FAQ's - Do We Massage Our Partners?
Posted on 3rd October 2022
One question we get asked a lot is “do you get asked for massages by your partners at home?” This is a common question from our customers. The quick answer is yes, but the long answer is a little more complicated.
Now, I assume the family doctor or hairstylist feels the same way. Whether we're talking about massage therapists or sports therapists, our services are always in high demand, both in and out of the clinic, and it's only because of our compassion that we're able to help everyone who comes to us. We've all gone to events like weddings and parties where complete strangers ask if something is wrong with their back or shoulder, and yes, some of us have even tried to help between drinks!
What we do for love
My partner works a desk job, and as a result, he suffers from the all too common back and neck problems that accompany any job that needs extensive computer use. His headache and neck pain never seems to go away. In addition, he periodically experiences a dull, occasionally severe twinge aches located in the area between his shoulder blades. Tightness and knots in the muscles here are often the result of poor posture and chronic stress on these areas.
Often he’ll say “can you just..” or “will you please…” When I ask if he’s been taking breaks from sitting, or tried the stretches and exercise I showed him, it’s always “I forgot”. When I ask where the pain is, the response is always "everywhere". Either way, it always ends up the same; my partner lying on the therapy table and me administering treatment while reminding him of the stretches he should do.
Family values…
Referring back to the family doctor or hairdresser, there is one group of people who can get away with favours outside of the realm of the partner, and that is the family.
Whether you're a massage or sports therapist, you should always be ready for this group. At any get-together, birthday or otherwise, you will encounter the same situations: the partner offering your free services to her cousins, anecdotes of family members' bad experiences with physios, and ultimately, and my favourite of all, the uncle who limps past you four times hoping you catch his eye and start a conversation about his knee.
All of our therapists have been approached with similar scenarios, and their standard response has been, "Of course, we'll take a look." It's because as therapists, we realise that everyone has something bothering them, whether it's minor or major, and we'll always do what we can to assist. Although, the fourth cousin twice removed is where I draw the line.
Why do we do it?
All of this has a moral and a purpose: to demonstrate that we treat our partners, which is a given even after a long day of meeting with clients, but also to stress that we do not draw the line there. A lot of this is like what we do in the treatment rooms; we're continuously looking for ways to improve and provide more for our patients.
We value our customers and take pleasure in helping them feel better. Whatever it is that you need, from diagnosis to therapy to guidance, we can provide it. I have only listed therapists, doctors, and hairstylists as occupations that friends and family members ask for help from, but I'm sure the list is much longer.
If this sounds like something you've experienced, we'd love to hear about the people you've helped and how you did it. Leave a comment and tell us about it.
Want some advice about learning how to become a qualified massage therapist? Get in touch today.
Share this post: