GRATUITY: SHOULD I TIP?

This seems to be the ever ending dilemma of whether you should tip your therapist or not. It’s really a simple question to answer. It all depends on what type of service you are receiving. Usually in a spa environment it is expected for the client is to tip the therapist. In a medical setting when you are paying insurance tipping is not necessary. When uncertain do not be afraid to ask if gratuity is customary for that business. If service is satisfactory a tip may be in order.

In my business tipping is not necessary but appreciated. It is your choice to give gratuity or not. It should never be opposed or enforced in any establishment.

Sometimes the client does not know gratuity etiquette. The client may assume the gratuity is included in the service fee. Another reason could be the client may only afford the service but not the tip. They might be embarrassed because of the lack of funds for the tip. No explanation is ever needed in why you can not give one. If you received exceptional service, in lieu of a tip you can schedule another session or refer friends and family out to the therapist. I personally would rather for you to be a returning client. Save the tip for your next session.

When paying for your massage session by credit card, my processing company will give you options to leave a tip. This is normal procedure with all credit card companies. It gives you options to choose to tip or not.  The choice is yours to do so or not.

Gratitude is an exchange of energy. It manifests in many ways for both the client and the therapist. I am always grateful of the returning client. In appreciation I give up to 15 minutes to frequent clients (when I am not booked back to back in sessions). I give this freely. I do not expect anything in return for the extra session time nor a tip. It is my gratitude to you for selecting me as your massage therapist.

Suzan Walker, LMT

Connective Integration Massage Therapy

817-966-1020

3100 West Arkansas Lane

Suite 108

Arlington, Texas 76016

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PLAGIARIZING AND WHY IT’S WRONG

Passing off someone’s work whether it be a article or a picture by not giving proper credit is not only wrong but unethical as a professional. Instead of taking someone’s hard work make sure you ask permission to use the content and give credit to that person. 

In Webster’s dictonary to “plagiarize” is to use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one’s own. The person is not given credit for their work but instead the person that stole the content uses it as their own. This can lead to one of two or more options for you 1. receiving a cease and desist from the plaintiff  2. a civil law suit that could result in costing you thousands if not millions of dollars. 3. a reputation to your colleagues and others as a “plagiarist.”

I worked very hard putting my website together. I have spent hundreds of hours writing, perfecting and designing my own web site and creating its content. What I write from is personal experience, what I was taught as a massage therapist and studied in my own personal time. 

When I find a fellow massage therapist or someone associated with the industry has taken my content it deeply upsets me. I have found some well known sites that have taken content from my site and have not given me credit for the writings.

My content is my own. You may not republish, distribute or use any of the content for your website without written or expressed permission of Suzan Walker, LMT. If I have given written permission, you are required to give credit to Suzan Walker, LMT. My personal massage blogs are my own and are written in my own style. You may not take any content from my blogs or my website without linking back to my site or blog. You may not copy or use any of the images on my site or blog. These images are the property of wix.com or photostock.com. These are royalty free images. If you decide to take these images you are doing so at your own risk. The companies listed could demand that you take their content down and could sue you for punitive damages.

Professional courtesy and common respect goes a long way. If you need assistance creating content for you website, you may contact me at 817-966-1020. I help nonprofit’s, charities and massage therapists with writing their own content and design at a reduced rate.

Thank you for respecting my work,

Suzan Walker, LMT

Connective Integration Massage Therapy

 

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HEADACHES AFTER A MASSAGE

“Why do I have a headache or migraine after a massage?”

There could be several or more factors as to why some people get a “headache” after a massage session.

1. A Healing crisis – the system is attempting to pass too much metabolic waste too quickly from the body.
2. Latent trigger point – hidden trigger point set off by touch or movement.
3. Lack of hydration before and after a massage.
4. Hormonal or chemical imbalance.
5. Muscle memory.
6. Food allergy reaction.
7. Nerve Entrapment.

It’s rare that I have a client that receives a headache after a massage if they follow self care and hydrate. In those rare cases the following above needs careful consideration.

If a client develops a migraine in less than 24 hours I request that they contact me immediately to check for latent trigger points. The follow-up is free of charge. I want to make certain you are receiving the best care.

Do not allow a headache to deter you from a specific modality or at worst massage all together. Our bodies can react in a positive or negative manner when we are releasing muscle tension and scar tissue. Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. This is from personal experience.

I encourage and empower every client to make well informed decisions for their health care. The more knowledge the client has about massage therapy and healing the better choices they can make for themselves.

If you have questions or concerns, you may contact me at anytime at 817-966-1020.

Thank you,
Suzan Walker, LMT
Connective Integration Massage Therapy
Arlington, Texas
817-966-1020

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