As a massage therapist, your patients are your number one priority. You take pride in providing high-quality services which ease their pain and support their wellbeing. In order to offer your clients the best care, it is important to care of yourself first. From making time to stretch and rest to ensuring you are protected with massage therapist insurance, here are our top self-care tips for massage therapists.
Warm Up
Before you start your day’s work, it is a good idea to prepare your mind and body. Massage therapy is a very hands-on job so it is necessary to keep fit, for yourself and your patients. Starting your morning with a simple yoga sequence or short walk is an easy way to warm up your muscles and get energised. You may wish to include some relaxing meditation too – remember that your mental health is as important as your physical health. There are a variety of free applications available online that can walk you through a meditation.
Doing some light stretches before and in-between patients is also beneficial. In particular, stretching your arms, finger joints and shoulder muscles is key as these parts of the body are most used by massage therapists. Warming up in this way will reduce the likelihood of injury, improve your range of motion and enhance the quality of the treatment you can provide your clients. Try implementing a 5-minute stretching routine at the beginning of your day and during your breaks and see the difference it makes!
Reset
Having adequate down time is important in any career, but especially important for massage therapists. Appling pressure to people’s bodies using your own hands and arms, day in and day out, can take its toll. In addition, massage therapists often work long hours and on weekends. Ensure you schedule in sufficient time to rest and recuperate. If you are not operating at your best, the quality of your services may be compromised.
This may take the form of spacing out your appointments to leave half an hour in-between clients, or dedicating Sundays to be a day off work – whatever best suits your business and your personal needs. You may be finding it difficult to get eight hours of sleep each night whilst running your own small business. Relaxing practices such as journaling or reading a book before bed can help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed. Also, remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day! Staying hydrated will boost your mood and energy levels.
Cool Down
Did you know that cooling down is as important as warming up? At the end of the day, make sure you take the time to reset your body. Stretching after exercise has been proven to increase flexibility and limit the potential for sore muscles. Self-massage or using massage tools can also be included!
When it comes to your profession, comfort is paramount, and will allow you to treat as many clients as possible. Massage therapy requires significant strength and endurance, so make cooling down part of your everyday routine. A well-planned cool down routine will help prepare you for the next day and maintain your long-term physical health.
Get Protected
A critical component of self-care is peace of mind. As a massage therapist, many people visit your premises, and you provide advice to help improve their health and wellbeing. What would happen if you accidentally made an error which led to a negligence claim, or if a client fell over and became injured?
Take comfort in knowing you are protected with massage therapist insurance. From covering your business assets to shielding your reputation, insurance for massage therapists is designed to help you relax, whilst you provide the same for your customers.
This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording.
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