By Cortney Philip

Aspiring massage therapists already know that what they do serves many mental and physical needs of clients. But understanding why a client seeks out a massage therapist to begin with means that you can better meet their expectations. Here are the main reasons why clients make appointments and what they hope to get out of the experience.

1. Clients with chronic pain use massage therapy.

While massage therapy is different from physical therapy, sometimes massage can help people deal with the effects of chronic pain. Chronic pain causes a great deal of stress and can also lead to stiffness from lack of movement. Massage therapy alleviates those symptoms.

2. Clients use massage therapy to help recover from surgery or an injury.

For folks who’ve just had surgery or are recovering from injury, massage therapy can help increase circulation to the injured area and speed up the healing process. Massage therapy is now being offered in some hospitals in conjunction with traditional treatments.

3. Clients get massages to help cope with stressful situations.

Whether they’re going through a rough week at work or a bitter divorce, some clients rely on massage therapy as a way to unwind and de-stress. You may only see these clients when they’re at their lowest, so atmosphere is just as important to them as what you do with your hands. These are the clients who stand to benefit the most from other aspects of getting a massage, like soothing music and aromatherapy.

4. Massage therapy is part of some clients’ regular health routine.

Some people consider a regular massage appointment as crucial to their health and well-being as working out or flossing. For these clients, massage therapy becomes part of maintaining low stress levels, firm skin, and overall good health.

5. Clients use massage therapy to give themselves a treat.

Not every client can afford regular massages. In fact, for some people it’s a luxury to be saved for special occasions. When you know a client has been pinching pennies and waiting for a reason to celebrate, they want an experience that makes them feel pampered and like they’re getting their money’s worth.

6. Clients are given massage gift certificates by a loved one.

What better way to say “I love you” than with a gift certificate for a massage? Many men give the special ladies in their lives massage packages for holidays, but anyone may receive a massage as a gift. These clients will also need to feel pampered and special so that the expectations of the gift are met.

7. Clients expect massages as part of a vacation package.

For massage therapists working in spas or at resorts, many of their clients will be there particularly for the royal treatment. These clients are there to escape from the pressures of everyday life and to get seriously pampered by a team of professional body experts. Besides massages, these clients look forward to everything from mud baths to skin peels.

8. Clients get massages at work.

Many companies will contract the services of a massage therapist to come in to the office and give chair massages to employees as a perk or a reward. While massages taking place in a corporate environment are generally fairly short, these clients look forward to the break in the normal office routine.