(Part 2) Best products from r/massage

First, you will have better search results if you don't look for "couples massage" as this term usually applies to a couple receiving simultaneous massages in the same room.

Second, a Registered or Licensed Massage Therapist may or may not be certified to teach massage, but that doesn't mean you should rule them out. If you find a therapist you like, someone who you like receiving work from, they may be happy to give you a lesson. You're not looking for a full education here, just some pointers. If one of my clients asked, I'd probably charge them a comparable price to what I charge for a massage now.

Last, if you're looking to make it a more sensual experience, well, us pros kind of try to eliminate the sexual component. You may find better advice from an instructional DVD like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sensual-Massage-Made-Simple-DVD/dp/0974853585

I would consider something like this PODillow Face Down Beach Pillow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPG7B3A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3eBpzbEC1YBE6

I've purchased a number of used massage tables over the years. One is a $600 table that I found at a pawn shop for $80. So, I get that you're just looking for a way to make your recipient more comfortable without making any major investments - a used massage table can be surprisingly affordable, more comfortable for your recipient and far more comfortable for you as you can set it to a height that allows you to stand and lean comfortably without overworking your back, legs or shoulders. Good luck!

I don't know about tops, but I really, really like my Dickies Scrub pants. They're very comfortable, have held up for nearly a year with no sign of wearing down, clean easily, and can be worn in pretty much any situation. They don't really look too specifically like scrubs, so they're versatile.

As for tables, I have an oakworks table. It came with my tuition and it seems a decent quality. I like it, but haven't really shopped around for tables sense I feel more or less set for the moment.

Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist, is that what you mean? What sort of self care are you talking about?

I don't know of any books or packages of information describing specific self care techniques for therapists, but maybe there is one out there. I just use the knowledge I have attained over the years and apply it to what I do, and what I need to fix with myself - and what I help my clients with.

Having knowledge and having awareness in nutrition, physiology, anatomy, remedial exercises/kinesiology ect. is all very important.. I could list text books which pertain to these areas, but I highly doubt you'd want to spend the money or time haha D:

There are some good stretching books out there here is one for example - I was told to buy one similar to it when I was in school, but I never did :s

If you know all the muscle oia's of the body, you shouldn't need a stretch book. This is a good book for a muscle visualization

if you are wanting to become a massage therapist though, I recommend you go to a reputable college and take the course, even if your area isn't regulated or not. It's totally worth it.

That is an excellent question! I also have found that working barefoot has worked the best for my body during seasons and have yet to find a comfortable, orthopedic shoe that works as well as my own body. However, I noticed several months ago that I started having pain in the tops of my feet especially near the big toe, similar pain patterns to tendinitis and seasmoiditis. I realized that during sessions while barefoot, I was leaning up on my “tip toes”, essentially over extending the muscles and tendons in my right foot. So what did I do to resolve this? Firstly, I bought gel pads that have support for the metatarsals-the brand I bought on Amazon is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07NTZK7JY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title . This helped with my acute pain and I noticed a decrease of about 75% within the first week! Secondly, I started by being more mindful during sessions to keep my feet planted firmly and not balance on my toes. This helps with the chronic pain and keeps the tendinitis from flaring up again. I also bought “yoga socks” that I wear over my foot pads-they have extra support and grips on the bottom, to keep you from slipping while planting your feet. Hope this helps!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GFSVI2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GMMyCbB6D8Z2T

Wellness Formula is amazing, I highly recommend it. It’s got all the vitamins and minerals that you and others have mentioned, plus more. You can take it as a daily dose which honestly sounds like would be good for you at least during the winter, and then the back of the bottle recommends, I believe, tripling it if you start feeling another virus coming on. Maybe even amp up the dose if you are around a coworker or client you suspect to be sick, too.

I had this issue back when I used to teach in preschool so I totally know where you’re coming from, and hope this helps!!

I really enjoy my rose quartz tools. The little mushroom shaped one is fantastic thumb-replacement-- it's even sold separately and would be the thing to get imo. The rest are thick and sturdy enough to use in a variety of ways. They're lovely when heated. I use the mushroom and the rounded v-shaped one the most in daily work; they really don't need much more than the weight of my hand to be effective.

I don't know about the MBLEx, but Orthopedic Physical Assessment by McGee, and Clinical Massage Therapy by Fiona Rattray are fantastic. Grey's anatomy is always excellent for another anatomy reference if you need it, and the Netter Atlas and flashcards is what saves my butt time and time again.

Even if you don't need those books for your exams, they fantastic references to have in practice.

