Hi everyone,

I booked a massage today and am unhappy because of the following:

1. received text about an hour before the massage saying that due to the previous client running late my massage would be postponed for half an hour. No apology given

2. When I got to the venue for the new time, massage was a further 15 mins late

3. When I got there, because I booked through a third party site, the receptionist tried to persuade me to cancel and refund the massage and rebook directly with them so they could save on the commission fees. To be fair she said she'd give me a 10% discount, but I didn't want to because the appointment was already running late and also I got 15% discount by booking through the third party site

4. When I got the actual massage, it seemed quite good but (I booked for 1 hour full body Swedish) the therapist did about 25-30 mins on my back, arms and legs but then did my scalp which I didn't want tbh (I have a sports injury hence booking the full body massage) and put hot stones on my back and then just left me there for 5-10 mins at a time. Throughout the last 30 mins of the appointment she kept walking off and I could hear her talking to others outside; when she came back she said it was because the receptionist had left so she was doing two jobs at once and was having to man reception hence why she kept leaving. But she left the hot stones on me and when she came back, did a minute or so of scalp massage before she left again. I think because she left the hot stones on me she thought I'd be able to just relax whilst she was gone (she was gone about 5-10 mins at a time)

5. During the last 10-15 mins of the appointment, I actually decided to leave because I'd pre-booked a train home to get the best price and I needed to make that specific train otherwise I'd lose my money. I had booked the train to fit in with the original appointment that was delayed by an hour and 15 mins so I basically decided to leave early to make sure I'd get the train and also because the therapist had been gone for ages at this point so I didn't want to wait further and the room was getting cold. When I got out the therapist seemed surprised I was leaving early and said she could give me extra time to make up for it, which was really sweet, she was lovely but due to the time constraints I couldn't stay otherwise I'd miss the train

I found the whole experience stressful as I only booked the massage to try and relax but the whole thing kind of had the opposite effect? I wanna ask for my money back or at least half (although half still feels like too much tbh) but I feel guilty at the same time because she did spend 25 mins or so doing the actual massage

"Disappointment" doesn't even begin to describe that entire exchange over the phone. The fact that you would call a clinic with the word "rehab" in the name with your asinine question speaks volumes over the fact that you were clearly thinking with the wrong head.

The fact that our number is displayed nowhere else locally outside of a Google search, where the clinic name is clearly displayed, means that you put your selfish desires above a fundamental understanding of humanity.

Your attempt at an apology after you called back a second time was nothing more than self serving. An apology doesn't put a broken glass back together nor does it remove a bullet from a wound.

A meager apology will never make up to the two receptionists you bothered or change the fact that they even have to deal with people like you. An apology will never add respect to the practitioners that have spent thousands of hours and dollars trying to perfect their craft of helping people through this sometimes unfortunate journey we call life.

So, keep your apology. Don't be sorry. Be better.

Any experts on massage. I went for a 1 hour leg massage. And for a few days now I am very wobbly on my feet and cannot stand on my toes and unstable on my balance. What happened?

Hello - thinking about going into RMT - just wondering if people find satisfaction in this career - do you enjoy what you do? Is there burnout? do you enjoy going to work every day? Have you done it for a long time and enjoy it? Or if you're newer is it something you can see yourself doing long term?

Does anyone here work at a med spa or rent from an Aesthetic nurse?

I know the laws and regulations for med spas are changing in my state in 2025 which might affect the rental options in these businesses. Not directly Because of the massage therapy board but because some of the med spas will simply close their doors. Anyone facing this issue?

I've been trying to figure out which company is best but the whole process is pretty confusing...was hoping y'all could provide me with a little help.

Hi friends. I'm starting at a new spa tomorrow (Monday the 2nd) and I'm used to using DaySmart but they use MassageBook. The system, to me, is not very legible. To those who use it, what tips do you have for me? I'm nervous I'm going to mess up someone's schedule lol

I get monthly massages and frequently, but not always, my back aches badly afterwards. It’s not muscle pain. That happens too, sometimes, but that’s not what I’m talking about. This is more like maybe nerve pain.

Ice, stretching and rest make it better.

I’ve gone to a few different therapists and it happens with different ones. The massage feels great when I’m getting it and my upper back and shoulders feel nice and loose, but my lower back seizes up in a painful way.

If it matters, massages always start face down and finish face up with a bolster under my knees.

Any idea why this is happening and what I can do about it?

Thanks.

