No Hands Massage (again!)
I spent the weekend giving/receiving loads of massage on the No Hands Massage introductory course, which was both fascinating and great fun. Hi to anyone I met there who might be on here - and sorry I missed you to anyone else!
Now that I've had time to reflect on the weekend - and already tried out the massage to some effect - I was wondering what success other HP people have had with NHM. I know there have been previous threads on this, butlittle solid evidence in them of commercial success. Any thoughts?
Answers:
I've had very good successs using NHM in my practice, always positive feedback and some excellent comments. One regular who has had hundreds of massages around the world described it as the best massage she had ever had. There are many therapists who are building successfull practices using just NHM. They key for me is that clients are returning for treatments.
The Foundation / Transforming Touch course does give you an excellent set of movements to integrate into your massage work. The newer TT course also gives you some routines you can use as a treatment.
I know several therapists who have completed the TT course and are now offering NHM routines / treatments in their practice. I would caution those who have done the TT course to be very careful about offering a combine No Hands / traditional techniques treatment. For an effective No Hands massage the table is usually noticeably lower, too low for more traditional swedish based strokes. This could lead to back pain / problems.
The Practitioner Course does give you the rest of the movements to put together some amazing treatments, however the jump in cost between TT and Practitioner is very big so please don't rush into it - take you time and ensure you feel the investment is worth it, in No Hands speak follow your Hara. I'd also suggest you get together with others that have done it to find out more about the movements you will learn and to experience a full No Hands massage.
Mat
Answers:
That echoes exactly what I was going to say.
Since doing NHM, I have changed from a practice made up of largely non-returning clients, to a practice made up of 90% clients that rebook at their session - and turn up for their next appointment.
Even clients that stated that they wanted remedial massage during their consultation (which I do not do) have become regulars.
I still do not have a practice large enough to allow me to give up work elsewhere, but it is growing and clients really enjoy it.
Answers:
Thanks for that, Mat and Trow - that's what I needed to know. How many of the courses have you done, Trow? At the moment it would be hard to justify spending another £700 on the second course.
My wife - the guinea pig - already seemsto be a convert to the Back to Basics NHM massage. But you're definitely right, Mat - my table is at its lowest level for these massages, and it's goingto be a pain constantly adjusting it up and down!
Any other experiences, positive or negative?
Answers:
I am an advanced practitioner, same as Mat. I did all the courses in one year, but from a financial perspective, it was tough going - especially as I had to travel from one end of the UK to the other just about!
For me the courses were a great investment, and although I probably haven't made my money back on them yet (different reasons - fledgling business and a broken wrist in the middle of it all), it wasn't only an investment in being able to do the best massage I can and get the clients coming back, it was also an investment in me - the courses are inspirational on different levels, and I am a better person for having done them.
A lot is said about the 'no hands family' on these courses, and despite in some ways it sounding a bit 'twee' its actually very real. On these courses I found friendship and support, and have given friendship and support, in a very real, honest way that sometimes is lacking in society as it is today. Support without judgement, I guess. We laughed and cried together, and formed bonds with a strength that defies the actual amount of time spent together.
Or then again, maybe its just me!
Answers:
Thanks for that, Angela (just looked at your very nice website - Sinclair is my middle name, a family name). I can believe what you say about travelling costs. I once, many years ago,inquired about travelling to Shetland for the fiddle festival, and discovered that a weekend there would probably cost about the same as a month in Australia!
I must admit I'd be tempted to spend the money on the other courses just as an investment in myself, as you say. Unfortunately, with two teenage daughters, "myself" is sadly not much of a priority in our household!
Answers:
It's a really good massage to do....and receive.
I feel though that you have to be very careful to market it as the term 'no hands' conjures up all sorts of connotations.
A colleague of mine does advertise it as 'no hands' but has had little success regarding financial gain.
I would use it as additional techniques to a normally advertised massage - the client doesn't know the difference - it's the therapist that notices the benefits more from these techniques.
