So I started a therapeutic course and it seems like the other 10 people know each other from the previous course and to be honest, I feel a little bit strange. I think that I might not be as good as them and maybe they gossip me after I leave and I tell myself that I shouldn't think like this and just to just go there, pay attention and see what I can learn.

Did you ever feel like this when you attended a course? Should I just focus on learning and not on what the others might say?

I have to mention that the people seemed nice and the trainer was nice, but it was just my first class.

I like it when my massage therapist searches for trigger points. Lately he hasn't been finding any, but I still enjoy the process itself and would be happy if the entire session consisted only of that kind of work. I just really like intense sensations, and this kind of work gives me that.

Two things make me hesitate. First, I'm afraid he'll think I'm strange for wanting this. I'm a woman, and my therapist is a man. Second, I worry it's physically harder on him, since slow, steady pressure can be tiring on the hands and shoulders.

Is it reasonable to ask for a full session of this? Would a therapist find that request odd or a lot to ask? I'd appreciate any perspective, especially from massage therapists.

I'm writing to share my experience as I'm in pain. A week ago I went for massage to a masseuse that is well-reputed in the little city where I have recently moved. The agreement was for a relaxing massage. I asked her twice if it would be painful, she said 'no'. I informed her of a neck injury and that doctors had strictly forbidden any pressure on the neck area. She pulled my arm forcefully, nearly dislocated my fingers, and gave me the most aggressive painful massage I've had in my life. I kept saying I'm in pain and she just disregarded me. As she was highly recommended, I thought she must know what's she's doing. I left with extreme pressure on my neck and head, and could barely feel the rest of my body. The first few days my body felt numb and sore. All dormant inflammations in my body were re-triggered, and my herniated disk in my neck produces pain, tingling sensations and a horrible headache. I am going to see a neurologist tomorrow. I am scared and I worry that my herniated disks may have been dislocated. Can a bad massage really do permanent damage? I am in physical pain and also traumatized, as I trusted her and instead of a relaxing experience I was given an agonizing one.

Hey everyone, I’m curious how other massage therapists manage their own recovery and physical health, especially with how demanding the job can be on your hands and forearms.

Do you guys use any particular tools or routines for recovery? Things like massage tools, stretching, strengthening exercises, etc.

Are there any products you’ve tried that you really like or ones that you found disappointing?

Just interested in hearing what actually works for people and what you wish was better.

Thanks!

Do people tip their massage therapist. She is doing a great job. I feel so much better after seeing her. I pay $100.00 for 45 minutes. Not sure if a tip is expected. Or maybe wait till Xmas and give here a $100.00. what is proper.

At the first appointment, the RMT charged a booking fee, which I was fine with. Then she proceeded to directly bill my insurance for the full appointment amount, meaning she then had both my booking fee and the direct insurance payment. 

I asked her about what happens to the overpayment and she said it will be resolved next time, so I booked again. 

When I booked my second appointment, she took another booking fee. I got a notice from my insurance on October 22 that a claim had been processed for a massage. This claim was for the full appointment fee. My appointment doesn’t even take place until October 25. 

My question is: in Ontario, can an RMT pre-bill my insurance for an appointment? I have 100% confirmed it was a full claim, not a pre-determination.

Additionally, now she has a second booking fee and a second appointment repayment. 

I will be going to this appointment to avoid any cancellation fees (and any confusion with my insurance who has already processed the claim for an appointment that hasn’t even happened yet) but this whole thing gives me such a bad feeling I won’t be returning again.

Second question: any tips for asking how to resolve the overpayments?

Hey everyone,
I’ve been dealing with a frustrating issue for over a year now and haven't been able to fix it.
The photo you see is platysma muscles which is severely tight.

My Symptoms:
•Whole Left-side tightness:Severe, constant tension across my entire left upper body, upper back, and neck.
•Restricted diaphragm: It feels like my left diaphragm and ribcage are locked, making it hard to take a deep breath (shallow breathing).
•Constant pain: Ongoing upper back and neck pain on the left side.
Stretching only gives temporary relief before everything locks back up.

Does anyone know how to fix it?

Sorry i’m reposting it , just wanted to add anatomy photo to have a rough idea

Hello fellow Massage Therapists, especially mobile MTs! If you were to buy any massage table today, what table would you choose?

I moved across the country, left all of my equipment home, and am looking to purchase a new table. I'm a mobile massage therapist and prefer a wider table for clients (31" or 32"). I had a 32" wide wood-frame table (~38 lbs) and traveled for a couple years with it without an issue.

