Flashcards are a convenient way to study with a partner or on the go. However, I have noticed that some of the flash card kits available on Amazon have received negative reviews stating that their information is inaccurate. I don't want to risk learning the wrong thing.

Therefore, I would appreciate recommendations from anyone who has used a flash card kit that they found to be accurate and effective.

I work out a lot and as part of my body maintenance habit I'm trying to put in massage once a month. Deep Tissue hurts like a motherfucker and I find that Swedish is just right amount to relax my muscles

The problem is I get the urge to pee as soon as my massage therapist starts working on my legs. I don't know if there is a muscle in thigh that just triggers it or what.

And it kinda sucks but it's breaks the relaxation and I'm not as relaxed afterwards.

I know we gotta hydrate properly throughout the day cause dehydrated massages are tougher for the therapist.

I try to stop drinking water like 2 hours before the massage so that I pee usually an hour before the massage. And right before the massage I usually don't have the urge to pee but right during my massage I'd say close to 60% mark I get it

Has anyone ever had this and figured out a solution?

curious to see what other MT’s specialize in. and do you work for yourself or someone else? all the business advice out there seems to really focus on niching, and i’m wondering how specific to get in the massage therapy realm.

edit: i work mostly on cervical neuropathies but i know people aren’t googling those words when seeking help

Have any other therapists had the experience of working on a client who was just too big for them?

Now I am about 5'10 male and can typically handle deep tissue on most people. Today one of my regulars referred her husband to see me. He heard great things and I was excited to work with him. Well he shows up and I was shocked to realize he had to be like 6'9" and very heavy. I didn't realize how big he was until he got on the table and I felt like I should've lowered my table for him. I managed to get a 90 minute massage in but throughout the process I felt like I was hurting myself. I was checking in with my body mechanics constantly, making sure to stack my joints and such, and I just felt like my shoulder was hurting more than usual and then my wrist was bothering me. I had to reduce my pressure to get through the massage without hurting myself more and I felt bad that I couldn't exert myself. Then after the massage I was thinking, maybe he just isn't a good fit for me? He was so big and extremely tight, like no ROM in hip rotators or even his neck. I did tell him that it would be a good idea to stretch more often. I tried to do a little lateral stretching for his scalenes and I could barely move his head sideways. I am so exhausted after working on him and I just don't know how to go about this if he books again? I hate to turn away business but I don't think I could do another 90 min on him.

I would love to hear your advice and experiences.

Today I had a very unique interaction at my new massage therapist. She was working on my back and came across a point just to the side of my spine that seemed to me to be a knot. She was really working at it and then moved on. It was a bit painful and so I just breathed through it.

After the massage, I dressed and met her at the front desk. She said overall everything seems good but the part by my spine that she was working on seemed to actually be "bony" and was not a knot. I can't remember the exact wording but something like a bony structure. She then encouraged me to have a doctor check it out. I was so surprised that I didn't ask follow up questions but of course my brain is very imaginative.

For reference, I am a 34 year old female who is in overall good shape and I generally don't have back pain. Sometimes a little but it's much lower and not in that area. I've also averaged about 2 massage therapy sessions a year for about a decade now and no one has ever expressed any concern.

Have you heard a similar comment and gone to the doctor and found something out? Are you a massage therapist and have given this news? What do you think is the most likely scenario?

Of course, I'd absolutely love to go to the doctor but my insurance is really expensive and basically does nothing. I just had something removed with super easy procedure that I was totally awake for and chatting with the doctor during and it cost $800. I def can't take on more debt if it's not a big deal.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

To those that are independent, I am starting an LLC and moving towards being an independent therapist. Do you guys W2 or 1099 yourself? Also what percentage to you keep.in the business account and pay yourself out of it? People keep saying I should do a 50/50 split but the business expenses will be way less than that. I am confused.

I have a mobile practice and I’m wondering if charging round trip for around 50 miles is appropriate? I want to keep my prices fair but I also want to be paid for what I put forth. What do you guys think?

I also checked the zoning map to which it says I’ll be located in only residential area. I tried going to “alternative help” and they said to check the map so I’m confused.

I’m looking for outside opinion(s) on whether my massage therapist is crossing boundaries or if what I’ve experienced is normal.

