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Posted on: August 30, 2017
Building a positive relationship with clients is the most important goal a massage therapist has to reach. Clients seeking massage therapy are willing to pay a good amount of money for relief from physical and emotional pain and stress. As a massage student, you need to learn that not every person will be your ideal massage client.
Providing a high-quality massage means listening to your clients. What are they looking to get from massage therapy? Where is their pain most persistent, and just how severe are their pain levels? It is important that you listen to your clients' concerns and let them know that, if the massage gets too painful for them to handle, that you are willing to work with them.
Open communication will keep clients coming back to you for more massages. However, you will need to establish boundaries, making the therapist-client relationship as balanced as possible. Establish emotional boundaries by allowing your client to ask questions to which you can give guided and helpful answers. This allows you to guide the conversation and keep it friendly but professional. Your personal problems don't need to become the topic of discussion during what is meant to be a time of relaxation for the client.
When clients begin asking "getting-to-know-you" questions, you can answer in brief replies. To help their minds, you can play soothing music in the background or set up some mellow lighting throughout the room. Even with music on, you can let them know that you are listening by asking them how what you are doing feels for them.
Understanding the importance of communication (and being a good listener) will help ease your transition from massage student to a massage therapist. Clients will feel more inclined to return if they feel like you care about their needs and are willing to work with them to give them the best experience during every single appointment they book with you.