I’m looking at the Earthlite Luna, but wish the table was wider. Is a metal-frame table really that different??

In addition to the table question, does anyone have any experience with the Omni 360 face cradle?

Thank you!! I appreciate any advice.

So for now I am doing massages at my place and I only take female clients, but in February I'll finish another course and I want to start working at a beauty salon and I am going to also accept men. I know from other colleagues experience that usually men are more pervert and will ask for sexual things too.

How should I react or what should I say to that people? I hate it when men do that and I don't want to get angry and invite them outside.

Tell me about your experiences in this case.

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to book my CMTO OSCE and specifically want a date in December. I’m finding it pretty tough to snag anything, seats seem to be unavailable

Has anyone else run into this when aiming for December? Any tips for checking the Prometric portal more effectively (like best times to look, how often new dates get released, etc.)? I know they add dates in increments as earlier ones fill, but it’s still stressful.

Also looking for:
• Any Facebook groups, Discord, study groups, or Reddit threads where people share openings or practice together

I’m prepping to write in December if I can lock something in. Any advice or shared experiences would be huge. Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone else in the process!

Hello! I’ve (32F) just had my first massage and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It did however get me wondering, what actually makes a good massage? Or what separates a poos/average/good massage? I can’t help but feel like I was just rubbed for an hour - and whilst I feel relaxed, I’m not sure it was the most technical experience.
Welcome any advice on what to look/feel for next time.
Thank you!

Hi all,

I have been going to craniosacral therapy sessions recently and I had my third one yesterday. In the session I noticed my arms/shoulders were involuntarily twitching at times and I felt uncomfortable with this. As a result I got quite fidgety but when the therapist asked me what was happening for me I was unable to explain.

The therapist then suggested trying something else and placed her hand on my chest and began rocking my body from side to side. It wasn't massively fast but wasn't too slow either. While doing this she kept moving her hand up and down, to my stomach and then ribs and back up to my shoulders. I suppose I am just curious as to whether this is a common technique used as she hasn't used it before and I can't find anything about its uses.

This is the first time that I have experienced this at any location until yesterday and when I asked I was told by the receptionist that this isn’t a new policy.

Where have you found your office space? Where else did you look? What are places to check besides something like craigslist to find a room to rent that I can work from?

I market my practice has having a specific vibe and sound with the music that I curate for sessions. I care about the music I play and a lot of my clients have made comments about how good the music is.

I have a client that I see regularly and tbh, pays pretty well. They requested I play “80s music”. I was a bit bewildered by their request. Now, I know we’re supposed to be client centered and if that makes the client happy, then I should do it. But I don’t know if I wanna be working to 80s pop music. I also don’t know if I want my practice to be TRL. For anyone too young for that reference, I don’t want my practice to be something where every client just requests music and I go along. The music I play feels integral to my work.

Am I being thick headed and stubborn (not unusual). What should I do?

Hi guys,

Can someone help me with the below?

I’m a footballer and 11 week post hamstrinf strain and my second match since getting injured on Sunday.

At training I noticed my glute/hip flexor cramping up so booked a massage today which helped.

However, he did some work on my hamstring and very intense using his elbows. I’m a bit paranoid this may have damaged my recently healed hamstrinf.

Is this possible or am I just worrying?

hiii i’m interested in becoming an LMT and currently live in saint louis. I’ve been researching nearby schools that offer it but theres literally zero reviews for every single one ive come across. Any LMTs here who went to school in saint louis/saint charles and liked their program?

I'm 24 male therapist working at a clinic. I've been doing massage therapy for five years, and today I experienced something that has never happened to me before.
I was treating a male patient I’ve worked with previously. I’ve never experienced this kind of behavior from him before.
During the session, I was massaging his glutes while standing close to where his arm was positioned. At first, I noticed him touching my genital area over my clothing, but I wasn’t sure whether it was accidental.
Then he closed his hand around my genitals and began gripping and moving his hand in a sexual manner. All i did was froze and moved away, but he continued reaching for me.
I was physically shaking and genuinely scared. I didn’t know whether confronting him would cause him to get up from the table or escalate the situation, so I continued the treatment.
Afterward, my heart was racing, my chest felt heavy, and I nearly cried while telling my regional manager what happened.
She seemed concerned and offered to investigate if I provided the patient’s name. I hesitated because I was questioning whether working on his glutes or standing too close somehow contributed to what happened.
Part of me even considered treating him again a second time, but I’m reconsidering that.

For other massage therapists:

How would you react in the moment?
Would you report the patient and refuse to treat him again?
What should I reasonably expect my employer to do?
I’d appreciate hearing how others in the profession would handle this situation.

This is how I felt as a massage therapist, I wish I would have been able to concentrate on the massage through random chit chat, I have always preferred only talking about the massage itself though.

Context:

I am a newly certified massage therapist with a certification in MLD (Chickly method). I was loosely trained in Brazilian techniques at the spa I work for now, and I do both deep tissue and lymphatic treatments. I have A TON more to learn. I want to get additional training in Brazilian techniques, additional MLD (like the Vodder method), Lymphoedema/Lipodema, post-op, and be versatile/educated enough to discern what techniques to use to customize a client’s session. Until I can afford that, I am doing my best with my current training and resources.

Recently, I’ve started taking before/after photos of client sessions, particularly the abdominal region. I have mixed feelings about using before/afters as a main source of marketing, but am letting myself experiment and build a portfolio. I mainly use the Brazilian techniques I learned at the abdominal region.

Discussion:

I have noticed that some of my before/afters look like there’s hardly any change. And in one I took, there seemed to be MORE fluid retention at the lower abdomen afterwards. When I asked the spa owner about it, she said she could see less fluid retention in the rib area, but I seemed to have pulled fluid down partway and may have needed to do more downward strokes to help drain towards the inguinal nodes.

This lead to a separate discussion about whether a before/after photo can help us determine how a lymphatic session went. And what does it mean if there’s hardly ANY visible change? I’m aware of the other possible benefits like immune function, aid in digestion, less brain fog, and clearing metabolic waste. But if visibly, you don’t see a difference in fluid retention, does that mean anything about the session, my technique, or the clients body? If there’s not a visible difference, did I really help move lymph through the vessels to the nodes so the system could pull from the interstitial space?

I would love some insight from more experienced lymphatic specialists!!

I don’t have a clue what I have done to my pinky fingers in massage school clinic. I just know they don’t want to fully bend or be pressed on the inner edge to my 4th finger.

I am going to a hand doctor next week but I’m wondering - am I delusional to think I can continue my hours in clinic toward my license with uncooperative pinkies?

If I can somehow make it to graduation (I’m halfway through FL’s 125 hours) I plan to have already completed training in cranial sacral with Upledger and have referral sources….

I just feel very panicked about the pain and stiffness that has just started.

Should I try to get a leave from school? Do you have massage suggestions that don’t tug, pull or press on these lame pinkies?? Anything?

Last week I showed up for my 2:30 pm massage . I’ve been going to this therapist for about 3 years and book a two hour massage monthly . Anyhow, I arrived to a locked door and lights off. I texted the therapist and asked if I had gotten the time wrong. 5 minutes later I got a text saying they had made a mistake on their schedule and weren’t available. They did apologize . The appointment had been booked online and confirmed three weeks prior. This therapist has a very strict cancellation policy which I support 100% and you have to prepay in order to get a small discount which I appreciate. I of course asked for my money back but was told that there were no refunds and I would get a credit . I explained that I didn’t want a credit as I didn’t know when I would book next . I was told the no refund policy is set in stone . I explained that they missed the session not me . I had driven an hour to get the the office and I insist on my money returned . Silence . Am I being unreasonable? To be honest I’m seriously considering never returning .. not because they missed the appointment, things happen but because of the refusal to refund the prepayment. I’d like your thoughts

I had a deep tissue massage on Tuesday. I’ve been getting massages for years, but this is truly the first ‘deep’ one I’ve gotten. He hit all the tight spots that no other therapist has hit before. It hurt, but it was amazing

However, last night bad neck and shoulder pain came on. I can’t turn my head to the left without an intense pain in my shoulder, it almost feels as though it locks up and I can’t turn any further, I get a sort of jolt if I turn too far. It also happens when I turn to the right, and look down but not as bad.

I literally had to flip on my stomach and slide out of bed to try and get up as the pain is so aggravating.

I have torticollis and my head pulls to the right constantly, though it’s not noticeable or severe. Definitely still causes pain. The only thing that helps with that is Botox. But during this massage, it felt like alllll that tension was being released.

I’m concerned as I’m in quite some pain and literally can only look in front of me. It hurts to even turn the steering wheel in my car

Is there anything I can do to alleviate this pain? I’ve been icing and heating, taking muscle relaxers, lying on my acupuncture mat but nothing is helping