How do you deal with clients that are always hot or always cold? Each client will have a different preference for temperature during the massage. Some may run hot, some cold, and some will be just right. It’s important to ask the client before each session if they are warm enough or too hot. Then make adjustments to make them more comfortable.

If clients are too cold…

Warm up chilled clients with
a massage table warmer pad.

• Add an extra blanket on top of the sheets.
• Keep another blanket in the room in case one blanket isn’t enough.
• Use a massage table warmer pad to apply heat underneath the client, along with the warmth of a blanket on top.
• Keep the client covered as much as possible. Only uncover sections of the body as you need access to them.
• Use flannel sheets instead of cotton or poly.
• Suggest hot stones as an add-on treatment.
• Wrap the hands and feet with hot, moist towels. Before the towels cool, replace them with fresh ones from the hot towel cabinet.
• Drape the base of the neck with a hot towel. Replace with a fresh hot towel as needed.
• Warm up your hands and the massage oil to keep from chilling the client with cold hands or lubricant.
• If you can control the temperature of the treatment room, turn up the heat (or turn down the air conditioning) before the client arrives.
• Use a space heater to warm up the room before the massage session. If it tends to run on the noisy side, turn it off just before the session begins.

The physical exertion of the massage may leave you hot while the client is still cold. Compensate for this by wearing light, loose clothing.

If clients are too warm…

• If you can control the temperature of the treatment room, turn down the temperature before the client arrives.
• Use cotton massage sheets and forego the blanket.
• Use a ceiling fan or small portable fan to circulate the air. For rooms without air conditioning, set a small bucket of ice in front of the fan to cool down the air. Leave the fan on during the massage. It’s also a great way to muffle outside noises.
• Uncover the client’s feet, lower legs, and arms to help cool down the entire body.
• Offer moist, refrigerated towels or a refrigerated eye mask to the client. Wrap the neck and feet with cool, moist towels.

If you know that a client is always cold (often the elderly or very thin people) or always hot (often heavyset clients and menopausal women), write it down on their chart so you can adjust the temperature of the room before the client arrives.

In honor of Spa Week Fall 2009, we’re focusing on spa add-on treatments for massage therapists. These are dry room spa treatments, so you can use them even if you don’t have a wet room or shower facilities at your location!

The best spa add-on treatments are simple to prepare, easy to clean up, and offer the greatest return on investment and client satisfaction. With the right promotions and marketing, your spa add-ons allow you to increase your income without demanding too much time or hassle. They also give your hands a break from massage.

Here are some ideas for spa add-on treatments that you can use in your massage therapy practice:

UV Towel Warmer for Hot Towel Treatments

1. Hot Towel Treatment

   The first spa add-on that we recommend is a hot towel treatment. You can get creative with hot towels. For example, you can offer a hot towel foot wrap (or hand wrap) during a full-body massage. Wrap the client’s feet in hot towels before you begin the massage, and remove the towels at the end of the session. Finish with a foot moisturizer or talcum powder.

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   Another idea is a hot towel face massage. Clients will love the heat and the refreshing moisture of the hot towels. You can add a drop or two of diluted essential oils to the hot towels. Just be cautious about sensitivity to smell and do your research on which essential oils should come in contact with the face. Always ask the client about sensitivities and preferences before using any essential oils.

   Hot towel treatment is convenient because all it requires is a UV towel warmer (which sanitizes and heats the towels) and towels. Most therapists have enough room to fit a towel warmer in the treatment room. Simply plug in the towel warmer at least 15 minutes before the session and fill it with moistened, rolled towels.

2. Hot Stone Treatment

   Hot stones are another popular spa add-on for massage therapists. Hot stones are soothing to the client and they give your hands a break from the typical massage routine. Turn the hot stone warmer on before the session so that you allow the stones enough time to warm up. Test the heat level on your own skin before applying the hot stones to the client’s skin.

