This month I interviewed Rick A. Johnson, a nationally recognized massage therapy trainer and author of the book Healing Arts Handbook. In the past I have talked about promotion and marketing, but we all know referrals and repeat business are the best way to build a massage therapy practice. With this in mind, I asked Rick how massage therapists can grow their business by enhancing their skills. His advice was to take massage therapy appointments beyond a relaxation massage to a therapeutic session. Rick stated, "If you really work through problems and help clients feel better they are not only going to schedule regular appointments, they are going to refer their friends and family."

Rick's point really hit a personal note with me. My father is the ultimate staunch ex-marine who does not believe in spoiling oneself and never "wastes" money. Why does he get massages religiously? Because after a life of hard work and a few injuries along the way, he experiences back pain and tension headaches that a good massage therapist can relieve. Massage for him is not a "treat." It is a treatment that improves the quality of his life!

I asked Rick how massage therapists find this type of customer. Rick's response was interesting, "most of us experience pain and dysfunction through participation in sports, gardening or just every day activities and stress." In other words, it is not who, but what is the pain or issues your clients experience, what caused the pain, where do they feel the pain, and when does the pain occur. Because of this, massage therapists can genuinely help the vast majority of people. Johnson explains, "Massage therapists need to ask the right questions and have a proven protocol for treating pain and dysfunction." In his book, Healing Arts Handbook, Johnson defines the Healing Arts Protocol ™ used to treat pain and dysfunction. Johnson feels that by following a protocol or procedure, therapists can help clients feel better and there business will grow as a natural result. To read more about the Healing Arts Protocol, check out the article, "A 10 Step Protocol for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork".

Read Complete Article


Product Suggestions

Healing Arts Handbook, Technique Flash Cards, and Anotomical Flash Cards Save when you buy all three! Handbook, Technique Flash Cards, and Anotomical Flash Cards Healing Arts Handbook by Rick Johnson, Pam Latterell, and Lyle Schlundt The Healing Arts Protocol integrates a vast array of Western and Eastern techniques for treatment of pain and injuries. Multiple modalities are now combined into a single, comprehensive and effective methodology. It includes hundreds of illustrations and photographs that help clarify and expand upon the text. Case studies are provided to show how concepts apply to the clinical practice and turn theory into reality. 218 full-color pages with extensive, detailed illustrations. Anatomical Flash Cards Flashcards designed to correlate directly with the Healing Arts Handbook. Movement illustrations to identify synergistic muscle groups associated pain, complete anatomy reference, and handy tool for explaining treatments to your clients. Sixty-six (66) full-color cards. Technique Flash Cards Flashcards designed to complement the Healing Arts Handbook. Great for quick tips and instruction. Shows full illustrations of trigger points, meridian points, acupressure points, therapeutic stretches, reflexology, muscular therapy techniques, and many other modalities. Forty-eight (48) full-color flashcards. more information Our Price: $98.50 Shipping: $5.00 Availability: In Stock more information Our Price: $0.00 Shipping: $0.00 Availability: In Stock Healing Arts Techniques Flashcards Great for quick tips and instruction. Shows full illustrations of triger points, meridian points, accupressure points, theraputic stretches, reflexology, muscular therapy techniques, and many other modalities. more information Our Price: $24.95 Shipping: $5.00 Availability: In Stock

more information Our Price: $0.00 Shipping: $0.00 Availability: In Stock more information Our Price: $0.00 Shipping: $0.00 Availability: In Stock