Anyone use or have any opinions on the achedaway scrapers? I've heard lots of good things, but mostly from therapists who are borderline influencers, so I never trust social media opinions 😆

I got a massage done on Thursday because my body had been super sore from my swimming and aqua fit activities. I am learning how to swim and I can now do so so I am very new to the process. I’ve been to this RMT a few times and she does great work. I felt amazing right after the massage and slept like a baby. I did notice some pain in the neck and back areas right in the center a few inches from the base of the neck. I figured it was just soreness from the massage. I haven’t don’t any workouts since. Saturday I woke up with a migraine in the top of my head. Certain things like bending over to clean cause pain. So I took the rest of the day easy. Today I wake up because of pain. I noticed when my head was turned on its side when sleeping I was causing headaches. I’m up now and the area is still very sore in the middle. Not sure if it’s a pinched nerve but now I’m just sitting and hydrating cuz of the pain. Should I get a correction massage or should I just let it sort itself out?

I (26f) had a massage yesterday. It was done at a legitimate massage center by an LMT. She gave me weird vibes the second I walked in there. But, a very dear friend recommended the establishment since it saved her when she was having a horrific pregnancy. The massage was nice and really relaxed my shoulders. But, at the end, my massage therapist squatted down right next to my ear and whispered very strangely….almost sensually “thank you for sharing your body today“ it weirded me the fuck out I’m not gonna lie. I was just wondering if anyone in this group has said that to clients, if that’s normal, or have an experience with anything similar.

I’ve had massages before and never had anything like that said to me. All the LMT’s I have had in the past have always just said something like “we’re all done, I’ll be outside when you’re ready” and left the room. Is this a thing LMT’s say? No hate. I’m just genuinely confused. Thank you!

For reference, I’m (M24) also a regular gym goer. I started feeling this months ago, but a doctor told me it was costachondritis. But today, I was getting a deep tissue massage, and the massage therapist told me my left upper body is inflamed. She said to stop lifting until it eased up, and even then, go back into it with super light weights. She told me I can still build muscle with really light weights. I obviously got to go to a doctor, but God, this fucking sucks. Any suggestions or tips?

A few days ago I gave a massage to a client. I was working on his arms one hand massaging his forearms the other just holding his arm up, out of nowhere he moves his hand around finding my wrist he grabs it tightly, my heart drops & for some reason now im scared, I instantly pull my hand away by pushing his arm down and away. He kinda goes to grab it again but I pull away more, Finally I place his arm onto the table and keep massaging. I use the hand he grabbed (the one holding his up previously) to hold it down just in case, this all happened in a span of like 5 seconds, I could feel myself tearing up, I don’t know why him grabbing my wrist like that scared me so much but it did the remaining 20mins went by so slow…I know im free to exit the room if I feel uncomfortable but I convinced myself it was just a mistake on his part he probably didn’t mean to do it. Thinking back I still don’t know what to believe, mistake or not I did let management know I can’t massage that client anymore without feeling uncomfortable.

went to school and graduated for massage therapy 7 years ago and life happened I guess and just never got nationally licensed. So I need to take the Illinois MBLEX test. Doesn’t anyone know best way to prepare for it? Do they have any courses that I can take to refresh my mind?

I’ve found several therapists here In Ontario Canada who do not ask or obtain any kind of consent before treating these areas. The therapists haven’t touched my inappropriately but I would rather discuss this before hand as I didn’t ask for them to treat these areas

1. At every massage I have had, the therapist has told me some version of - lots of tight muscles / lots of knots.

Do some customers have relaxed muscles and no knots, or is this a default statement to most customers?

2. There are some muscules that I always find painful during deep tissue massages - IT band, parts of the calves, parts of the muscles around the shin, points around the shoulder blade.

Are these common eg most people find the same muscles to be more painful to massage than others? Or does it vary significantly among customers, eg some people don't find the IT band or calves to be painful and have some other muscle that causes pain.

I signed up to begin school in January and the program can be completed in 6 months. I’m curious to know how much studying and homework was given during school since I’ll be working full time.

How many hours did you spend studying? Did you pass the MBLEX the first time? Any input is helpful!

Massages at the clinic I go to cost $99 for the hour. However I see on the billing information mailed to me from progressive that each time I go it’s $200. Is this normal????? I will be asking them about it on Monday. Thanks!

So I had a person smell like BO that wanted a massage and I kept gagging cuz it smelled like cuchi a lot

Hello,

I am trying to find a 40 minute back massage for a couple. I'm actually having a real challenge finding this. Everything on google turns up results that are like an hour of "treatments" but when you dig into it it's only like 10 minutes of back massage and then a bunch of other stuff we're not interested in whatsoever.

We've been wanting to book one forever, but this was a problem before as well. What do I need to type in to find what I'm looking for? I simply want a long, full back massage, and I want it for 2 people in the same room. I don't need flower petals or romance or anything else. I just want the same room to share the experience with a partner.

Is what I'm looking for really that impossible to find? Is it maybe called a sports massage or something? And maybe I need to call in advance to ask for 2 massage therapists at once?

