Massage Tutorial: Talking to Clients On the Massage Table

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Want to maximize your session time with your massage clients? Take a few moments to explain the "why" of your massage, as you do it! Here's how.
0:00 Introduction
1:45 Bringing the client "on board" with their treatment plan
2:22 Increasing client satisfaction and compliance
2:58 Avoiding stigmatization: Emphasize acceptance and resilience
4:15 Avoiding overload (let the client lead!)
4:58 Examples: Explaining the rotator cuff
6:20 Explaining the hip/low back pain relationship
7:00 Explaining uncommonly massages muscles (gluteus medius, SCM)

Do you find yourself clamming up during your sessions? I used to, but I was forced to start talking more during sessions when I worked at a franchise. It was either that or never get to say a word! I found that by explaining my process while I was in session, I was able to point out parts of my process that I could never explain with words alone. It's a great time to tell them about the "ironing out" feel of myofascial release, and talk about how it's a slow conversation with the nervous system. You can spend more time explaining your trigger point strategy, or asking them about their pain. As long as the client is responding and seems inquisitive, you can make use of the great teaching resource under your hands!

As always, let the client lead the way here. If it's your first session, or if they're just not very responsive that day, then err on the side of talking too little. You can expand on things as you go forward, or you might have found a client who prefers silence! Ironically, communication is the best way to discover this about your client 🙂

As always, emphasize the resilience of your client's body, and avoid framing the information you present in a way that could feel like labeling or judgment. I've had too many clients come to me who had been told that they had the "tightest neck" or the "most knots" their last massage therapist had ever felt. When I palpated those regions, you know what I found? Normal, healthy muscle tissue! So resist the urge to sensationalize what you feel. Instead, try to express how normal it is to find tight shoulders and trigger points, etc!

What's your communication strategy on the table? Do you have any examples for language that works well for you? Let us know in the comments!

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