ARE YOU A TEACHER?

Then read this article just for fun (Or Frustration)

 

Are you a teacher of Massage Therapy? If so, I wanted to share some of the things that drive me crazy as I work with students, both in the program where I teach, and when I work with students in continuing education classes.

So here are a few of my Pet Peeves AND Things that Drive Me Crazy as a Teacher:

1 – The therapist asks the client “HOW’S MY PRESSURE?” Who is the professional? Most clients, especially the first timers, will have no idea what their response should be to this question, so they respond with: “It’s Okay?” Think about it, did you really find out what you wanted to know? You are supposed to be the professional, so ask the question as a professional. Maybe ask: “Is the pressure I am using Uncomfortable at all? If so, please let me know. We can also experiment with more or less, if you would like.”

 

2 –  Textbooks that recommend that you ask a whole bunch of questions, but never tell you what to do with the answers. Example: Asking the client when they hurt themselves. What if the answer is 2 days ago, 2 weeks ago, 2 years ago, or 2 decades ago? Would you know how to follow up on each example of client response? And if so, how would you respond?

3 –  Textbooks that tell you what to look for when reading a posture, but do not tell you what to do with the information. Example: Look to see if one shoulder is higher than the other. OK, so one is higher than the other, NOW WHAT? Is the higher one the real problem, or is the other one actually lower? How do you know?

 

4 –  Teachers/textbooks that teach students to ask questions that are not really that important when doing an assessment. Example: Therapist to client, “Are you taking any medications?” Client to therapist, “Yes, I am taking Viagra.” OK therapist, now what? You asked the question. Or what about: “What do you do for a living?” Answer: “I sell drugs.” That question really told us a lot. Ask questions so you get to the point. “Are you taking any medication for this problem?” If they say yes, ask them what they are taking, AND if it seems to be helping. You will be amazed at the number of people taking drugs that don’t help, but they think it is suppose to help. Marketing – Great stuff! You should ask about other meds being taken, but chances are good you will not know what the drug is for, or how it might impact your treatment. So you will need to find out. My suggestion, if you don’t know, Google it, if from the client. You will be amazed at how much respect you will gain in the client’s eyes, if you show you are truly concerned about their care and massage. As for the “What do you do for a living”, the question should be, “Is there anything you do on your job that makes your symptoms better or worse?”.

 

5 –  Business classes that never teach a student or recent graduate HOW TO ASK FOR A PAYMENT if they are expected to ask for it. Therapists are also business people, so the business end of the profession is very important. When asking for money, there is the shy way, and the “My treatment is worth every penny I charge” way. The way someone asks for payment is vital to growth in a practice. You should always ask in a matter-of-fact, confident manner, regarding payment. I recommend you say, “That will ONLY be $65, today.” Believe in yourself and your work.

 

As you can see, we teach things because that is how we were taught, or what a textbook tells us; but we don’t use our own experience enough. So teachers, all I ask, is that before you start teaching your students something from a book, be sure the information is how things work in the real world.

By Mike Hovi