I’ve been seeing a LMT for about a year. His rates are within my budget and his schedule is pretty flexible. He does a full body massage which usually goes about 2-3 hours.

I mark off on a sheet at the start my “problem” areas. These are usually neck, arms, lower back and hips. His technique is mainly pressure point kind of stuff (I think, I’m not an experienced massage patron so idk).

He spends a lot of time on my glutes and adductors and this is where I’m thinking it may cross a line. It seems he is getting quite up close and personal with my lady bits. I wore underwear for the longest time but he was moving it all around and going underneath. I had a conversation about making it easier with them off, but he’s still putting his hands in an intimate area. I did stop him this last time as he was “in between” and on a very sensitive spot. Looking back at the last few months it seems he’s inched closer to those intimate spots every time. He’s done the same with chest work too. I’ve tried looking at other posts and determining what is normal and off limits. I don’t know what is actual technique and what is him taking liberties. Did he cross an ethical boundary? Did I invite this kind of thing somehow?

I should also add that he has made some comments that left me with a bit of the “ick”.

I have a hard time with speaking up (people pleaser) so it took this very uncomfortable situation for me to say something. I’m just not sure if I go back and have a conversation or if I’m being draped in a literal red flag.

Any input or feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Edit: Thank you all for your insights and opinions. The more I think about the situation, comments and previous sessions, the more I realize he had been testing/pushing boundaries. I just cancelled my next appt and I’m not going back. I likely won’t be searching for a new LMT for quite some time, trust has been broken and I’m not ready to be vulnerable again yet.

He runs a private practice so I can’t report him to a manager, but I will look into the state licensing board.

I have been working as an independent contractor at a high end spa in Texas for 11 years. We have been informed that we will become W-2 employees in September due to new regulations.

We have been given very little details, especially about how compensation and benefits will work. What I have been told is that our commission rates will not change and that we will only receive benefits if we are clocked in at least 32 hours a week. I am feeling positive about this if I can qualify for benefits, but 32 massage hours is way more than I can do and stay healthy.

Has anyone else been through this situation? What was your experience? What should I be looking out for?

Here to see if there are any massage therapist in this group that are certified in MLD and specialize in cosmetic/plastic surgery post op care (tummy tuck, liposuction, brazilin butt lift etc.). I am looking to connect with other professionals within this field of work for general discussions on business practices. How clients are scheduled, getting referrals from surgeons, pricing etc. practitioners imput and experience would be appreciated as well. Thank you.

Looking for recommendations on massage-related podcasts. What are your favorites?

I personally love anything related to the business aspect but am curious to know what you’re listening to!

My client is chronically tight to the point where she needs deep pressure all of the time. I had been working her left glute for around 15 minutes and had finally released the deep rotators when suddenly she's begging me to "squeeze her right shoulder." Neither of us have any idea why this happened, but after working her delts, subscap and teres (she's always at a computer) for a few minutes it went away.

I've seen diagrams on spiral pain patterns but I do not know much information on the subject. What happened and where can I find more information on this?

Thanks!

Just had the ickiest massage! I had seen this lady before and the 1st massage was phenomenal I tipped her 30 bucks for 90 min, it was so great. The same lady this time was terrible! Night and day.

Her skin was dry so it felt like sand paper scratching me when she would move her arms up and down my body. Even her fingers had been hang nails I had never felt before and it was drilling into me.

I told her that I needed to keep my feet warm and the first time she was so attentive and kept warming my feet. This time she neglected my toes even when she could feel that they were ice cubes… I eventually asked her for the heat packs that we used and she got them. But why did I have to ask?

Finally…. She kept tickling me when she would massage me with the back of her arm. Her finger tips would graze random parts of my body. Sliding down my calves, grazing my feet etc. I could not believe it. How do you ask someone to please make a fist or elevate your fingers so you’re not tickling random body parts? It was so infuriating. I had no idea how to communicate that to a professional. What do they teach you this in massage school? Specifically. I think there needs to be a lecture on how not to tickle someone and to keep the temperature copacetic for your client.

I knew she remembered me also because before the massage she asked me if there were any updates or anything new she could work on. I told her she did a great job last time and continue the same pressure.

