u/QuoteFalse5990

This has nothing to do with me directly but it was something I observed today. There's a massage group on FB that is run by a female LMT and it is for female therapists only. I could tell early on the admin was a major shit starter, spending more time dragging on about Jeffrey Epstein than actual bodywork. I usually pay no mind to this group until.. someone commented anonymously on there about another therapist. Without naming the business, an anonymous poster described the another business' services , and I believe took a screen shot from their menu which sounded kind of mystical in nature. The anonymous poster then stated the services were not worth it. Anyway, the business owner knew it was her business and commented on the thread. All well and good, I'd 100% have defended myself the same way. THEN, the group admin..wait for it: literally DOXXED the anonymous poster. I just thought what we did was above this kind of adolescent behavior is all. It definitely reflects poorly on massage therapy when people do things like this. Anyway, I will leave the group. One thing is for sure, my initial feeling to never post or express myself there was 100% correct because when the admin sees a chance to stir up drama, she has demonstrated she clearly will. It accomplishes nothing of value, uplifts no one, and reduces massage to an emotionally immature, high-conflict cat fight.

Sometimes I see posts about complaints. One thing I've learned is the more discounted spas (aka chains) tend to attract the most complainers and also the worst tippers. That said, I think many complaints can be avoided through communication before and during the massage. For example, everyone knows upon booking about my pressure because when I worked at a spa doing esthetics I'd occasionally hear people complain about a massage therapist not going deep enough. So, I learned to make sure everyone knows if you want very deep pressure book a different therapist. I still do occasionally get people who ask me to lighten up though so it isn't like I'm just moving oil, haha. Also, I always do a thorough intake including a clear explanation that if we focus on their area of complaint less time is spent elsewhere unless they want to book a 90. It seems that is the MOST common complaint I hear therapists receiving,"He/she barely spent time on (area)." Alot of my clients do want extra time in certain areas, usually the back. After spending that extra time I'll ask where they'd like to focus for the rest of the massage or if they're OK with me doing a condensed version of my massage on the rest of their body. I'd love to know how we're minimizing complaints through communication or if anyone has other methods.

I feel this is one of the most important messages students can receive. Certain massage therapists are extremely resistant to this idea, which is like arguing with gravity. I get it. I too have an ego and want to be everyone's favorite, but at best that's silly and at worst it's dangerous to your body and mind. You can be the most accommodating, empathetic, kind, ethical therapist. You can even hurt yourself and kill your longevity working beyond what your body can safely execute trying to please everyone and guess what? Some people will still prefer a different therapist making it all in vain and causing you pain and a shortened career. I love me some boundaried massage therapists and hope my students will become that.

Listen to me, folks. I knew someone personally who was 1099-ing employees. Anyway, someone reported her (I believe to the IRS but don't quote me).and after paying over 40k in fines she never did that again. 🫢 These people need to LOSE THE INCENTIVE to missclassify workers. Report or keep supporting an exploitative environment for LMT's.

How does that work? Does it create issues? Given that I'm not one to give incredibly deep pressure, probably 97% of my massages are on women. I kind of prefer that so I do empathize with these therapists yet I just can't imagine outright refusing someone based on that..but I sure would like to because I strongly prefer working on women. How does it even work?

Seriously though.

Share away! Online trainings are ideal. I love being able to stop and start, rewatch and review notes, etc.

Massage definitely requires evergy and focus, but is it only me who doesn't feel massage is very demanding if you take care of your body and work within your capacity? i know for example I can't do more than 4 max per day. Also, from day one I've never offered very deep pressure and was comfortable with the fact I wasn't going to be the LMT for everyone. I have focused on Prenatal, and Swedish, lymphatic. What other styles should I add to my repertoire to keep this work sustainable and fulfilling, while avoiding the burnout I hear of from some therapists.

I have some people who want a Swedish style back massage and then we pop them over into supine and do the lymphatic. It's an abbreviated version but people seem to like it! I don't know about anyone else but I get alot of people who are totally wanting lymphatic as a trend, not everyone who books it but for sure some. They're surprised when I explain how it works and the way it's done.

Why do many Mormons who seem average at best, carry with them a certain seemingly unrealistic confidence which sometimes crosses over into arrogance? My theory is being good with money has given them confidence even though they're otherwise seeming unexceptional and kind of phony. A noticable number are this way. I'm trying not to stereotype but I am speaking from experience, and haven't come upon such an extreme of this within any other community.

There's a weird wall up there that I've not experienced elsewhere. Also, what's with the scheduling every second of everyday. My husband and I were joking that they probably schedule sex.

Have they been conditioned out of their capacity normal human relations?

I don't know why I'm discussing them, it's the effect being around that mentality for over a year has affected me that concerns me.

I feel odd discussing this with anyone in my life, but the truth is I think living there rewired my brain, and not in a good way. I'm not delusional or anything like that. I just feel different..less warm and receptive to others than I once was. I wasn't prepared for or accustomed to that level of isolation my husband and I experienced. We have been out for about six months and I feel unbelievably cautious over people and avoidant of them. I know in a logical sense that most people aren't weird and detached like Utah Mormons, but it's like I see the potential for that in everyone I cross. It's like...am I ever coming back?