3. Peel-Off Wraps
   If you want to try wraps, look for wraps that peel off cleanly. Peel-off wraps work well as a dry room treatment because they eliminate the messiness of taking off the wrap. Salt or sugar scrubs are another option for spa add-ons. You can remove the scrub with hot towels (which can get a little messy) and finish with a moisturizer and spritz.
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4. Spa Gloves
   Paraffin gloves or spa booties are another treat that your clients will appreciate. Purchase them in bulk for the best deal.

Some dry room spa treatments may work better for certain massage therapists than others. Perhaps the best way to decide which spa add-ons to offer is to ask your clients what treatments they would enjoy the most!

Cold weather is on its way. Are you prepared for it? Here are a few ways you can keep your clients warm and toasty during the massage session.

Keep your clients cozy warm with a table warmer.

Let your clients sink in to the soothing heat of a massage table warmer pad!

A table warmer adds an extra level of cushion to your massage table and takes the chill out of the air. Snuggled between the warmth of a light blanket and the massage table warmer, your clients will warm up instantly. The sooner your clients warm up and get comfortable, the sooner they can start relaxing. And the more they relax, the greater the benefit of the massage!

Hot towels add an extra touch of warmth.

Pamper your clients with hot towel treatment!

The soothing heat of hot towels before and after the massage helps your clients warm up quickly and relax. It’s also a good way to cleanse the feet before a massage and to wipe away excess oil from the client’s skin. Provide the client with a hot towel at the end of the massage to let them wipe off any more oil before they get dressed.

More ideas:

• Add an extra blanket or two on top of the sheets.
• Use a portable heater to warm up the room at the before your first massage session and between sessions when possible.
• Suggest hot stone treatment as an add-on to the session.

Keep your hot towel cabi looking sharp with these care and maintenance tips.

On a daily basis after use:

1. Turn off the power switch. Do not leave the towel warmer turned on overnight.
2. Remove any towels remaining in the cabinet. Towels left in the cabinet overnight may promote the growth of mildew.
3. Dry the inside of the cabinet with a clean towel.
4. Empty the drip tray.
5. Leave the cabinet door open, allowing the interior to dry completely.

On a weekly basis:

1. Wipe down the hot towel cabinet exterior with a neutral cleaning solution. Avoid using acidic or alkaline products or cleaning agents that may be toxic or corrosive.
2. Wipe down the inside of the towel cabinet with a non-abrasive, antimicrobial cleaning solution.
3. Clean the drip tray with hot water and soap to prevent the growth of microbes or fungus.
4. Wipe down and sanitize the metal towel trays inside the cabinet.

Integrate luxury spa treatment with traditional massage therapy for the ultimate massage experience.

Add a special touch to your massages with a towel warmer cabinet and table warmer. Intensify the healing effect of massage by relaxing the muscles with heat prior to massaging them. The warmth of hot towels and the comfort of a warming pad will melt away tension and stress. Integrating moist heated towels and a warming pad into your massage therapy or spa practice or your massage at home will add an element of luxury that is sure to result in a satisfying massage experience.

Here are a few simple ideas to help you incorporate soothing warmth into your massages:

Encourage relaxation with Moist Heated Towels:

•  Allow moistened towels to preheat in a towel warmer unit.

•  Warm and relax the muscles to enhance the effectiveness of massage.

•  Apply soothing heat on the back muscles.

•  Roll a hot towel under the neck in the supine position.

•  Wrap the feet or hands in hot towels.

•  Wipe off massage oil or lotion after a massage with a moist heated washcloth or hand towel.

•  After removing towels from the cabinet, spritz with essential oils for a touch of aromatherapy.

Create inviting warmth with a Table Warmer Pad:

•  Allow the warmer pad to preheat for several minutes before a massage.

•  Provide extra warmth during the massage, particularly in cold climates and air-conditioned rooms. Using a table warmer allows the individual giving the massage to work at a comfortable room temperature without compromising the warmth and comfort of the individual receiving the massage.

•  Combine moist heated towels and a table warmer pad for the ultimate relaxation experience.

•  Easily transport your table warmer pad for use during office and home massage visits.