I didn’t want to tip a lot . But she asked me if I wanted to leave gratuity and I said yes… she then says “thank you! And my kids thank you also!” I left her 20 bucks for 90 min of torture. I’m like wtf…. Don’t bring your children into this.

Just super bummed and confused! I know we’re all human. I get it. But this massage was a nightmare.

Just needed to vent. It’s frustrating being trapped like this! I wish there was a safe word. 😂

I'm a new massage therapist and I have a client on Saturday that has a recently reconstructed ACL. How should I go about massaging this? Any videos or advice is appreciated, thanks

Hi,

I received thai massage for the first time this Monday. I'm an LMT, and was interested in this modality, as I live in an area it is not very common. During the massage, the therapist applied excessive pressure to my temples. I couldn't see quite how it was applied, but i was sidelaying, and it really just felt she was pressing with her elbow as hard and she could. The days since, I have had occasional and brief headaches, and my temples continue to be very tender to the touch. It is now Thursday night. I guess I'm here to ask - is this excessive temple pressure usual part of thai massage, or was this just an odd practitioner? Should I be concerned if this pain doesn't dissipate soon? The reoccurring pain is starting to worry me. But maybe i'm just overreacting?

thanks.

I am doing patchwork and I got my first tattoo on my bicep and have saniderm on and soon looking to get forearm done and more as we go. I keep reading different things online about how long to keep saniderm and not tattooing with an open wound and taking 2-3 weeks off. Thing is, I am looking to get tatted every 2 weeks to finish both arms. I asked my artist and he said there should be absolutely no problem for me to go back to work next day as long as it’s covered in saniderm and…as long as im not using those parts. I use my hands, my elbows and little forearms but can skip it. He said it’s not an open wound as it’s sealed with saniderm but if I do remove it then it’s a different story which I won’t for 3-4 days.

Im looking to get tatted on full arms but no hands, no elbows, no fingers.

So, can I continue my work as per usual with saniderm? I’m afraid about working at the clinic and someone asking me. I have social anxiety and don’t want to be asked. At home, I don’t mind as it’s my own business:

Is wearing a saniderm during clinic unsanitary or anything? I take my work very seriously but can’t take weeks off everytime I get work done.

Hello friends! I have questions,
I am building out a studio in my home for my clients. And I want to survey my current clients to see what they would like to have in a non-mobile massage therapy service (as I have purely been mobile up until this point). Do any of you either have recommendations for questions and or recommendations of what you'd personally want to have in a spa-like experience?

Hi! Second term RMT student here, looking for an online copy of the text book above. Thanks!

So I’m currently working at Massage Envy (against my better judgement and I just really needed a job with benefits) and apparently someone gave me a bad review (?) because I didn’t mention or talk about a follow up plan. I’m pretty sure the massage went really well and I did ask how they felt afterwards. To me, unless I know they’re going to rebook with me, it feels kind of unnecessary, especially since you can put it into the ipad.

Like I just feel like I’m being critiqued on stuff that doesn’t matter as much. Obviously, I’m not the best ever but shouldn’t my massage skills matter more? Or what does everyone else do? I just feel so annoyed

hi hi ice had really bad chronic back pain ever since i was a kid, i tried to roll out a really bad knot under my shoulder blade and it has made it worse, i now have a sharp pain there especially when i take deep breaths, does anyone know what it could be ? im getting a door pull up bar to do dead lifts but any other advice would be awesome!

I recently was massaging a client in their home who presented with the usual symptoms associated with office workers: tight shoulders, pain in the neck, back, lower back. This client (~55F, type 2 diabetic) wanted a hot stone full body swedish with more attention to her back, neck and shoulders. When I had her supine and was starting my massage with headwork, I noticed that she had these bilateral divots right along the trapezius a little more medial to where the bra straps would be (not at the glenohumeral joint). They appeared so deep that I could've inserted my index finger into them up to the 2nd joint from the fingernail. She does not have edema because I also checked the surrounding tissues for this and asked if she was diagnosed with it. When prone you could again see them very prominently.

