What do you specialize in?

[jacqueline]

Lately, I am leaning on the warm bamboo massage..my clients are loving it and I get excited when I get requests for them because for me they are fun to do! But I also like doing Hot Stone and pregnancy massage..

[magichands]

wow No Watsu???

[stonegirl]

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Ashi-Thai is my main focus. Also do alot of LaStone, and Massage Cupping.

[pmflmt]

One of my most recent obsessions in continuing education has brought me to the interesting modality of massage cupping bodywork. There are many applications for this versatile modality I use it daily. Here is some general background info for those of you that would like more information.
http://www.terraorganicspa.com/cupping_syracuse.html
Massage Cupping Therapy – A Brief Overview

· When it started - Cupping has been said to have been around for thousands of years. This ancient practice used largely by the Chinese became widely used throughout the world in the 1800’s.

· What it has been used for - Cupping has been used for a variety of pain, illness, and disease. Some of these ailments include pain, fever, menstruation problems, vertigo, decrease in appetite, and other areas of sickness in which healing was needed.

· How massage cupping therapy works – According to the Chinese, massage cupping therapy works by dispelling blood and chi that have been blocked or stagnant. Chi is known as the life force that is in all living beings. Most cultures believe in a type of energy or life force that drives us all, so whatever you may call it, massage cupping helps to distribute that throughout your body and work toward healing and balance.

· Evolving methods – Methods used in massage cupping therapy have changed here and there depending on culture and experience. Even the cups used have changed. In ancient times some of the first cups used were animal horns and bamboo. Today glass cups are used.

· How it suctions – A glass cup is applied to the skin and then the air is sucked out of the cup (sometimes the cup is heated) and the pressure inside the cup is reduced. There is usually a small hand pumped attached to the cup which enables the therapist to suction out the air. The skin and layer of superficial muscle are vacuumed into the cup and held there for around fifteen to twenty minutes during the massage cupping therapy. There will be some bruising around the area where the rim of the cup was held.

· How it moves – Since the cupping is done throughout the body and doesn’t just stay stationary, massage oil is used to help the class glide around on the skin. It’s especially useful and therapeutic to use warming oil since this also gives the skin an all over warm, relaxed feel. There are different techniques that are used within cupping therapy.

Used in conjunction with massage therapy, physical therapy, or other types of massage, massage cupping therapy will relax you to the very core of your body. The deep, warm glow that circulates throughout your body will relieve the stresses you had when you arrived and you’ll leave feeling invigorated and rejuvenated.

[Erik777]

Spa tech (formerly the polarity realization institute) provided me with my basic massage core and a core of APP level Polarity therapy. They also gave me some basics in positional release, NMT, myofascial, and reflexology. I intuitively integrate whatever I think will be of benefit to my client's massage. If I have a specialty it would be Acutonics(R) Sound Therapy. This technique uses tuning forks in place of acupuncture needles and I can move stuck energy, sedate or tonify points and meridians with them. See http://www.acutonics.com for more info.

[akashafive]

Other: Shiatsu. I even use it in my Swedish sessions along with cupping sometimes.

[Taoist]

I believe that specializing is a great thing

I like your view on specializing. To each their own of course, and right now my practice is extremely broad and versatile, doing a lot of Trigger Point Therapy. However, living in a very small area with quite a few therapists (what some would call a "saturated" market) has let me to ponder what exactly I would like to specialize in. The people here who specialize in Reflexology or CST and what-not have done very well because they've found something that sets them apart from other therapists, even though they still do other things such as Swedish and Deep-Tissue.

Since this topic is on specializing, I'd like to ask a question to everyone; how did you decide what to specialize in? Was it your experience receiving that modality? Your belief system? Research that has been done? I'm wanting to find that one thing that I love to do and that few other people can offer; I want to find my target market, my "niche" if you will, and I know that I could probably waste years and thousands of dollars in CE that I'm not going to use. I'm in my 5th year of practice and just feel like it's time to get more in depth in something... I just don't know what!

[pueppi]

Since this topic is on specializing, I'd like to ask a question to everyone; how did you decide what to specialize in? Was it your experience receiving that modality? Your belief system? Research that has been done? I'm wanting to find that one thing that I love to do and that few other people can offer; I want to find my target market, my "niche" if you will, and I know that I could probably waste years and thousands of dollars in CE that I'm not going to use. I'm in my 5th year of practice and just feel like it's time to get more in depth in something... I just don't know what!