(flairs only allow US/Canada but I'm sorry I'm in the UK, hopefully you guys can still help me).

Thank you I appreciate it! I've been dying for a massage forever. I've basically never had a proper professional one.

Hi all!

Tis the season of lots of submissions asking about gifts for massage therapists!

Hoping to make this lil area where people can ask questions, recieve answers and people can post their good gift ideas ♡

So to kick it off..

• What are some gifts you would have appreciated as a massage therapist just starting out?

• What are some gifts you would appreciate as an experienced massage therapist?

Hello,

I was in a motorcycle accident about 2 months ago where I broke my back, ankle and foot and severely bruised my ribs. Then 2 days later I got very sick with some sort of flu-type thing. About a month ago as I was feeling a little better from the bike accident and just had some residual sinus issues I thought it might be beneficial to try Perry's big 6 since i had been through so much. I have a garbage immune system so I thought it might help me heal faster. I did it every day, usually at the end of my shower.

So about 2 weeks ago I started feeling like I was getting a sinus infection, when I thought I was getting better. Then I got a really bad yeast infection out of nowhere. Then I got some sort of blepharitis in my left eye. Now I'm in bed with a respiratory infection and a fever of almost 102. My bones seem to be healing nicely but the rest of me is falling apart. I have never been so sick. At first I thought it was a detox but when i got this fever and read more I realize that I was probably doing this massage too intensely and too frequently. I really wish this was more talked about. I watched several things on it including videos from Perry.

So now my question for the lymph pros. What do I do? I'm so sick and I need to get better. Obviously I'm going to stop the massage. But what else can I do to get my immune system working again?

Thank you.

For all experienced MTs, would you recommend becoming a massage therapist to someone in their 20s looking for a career change? General pros and cons for the industry, any tips?

Hello all,

I am currently a massage therapist and personal trainer (specializing in corrective exercise) in a multidisciplinary clinic.

I've been training for years and we have a clinic gym that is shared with other staff, and I've been graduated with my diploma in medical massage therapy for about a year.

I get great reviews from my clients but I am not nearly busy enough!

I'm hoping the void can help me brainstorm some complimentary modalities or services I could offer that might help me fill up my schedule.

TIA!

I’ve been thinking abt going to school to become an RMP. What is the job outlook like in Toronto or even Ontario as a whole? Are you able to support yourself? Would you recommend it? Would it be difficult to manage another job on top of that?

I know breast bolsters exist with the opening/cut out for the breasts. are there similar height bolsters for the chest for men and folks who don’t have breasts? I have a client who needs to be propped up a little bit while face down.

I am getting ceritifed in Myofascial Decompression and how much can I charge for that service?

So here’s the thing, I need the therapeutic massage as it’s going hand-in-hand with physical therapy and my medical coverage does not cover therapeutic massage. I found a place with a very competent masseuse, but she does extreme time shorting and I’m not sure if I should just suck it up or say something

As an example I booked a 90 minute massage today and she was six minutes late coming out to get me, and didn’t start the massage until 16 minutes after my massage time was supposed to start.

She then ended the massage 15 minutes early so while I had paid for an 80 minute massage, 90 minutes minus the five minute Undressing in five minute dressing portion, what I got was a 59 minute massage

You are expected to tip at this place, and my thought is I’ll tip $.50 per minute so that when she’s shorting me on time I’ll just tip less, but it is difficult because she’s not able to complete the massage and get all the areas of my body that need help

Even with the time shorting this is by far the most affordable place I’ve found and my thought is maybe to just start booking 60 minute massages so that it will be more difficult for her to short the time

I mean right now I’m paying for the 80 minute massage and only getting 59 minutes so I might as well pay for the 50 minute massage and get the50 minutes. I can’t imagine the extra nine minutes is helping me that much

However I would like any input people have, I don’t want to lose my access to this masseuse because it would cost me nearly double to go to someone else. This is a private practice and not a chain.

Wondering if anyone can point me to where I can purchase a new table bag, that has the shoulder straps attached to each end of the bag, instead of having the straps in the center of the bag like it's a purse? It's been almost 10 years since I've been able to find a quality replacement bag. They used to have the straps attached at each end for balance. Now, with the straps set to the middle, carrying my table is difficult and imbalanced. Plus having the straps in the middle, makes them longer, so the table hangs down almost to my ankles, where it used to be up more by my knees so I could easily walk with it.

Hello everyone!

I live in PH and I normally stay on the cheap side but this time I'd be willing to spend more just so I can relieve my pain.

I always experience tiredness/pain in my calves. I tried foot massage, body massage and they don't focus on it. I tried asking and specifically telling the massage therapist to focus on calves but still to no avail.

I'm thinking of sports/deep tissue massage, but I want to ask if there's something else or what kind of instructions I should give my therapist?

Thank you so much!