all worn out....

[Gnuella]

: As a mother of two with very little financial resources I have always relied on working fo other people. This has limited my income to anywhere from 19 to 30 dollars per massage(this is texas by the way). I have a very small outcall buisness, but I am most of my time is currently devoted to a spa. To make ends meet I know I am doing double my work load, and now as a result, I am in PAIN!!!! wrist, thumbs, forearms, knuckles, shoulder, everything. Even during my most painful sessions, I still get the whole: that was the best massage ever lets rebook for.... It's just sooooo frustrating having great clientele and not making enough to keep me from getting injured. So my question is mission impossible. How do you get a fledgling business of the ground with little to no financial resources and not a whole lot of "friends". I also apologise if I sound like I am whinning, It's been a long week.

 

[Quia]

I'm sure lots of folks on this board will step up with references to threads throughout MassagePlanetL on marketing, Guerilla Marketing (and possibly gorilla marketing.)

This won't be one of those responses since I figure lots of people will cover that. This is the first thing that springs to mind as I read your first post: This sounds like a conscientious therapist...why doesn't she have any friends?

My suggestion is go make some. This isn't a frivolous response. You sound like you need social support. The board is great and you can get lots of great ideas here, but what about a peer to have coffee with? Is there someone who can mentor you to where you need to be? Sounds like you need help and I'm sure you'll find it. Reach out (once your poor hands are out of ice.)

In times like these your social network becomes your safety net. Please knit one for your sake and others. Hook up, knit one, pearl two...be a friend, get a friend. Assistance may come as moral support or direct aid in getting things on track. It may be another MT or a chiro or a physio or someone outside of health care who is open to your next idea. Maybe you could teach, maybe you could go part-time and do something else less phyisically demanding for awhile. I don't know enough about your situation to be more specific than that, but some comrades you can look in the eye would be a great next step.

Also a question: are you working too hard? I don't mean you should work less because it sounds like you don't feel you can afford to work fewer sessions. I mean, could you achieve the same results with your clients while working with less pressure? I know several MTs who massaged their brains out because they are so conscientious and giving, anxious to give their all to each client. They hurt themselves. Then, after they got injured they often find that they can achieve the same results without killing themselves, letting a softer technical approach and their intent do the work. Result, less injury and clients who love them just as much as ever.

Just some things to consider.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Your probably right on all accounts. My social network consists of a six year old and a three year old, however I probably know more people than I think. As far as technique, I specialize in myofacial and orthopedic massage techniques. Even my spa clients can't get enough, but in writing this I realize that all my work is deep tissue, and I probably need a new bag of tricks. I can't really afford any more ceu's or advanced schooling right now, anyone have any suggestions on video education or the like? I can't wait to here about some guerrilla marketing techniques.

 

[JobHunting2010.org]

Hi

A couple of points came to mind, in no particular order

First, you shouldn't be experiencing this type of pain! You may want to take a good look at your body mechanics. Make sure you're getting enough breaks, that you're treating your wrists and hands with contrast therapy at the end of your day, that you're not trying to take on too much too fast (I don't know how long you've been in practice) Also make sure you're getting a couple of days off per week, preferably consecutive, so that you can let yourself rest.

Second, are you working on what are commonly called "pressure wh0res"? You know, the types of people who no matter how much pressure you apply they want more more more? If so, stop that cycle now before you hurt yourself. NO ONE PERSON is worth injury to yourself, not even that person you hold dearest to you. Because once you're injured, the damage is permanent, you're out of business forever, and you can't help ANYone, and no one is worth that. You may want to educate any of the clientele that fit this description that harder is not necessarily better or more constructive.

Third, you may want to branch out into some gentler modalities. Cranio-sacral, lymphatic drainage, energy work, reiki, etc, are MUCH easier on your body. You may also want to do pre-natal massage, where heavy pressure is contraindicated. Hot Stone massage, which does a lot of the work for you by loosening fascia and relaxing the tissues, and myofascial release (the gentle kind) are also awesome modalities to get into! I also do reflexology using a T-bar. I use my thumbs to palpate the spots and then I got real good at palpating THROUGH the T-bar to hold the positions to save my thumbs.

I would also highly suggest working on building your outcall clientele (or possibly start renting a small room or whatever somewhere that perhaps rents by the hour at first, so that you're not working so hard on the outcalls lugging your supplies around and whatnot. And do not forget to charge what you are worth! Outcalls are worth a lot of money, so don't be afraid It's called convenience and that don't come cheap, not even in Texas (I'm also a fellow Texan, BTW! )

So anyway, I hope that helps some!
Good luck!
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[matt c]

all of the above suggestions are right on..I think hot stone would be great to add to your practice..the stones help you do deep pressure without any strain to you at all and the heat feels fantastic! the stones will be an extension of your hands you will love them! :

 

[VisitorD]

Something that came to my mind reading all of these posts is something a lot of clients seem to overlook. That is the importance of water! I know the kind of hours you are talking about, I've done them myself. The one thing that always seemed to be lacking for me is drinking enough water throughout the day. Also be sure you are taking enough in nutritionally. If you are not eating enough or of the right foods, with all the bodywork you are doing, your body will suffer. Plenty of fresh veggies and protein for your muscles to keep going are so important. Eating a lot of convience or fast foods? Cut them out! They can sap your energy levels in no time! Someone told me a long time ago....... If you don't take care of yourself, how can you expect to take care of someone else, family, client or otherwise! Hope this helps........ And hang in there, we are here for you!
t056

 

[Shara O]

Since you are on limited funds, make sure you can get a good therapist to start trading with. Do you have someone at one of the places you work at that will do this with you? Weekly, for sure, if you are working long hours and not getting worked on.