I consider "neck work" my specialty, because I can easily spend an hour just on the neck. I could do the same just on the TMJ and associated regions too. But, I have an affinity to these areas because they are where I have always had the most difficulties (due to prior MVA's) and have always found it hard to find someone to do the work I need.

So, since I know it is hard to find someone to do that work and my hands are the right size, strength and fit for it; plus, I have the tendency to be point-specific and am comfortable doing the tedious work that is regularly needed for the regions... well, it makes sense.

Hope that helps to answer your question. As for choosing: I'd say find something you enjoy.

[eyesofblue]

I believe that specializing is a great thing

I'd like to ask a question to everyone; how did you decide what to specialize in? Was it your experience receiving that modality? Your belief system? Research that has been done? I'm wanting to find that one thing that I love to do and that few other people can offer; I want to find my target market, my "niche" if you will, and I know that I could probably waste years and thousands of dollars in CE that I'm not going to use. I'm in my 5th year of practice and just feel like it's time to get more in depth in something... I just don't know what!

I'm in a similar boat. My "style" so far is to incorporate what I have learned into each session, following my intuition and my hands. I'm in the process of learning Rossiter. I chose that because it is something I experienced and it did wonders for me. The training was local which is important for me, so it was convenient and I liked the instructor. It isn't the only thing I will learn, but it will add to my business. So, I think lots of things can add to a decision one makes about what to specialize in. Knowing what you like to receive in terms of bodywork, what you are drawn to, what you can afford, and whether you feel a connection to the people who teach that modality, the location and duration of training and how that fits into your life; are all things I consider when I choose a workshop/modality. However, that said, there is soooo much I want to learn still and I know I will continue to seek more education (one reason why I love this profession!)

[eyesofblue]

But, I have an affinity to these areas because they are where I have always had the most difficulties (due to prior MVA's) and have always found it hard to find someone to do the work I need.

I think this is natural, I too am interested in areas of the body where I need the work most and modalities I feel my body would benefit from receiving. I seek to understand my own body, how it functions or not and why and what will 'fix' it! I have heard too that people will be drawn to those who understand or have gone through a similar need to understand something. If you have figured it out at some level, people will intuitively know that.

[Taoist]

I think I finally figured it out. Looking through all my old school books, I came across my Russian Sports Massage manual and started having some intense flashback memories of how much I loved it! I couldn't believe that I had almost completely forgotten about it, I think just because I never really had the opportunity to practice it once I got out of school. I had also thought that in doing Russian sports massage, I had to work exclusively with athletes (which I have a significant amount of athletes in my private practice, but after volunteering at different sporting events, I didn't like that type of environment.)

Silly me. I actually already have an instructional DVD by Oleg Bouimer, and I'm planning on signing up for one of his seminars (http://www.owellnessglobal.com).

[TessKB]

Other: Hot Stone

[LisaG]

I specialize in craniosacral. I do have some clients that I see for general massage but the majority of clients come to me for CST. The advantages I see to specializing (and of course everyone's experience is different) - I'm known for something specific, I get referred to because I am known for something specific and I can charge more because people view me as an expert in something specific. Rightly or wrongly, people who are perceived as experts get paid more (granted, you have to be able to back it up or "expert" will only get you so far).

Whether you specialize in a specific population or a specific technique, I think it really helps to differentiate yourself.

[Taoist]

I specialize in craniosacral. I do have some clients that I see for general massage but the majority of clients come to me for CST. The advantages I see to specializing (and of course everyone's experience is different) - I'm known for something specific, I get referred to because I am known for something specific and I can charge more because people view me as an expert in something specific. Rightly or wrongly, people who are perceived as experts get paid more (granted, you have to be able to back it up or "expert" will only get you so far).

Whether you specialize in a specific population or a specific technique, I think it really helps to differentiate yourself.

There is only one CST practitioner in my area who has had extensive training and she is one of the busiest therapists I have ever known, even in my extremely small area.

[LisaG]

That's pretty cool Taoist! Thanks for sharing

[Lymphcenter]

I specialize in enhancing the flow of the lymphsystem - mainly using manual lymphdrainage. Other techniques are LLLT (laser) Lympha Press, deepbreathing exercise, MFR and more. Compression using bandaging or compressiongarments is not optimal care when you have a swelling somewhere on the body.

