Student Q & A WITH ANITA SNOWBALL

Question 1

I am returning to massage having qualified sometime ago. I have recently been made redundant and now feel it is time to launch my business. However, I feel that I may be rusty with techniques can you advise me as to how to build my confidence again, how will I know that my massage is good enough?

A. Welcome back. All you need to do initially is get hold of some friends; get them on the couch and massage. Ask them for their honest opinion, re-read your course notes if you still have them remember how it felt when you were using your skills. I would also look for some refresher courses it is worth attending a workshop or two just to get you back in the swing of things. Get yourself insured, look at your anatomy again, revise muscles and the benefits of massage to the whole body and obviously check contra-indications. Once you start again you will find that it all comes back to you. Enjoy.

Question 2

I have recently qualified in massage and Indian head massage, my concern is that I do not have enough to offer my clients to launch a real business do I need to have more therapies or do I start then add them later?

A. This is a common concern for new therapists. My advice is to get going with what you have, learn your trade. Work with clients you will then be in a better position to see if your skill base is in need of a boost. Look at CPD courses for different techniques such as Trigger Points, Deep Tissues techniques, etc., if you are interested in a more remedial application. You could ask your clients what they want from a massage as a form of market research. Choose the course that will help you address the needs of your client base. Trust yourself and you will develop as you should.

Question 3.

I have recently been working with a new client and when they pay they always give me a tip, is this OK? It does make me feel a little uncomfortable and I have explained that they do not need to do this but they said that they want to. What should I do?

A. It always makes me feel uncomfortable when it happens, however I feel happy that they appreciate what I am doing. If I am asked I have always said that it is not required that they tip me, after all I set my prices. If they do insist that I take it I make sure they know how I appreciate their gesture. You could always donate it to a charity if that sits well with you.

Question 4:

Could you please tell me what it means if a course has CPD points. No one mentioned them on my course.

A. CPD means continual professional development. Most memberships organisations ask their members to attend some professional training throughout the year. It ensures that working therapists keep up to date with their knowledge. Check with your organisation as to what they require.

Anita is a Senior Tutor at the Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine in London, established since 1992. As a Senior Tutor she has had to deal with a wide variety of queries from both students and graduates. So go ahead, send in your questions to Anita at info@ massageworld.co.uk and test her knowledge!

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Vanessa was born in Colombia and grew up in Northern Italy near Verona before moving to London in 2005. Her journey provided many challenges along the way as her English was limited and she had to balance long hours waitressing then as a commis chef at the Shard with being a single mum. Over the years, she had somehow lost touch with her passions and became frustrated and drained working at a job that gave her nothing in return. Therefore, she began researching courses, deciding to enrol at the London School of Health and Beauty.