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Chair Massage

The purpose of this group is to network and communicate about chair massage.

Members: 230
Latest Activity: Aug 15, 2018

Discussion Forum

Intake forms 4 Replies

Started by Erica Olson. Last reply by Massage sucks Aug 15, 2018.

online fillable intake forms 3 Replies

Started by David Graves NMT. Last reply by Massage sucks Aug 8, 2018.

Online NCBTMB Approved Chair Massage CE Course

Started by Ariana Vincent, LMT, MTI, BCTMB Jun 2, 2016.

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Comment by Antoine Green on March 8, 2010 at 10:34am
I really like doing chair massage . Its fun to see how many people you can give a chair massage to . My teacher had made us give other students a chair massage and she kept count on the board.After we were finish she total up the amount people we massage and showed us how much money we made and i was surprise. Chair massage is going to be one of my strong points once i get my license.
Comment by Dora Gonzalez on January 27, 2010 at 4:19pm
wow! some good debating going on here...nothing too intense i like that just low key...but to the point..and with so much info...thank you people!!!
Comment by Choice Kinchen on January 13, 2010 at 5:58pm
As massage therapists, especially those who use a lot of chair, we should get away from the practice of pay-by-the-minute. Charge by the hour or by the massage...much more professional in my opinion.

When someone asks me for a sample, I turn them around and give maybe 30 seconds-a minute on their shoulders, saying something like...."I don't work for free though, see what you're missing." or "when my lottery check comes thru, then I can give free ones." or something similar, off the cuff. I'm outgoing and make friends easily, so I joke around and keep everyone happy and relaxed while still letting them know I don't work for free. With the convention and tradeshow atmosphere, it works.,
Comment by Debra Rilea on January 7, 2010 at 1:14am
Chair massage is a phenomenal way to build clientele if it used in a strategic way. Just doing free massage anytime, anywhere and thinking that people will become paying clients is a flawed plan. Carefully choosing the time, location and recipients of your chair massage is key. And a sample is just that, a sample! When I go into See's Candy, the clerk does not hand me a box of chocolates, I receive one piece, two if I'm really lucky. Likewise, my samples for clients are short usually no more than 3 to 5 minutes. And yes, with the right work, the receiver will feel a difference in that short period of time. Once they feel the change, then we can promote the value of massage and make sure they leave with cards, coupons, etc.

As a private practitioner and a massage school owner, I turn down dozens of events every year where people are just looking for free massage. It is not insulting that people want free massage. As massage professionals it is our responsibility to develop a mature approach to these requests and a strong ability to say no, nicely.
Comment by Florence Renault on January 6, 2010 at 9:38am
I opened a whole can of worms with that comment and didn't mean to get off the track. My manager is actually in total agreement on that issue, by the way, but what I'm pleased to see here, and what is my main issue, is the fact that most of you feel we should be compensated for our work. That's what I wanted to know and thanks for your feedback, everyone!
Comment by Angellynnn on January 6, 2010 at 9:10am
I have worked many sports events and we never worried about sweat, mud or dirt. We keep bottles of rubbing alcohol around to wipe our chairs down, although have paper towels around would be good to have them wipe off the excess...
Comment by Choice Kinchen on January 5, 2010 at 10:11pm
Freebies always work well to get people in your chair, on your table....as long as it's free. It's just like therapists that start out offering table massage for $25/hr, thinking they're going to rack up the clients. They will, until they try to raise their rates up to a liveable wage. Then the clients will bolt and look for the next therapist that gives away massage for nothing or close to nothing. I offer free massage to 2 groups ONLY...because they are associated with 2 illnesses that I have. Otherwise, I DON"T give away massage. Teachers don't tutor for free. Doctors don't give office visits for free. Mechanics will not fix your car for free. Why should we be different? Instead of giving free massage, why not add a little extra...aromatherapy (if that's your thing), an extra coupla minutes on the hands, maybe a 2 minute hot pack on the shoulders warm-up. People will then perceive your massage as valuable. I don't want clients that just want free stuff anyway
Comment by Marion McCall on January 5, 2010 at 8:31pm
I am in my fifth successful year of chair massage, although Myofascial Release is my passion. At the beginning, I learned from Eric Brown of Relax to the Max. One of his theories is to give freebies as a form of Give to Get. If you have few or no clients, then offering a freebie, especially as part of a package, can work well to get people in your chair. Once you have enough clients, don't give it away! I do do occasional charitable events but have started to ask for an honorarium. People love chair massage and we are worth it!
Comment by Choice Kinchen on January 5, 2010 at 7:32pm
However, you are in a sports club. Yes, they could towel off, but I work in a private company's gym and I do not require them to shower before getting on my chair. I'm sure the sports club provides towels like my company does. I just put a stack by my chair and offer it to the clients that are unusually sweaty. If you work sporting events...marathons, 10K's etc....your clients will be sweaty. It's part of the environment. A nail tech or hairdresser will not be found in a gym or sports club atmosphere anyway. On the other subject, press as hard as you can against freebies. It's not like a restaurant giving out freebies. There, one chef can provide thousands of free samples. With massage, one person = one freebie...a very definite limited resource. As for a marketing ploy, after 9 years, I can successfully say it...giving freebies...is not successful. I don't do it.
Comment by Florence Renault on January 5, 2010 at 1:07pm
Lisa, I've had the same experience in an upscale sports club. My manager wants me to start up again with the freebies, even though we've already discussed the downsides. At least encourage gratuities and, PLEASE, inform them not to hop on the chair after a workout, dripping sweat!!! Would they dare show up at their hairdresser's or nail tech's, or any other professional establishment like that? I can take alot, but that disgusts me. Thanks for letting me vent!
 

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