Massage anyone?

slhall0822
slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
Hi! :) I'm currently in massage therapy school. I'm about to finish my classes, take my licensing exam, and apply for my license. Yay me! Overall, I LOVE massaging. I think I'm pretty good at it. But, I always want to improve and continue to get better. I'm reaching out to my MFP peeps to ask those of ya'll who have had massages... what makes a great massage great? What makes a bad massage bad?
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Replies

  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    Considering you have a baby on your pic, I'll refrain from saying what I really want to say.

    Congrats!!! :flowerforyou:
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    Considering you have a baby on your pic, I'll refrain from saying what I really want to say.

    Congrats!!! :flowerforyou:

    What's that supposed to mean? :ohwell:
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  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.
    Thank you for saying it for me. :flowerforyou:
  • SweetTrouble_
    SweetTrouble_ Posts: 933 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.
    Thank you for saying it for me. :flowerforyou:
    Only answer I could think of too
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.
    Thank you for saying it for me. :flowerforyou:
    Only answer I could think of too
    I like you. :flowerforyou:
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.

    Ugh. Seriously. I'm trying to be professional here. I completely understand that there is a "dark" side to the illegal "massage" business. But REAL legitimate massage therapists study for quite a long time and take their work seriously... and are working VERY hard to separate therapeutic, medical massage from the stigmas of "happy ending" massages.
  • ekd23
    ekd23 Posts: 89 Member
    I think not breaking contact during the massage is important...if that makes sense? I'm certified in Aroma Touch...a bit different than massage...it's a technique for applying essential oils.
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.

    Ugh. Seriously. I'm trying to be professional here. I completely understand that there is a "dark" side to the illegal "massage" business. But REAL legitimate massage therapists study for quite a long time and take their work seriously... and are working VERY hard to separate therapeutic, medical massage from the stigmas of "happy ending" massages.
    Clearly you haven't hung out at the dark side of forums.
    Welcome, we have coats.
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  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.

    Ugh. Seriously. I'm trying to be professional here. I completely understand that there is a "dark" side to the illegal "massage" business. But REAL legitimate massage therapists study for quite a long time and take their work seriously... and are working VERY hard to separate therapeutic, medical massage from the stigmas of "happy ending" massages.
    Clearly you haven't hung out at the dark side of forums.
    Welcome, we have coats.

    LOL, I have seen the dark side of the forums. And I'm not trying to be overly sensitive or a fuddy-duddy. I guess I'm just a bit touchy (no pun intended) on the whole "happy endings" thing... it's a stigma that legitimate, hard-working massage therapists fight every day. Not to mention, performing "happy endings" can quickly result in the loss of a therapist's license and serious fines and / or jail time. Plus, after someone puts their heart and soul into a new career, studies their butt off, and genuinely wants to know how to be a better therapist in order to help people, mentioning "happy endings" to a therapist is basically telling a therapist that they are glorified prostitute. Not cool.
  • bearkisses
    bearkisses Posts: 1,252 Member
    funny-gif-cat-massage.gif
  • SweetTrouble_
    SweetTrouble_ Posts: 933 Member
    A happy ending makes a good massage.
    Thank you for saying it for me. :flowerforyou:
    Only answer I could think of too
    I like you. :flowerforyou:
    :smile:
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  • DrWhoodles
    DrWhoodles Posts: 145 Member
    I get massages from a friend at a massage place so my experiences are probably a bit different since we chit-chat more than you normally probably would. I do like that the room is darkened, that the sheets are nice and warm, there's calming music, and there's a nice calming scent in the air. If you have control over it - a nice place for clients to put their personal effects would be nice.
  • kickivale
    kickivale Posts: 260 Member
    I second the continuous contact sentiment.
    i practice reflexology and I find the sessions people like the most are the ones where I am aware of my steady consistent pressure and I don't break from their body. I also find that when I allow myself to go to a meditative place my clients are aware of that connection.


    Attention + Intention = a great session

    PS I'm super sensitive to the happy ending comment too. Or people going "do you get a lot of fetish people?!?!" UGH SHUT UP
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    I get massages from a friend at a massage place so my experiences are probably a bit different since we chit-chat more than you normally probably would. I do like that the room is darkened, that the sheets are nice and warm, there's calming music, and there's a nice calming scent in the air. If you have control over it - a nice place for clients to put their personal effects would be nice.

    Thank you :)
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
  • SweetTrouble_
    SweetTrouble_ Posts: 933 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
    I think somebody needs a massage.
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    I second the continuous contact sentiment.
    i practice reflexology and I find the sessions people like the most are the ones where I am aware of my steady consistent pressure and I don't break from their body. I also find that when I allow myself to go to a meditative place my clients are aware of that connection.


    Attention + Intention = a great session

    PS I'm super sensitive to the happy ending comment too. Or people going "do you get a lot of fetish people?!?!" UGH SHUT UP

    Glad I'm not the only one that the "happy ending" thing irks. And generally, otherwise I'm pretty laid-back and hard to offend. I think most people that don't work in the massage world don't realize how degrading those kinds of jokes and comments really are. Thank you for your suggestions! Very helpful!
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
    I think somebody needs a massage.

