Sweating, anyone??

[nezantra8]

Ok not exactly something I'm proud of, but I get quite hot while "performing"... I'm still a student now, but I can't imagine working on a handful of people in one day...I'll look like I just came out of the shower and forgot to take my clothes off!!

Am I the only one out there with this affliction?? Any suggestions to beat the heat?

I recently purchased a heated mattress pad in hopes that I can warm the client without having the warm the room as much as I do now... we'll see if that goes as planned. Thanks for the help!

Brooke

 

[Boosh]

Sweating, anyone??

In school I perspired a lot, but since then I've drank mostly water, and not much else. By the time I was halfway through with my internship, I had gotten used to the work and stopped perspiring. Now I don't really do it at all; it just takes a little getting used to. Besides from the warming mat on the massage table, try also using a heavy blanket on top of the client. Not only does it make them feel more secure, blocks the wind from the AC as well.

 

[That Girl]

Sweating, anyone??

Someone on here suggested having a small towel round your neck, to mop with, just in case, which I liked, as I still sometimes suffer from this one, esp. in the summer!

 

[Ante]

Sweating, anyone??

I would also recommend having several shirts on hand so that you can appear fresh.

 

[danielfee2kill]

Sweating, anyone??

OMG, I was actually going to post something similar this morning, but didn't know how to start off.

Good Grief, I had a problem with this all through school and now. It's definitely genetic, because my father perspires like crazy just sitting under a light. LOL

In school they suggested a sweat band, but I feel goofy with a sweat band so I keep a hand towel near by. I will admit, in school one time the room we were doing clinicals in was wicked hot, I'm talking 80 to 85 degrees ( the A/C was out). I dripped on a client and was sooooooo embarased, thank God they understood. That was probrably the must uncomfortable massage I ever gave due to the heat. I know the client was uncomfortable too.

Just wanted to share my experience, the water suggestion is a good one.

Thanks, Brent

 

[mstdean518]

Sweating, anyone??

I've been told that one of the biggest reasons for sweathing while working on a client is improper breathing. I can attest to this. Additionally, as I am a natural heater, I was told to consider getting a headband (I don't really care how 'stupid' I look - it sure beats dripping on someone or constantly swabbing my forehead with the end of my polo short-sleeve).

 

[salima_guriya]

Sweating, anyone??

I used to get quite worn out in school, too.  I think most did! Just remember that your body is still learning how to do this.  Just like anything, you get better with practice and your body will learn to adjust.  I always use heated pads on the table so I can keep the actual room temp quite cool.  This has helped tremendously.  Also, remember to keep your breathing nice and steady, which will help your entire system stay calm.  Practice good body mechanics, and you will develop an ease over time with the movements!

 

[spaztastic]

Sweating, anyone??

It will slow down.  It's a function of giving physically and emotionally.  As you get through your program, you're going to monitor a healthy balance and the sweat will stop.  I used to look like a drowned cat in school and now (too many years later), I rarely even get warm.  Also, the heated blanket may make the problem worse.  I find when I use mine (a few cold clients), I'm inevitably warmer as well.  It's a function of working right on top of it.  In the meantime, use the suggestion above.  Headbands, layer a t-shirt, etc.   Also, lower the thermostat a few degrees and see if anyone notices.  Summer's coming, it's getting warmer, it's not likely that you'll have anyone coming in with a chill this time of year.    

Good luck. Joe E.

 

[Everard G]

Sweating, anyone??

Wear light breathable clothing. (no heavy jeans) Rayon shirts are cool. Go barefoot. Keep the room at a comfortable temp. while heating the table and covering your client with a fleece blanket. Try not to stress out. Stay grounded. The less nervous you are the less you will sweat. Breathe... remember not to hold your breath. Stay hydrated.

Melody

 

[crknapp79]

Sweating, anyone??

Lots of good suggestions here, staying calm, good body mechanics, drinking lots of H20, dressing in cooler fabrics / colors... and yes I had a big problem with it too, especially in MT school and even while I worked in the salon (though to be honest they weren't very good with "climate control" there).  

When I was in MT school I did use a headband, or in my case tied a soft fabric scarf into a headband so as not to drip on the client... as a matter of fact, the other students called me the "ninja massager" in school. LOL   Since mine was actually a "scarf" I would tie it around my neck until I needed the headband, applying it while the client undressed... and removing it while the client dressed to leave the treatment room.  To me it was no different than wearing the oil holster, just something I had to do. I do heat the massage table with a Thermophore table warmer (when needed), and a blanket over the flannel sheets. I have been using flannel all year 'round for the past several years, but may switch to percale this summer since I am working out of a new location and am not sure how the "climate control" is going to work there. I also will be taking my table top fan in pretty soon, and I usually point it towards a wall and use it to provide air movement and white noise...I guess to the good, a MT who sweats shows the client that what we do is indeed... very physical work!

sings: "She works hard for the money, so hard for it honey, she works hard for the money so you better treat her right..." (*cough* Sorry 80s flashback.)

 

[vine]

Sweating, anyone??

I think a combination of needing to get a little more fit so your system isn't working so hard to produce the same amount of results. Also, making sure you are wearing comfortable, loose, and light fabric clothing.Obviously, it would be nice if you could crank the A/C but then the poor client would freeze to death, eh?  :

Hang in there and know that it will get better with time.

Be well, Jen

 

[Well la-di-da]

Sweating, anyone??

I've always struggled with sweating even during moderate activity, as well as when I'm nervous.  Add to the problem menopause with hot-flashes and it can be a recipe for a spring shower.    