Because this was not mentioned during the intake history that she filled out prior or during the interview beforethe massage started, I asked her if she had any shoulder injuries in the past because I'd never seen this before, she stated she had fallen about two years ago on ice and had landed on her shoulder but had not had any broken bones or pulled muscles that she could recall. She was telling me that because of thede divots she could not keep her bra straps on her shoulders, when I went to grab the trapezius it did cause her pain (~3/10) althought I was not using a lot of pressure of force. She stated she normally does not experience constant pain or discomfort but does feel like her shoulders are "falling'' which to me made sense by her posture and visible rounded shoulders but is also of concern as this would indicate deeper problems with her muscles/tendons/ligaments. Because I work mobile, this is my first time seeing a client with these divots. Have any of you seen this in your practice? I worked gently in the area applying pressure as tolerated, transfering heat from the stones to my hands, then using them as tolerated while checking in on her, performed head, neck and shoulder stretches and recommended exercises she can do while sitting and standing to open her chest and aid with her rounded shoulders. While she did ask me why she was having these divots, I told her I could not diagnose her and that I had not seen them before and would try to find more information but if it was of concern and causing her pain or discomfort to reach out to her primary doctor for further evaluation and proper diagnosis. I also recommended switching between ice and heat compression wraps as tolerated to see if this would help lessen any discomfort or inflammation in the area.

When I finished the massage I applied kinesiology tape along the neck, shoulders and back to see if this could also help her. I've reached out to her and she's said she feels a difference in how her shoulders feel. I'll be seeing her again next week and wanted to know if other therapists have any treatment tips/recommendations, if you've seen this or if it's best to first get her to follow-up with her doctor and find out the underlying issue? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Hello Everyone - love all the posts on here - most informative. My question relates to the Therapy place I go near my home. Appears to be owned by Chinese folks who are nothing short of excellent just have a communication issue as their English is not that great - but not a matter for me as long as the service is excellent which it always is. What I would like to ask is what type of massage it is they are using on my back. They essentially go down each side of my spine starting from my neck all the way to my end pushing in between each and every rib/vertebrae. It is amazing how pushing into the nerves it feels like a total reset of the area and when they get down to my lower back (where we all have pain) I almost can't stand it because certain areas are painful but it is a good pain whereby it feels as though the pain is dissipated. They seem to notice as well and come back to those spots a few times before moving one. f I could ask I would have them do this 2 and 3 rounds as it is my favorite part of the whole thing. Is there anyone that can tell me what this would be called or does it have a name or is it just a technique? It feels like they are using their elbow in between each back rib and they wiggle it around just a bit and then move on to the next one. Nothing short of fantastic.

I also always tip wherever I go - as I always appreciate you all.

Zero experience with getting a professional massage. I'm 53M and in decent shape, having lost ~100 lbs a couple of years ago and managed to not only keep it off since then but also got into a regular routine of exercise in my home gym with a combination of light cardo, interval, and strength training (all learned from when I was involved in MMA in my late 20s and 30s). I find myself having regular aches and pains, especially in my lower back where I've always had tightness issues. I'm sure a good part of this is because I'm 53 years old and still train like I'm in my late 20s and 30s. :-)

Friends have recommended a "sports massage". Google is of no help whatsoever as every variant of my inquiry gives me a vast array of options -- sports, deep tissue, shiatsu, and even things like hot stone massages and acupuncture. Looking for massage places via Google is a friggin' crap shoot as it seems like there are no standards to speak of, with what seems to be a sketchy back-room Korean rub-n-tug getting the same ratings as my local Hand & Stone Spa. All I want is for the very tight muscles in my back to loosen up a bit and to generally reduce the vague aches I've been feeling.

Advice appreciated. Thanks.

I had a client tell me he lives an active lifestyle and gets a massage monthly. He advised of lower back pain and a hernia surgery years ago. As I massaged, the client expressed discomfort with right leg hamstring to slight applied pressure. He did not express any prior injuries or known cause. The client advised he is very flexible, so I incorporated Thai techniques. Immediate relief and gratitude was expressed as a result to hamstring stretch. However hamstring is still sore to the touch.

He returned a week later advising I provided him with his first real massage, he felt great immediately after with lower back pain relief. However, he missed work due to fever and muscle soreness for the first 2-3days after. It was in this second visit I found out that his regular monthly massage(swedish) is provided by a massage student.

He wanted another massage and I’m not sure if I should have granted his request but he drove 8 hours for it. Him expressing fever and muscle soreness for 2-3 days after put me on high alert. So, This time I did light pressure Swedish massage. The left side of his back was noticeably tighter after him spending days cleaning his yard and falling but I thought it would be best not to apply any deep pressure this go around and wait for feedback.