[Elliemare]

I specialize in craniosacral. I do have some clients that I see for general massage but the majority of clients come to me for CST. The advantages I see to specializing (and of course everyone's experience is different) - I'm known for something specific, I get referred to because I am known for something specific and I can charge more because people view me as an expert in something specific. Rightly or wrongly, people who are perceived as experts get paid more (granted, you have to be able to back it up or "expert" will only get you so far).

Whether you specialize in a specific population or a specific technique, I think it really helps to differentiate yourself.

I agree with you Lisa, I prefer to see therapists who specialize in a certain modality that I'm in need of because I hope that they are a specialist or "expert" in that technique. I also refer my own clients to therapists who specialize in something that I don't offer and I'm more likely to refer them to someone who is really known for something specific. I personally don't specialize in anything besides "massage". I tailor each session to meet the clients individual needs. I don't however, offer things like reflexology, CST, MFR, I would refer out to a "specialist" who is well known for practicing these types of techniques, if I had a client in need of such therapies. I've known too many jack of all trades and have not been impressed with them. I don't want to be one of those myself so I don't try to spread my techniques too thin. I focus on traditional massage techniques and pain relief (swedish, russian, esalen, sports, deep tissue and a little NMT) so I guess that is my "specialty"!

[mothernurture]

I agree that we shouldn't neccesarily limit ourselves to one type of massage. I say that I specialize in prenatal and infant massage. I also a doula. I absolutely LOVE working with pregnant women. They have so many physical aches and pains, and swollen legs, and circulation issues, etc. They REALLY benefit from having a good massage. And they realize that they are benefitting from it. That's important. I work in a nail salon and spa where most of my clients come in to "pamper" themselves, and that's how they view massage. These people are less likely to make appointments or re-book than people who value the health benefits, in my experience. I don't have that many prenatal clients, but I am so happy when I do. It just brightens my day to help out a mommy. Besides the physical complaints, there are a lot of emotional issues that come with pregnancy. It's so important for a pregnant woman let herself be nurtured and cared for, even for just 1 hour. Sometimes when I'm doing the abdominal massage, I feel the baby move and my heart melts. I'm so blessed to have even a small impact on this new life.

[ivylmt15]

I utilize a number of techniques, depending on my clients needs. I most often use a combination of Swedish and Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy, and Ashiatsu.

[Rozax]

Right now, my specialty is hands and feet. I'd say "reflexology", but that isn't entirely accurate. I use the reflexology methods to treat the feet and hands, because I know that one's feet will greatly affect their gait, which can make or break their back, and hands are largely taken for granted. Maybe I'll discover something in it for myself, but until then, I'm content with helping people stay on their feet.

[Ankur]

I specialize in Energy based deep tissue....two opposite ends of the spectrum! I am able to find the location of the knots and blocks through the Reiki and then use my tools to break down the tissue....finishing with a forearms and centering.

[kchamber]

I've been practicing and teaching MT for 20 years, specializing in Swedish, NMT/Deep Tissue and Pregnancy. I'm currently studying Somatic Experiencing, a body-awareness approach for working with trauma. It's completely changing the way I see what's going on with my clients and their patterns of tension and pain. I'd love to start a forum or group for more conversation about this. How would I do that?
Kristen Chamberlin, LMT
Northampton, MA
http://www.kristenchamberlin.com

[Convoluted]

A combination of Deep Tissue, Hot stone, Trigger Point and Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy...usually in the same session.
Otherwise it's the Deep Tissue, Hot Stone and Trigger Point session.

It's the Poo-Poo Platter!

[pueppi]

A combination of Deep Tissue, Hot stone, Trigger Point and Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy...usually in the same session.

YUM!

[Kempokid]

I specialize in the pain management technique called, "Rossiter".

This technique is very unique in that you use your body weight through your feet. Take off you hat as a massage therapist, get excited, be in control, and apply your body weight onto your client, Person in Charge (PIC). Deep Active Myofascial Release with movement is the key to putting space into the tissue and it's all done safely, effectively, and results are immediately.

On top of a great release the coach does NOT hurt themselves. The PIC is in control so them don't hurt themselves either.

I have had great success where most modalities fall short. Check it out and find your next Rossiter workshop.

By the way, I am a Senior Rossiter Instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Next workshop:
Feb. 5 and 12 Unit 1
March 11, 18, 25 Unit 2

510-366-9767
strategicbodywork@yahoo.com