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Daily Max # of Clients

Another post another interest. I'm wondering what other Therapists across the US are doing to save themselves from injury, all whille still making ends meet.

 

What are the Max # of sessions you'd perform in a day?

 

How would you space those out to safely manage that amt on a daily basis?

 

Does where you work have a certain requirement?

 

  I'm hearing while the ME's of the world say that they allow their MT's to pick and choose their schedule that it's not exactly the case at most locals, since I'm thinking of buying into this industry FYI (NOT Massage Envy) I wanting to get a feel across the board for what other Therapist both in the massage box retial environment, as well as privated business onwers have to say.

 

Thanks

 

Chance   :)=

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Permalink Reply by Donna Whitton on November 28, 2010 at 4:53pm
I have done up to 6 in a day but do NOT like to if I don't have to; I'm pretty maxed out at 5 and tend to keep my books at no more than 4 about 95% of the time.

I place a half hour between each client and I feel this provides plenty of down time for rescheduling, clean-up, SOAP notes, and self prep for the next person.
Placing my clients back to back works well for me as I tend to be one of those few who likes to go full blast at anything I do and ride out my get-up-and-go till I'm done, then rest.
I definately do not like large gaps of any kind in my schedule; I have two kids at home so if I'm not actively working I'd rather be home working as a mom with the occassional book or computer work needed to keep the business going as I get down time there.

I eventually left the places that contracted me because ultimately after I divided what I made in a day by the amount of hours I was at the office, gaps included without pay, it was worse and a lot less then a minimum wage job; since I live in the country and the closest business "district' is 45 minutes away, this is a big deal for me.

Everybody is different in how they operate best and what their expectations are and I think a great employer/contractor is one who takes the time to recognize what works best for the MTs as professional - providing they're offering quality service for your business and helping it grown.
Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on November 28, 2010 at 6:24pm
It is 4:20 and since 10am I have had 6 clients. 1 was a half hour, the otther an hour each. I have a break now before the last 2 come. in. I like busy days.
Permalink Reply by Stacey Barrett on December 21, 2010 at 9:19am

I have a private practice, have been an rmt for 18 years, do deep tissue & treatment based massage exclusively.

 

I do approximately 5 massages a day, 5 days a week with 15 minutes between.

 

It does vary per the season, spring and fall I only work 4 days but in the summer I work sometimes 6 days a week.

 

I had some aches and pains around year 5 that I had to push through and take some time off, but I have had this schedule for approximately 10 years.  I am one of the lucky ones, but it helps that I love my job so much and have fantastic results.

Permalink Reply by Christopher Vallo on December 23, 2010 at 8:13pm

For me it really depends on the work: 5-6 hours is the max with breaks for a relaxation massage but for me any type of theraputic work (NMT, KAM, MFR, Shiatsu, energy work) is 3-4 hours max per day with long breaks in-between.

 

Personally, I find the best balance at about 4-5 per day with a mix of styles and that is normally a long day 10-12 hours since I try to work when my clients need me. I've done 7 hour sessions back to back (relaxation) and it was too stressful on my body. Pushing any harder than that makes for the last 1 or 2 to be less than my best work and don't want to give clients less than 100%

Permalink Reply by Al Meo LMT,CN,CPT on December 28, 2010 at 11:25am

Hi Chance, it has been my experience that 4 or 5 patients/ clients is about normal, but there are many variables, i.e. what kind of work you do, physical limitations, the type of person you usually see for massage... Injury/ relaxation/ posture, many different types of demands. My best advice is to maintain your own body first, EVERY day. I teach Active Isolated Stretching as a provider for the NCBTMB, I can tell you without hesitation, Massage therapists are the walking wounded, they work work work, and ignore their own bodily issues. I have been an MT for 19 years. Stretch yourself, then strengthen yourself lest you set yourself up for chronic injury... Best of luck my friend!

Permalink Reply by LA on January 3, 2011 at 6:11pm

Depends what is scheduled. Sports massage and deep tissue I will do 4-5 hours straight.

If there is a hot stone massage I can schedule in between that Ill go 6 hours.

There are times I will just put half hour sessions in if its just a spot treatment, for the neck or shoulders.

How awesome to do what you love and love what you do!!!!!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Batac on January 5, 2011 at 1:35am

I work at chiropractic offices and see private clients.  So...I can see up to 9 a day, but that is rare, it is more like 6 at the chiro's. privately i see 1-2 in a row for 3 hrs straight. I always have at least an hr break for lunch, and each session (chiro) is only 50 minutes. 

Each place I work at has no requirement except that we can do it without feeling overworked, they go by what I say.

Privately, I will always allow a break after 3 hrs, for at least 15-30 minutes, because I give a full hr, not 50 minutes...

When I worked in Spa's, it was freaking crazy!!! They demanded way too much, with no breaks, unless nobody was scheduled, plus the pressure to constantly UPSALE everything from bath salts to more massages.

I like where I am at now.

Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on January 5, 2011 at 1:47am

I've been working full time as a massage therapist for eleven years and there are some rules I've made for myself that I think really helped in my career. I don't usually take more than five clients a day, maybe six, if there are a few 30 min. sessions. I take a minimum 30 min. break between each client and take a lunch break for at least one hour. I've been stringent about this, even when working at day spas and such as an independent contractor as well as in my own practice.

 

One a side note, I'd like to add that when it comes to longevity in the field of massage (in my opinion) I think a lot of it has to do with your physical build and the type of  work you're used to before getting into the field. I was a hardy kid and in my teen years built cabins and dug ditches (among other things) and tho' I'm of slender build I have a strong constitution. I really think those experiences have been the core of my strength in this field.

 

If you don't have a strong constitution, then it's really important you get into some kind of weight training or other activity to keep up your endurance and strength. I've taken a lot of CEU courses, and I've had the opportunity to watch a lot of therapists (classmates) at work. In general, the body mechanics is quite poor and I'm not surprised to hear many therapists don't last long. I'm not saying I'm perfect, b/c I know I slip up in my mechanics but when I think about what I've seen on a regular basis from other therapists, it's amazing that they last as long as they do.

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