I recently purchased these on Amazon and they’ve worked out really well: Utopia Bedding Fitted Sheet (Pack of 6, Twin, White) Deep Pocket Brushed Velvety Microfiber, Breathable, Soft - Comfortable - Wrinkle, Fade, Stain - Abrasion Resistant - Hotel Quality - Durable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XK9C4RK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NRcYCbPM49PXA
They sell the top sheets too. And I buy thrift store sheets too. Twin sheets will fit your table just fine. Good luck!

Cheap bulk classical:

• The 99 Most Essential Relaxing Classics
  
• 99 Must-Have Chillout Classics
  
• The Greatest Classical Music Ever! 50 Best Relaxing Classical
  
  Lhasa:
  
  
• La Llorona
  
• The Living Road
  
• Lhasa
  
  Ambient 1/Music For Airports by Brian Eno

Yes! These are the absolute Bible of trigger point therapy. They're pretty expensive, but they go muscle by muscle and show you the trigger point locations, where they refer, the effects of the trigger point, exactly how to deactivate them, and ways to prevent them from flaring up again. If you can afford them (Vol 1 is upper body, Vol 2 is lower), they are wonderful.

If the cost is prohibitive, an Amazon search will give you a lot of options. There are everything from wall charts, small booklets, pamphlets, notebooks, to giant tomes.

I don't always know the precise referrals (it's a lot of material) but if I'm finding an area where I feel like I'm spending too much time and not making much progress, that's usually a sign I'm not working efficiently and should look for the real source elsewhere. Good ones to memorize are one in the triceps that affects the front of the shoulder, there's a big trigger point in the quads that tends to release a lot of nearby ones, and there are a couple of major ones in the pecs and biceps that are like off-switches for muscle tension.

Haha, yes I do. I’ve been a RMT for 25 years, this summer. Best career choice ever. I use Bon Vital Muscle Therapy Lotion. All my clients absolutely love the scent. My room smells amazing between my lotion and the Mrs Myers Basil floor cleaner I use.
I prefer the lotion over the creme that they sell. The lotion has just the right amount of drag without being too slippery.

I have one of these, but I really only use it occasionally. If you use your thumb a lot though it could be worth it. Sometimes it's hard to know how well a tool will work for you until you try it. I have a couple of tools I love but I've also passed a few on to other therapists since they weren't what I needed. My favorite tool has been one similar to this one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DFDXT3O/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=1417630334&sr=8-8&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

It's all about a mix of business for me. I work at two different spas, do some corporate chair massage, and private clients. I've done work through soothe and honestly, I didn't think it was worth my time when they dropped the rate paid to the therapists by $10. So I haven't used the app again since that. With travel time, gas, laundry, etc, it wasn't worth it.

I suggest finding an Equinox and working there. If you do well and maintain a good client base, you get paid really well. I average $55-$60 a massage hour with tips after about 6 months of working there. Plus at a spa, you can stack clients and not have to worry about travel time and other expenses. I have another chill spa where I just get to sit around and wait for clients. Try to find a spa that pays you to be there whether or not you have clients.

Zeel pays really well, so if you are down for the traveling, I'd give them a try before Soothe.

I used this study guide and crushed a 790. Mblex study guide

My pleasure to help, believe me!

As with most things, exactly the sort of effect doing both of these things is going to have on you is dependent on you as a person and the way you climb and practice. You're right that using gloves tends to make climbing more difficult - you strike me as less of a casual climber than I am, and so perhaps you could find another solution.

Regular moisturizing might do the trick. Maybe manicures, if they have a service that helps with callouses - I don't have experience with manicures, so it's hard for me to say. You could try something yourself like a pumice rock to see if you could maintain the callouses themselves, but perhaps keep them smooth so that they don't scrape on your client's skin when you're working.

I would also suggest asking your teachers and your classmates these things when you begin working. They can give you direct, personal feedback on how your hands feel. But, as far as your original question, even when I was climbing every other day, I had no problems doing massage as well. Just take good care of yourself, and take a little time off from the climbing or go up easier routes if you start hurting, perhaps.

I use Eagle Creek's Clean/Dirty packing cubes...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F9S8FZA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ya5zCbG86GJBE

I pack I bath towel, set of sheets, face cradle cover and a hand towel. Anything I don't use stays on the clean side and used linens go on the dirty. The dirty side is plastic lined so it keeps the funk in. I keep a few of them stocked and ready to go.

If you want to go a little cheaper you could use regular packing cubes, but by using the dirty/clean your clean side is always clean (you don't have to launder the cubes as often.) If you don't take towels, you may be able to fit the sheets into a half cube.