Massage Therapy, Facial Massage & Foot Reflexology

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, back, shoulders. Necks, headaches, back pain, shoulders. Necks, wrists, lower back pain, shoulders. And oh did I mention--Necks, back and shoulders.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Ask for years of full time experience. I recommend at least 5 years. If you want deep tissue massage ask what % of their work is cross fiber--I recommend at least 80% so that you benefit faster and you are not sore the next day. With facial massage ask if they will be able to note changes after the session. Normally the answer should be yes unless you are very young and no real toning required.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I was very lucky in 1980 to learn cross fiber deep tissue massage. I still can't believe most therapists do not use this method. Basically a massage therapist is in "the blood business!!". By going across the fiber, the tissue is opened up so a fresh supply of blood can enter the muscle to repair, replenish and flush out any debris. I go deeper than most therapists, but my clients are not sore the next day since the blood has done it's job via the cross fiber method. With longitudinal strokes, some benefit can be gained, but basically it is doing more smashing than opening the tissue and you can be very sore the next 1-3 or more days after a Swedish Deep Tissue. However, most therapists will tell you they do cross fiber so you must ask "what %" as usually it is only about 10% and I recommend 80% or more.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have literally given over 25,000 massages, mainly in my 25 years in New Zealand. I still love my work helping rid clients from pain and various muscle problems. I have helped people who have had headaches for years and have been to all kinds of headache specialists in just one session. Normally people notice an improvement in just one session. If no improvement after 3 sessions, I then suggest another modality to help them -IE you will not see me multiple times without having improvements.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love the challenge of not only fixing a problem, but trying to figure out the source of the problem so clients can prevent it from happening again. And of course I am most happy when a client walks in with pain and walks out pain free.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. I lived in New Zealand for 25 years and clients often ask what New Zealand and Kiwis are like. Many think there are kangaroos in New Zealand since it is "Down Under", but of course they are in Australia.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I have so many, but I guess my favorite would be from a Foot Reflexology session. A young lady told me she had multiple sclerosis. I asked her what her symptoms were and she said she would be walking and then stumble and fall down. I asked if she had any other problems and she finally told me she had had a miscarriage a year ago. I asked if she hoped to get pregnant and go full term and she replied yes. I did not feel I could help her with the MS--in fact she did not think she had MS--so I just worked on her uterus and ovaries with Foot Reflexology. That night she passed this foul material and went to the emergency ward and they did a D&C, cleaning out the toxic material that had remained in her body with the miscarriage for a year. All her symptoms of MS of course went away.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish clients understood the value of regular massage to help manage stress, prevent muscle trauma, strengthen their immune system to avoid colds and flu, help with lymphatic and hormonal functions and achieve a more positive attitude.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I have a Bachelors of Education with a love of massage at an early age. Now with teaching NCBTMB approved CEU classes I can combine both of my passions. I found being an elementary school teacher very depressing, but love teaching massage therapists who are eager to learn more to help their clients.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am an avid learner for 35 years with a wide range of modalities under my belt from Passive Resistance work, Magnetic Energy Field work, Fijian Massage, Soft Touch Island Massage, Massage Tools, Chinese Facial pressure points, Honey Pat Treatment for face, Bettering your Eyesight, Indian Head Massage, Greenstone massage, Rejuvenation techniques, Relaxation massage, Chair massage, Nutrition, Herbalism and Lifestyle improvement guidelines. One of my offerings is a four hour massage to give folks a full body tuneup incorporating some of the above methods. For the last 10 years I have taught Continuing Education to over 800 massage therapists across the USA.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Basically I believe in weekly massage so that is my lowest price and then monthly a moderate price and lastly the only "come if I am in extreme pain price". I know I can save clients time and money as normally they will need fewer sessions to be rid of their problems. My base price is $85 for 75 minutes, but as an introduction to Thumbtack users the first session can be $65 for 75 minutes and then $39 for 60 minutes if weekly or $49 for 60 minutes if monthly. For the reduced prices you can either have an automatic payment or buy a package. Tips are appreciated, but not expected. You will receive the same service whether you tip or not.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Make sure your prime reason is to help people. It is fine to make money, but that can't be your main reason to get into the healing field. Don't believe the $100K a year that schools advertise--in fact stay away from such a school. It is a very rewarding career as each client presents a set of different challenges and if you learn properly you will be able to help them.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What are your hours of operation?

I am available 9 am to 9 pm 7 days a week to accommodate the working and non-working clients. I try to not schedule back to back appointments to allow for a relaxed travel time.