Why I Love Chair Massage
by Patrick Carroll, LMT
Patrick Carroll, LMT
I started writing this article about 84 times. I couldn’t decide which direction I wanted to go. Should I write about the benefits of chair massage or its use in the work place, at parties and sporting events? There were so many ideas that I couldn’t make up my mind. So I did what every red blooded man does….I slept on it! I couldn’t believe I was stressing out about massage! I decided to put on some relaxation music, close my eyes and clear my head. Well, you know what happened, two hours later I woke up with a much clearer head. I still had no idea what to write about, but I had a clearer head!
Suddenly, it hit me why chair massage is such an important part of my life. Eight years ago one of my first professional massage experiences was a very intense chair massage event that ran for several weeks. This was an experiment for a company that wanted to see how chair massage would be received and used by the public. I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time when this opportunity knocked. I was the
first to respond to an ad posted at my old massage school, and I was invited in for an interview.
I tried to be confident and professional because I really wanted to make a good impression. The meeting started off with me showing them how a quick 5-10 minute chair massage will help ease muscle tension. I explained how chair massage is a fast and effective way to help reduce stress and the negative effects of repetitive movement jobs by easing aching muscles, while helping boost your immune system. They agreed that less stress and relaxed muscles would help improve concentration and productivity. I must have done something right because at the end of the interview I was offered a handshake and a contract!
Little did I know this would be a baptism by fire. On opening day of the event I was stationed in a lounge area with decent exposure to a good number of people. I set up my brand new massage chair and the few supplies I thought I would need. My head was racing with thousands of thoughts, questions and doubts. Then I realized, this is the first time many people will experience a massage, and this first impression must be positive, beneficial and leave them wanting more. So I calmed myself, took a deep breath and said, here we go….
As the first hour went by a lot of people smiled, looked puzzled or waved, but nobody would stop and sit in the chair. What was I doing wrong? I was neat, clean and friendly. What else could I do? The next person that came in was a nice woman who smiled, and before I knew what I was saying, I asked her if she would please help me. I told her I needed a model so people could see what chair massage looked like and that there would be no charge. I also offered to buy her coffee. She said she would be glad to help but had one question. She slept funny and had a stiff neck, would this help? I assured her it would. I asked her some questions about her health and then showed her how to get on the chair. I stood before her, said a very short prayer and began. I’ll never forget what that first chair massage felt like. It wasn’t the best I have given, but it is my most memorable. People started to watch, and then formed a line. I had to find paper for a sign up sheet! They started asking questions like, “will this help my back?” and “can this help with my neck and headaches?” I was getting really excited because I knew that I was going to be able to help them! When I finished her massage she turned to me and said, “You’re better than any drug I’ve ever taken”. Even now I still believe this was one of my greatest compliments.
That first day turned into a marathon of massage. I was exhausted and sore but very happy. I soaked my arms, hands and feet and started thinking about the next day. I began pouring over every piece of information I could find on the body mechanics of chair massage so I would not burn out. With each day and each massage I learned a little more of what worked best in chair massage including contact, pressure, techniques and how to listen to the tissues even through clothing. I loved this! I also realized I could not do this alone so I started calling friends I had met at school to recruit some help.
This has now become an annual event for me that I look forward to with great anticipation. I have 12 to 14 fellow massage therapists who I am able to provide work for and work with each day. I love the people I meet and the service I provide. Could I be any luckier?
Suddenly, it hit me why chair massage is such an important part of my life. Eight years ago one of my first professional massage experiences was a very intense chair massage event that ran for several weeks. This was an experiment for a company that wanted to see how chair massage would be received and used by the public. I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time when this opportunity knocked. I was the
first to respond to an ad posted at my old massage school, and I was invited in for an interview.
I tried to be confident and professional because I really wanted to make a good impression. The meeting started off with me showing them how a quick 5-10 minute chair massage will help ease muscle tension. I explained how chair massage is a fast and effective way to help reduce stress and the negative effects of repetitive movement jobs by easing aching muscles, while helping boost your immune system. They agreed that less stress and relaxed muscles would help improve concentration and productivity. I must have done something right because at the end of the interview I was offered a handshake and a contract!
Little did I know this would be a baptism by fire. On opening day of the event I was stationed in a lounge area with decent exposure to a good number of people. I set up my brand new massage chair and the few supplies I thought I would need. My head was racing with thousands of thoughts, questions and doubts. Then I realized, this is the first time many people will experience a massage, and this first impression must be positive, beneficial and leave them wanting more. So I calmed myself, took a deep breath and said, here we go….
As the first hour went by a lot of people smiled, looked puzzled or waved, but nobody would stop and sit in the chair. What was I doing wrong? I was neat, clean and friendly. What else could I do? The next person that came in was a nice woman who smiled, and before I knew what I was saying, I asked her if she would please help me. I told her I needed a model so people could see what chair massage looked like and that there would be no charge. I also offered to buy her coffee. She said she would be glad to help but had one question. She slept funny and had a stiff neck, would this help? I assured her it would. I asked her some questions about her health and then showed her how to get on the chair. I stood before her, said a very short prayer and began. I’ll never forget what that first chair massage felt like. It wasn’t the best I have given, but it is my most memorable. People started to watch, and then formed a line. I had to find paper for a sign up sheet! They started asking questions like, “will this help my back?” and “can this help with my neck and headaches?” I was getting really excited because I knew that I was going to be able to help them! When I finished her massage she turned to me and said, “You’re better than any drug I’ve ever taken”. Even now I still believe this was one of my greatest compliments.
That first day turned into a marathon of massage. I was exhausted and sore but very happy. I soaked my arms, hands and feet and started thinking about the next day. I began pouring over every piece of information I could find on the body mechanics of chair massage so I would not burn out. With each day and each massage I learned a little more of what worked best in chair massage including contact, pressure, techniques and how to listen to the tissues even through clothing. I loved this! I also realized I could not do this alone so I started calling friends I had met at school to recruit some help.
This has now become an annual event for me that I look forward to with great anticipation. I have 12 to 14 fellow massage therapists who I am able to provide work for and work with each day. I love the people I meet and the service I provide. Could I be any luckier?