It can take years to build a practice. Most people have been told you can build up a steady practice in 6-12 months. I haven't seen much of that. I've seen the 7-10 year plan when people have limited funds (as a rule). Now that doesn't mean you may not grow leaps and bounds (we've had therapists on this very board who have grown in 2 years), but it's the norm. Hopefully someone didn't tell you different. And, the people you are working for are taking advaneforum.xxxe at $19/hour. I know you have to do what you have to do, in order to feed the kiddos, but, you might just want to see if you can start a search for some places that pay a little higher (try our "Employment Finders" thread). It's not necessarily the best case scenario, but if you have to work for other people, at least work for the maximum amount of pay you can find.

What to do to increase the outcall business? Here's one thought - get a website. You may want to also PM BackrubMonster. She's got a lovely outcall business going. Also, consider mush - her's has been in existence for years!

BTW, welcome to the boards! We're here to help! I also sent you a PM.

 

[BabyGirl05]

I think you have gotten Awesome advice that I would just echo.

Here is a link to the FAQ portion of the board. I hope you can find a lot of useful information there. http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=44&sid=dfcb79a41d9160567199c4149e3319a3

Fear can also be limiting to you. I know when I made the switch from being an IC to having an office - I was scared. I wasn't sure how things would work out, but I just couldn't continue on as I was. I made the switch and I am in a great place now.

It is SO important to have good body mechanics and to get worked on yourself. I can't stress that enough. Trade regular if you can't afford it. I hope someone in your area is willing to do so.

 

[Cheryl]

What to do to increase the outcall business? Here's one thought - get a website.

Hear, hear. The vast majority of my new clients come from my website. Make sure it is clean and professional looking. You could try Spaboom's service for solo practitioners, (very inexpensive,) but if money is really, really tight, and you know someone who can do html or use a page builder, put one up yourself. You can add content later, just get something up now. Your hosting shouldn't cost more than $7/month, and your domain reg (do a private domain so people can't get your home address,) is about $17. Just spell it out very clearly what you are offering, your service area, and the hours available. Even a single page would be helpful.

You might also consider trying to find a couple of monthly or semi-monthly on-site jobs. Even if the employees pay you directly, it can be a very good thing. All you need is a conference room or break room (even a cubicle) where you can set up for a few hours. Have a sign-up sheet, and make your prices fair.

It may not be quite as profitable as contracting directly with a company, or doing a regular outcall, but it can be decent money.

And though many here (including me) have had the experience that chair business rarely transitions to table business, keep in mind that those chair clients know other people, and a few of them may talk, especially if you provide an incentive ($5-10 off your next table massage for every new client that books a full-length in-home treatment.)

Get good, professional business cards and hand them out to everyone that is not connected with your current job. Have your website and email address printed on your cards.

Just some quick ideas. I don't know what to tell you about the pain. Obviously reducing your workload is critical, adjusting your techniques? (not sure how, if even your forearms and shoulders are sore...)

Are you in rural TX or urban?

 

[God Speed]

Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice! I have decided to take a very little time off to see if I can recoop. I am reviewing my options as we speak. I am sure I will have more questions......... but what a great start! Thank you.

 

[Jim G]

I do have one other question, for now. Does anyone have experience in working with extreme hypermobility?

 

[tanaz]

The business issues seem to have been addressed and I concur. As for the pain, there's a video that I have seen out there "Val Guin's Forearm Dance" that might be helpful in offering you some techniques that may help your rest some of the muscles that are causing you pain. I have not seen the video, but I think if you go to http://www.atpeacemedia.com you will be able to view parts of it. (I'm doing that from memory, so if you can't get to the web site, just google it.) If money becomes available and you want to take CEU's, I would recommend Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy. This would bring relief to your arms, and would also give your clients the deep pressure they are craving.

Of course, you also need to do the obvious and hydrate, eat well, massage and stretch. Watch your body mechanics of course.

Another option is to change the focus of your work and start attracting clients who are not looking for such deep work.

 

[Happy mommy]

I do have one other question, for now. Does anyone have experience in working with extreme hypermobility?

You, or the client = hypermobile?

 

[grable]

That woul be me Although I do have a few clients who have the same thing..... dislocating sacrum, hips that just wont stay put. I have not had a problem strengthening to stabilize the joints in my lower body, but I have had trouble with the upper body. Sometimes strengthening seems to help, other times it just seems to exacerbate the problem. I use bands around the fingers to work the extensors, and that works really well. I have yet to find anything for the shoulders, elbow, and flexors. My elbow frequently dislocates and compresses the ulnar nerve. Has anyone found any exercises that work?

 

[A Girl]

Yes, there is a post somewhere in the forums on angel-wing exercises or angel exercises. I don't have time to do a search, but I think it is in Modalities or Injury-Illness.

I'll post it later if no one else finds it.

If you happen across it, would you mind posting the link?

 

[Frances]

Don't mind at all pueppi...
I knew if it had wall angels in it... I had to have commented on that thread... *giggle*

From the Injury - Illness section:
"Pain in the Neck" --need help with client:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5395