage afterwards with my client. From what you have said it doesnt sound as if this therapist is very confident and I agree it is a sad situation if she is unaware.

As a client, I did have a massage which wasnt very good and I didnt say anything! It was at a spa, the therapist had already seen a few clients and I felt she was tired and couldnt be bothered. Also the oil, almond oil, smelt like chip shop fat!! Retrospectively, more fool me for not saying anything.

However I did learn to only visit people on recommendation or that I felt drawn too. My current therapist is brilliant. Picked from an advertising board in a health food shop- just felt drawn to it and is a valued friend now who offers me lots of support.

 

[doogy]

There is a really really strict IFA aromatherapy massage routine, working from one side, matching strokes, etc, bores me out of my brain doing it, so I don't BUT I don't say I do aromatherapy massage either I say I do massage using aromatherapy oils. Strict IFA aromatherapists can't complain about that not being what they expected. I think you can get a similar problem with IHM, if someone told me to get take my top off and lie on a couch for IHM I'd be 'What?????' but some people are doing what they call IHM that way, and the 99% of the population that has no idea of what really happens in an IHM session will think that's normal, then get a shock at the next IHM therapist that has them sitting in a chair. Ditto for pretty well any massage, if it deviates from the traditional method, 99% of people won't know/care, but those qualified in it will be puzzled and/or outraged.

I advertise my usual 'massage' as a fusion of the styles I know, but if someone wants a specific style, they get that specific style, truth in advertising.

Having said that, I got a treatment from an aromatherapist that had been practising for over 10years, I was so shocked to have the same boring aromatherapy routine done on me exactly as I had been taught ages ago, I was amazed she was still doing every move perfectly. I was really surprised to find how effective it was, back to the old as a student I really didn't know what was a good or bad routine, boring set routine was actually very effective. It made me dig out my notes and throw a few of those moves into my fusion style, though I still couldn't cope with doing thw whole routine

 

[Skoder]

Oh dear - when I read this I thought - what a nightmare. I didn't realise IFA has a routine that you had to stick to. I did ITEC aromatherapy massage. At a spa I was taught a routine for Aromatherapy Associates massage treatments. I could never stick to it because the flow wasn't natural for me. My massage style is a fusion of different techniques which varies from client to client. How boring must it be to have to stick to a routine and count the strokes. I love the creativity of massage.

I think I will mention to my friend that maybe she or someone else could have a word with the therapist from who she had the bad massage.

 

[Blair]

From my viewpoint as an IFA registered aromatherapist the IFA has never given me a routine for massage to follow. I was trained by a school approved by the IFA and like other massage practitioners have also incorporated other massage techniques, either learnt from other therapists, or CPD courses I've attended.

I have also incorporated a few techniques from the London Spa (Aromatherapy Associates) training day.

I have come to the conclusion as a therapist you can't please everyone all of the time - some people will luv it others clearly not for them - and isn't life just like that. Freedom of choice about who to see is essential I would hate the idea that we've turned into massage robots all doing the same routine.

Luv Binah
x

 

[Ray Ray]

I wonder if that was because she'd only been working from one side of the couch.

 

[HCXY]

Tee hee!

 

[sweetlilbrat26]

My lovely husband thought he was getting me a really nice Christmas present when he bought me vouchers for a treatment at a local salon. Unfortunately I did not end up having the lovely massage I was looking forward to! The girl who carried out the treatment did not ask any questions to determine if there were any contraindications, the pressure she used was feather light and she just kept going over the same area again and again! Also, she only worked from one side of me as the treatment room wasn't big enough to allow space either side of the couch!

I really should have sent a written complaint to the salon but time ran away with me and I never did get round to it.