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TABLE OFCONTENTSAROMATHERAPYPG 5ASSISTED STRETCHINGPG 9CHAIR MASSAGEPG 14CRANIOSACRALPG 19THERAPY CUPPINGPG 24ENERGY THERAPYPG 33FACE-LIFT, OR FACIAL, MASSAGEPG 44GERIATRIC, OR SENIOR, MASSAGEPG 52

TABLE OFCONTENTSINSTRUMENT ASSISTED SOFTTISSUE MOBILIZATIONpg 58LIGHT AND LASER THERAPIESpg 63MEDICAL MASSAGEpg 67MYOFASCIAL RELEASEpg 70ORTHOPEDIC MASSAGEpg 76STONE & SHELL THERAPYpg 83TAPINGpg 89

AROMATHERAPY4 Ways to UseAromatherapy inYour Spa PracticeBy Debora BogartEssential oils can be abeneficial addition to anymassage, but before usingthem you must be properlytrained and aware of your clients’health issues, allergies andscent dislikes.Further, with aromatherapy you will be addingsomething to the massage medium that will beabsorbed through the skin, affect your client’smetabolism and interact with their limbic system.As massage therapists, we must understandthe importance of proper training before usingsomething as potent as essential oils, becausenot everyone’s massage education includes thisimportant information. After you’re educated, bydoing a thorough intake and assessment you candetermine how you want to proceed with youraromatherapy add-on to a massage session.EMPLOY A DIFFUSERDiffusers distribute essential oil molecules intothe air, which gives anyone walking into the spacebeneficial exposure. A diffuser that allows you tochange oils quickly is ideal.5

Diffusers driven by an electric fan use a pad to applya few drops of oil, and the pad is placed beneath thefan compartment.This type of diffuser allows for a quick change ofoils if a therapist encounters a client who finds thecurrent oil offensive to their senses.There are manydiffusers on the market, enabling a therapist topurchase one that meets their specific needs.USE SINGLE-NOTE ESSENTIAL OILADDED TO MASSAGE CARRIER OILSingle-note essentialoils, such as lavenderor Roman chamomile,can be used to enhancerelaxation or alleviate adepressive mood.Have a variety of oils on hand so the single oil canbe added as needed. Single-note essential oils, suchas lavender or Roman chamomile, can be used toenhance relaxation or alleviate a depressive mood.A couple drops of the essential oil added to 1 ounceof carrier oil is all that is needed to complete a full,relaxing, therapeutic session.INTENSIFY MASSAGE’S BENEFITSWITH CUSTOM BLENDSUse blends the same way you use a single-noteessential oil. Just place a few drops of the readymade blend into 1 ounce of a massage carrier oil.Massage the oil into the client’s trouble areas or useit on the whole body.A great example would be using a muscle blend ofHelichrysum and Wintergreen on an athlete who iscomplaining of muscle aches.Blends are a group of essential oils that usually havethe same chemical components, thus creating astronger blend.Some common blends to keep on hand would bemuscle blends, relaxation blends and rejuvenatingblends.It would also be helpful to have special blends onhand for fibromyalgia, sinus pain, and tension andmigraine headaches.6

For therapists who don’t have ample training orknowledge of blending, there are many massagemediums on the market that have essential oilsalready added for you.Even though these products are available to alltherapists, a therapist still needs to be aware ofindications and contraindications, as well as, theproperties of the pre-added essential oils to preventallergic reactions with clients. Most of the productswill list the beneficial effects of use on the productlabels.OFFER RETAIL SALES OFCUSTOM BLENDSTherapists who have ample training can preblend massage creams for clients to purchase andcontinue self-care aromatherapy treatments athome between their therapeutic sessions.This allows them to get the most complete resultsfrom their aromatherapy.Therapists who are not trained in blendingcan purchase pre-blended creams from anaromatherapy company or another localaromatherapist at wholesale cost.Some common retail products that clients mayenjoy include diffuser single-note essential oils ordiffuser blends, fibromyalgia creams, muscle reliefcreams and headache or sinus roll-ons.Self-massage lotion that has essential oils blendedfor relaxation and better sleep is a wonderfulproduct to have on hand for most clients.7

Even though such products are commonly foundat department or health-food stores, clients preferto purchase such products from knowledgeabletherapists who can help them choose the bestproducts for their needs.About the Author: Debora L. Bogart, LMT,is a certified aromatherapist and the medicalmassage therapist at Ellerbrock Spine and SoftTissue in Bluffton, Ohio, instructor of an NCBTMBcontinuing education aromatherapy course formassage therapists and former massage theoryand advanced massage modality instructor at theInstitute of Therapeutic Massage in Lima, Ohio.8

ASSISTED STRETCHINGHow to Get Even the MostInflexible Client to Say Yesto Being StretchedBy Judy StowersIn 2004, I watched my swim coachexperiencing a stretch session. Hewas a high-level athlete and usedstretching as a way to stay on top ofhis game.Having been in the massage industry for four years at thattime, I was immediately drawn in to the benefits he wasexperiencing and wanted to be trained to provide stretchsessions to my clients.Fast-forward 14 years, having gone through certificationin a few different stretching methods, it is now over 60percent of my practice. A constant curiosity of the humanbody and how the fascial relationships affect differentconditions has led me down a path I never imagined.Early on in my career, I wanted to focus on professionalathletes. I found myself doing just that.From Olympians to the NFL, and from the Major LeagueBaseball to collegiate sports, I was providing an increasednumber of stretch sessions to athletes.After taking courses, I quickly integrated stretch therapyinto my practice and soon found that working with theeveryday athletes, the ones who are out there having funand staying fit, was the most rewarding.Helping them achieve their goals and stay injury freethrough stretching has been just the niche that has takenmy practice to a new level.9

It is what people are finding they need help with, andneed the benefits of, in order to stay active and healthy.With need comes an incredible opportunity for growth.8 WAYS TO MARKETASSISTED STRETCHINGFinding ways to market assisted stretching sessions hasbeen challenging when it isn’t the first thing that peoplethink of as something that will help them to perform attheir best and to feel better in their everyday lives.first thing thatpeople think of assomething that willhelp them to performat their best and tofeel better in theireveryday lives.Through the years, I have found some ways to bringattention to the general public on the benefits ofstretching. Here are a few marketing strategies thathave helped me build a clientele that comes specificallyfor stretch therapy sessions. Rest assured, if you havea Massage Magazine Insurance Plus policy, assistedstretching is included in the 350 services you’re alreadycovered for.1Donate time to local gyms, running stores or triathlonstores to speak about the benefits of stretchingand how it can help them perform at a higher level.Education is the key to helping people understand howyour services can benefit them.2Encourage everyone to bring a yoga mat and takethe attendees through a few stretches that targetthe needs of the group you’re presenting to. This allowsthem to FEEL how good stretching feels in their bodiesand encourages them to come in for a stretch session.Words rarely sell the service by themselves, although thewords can create some initial intrigue. For the potentialclient to feel the effects will create a strong desire forthem to schedule an assisted stretching session.3Ensure your website has information on the benefitsof assisted stretching so that potential clients canlearn about your services. Answer questions that arerelevant to the benefits of stretching and the conditionsit can help overcome. A large percentage of thepopulation does their research online before scheduling.10

When you provide information, as well as a platformfor scheduling, your appointments will increase.Booking online makes it easy for the consumer,which means they are more likely to book than ifthey have to call or email.4Create a social media presence. Offer stretchingrecommendations on a consistent basis to drawpotential clients in. Several clients have decided tocome in and try stretching after they have seen apost on a social media page.Ensure the post is engaging and that it identifieswhat the stretch can help with, such as low backpain, shoulder pain and plantar fasciitis.As much as we want them to come in the door,allowing the consumer to see what you’re all aboutand what you offer helps them choose you overother practitioners.Designing posts that trigger the “I need that”thoughts from the consumers lead to schedulingappointments. The need for a social media presenceisn’t going away any time soon so this is animportant piece of the marketing puzzle.5When clients are in your office for anothermodality, encourage they try a stretch forwhatever they are in for. Ease them in with onestretch and build on that in subsequent visits. Whenthey come in again, be sure to ask them how theyfelt after assisted stretching and then build on that.Offer an additional stretch at the end of their sessionso they begin building a toolbox of stretches thatthey can do on their own.Helping a client learn to help themselves goes farbeyond requiring them to experience the resultsonly from coming in to see you. They alwaysappreciate learning and although they may notstart doing stretches on their own right away, byproviding the education, you give them the optionof helping themselves.11

I have had several stretch cards printed with thehome versions of each stretch. Before the clientleaves, I give them the cards of the stretches wecovered so they have a reference and don’t haveto try to remember everything we covered. Theyalways appreciate this and comment on how muchit helps them.6Attend local events and provide stretch servicesfree of charge to the participants. Most eventorganizers will welcome services that complementthe athlete experience.Give them anincentive that makessense to your businessand also that helpsthe client experiencewhat you have to offerwith stretch.Whether the event is for the weekend warrior orexperienced athletes, a post-race stretch session canhelp them recover faster. Set up a booth and offeryour services for free. Have business cards and fliersavailable so that the participant has an easy way tocontact you after the event.7Consider adding a coupon or discount codeto event participants when possible. Thisincentivizes them to schedule an assisted stretchingsession after their event. When people are tryingsomething new, they look for a way to get it with asmall discount.Once they are in the door, you can furtherincentivize them with package offers to keep themcoming in. This would be the equivalent to a firsttime client offer that you may already offer.I would caution to not discount it so much thatyou only get them in the door once. That will onlydevalue your services and create a lot of one-timeclients rather than the long-term client that you areseeking.Give them an incentive that makes sense to yourbusiness and also that helps the client experiencewhat you have to offer with stretch.8Ask clients to leave reviews. When you have aYelp.com or google.com page, the reviews arewhat help drive people to your business. Theseservices are free of charge and can help potentialclients find you more easily.12