I’m a believer in it’s better to be safe than sorry so I don’t mind waiting 2+weeks to apply pressure but I’m concerned for the right leg hamstring. This time he advised the back of his right knee was hurting without a bolster under ankles. I immediately connected this to his hamstring. I did add hip and ankle mobility stretches.

I plan to provide a deep tissue massage again in 3 weeks. I advised client to follow up with doctor about right leg in the meantime. I heard deep tissue can cause these effects however, I have only ever done deep tissue on people that are used to getting massages with firm pressure.

I feel like I’m missing something any suggestions?

I've had a fair few massages with different therapists, and I'm interested in how practice varies on one aspect: some therapists try really hard to keep their hand on you at all times, and some don't at all.

• The most extreme I've experienced of the former was when a therapist would walk around the table, stretch across to get oil, whatever they did, and would make sure their hand was in contact with my body the whole time. It was a bit awkward.
• Then the other way, some just seem not bothered by it at all, and will only make any physical contact when actually kneading.
• And of course, there are some in between.

I suspect this is just down to preference, but I'm interested to know... Is this practice taught in massage courses (and my first example just took it IMO too far)? What are the benefits? What do you do and why?

So back when I was like, 20 years old I got a massage for the first time. It was from an independent practitioner who was friends with my mom. When she was doing the glutes portion, she went under the blanket for the majority. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but I’ve seen almost a dozen massage therapists since then and none of them have done my glutes the same way; they either do little or no work on the glutes or will work on them over the blanket. Is under the blanket considered a no-no/unethical in the massage community? Is it possible that I was taken advantage of by someone who knew I was inexperienced? This has been bothering me lately so I’d greatly appreciate feedback.

Edit: thank you for all the responses, it’s good to know that this isn’t rare or inappropriate by the standards of massage therapy as a practice. To reiterate what I said in one of my comments below, I appreciate your profession more than I can describe as an auto worker who’s on my feet 10+ hours a day! I’ve been getting massages a couple times a month for the last 9 months or so after starting the job last March and it’s been incredibly helpful. Thanks again for the feedback!

I got my license around when covid came into play, due to anxiety around safety this prevented me from getting into the field when I first was licensed. I've struggled with that anxiety since as a result of postponing working in the field and gradually feeling more inadequate with time. I've been able to maintain my license with online CEUs but with restrictions changing in person classes are required. Having been outside of the field for so long, it's created a lot of anxiousness around what to expect, and social fear about not having experience. What sort of things would be helpful for me to step back into massage? What are resources that could refresh my knowledge? Any encouragement or words of advice would be appreciated.

So far the highest pay I have heard of for a massage therapist is $160 in British Columbia. Does anyone know of a place with a better pay or benefits? Asking out of curiosity.

This week will be the first time I give a proper massage to a paying client and I’m so nervous and anxious. I graduated school the last week of October 2023 and passed my MBLEx late January of this year. I was finally able to apply for my license in February and received it in the middle of March. In the last 6 months I’ve massaged my bfs back here and there, just basic targeted massage for when he’s hurting but I haven’t had the chance to continue practicing full treatments (Swedish, deep tissue, TP, lymphatic drainage) and I’m starting to get imposter syndrome.

I was lucky enough to be hired on at a luxury/destination spa without doing a practical. Part of me feels like I only got the job because my mom has worked there as an esthetician part time for the last 2 years and everyone in the spa loves her. I’m so nervous about starting in such a prestigious spa, obviously I’m out of practice compared to everyone else.

Aside from the pressure of starting at such an important spa, I’m having trouble staying on time with the services they offer. Their treatment times go as 50mins, 80mins, and 100mins with the exceptions of a few body treatments at 45mins and 75mins (these times are to allow at least 10-20 mins to flip and restock the room but still be able to start the next service on the hour). Now obviously as far as hands on time it’s less than 50mins and never in my life have I given a 45min full body Swedish massage. Can anyone offer advice on how to break down a 45min full body service? The last thing I want to do is start on my first day and be the rookie that causes the spa traffic and the other providers to fall behind. Advice on how to not let the anxiety get to my head would be greatly appreciated as well.