    No... what we need is for people to realize that there is a fine line between joking about someone's career and basically insinuating that they are glorified prostitutes. That's pretty crappy.
  • kickivale
    kickivale Posts: 260 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
    I think somebody needs a massage.

    before I do a session I recite this reiki principle:

    Just for today, don't anger.
    Just for today, don't worry.
    Please appreciate everything and show gratitude.
    Strive to embody the teachings in your actions and be kind to people.

    When I read your comments, those words come to mind.
    Strange, right?
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
    I think somebody needs a massage.

    before I do a session I recite this reiki principle:

    Just for today, don't anger.
    Just for today, don't worry.
    Please appreciate everything and show gratitude.
    Strive to embody the teachings in your actions and be kind to people.

    When I read your comments, those words come to mind.
    Strange, right?

    I like this kickivale :) thank you for sharing!
  • Here is my 2 cents.

    I get massage every 3 weeks in peak of my marathon/ half training combined with weight training. I am just using "You/Your" for any massage therapist.

    What I like:

    1. Know what you are good at, deep tissue, Swedish etc..
    2. Listen to what I want you to focus on for the massage. If I have stiff legs, I don't care about neck or shoulders.
    3. Don't be prude, I am not expecting an happy ending but I don't want a deep tissue with sheets on my butt or hips.
    4. Try finding the muscle knots and stiff spots. You fix those, you are the best.

    Turnoffs:
    1. If you are not good in say deep tissue, don't experiment. My worst massage was the therapist putting high pressure in wrong spots.
    2. Stop the massage 10 min early or take breaks in between.
    3. I am not your buddy; I am there to relax , not listen to all the problems in your life.

    Good luck and Congrats! You will learn the tricks as you get more experience.
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    UGH SHUT UP

    Wah wah wah.
    I think somebody needs a massage.

    No... what we need is for people to realize that there is a fine line between joking about someone's career and basically insinuating that they are glorified prostitutes. That's pretty crappy.
    Nobody insinuated anything about you. The topic is "Massage anyone" and that sends adults' minds there, this site being 18+.


    It happens.
    It's life.
    Grats on your achievement.

    Chit-Chat, Fun, and Games.

    :flowerforyou:
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
    Here is my 2 cents.

    I get massage every 3 weeks in peak of my marathon/ half training combined with weight training. I am just using "You/Your" for any massage therapist.

    What I like:

    1. Know what you are good at, deep tissue, Swedish etc..
    2. Listen to what I want you to focus on for the massage. If I have stiff legs, I don't care about neck or shoulders.
    3. Don't be prude, I am not expecting an happy ending but I don't want a deep tissue with sheets on my butt or hips.
    4. Try finding the muscle knots and stiff spots. You fix those, you are the best.

    Turnoffs:
    1. If you are not good in say deep tissue, don't experiment. My worst massage was the therapist putting high pressure in wrong spots.
    2. Stop the massage 10 min early or take breaks in between.
    3. I am not your buddy; I am there to relax , not listen to all the problems in your life.

    Good luck and Congrats! You will learn the tricks as you get more experience.

    Thanks! These were very helpful suggestions!
  • slhall0822
    slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member

    Nobody insinuated anything about you. The topic is "Massage anyone" and that sends adults' minds there, this site being 18+.


    It happens.
    It's life.
    Grats on your achievement.

    Chit-Chat, Fun, and Games.

    :flowerforyou:

    Thank you :) I know you weren't insulting me per se... and I didn't mean to make the title in such a way that it caused people's minds to go there... but unfortunately I can't edit the title, or I would LOL. But happy ending jokes are insulting to massage therapists. I don't think people realize how much so either. We know it happens, but it really is like asking your pharmacist for street drugs. If someone is a professional, they don't appreciate all of their hard work being degraded with such a comment. I hope I'm making sense :)
  • bearkisses
    bearkisses Posts: 1,252 Member

    Nobody insinuated anything about you. The topic is "Massage anyone" and that sends adults' minds there, this site being 18+.


    It happens.
    It's life.
    Grats on your achievement.

    Chit-Chat, Fun, and Games.

    :flowerforyou:

    Thank you :) I know you weren't insulting me per se... and I didn't mean to make the title in such a way that it caused people's minds to go there... but unfortunately I can't edit the title, or I would LOL. But happy ending jokes are insulting to massage therapists. I don't think people realize how much so either. We know it happens, but it really is like asking your pharmacist for street drugs. If someone is a professional, they don't appreciate all of their hard work being degraded with such a comment. I hope I'm making sense :)

    one of my friends is a registered massage therapist and she feels the same way
    however, my dad works in pharmaceuticals...and tells people he makes drugs. But I think drug dealers are sadly looked better upon than sex trade workers.
  • Mello_Rello
    Mello_Rello Posts: 421 Member
    I don't like a lot of talking during the session.
    Relaxing sounds of rain, or music that isn't 'busy' and loud, something slow to help decrease the heart rate and promote relaxation and slow breathing.
    Variety in touch/techniques. Deep compressions, tapping, circles, using knuckles, long strokes/swipes, variety.