Masseur

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

A. I do have a part time job in a different line. But co-workers sometimes ask me about some health issues. I appreciate their concern and that trust on seeking a better alternative for their concern.

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

A. Just contact the provider and ask questions, specially privacy and confidentiality, and what kind of modalities, availability, how to prepare for the massage, and particular overall/detailed health conditions. Anybody, regardless who, that gives massages is expected to ALWAYS respect privacy and confidentiality. We are at the same level as doctors and other medical servers; we do not divulge any private information of our clients to anybody at all, especially without any clients' approval. You do not a mass email to your clients at all. If you need/want to send email to your clients, it MUST be individually and without any personal reference to any other client! It happened to one of my clients with another therapist.That's why the therapist lost many of its clients for that indiscretion; PRIVACY and CONFIDENTIALITY.

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

A. I just give a massage that otherwise I will love to have on me. It's difficult to find a good person that gives good hearty massages. Anybody can give massages, but only those who really love to give massages, few, are worth the efforts to go to them.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The old saying; "Don't judge a book by its cover." That's true. I don;t need to have a fancy place lavishly decorated for just a massage. The massage is something inner self that does not require a cosmetic setting. Yet an ambiance; clean, not so cluttered, simple, dim lights, soft smelling (candles, potpourri, air freshners, vaporizers, diffusers, etc), soft relaxing music, and a comfortable table.Most of it; I don't like to work with a rush time limit.

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

A. Each person has it's own unique way to do the same job as others. That's where the difference is. Everybody can learn how to do the job but each individual has its unique way/method to do it. I have my own modalities, same as others, but incorporating different techniques/ways to achieve the best I can possible deliver.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Personal satisfaction from my clients. They feel better than when they came in, and most like the way I do the job.

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

A. They ask my prices. I tend to tell them they get the best possible quality of service I can provide not taking advantage of the situation. You'll get what you paid for and more; respect and confidentiality, and individual care.

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

A. While doing a chair massage at a health fair benefit, this particular lady, after finishing (10minutes), told me that her headache just went away! Sometimes we keep stress in different parts of our bodies, mostly in our heads, necks, and shoulders. A good massage, even when it feels uncomfortable first, you'll find the relief without any side effects as to pills.

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

A. That we, massage therapists, have to endure hours and months to know the human body in general and different approaches to address different symptoms. We pay a price for that knowledge at colleges/universities and we have to upkeep yearly with required education hours, which isn't cheap, to maintain a license. The difference between massage therapists and a regular masseuse/masseur is that we have top comply with more schooling than they. There are good masseuses and masseurs that can give you a darn good Swedish massage.

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

A. By prior experience. I noticed that special impact a massage can have on the body; health wise as well as emotional and psychological. A pain relief, body refreshing, invigorating with energy, plus a positive wellbeing feeling. Then, if someone can make me have this, why can't I do the same for others?

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. When a client comes and feels better afterwards, without the pain/aches, feeling so relaxed and yet invigorated with energy, normally leaves a small tip aside for that unspoken extra " for making me feel this wonderful way."thanks

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

A. In order to maintain a license, it is required to comply with the minimum of education hours. And yes, I do have to take classes annually even as refreshers.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I can foresee the ideas of some sort of machinery/gadgets to help us to attain better results with our clients. Maybe incorporating knowledge with doctors and chiropractors and other specialists.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. A special client from a couple have taken care of many children, foster and adopted. This person is working constantly, almost 7 days a week, plus teaching others younger ones in school part time. To this client, I offered free massage at mutually convenient times and days. Why charge to someone who has to do this for the younger generation? There are times we ought to give without any returns in sight. Don't go through life with a catcher's glove on both hands; sometimes you have to throw back something. It's a taking and giving life style, and you don't have to be rich nor popular but yourself at your best!

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

A. I don't have a complicated price system at all. I have been burnt in the past from checks and cards. That's why my services are on cash only. My price is relative inexpensive, competitive, and reasonable. At times it is even cheap from time spending on a client and modalities applied.Especially if I have to travel to my clients' place; I bring my table, sheets, music, candle. I'm the one who drives to and from. My client doesn't have to dress up again, and drive under the influence of "a massage." The client is in its safe and comfortable zone/ambiance. It doesn't have to drive back to its place. He/she can then take a refreshing shower right there at its place (hotel/motel/home), and that's why the cost; normally $25.00 over an in-call. Safety is the paramount issue. Most people feel so sleepy and relaxed after the massage, that I fear for their coordination at the driving wheel. It's better to pay an extra $25.00 for a good service and not to worry about driving and having an accident.

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

A. Think twice. Money should not be your primary goal. You have to like and not having any hangups touching people's bodies. After all, you're going to get paid. They just want someone with mind open to give'em a good massage. Doing so you can have a steady/regular clientele. If you limit yourself, you'll be limiting people that can be your clients, but they'll go somewhere else and be someone's clients and not yours.
You have to have a balanced personality, and a good attitude. No talks about politics/religion/ race/color/ethnicity/creeds/genders/origins/sexual/sexual orientations, etc. Some people on purpose, may start a conversation to check you out. Always say things in a positive way. You don't know if one day you'll be at that person's desk! Keep your profession, whatever it might be, impartial and unbiased. You don;t know if the person who might later on be in a position to help you happens to be the person you rejected for a massage! Keep an open mind and have a kind heart. Some people just want someone to touch'em; that's why they want a massage; to feel loved and cared! Especially those at retirement homes; been tossed there and forgotten. A gentle hand, a sincere smile, a few minutes chatting about nothing or from the past. That makes a great deal to them. And you'll make a great impact on them, and you might get surprised at rewards!