Answers:
I'm really interested in NHM. Can you tell me where I can find a good course? I have a few DVDs - for instance forearm dance - which looks like an amazing treatment, and I'd love to start offering NHM
Now that I've had time to reflect on the weekend - and already tried out the massage to some effect - I was wondering what success other HP people have had with NHM. I know there have been previous threads on this, butlittle solid evidence in them of commercial success. Any thoughts?
Answers:
I've had very good successs using NHM in my practice, always positive feedback and some excellent comments. One regular who has had hundreds of massages around the world described it as the best massage she had ever had. There are many therapists who are building successfull practices using just NHM. They key for me is that clients are returning for treatments.
The Foundation / Transforming Touch course does give you an excellent set of movements to integrate into your massage work. The newer TT course also gives you some routines you can use as a treatment.
I know several therapists who have completed the TT course and are now offering NHM routines / treatments in their practice. I would caution those who have done the TT course to be very careful about offering a combine No Hands / traditional techniques treatment. For an effective No Hands massage the table is usually noticeably lower, too low for more traditional swedish based strokes. This could lead to back pain / problems.
The Practitioner Course does give you the rest of the movements to put together some amazing treatments, however the jump in cost between TT and Practitioner is very big so please don't rush into it - take you time and ensure you feel the investment is worth it, in No Hands speak follow your Hara. I'd also suggest you get together with others that have done it to find out more about the movements you will learn and to experience a full No Hands massage.
Mat
Answers:
That echoes exactly what I was going to say.
Since doing NHM, I have changed from a practice made up of largely non-returning clients, to a practice made up of 90% clients that rebook at their session - and turn up for their next appointment.
Even clients that stated that they wanted remedial massage during their consultation (which I do not do) have become regulars.
I still do not have a practice large enough to allow me to give up work elsewhere, but it is growing and clients really enjoy it.
Answers:
Thanks for that, Mat and Trow - that's what I needed to know. How many of the courses have you done, Trow? At the moment it would be hard to justify spending another £700 on the second course.
My wife - the guinea pig - already seemsto be a convert to the Back to Basics NHM massage. But you're definitely right, Mat - my table is at its lowest level for these massages, and it's goingto be a pain constantly adjusting it up and down!
Any other experiences, positive or negative?
Answers:
I am an advanced practitioner, same as Mat. I did all the courses in one year, but from a financial perspective, it was tough going - especially as I had to travel from one end of the UK to the other just about!
For me the courses were a great investment, and although I probably haven't made my money back on them yet (different reasons - fledgling business and a broken wrist in the middle of it all), it wasn't only an investment in being able to do the best massage I can and get the clients coming back, it was also an investment in me - the courses are inspirational on different levels, and I am a better person for having done them.
A lot is said about the 'no hands family' on these courses, and despite in some ways it sounding a bit 'twee' its actually very real. On these courses I found friendship and support, and have given friendship and support, in a very real, honest way that sometimes is lacking in society as it is today. Support without judgement, I guess. We laughed and cried together, and formed bonds with a strength that defies the actual amount of time spent together.
Or then again, maybe its just me!
Answers:
Thanks for that, Angela (just looked at your very nice website - Sinclair is my middle name, a family name). I can believe what you say about travelling costs. I once, many years ago,inquired about travelling to Shetland for the fiddle festival, and discovered that a weekend there would probably cost about the same as a month in Australia!
I must admit I'd be tempted to spend the money on the other courses just as an investment in myself, as you say. Unfortunately, with two teenage daughters, "myself" is sadly not much of a priority in our household!
Answers:
It's a really good massage to do....and receive.
I feel though that you have to be very careful to market it as the term 'no hands' conjures up all sorts of connotations.
A colleague of mine does advertise it as 'no hands' but has had little success regarding financial gain.
I would use it as additional techniques to a normally advertised massage - the client doesn't know the difference - it's the therapist that notices the benefits more from these techniques.
Answers:
I'm really interested in NHM. Can you tell me where I can find a good course? I have a few DVDs - for instance forearm dance - which looks like an amazing treatment, and I'd love to start offering NHM