I always keep a fan or AC running, a hand towel handy, drink plenty of water, keep a heating pad on the table, cover with sheet and blanket, as well as a Thermaphore moist heat pad on the torso, & heated booties.  And last but not least, I make sure I have a healthy, quick snack between cts., like yogurt, peanuts.  If your sugar drops to low, you can experience a hypoglycemic attack which also causes perspiration.

 

[Unbreakable]

Sweating, anyone??

I do sweat a little sometimes during massage, but when I sweat a lot I usually take it as a cue that I'm working too hard, and not breathing properly. I do drink pretty much only water. Some people just sweat more than others though, or maybe your in a warmer climate or your room is too warm. A question to ask yourself is how do you feel after you give a massage. Do you feel calm and energized, or do you feel like you've just worked really hard and your worn-out. If I'm sweating and feel drained after a session, then I know I need to check in with myself. This is a great question to get some feedback on from the appropriate instructor at school. My tips would be to pay attention to your breathing and body mechanics during a session, and check in with yourself- are you tensing up unnessassarily while your working? Are there ways for you to work effectively without it feeling so much like work? And another poster suggested extra shirts and a hand-towel, lol, maybe keep and extra tube of deoderant handy too.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Here in Wisconsin, its that time of year again. Too hot for the heat to be on and not quite warm enough for the landlady to turn on the air conditioning. I am on the first floor of my building. My room always heats up since they built up my walls to help with the sound. I have a heat vent in the room but I cranked it shut when I moved down here in January. I dont know how it will be when the air conditioning kicks in. I have a feeling it will be on the chilly side. That is what happen when I was upstairs, too warm in the winter and too cold in the summer. The perfect months seemed to be April and October. Today, the thermostat in the hallway right outside of my room was reading 74 degrees but my room was about 82!! My room has always been about 8 degrees warmer than the hallway. It is okay if you are laying naked on a table covered with a sheet, but it gets me pretty sweaty when I am working on a client.

Yes, I have a couple fans blowing. One is by the door to help mask outside sounds and the other is under the table blowing on me when I am working on a clients feet.

But still... oye!! the heat!! It gets to me!!

Christine

 

[So cute krissy]

I'm new to this whole sweating thing...

I've ALWAYS been cold...until 2 things happened...first, I can't eat spicy food anymore (reignites the eczema) and second, I had my wisdom teeth pulled. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, I'm mentally stable! Explanations: eating spicy food increases the "heat" element in the body. Thus, you become warm in your core and everything around you seems chilly. That's why in hot cultures you find a LOT of ppl eating spicy food...it actually really helps with the heat resistance! For those of you in hot climates, try it this summer! Explanation regarding the tooth thing...Chinese meridians run through your teeth also. When I had my wisdom teeth taken out, it must've activated the Triple Warmer or something, because suddenly my hands and feet aren't cold anymore--this happened in March when it was still cool--and anyone can tell you that I could tolerate wearing long sleeves in July in Texas! If my room temp went below 74* my hands froze. I never sweated before. I never got hot! Now if my room gets ABOVE 74* my (now short-sleeve) shirts get damp and I get overheated! Weird...

Oh well, food for thought (no pun) for those of you who can eat spicy food!

Now I get to try the headbands and actually turn on the A/C to 72* just like everyone else lol.

Just my ramblings...been up way too long today
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Gazeebo]

i keep a small fan on the floor to keep my feet cool. that helps tons!
amanda

 

[Bovril]

t046 Hey!! No fair caoimhan!! What about us girls that can't shave their heads! BRAGGART! If I wasn't married I would by golly t002

I used to be one of those ladies who perspired but didn't sweat. I've learned a whole new meaning to the word perspire. Now I keep a small fan at the end of the bed blowing mainly across the floor. Circulates the air period. I just tell the clients that between my stone roaster and my candles that the air can get kind of heated and to let me know if they get too cool. None have complained yet. Usually all I get is an "oh, you must get hot with the workout you get...I'm fine".

Works for me! I also have a drink of something ice cold with a straw on a table top at their feet (hidden in a cabinet till I come into the room to put on my holster) that I can inconspicously grab a sip of as I pass by it when working from one leg/foot to the other. It's kind of bad where I am at since if I turn the air up too much to keep me cool, the lady I share the shop with will feeze her clients. She gave me a facial one day so I'd know exactly what she does. Yeah!! Freeze the clients out!! Since then I kind of decided that I would have to find my own comfort level. Her clients are my clients and if they leave feeling like a popsickle...well..that's just not good! t085 t042

 

[chelslover_72]

heres what helps me:

1. if the room is warm, like in the winter when i use a space heater, i wear a headband to catch the sweat. i just cant imagine risking "dripping" on a client.

2. whenever i can, i work in bare feet. when i cannot, i wear a synthetic blend sock, similar to whats recommended for runners.

3. i wear a "breathable, wicking" fabric shirt.... like CoolMax...i buy athletic workout shirts..this has helped me the most...the sweat is wicked away from my body, the shirt stays dry, and i feel much cooler.

good luck

 

[Ray G]

I make sure I have a towel in easy reach at all times - one at either end of the table. It can be a nightmare at times.

Mat x x x

 

[Cowgirl_Power]

This post reminds me of Shiatsu class. We had a teacher that would SHUT OFF THE AIR!!!! In Miami, no less with scrubs that I think were more polyester than cotton. Me was sweaty! Like - leaky/drippy sweaty! the moment I had to strip and jump on the table in my sportsbra, I was singing the Halleluia chorus.

Same thing in clinic, the school prez kept killing off the A/C. I usually had a towel handy, sometimes I would hook it to the back of my pants inside the pocket. It was a small one so it stayed out of the way.

Jackie