QuestionQUESTION: I was wondering if massage therapists change their massage techniques much after they complete their schooling and get out there on their own? I have found that in the clinic massage therapists seem much more gentle and articulate, and some LMT really kick my ass when they're private practitioners. Are there some things that change after graduating from school?
ANSWER: Hi James,
Most (not all) schools teach a basic massage routine. Some students are more interested in truly helping people get rid of pain, so that's the direction they take afterward either with self-study or advanced training.
Articulate? Do you mean they ask more questions to get your feedback? The more unsure they are, the more feedback they often want (and are encouraged to ask for.)
There are practitioners who always work way too lightly (in my opinion.) It makes it really hard for people to drop money for a massage that doesn't make them feel any differently after (except maybe more oily.)
And some practitioners go way overboard blasting into muscles too deeply, without sufficient warming and without understanding the difference between taut and tight muscles. Taut muscles feel "tight" but they cannot relax because they are over-stretched. Example: Knots in upper backs.
So, good question. Yes, some students change their techniques when they are on their own and build on what they learned in school. Some love to learn and experience more and different types of massage, some have more logic abilities than others, some want to do the most wonderful spa-type relaxation massage in the world.
Remember, James, it's your massage. If it's too light or too deep, speak up and let the practitioner know so they can adjust their pressure to your preference.
Take care,
Kathryn
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QUESTION: By articulate I mean they focus on small details like in the fingers or the small parts in my neck. In the clinic they don't ask questions beyond what my troubled areas are. Outside of the clinic a time or two a LMT will asked what type of pressure I'd like (but of course that is a subjective scale as one woman's "light" pressure could have bruised me). lol. It just feels too rough outside of the clinic. It doesn't seem so much an issue of the person, but the issue of being in the clinic versus not.
AnswerHi James,
In school they are still studying and want to practice on the areas they study. Once they are out, some students may start doing a more "global" and less specific massage. (On the other hand, some will become much more specific as they learn and practice more.)
I suspect it's more an issue of how much more comfortable they get with pressure after graduation. And THAT may be a result of people asking for deeper pressure. Yes, pressure is very subjective.
This is an interesting correlation you have made.
Kathryn
