betweeen clients!!

[Kwonbaby]

Before I kept my own books i would be scheduled 15 minutes apart or back to back..argh! THEN I began keeping my own books and I leave 30 minutes between each client...then if we go over (which is usually the case) its no crisis, and I like my client to be able to relax a bit first and we can visit a little, and then take a little break if I can..maybe grab a snack or water..sigh...its the only way.. :

 

[RenegadeAngel]

I am actually talking about while still in clinics. My school is having a hard time deciding how much time to give our students inbetween clients. i think that when you are still learning, a half hour should be minimal...

Something to think about...are you expecting good session notes? I can't remember exactly how long we had between clients in my student clinic, but I always felt rushed. I see how it would be useful to prepare students to work back-to-back massages, but I don't like the pressure. I'd end up skipping the notes between sessions (so I could get my table all reset and perfect and have a few moments to myself) and trying to reconstruct the session at the end of the day.

In my own practice I allow an hour between appointments. Well, it works out to be less than an hour, since I usually spend between 5-10 at the beginning talking with the client, 60 hands-on minutes, and another 5-10 minutes at then end sitting with the client making sure they drink water as well as rescheduling and collecting payment. So I really have 40 minutes between. I right away will change the sheets and prepare the room, because I hate looking unprepared or rushed when a client arrives early. Then write session notes. I've always been slower than the average person in both producing something written (schoolwork was always hellish) and even re-making a table.

I say this all on behalf of students who might be on the slow, deliberate side like me. (Even those who struggle with a learning disability?)

 

[BitterBlue]

What about having two rooms with massagetable. After massage session, switch room and let the client rest and feel the massage effects thus no need to rush.
One side effect thoe.. more space, more rent.

What about payment, better to do pre-massage and be done with it?, or after?

As for the enviroment 'puamaeole' seems to work in. I think one should start dusting off that CV at once conditions that allows employees to be run-down occour. Think of it like this. Who will take care of you if you are unable to excercise your profession?, If the employer won't, well then they can't be allowed to run you down.
As for the footmassage, consider the benefit of staying vs billing or requesting she make an appointment.
The argument could be said about non-paid overtime too. If there's no cost involved in overusing employees then they will be run-down and burned out. And even if overtime is paid, there's still a top limit.

 

[dheyenne]

I voted no, but I really think it depends on the setting.
some places people expect a quicker turnover than others.

If I have less time, I often will mention it as I do check in. Only if it is a regular client who is used to lingering afterward, otherwise act as if all is normal.

 

[Khawanah]

I book on the hour, time is money, you waste to much time if you have half an hour or even fifteen minutes in between. I over service my clients and this can all be done within the hour...people also feel special if someone else is waiting for you...the whole busy therapist thing!!

Might be just me, but I am resentful if I pay for an hour, and feel like I am rushed, with only 50 minutes or so hands-on. Especially if I am having a chronic pain issue and need to spend a couple minutes discussing the situation and I feel like the therapist is trying to hurry up and get me on the table because he only has 60 minutes on the dot to get me in, out, linens changed and ready for the next.

Also, I don't feel "special" if the next client is on my heels when I've booked an hour and barely been there an hour. I just feel stressed and rushed, and feel like I'm inconveniencing the therapist by expecting what I've paid for.

If I'm really only paying for 30-45 minutes, that would be a different story.

I don't think anyone who goes to a chain or spa where they book on the hour, every hour, comes away feeling "over serviced."

In my own practice, I allow 90 minutes for a 60 minute session. With assessment and a quick chat, a 58-60 minute massage, and giving them a couple of minutes to re-orient to the "real world," I usually have 10-15 minutes "downtime" before the next client, which I use to change sheets, drink some water, make notes, check email and maybe return a phone call. I often feel just a tad rushed trying to make sure I am simply waiting when the next person walks in the door, so they have my full attention.

If assessment takes longer, or if the client needs something new addressed in session, things occasionally end up feeling back-to-back, which is not the way I like to operate. However, leaving more time than that gives me odd start/stop times, or makes a 4 massage day = nearly 8 hours in the office, not counting lunch. bleh.