When I started talking to other Massage Therapists about the worst massage I'd ever received, everyone had a story to tell. "Oh, do you mean the one that was so light and fluffy it was annoying, or the one who left you with bruises?"
Well, yes, those too. The light and fluffy one tells me that poor therapist never learned the first thing about body mechanics and doesn't know how to apply appropriate pressure; it is sooo annoying, like a gnat I just want to swat away. Don't waste my time.
Then there is the steam roller who believes in applying deep pressure at 90 mile an hour - this person is clueless about "listening" to the client and never learned the secret to great deep tissue . . . the sloooow sink, the take all the time in the world, oh yes, that feels good sort of relief that knotted muscles are begging for. Is it any mystery why many people don't like Deep Tissue Massage? Slow down, breath, pay attention. The really bad Deep Tissue massage that I had was even more memorable because this guy worked out of his house . . . okay, nothing wrong with that, but there was the smelly dog, the music that wasn't at all massage music, and the fact that this guy wouldn't shut up and when I asked him to slow down, he told me that I wasn't the first person to tell him that. Well, Duh? And to make matters worse, this therapist had 17 years of experience. How can one have 17 years of experience and be so unskilled?
The worst massage I've had lately is one that I received while attending a National Convention. It was a text book case of all the things not to do in a massage. The room was cluttered and unappealing, the therapist talked too much, he alternated between too deep and too light, really did not appear to be paying attention, and he was really unprofessional with the draping. It seemed that he hadn't heard a word I said when I explained where I was tight and where I wanted him to focus. To add insult to injury he cut the massage short. Well, considering how bad the massage was, he may have done me a favor. My first thought was that this guy was really inexperienced - then on second thought I realized he may have been experienced but was just unskilled! I have had a number of very good massages at our student clinic by student therapists who are inexperienced, but surprisingly skilled.
What was your worst massage experience? And how do you find a good therapist when you are traveling?
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2 comments:
My worst massage was from a licensed therapist with ten years of experienced. We met to trade bodywork a few years ago. I received first. While we started, she explained that she had been "grandfathered" into the new state regulatory scheme and hadn't attended massage school. She had apprenticed with someone instead. During the massage she discussed how she hated the techniques taught at Baltimore School of Massage (where I attended) and, how every time she traveled and got massage, her therapists were graduates of BSOM, even in far corners of the world. Of course after this negative preamble, I was expecting greatness, but instead what I received was an hour of greasy repetitive effleurage with scented lotion from a mall store (not massage-grade products).
When I massaged her, she rather enthusiastically made it clear that she wanted to keep trading, so I suppose BSOM techniques must not be so bad. Needless to say, the trade didn't continue.
I've had a few other, less noteworthy poor massages from therapists with double-digit years of experience. There must be a prevalent burn-out factor, or never-learned-bodywork-in-the-first-place population. It really makes me wonder how they ever made money in this business in the first place!
I've had a few bruisers, too, but I bruise easily so feel less inclined to blame them!
Bad massages are truly irritating, but for me, they are almost as instructive as a really good one - clarifies what NOT to do with clients and reminds me to keep my techniques fresh and my attention always on the client.
I've had a couple of bruisers as well as gnats too but the one service that sticks out in my mind is when I received a massage from someone who was not a massage therapist. I was visiting a day spa while traveling out of state.
The woman who provided the 1 hour massage session only had basic aesthetician training. Not to pick on aestheticians because I work with and have met some very knowledgeable ones. But this technician did not know her muscles and simply didn't have much in the way of stroke technique. It truly was a "rubdown" - no good releases, no attention to problem areas - it just seemed like a moisturizing lotion application session with a nice chocolate scent. Whoopee!
So current students of massage therapy - there is a reason why you need to have a good foundation in kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, assessment, and movement - it's what distinguishes you as skilled professionals of bodywork and not just a service provider. Also, that is why the profession is becoming more regulated and states are requiring licensure. While it is a pain to jump through so many hoops, massage should not be a service that just anyone can provide.
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