804-642-4231

www.thinkmassage.com

Home and Office Therapeutic Massage

Serving Gloucester and surrounding communities

 

 

Relaxation Station

MASSAGE & MOVEMENT

THERAPY

David Bartholomew

Owner/NCTMB

 

Est. 1994

 

 

 

 

15 Really Good Points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     So, here we go! 

Here are 15 points that will separate me from 99% of the others

(who offer professional therapeutic massage)

… be it from the “new massage school graduate”,

or other “experienced/veteran” practitioners.

 

 

1)  Cost.

     For many folks, they just want to relax.  For a Classic Swedish / Day Spa style massage I charge $45.00 for a 50 minute session… compared to others who charge $60, $70 and up to $125.00 for the same or lesser quality session.   

     For others, who require or request Deep Tissue Therapy (i.e. - Sports & Orthopedic bodywork), my education, dedication & experience allows me to provide them with superior services, and still at a better price than most others. 

 

     If you wish, look at my Fees/Description of Services.   ALL session times & fees are out in the open and are VERY competitive with today’s market.  So, feel free to give me a shout, and we can discuss the goals of your next session: 804-642-4231.

 

Food for thought:

Some businesses just say they offer a “full session”, but they never say – in writing - how long the actual session is.  Why is that?   They list the price they charge, so don’t you have the right to know how long your session will be?   

 

Click Here… to see my Services & Fees Page / Comparison Chart.

 

 

 

 

 

2)  Commitment.

At Relaxation Station – Massage & Movement Therapy, our commitment to the client doesn’t stop once they walk out the door. 

Unlike most businesses that now offer massage (i.e. - Day Spas, Fitness and Massage Centers) and the multitude of “part time massage therapist” who provide massage just to make some extra cash… if you have concerns or questions, feel free to call me.  If I need to do research in order to assist and support your preventative health or rehabilitation needs…. I will.   If I don’t have the answer, I’ll call you back with the follow-up information.

 

 

 

 

3) A Full time Professional.  Convenience for the client/patient!

 

Therapeutic Massage

is not something I do as a sideline

… it’s my vocation… my only business.

 

Would you expect, or accept any less of any professional therapist?

 

So (you may ask), “I just want a basic Swedish relaxing massage, so what difference would I immediately see between you - a full time professional massage therapist - and part time massage professional?”

Well, unlike those who provide massage part-time (those who are already dedicated to another full time job), when you call my office to make your appointment… I can work with your schedule.   Whereas, when you try to make an appointment a person or business that only employs part time workers, be prepared to plan your appointment time around the therapist’s part-time schedule. 

 

 

 

4) I listen.

Ever receive a massage from a therapist who is going a bit heavy/deep on the pressure and even when you ask your them to “ease off”… they “continue on”… oblivious to your request “because THEY KNOW what you need”.  Well, I do listen. 

Each client is, of course, different.  Your pressure level, your daily attitude and a slew of other factors all have to be taken into account for each session I provide you. I promise to work alongside of you, and will always respect your wishes.   Yes, there may be times where a “good hurt, not pain” will be beneficial, but a true professional knows “that work” will only be done when you – the client/patient - is ready for it.

 

 

 

 

5) On Time. 

Ever go to a scheduled health appointment and have to wait…beyond your scheduled/appointed time?  Simply put, I find this unacceptable.  Isn’t your time just as valuable as the health care provider you have the appointment with?

At Relaxation Station – MASSAGE & MOVMENT THEAPY you won’t wait.   You will be seen ON TIME.  You’ve made your appointment, and I’ve committed myself to you.

 

 

6) A clean and quiet atmosphere. 

                Unlike the PT clinic, Med-Spas, Day-Spas, or Hair Styling salons… you don’t have to listen to the conversations of others (or have someone listen in on your conversation), or inhale hair or nail chemicals.   

                And, unlike many other businesses - we don’t sell products.  Therefore, you won’t be bothered with someone trying to sell you creams or lotions after your relaxed and open to suggestion.

 

 

 

7) Dedicated… to the profession and to needs of each client, and not just your pocket book!  MASSAGE & MOVEMENT THERAPY operates within the “Scope of Practice” and “Code of Ethics” established by Virginia Board of Nursing, National Certification Board, and the American Massage Therapy Association.  In other words, I won’t boost of qualifications I don’t have, or “sell you a bill of goods” (i.e. – diagnose your condition, or look you in the eye and tell you I can “cure” or “heal” you) and then prey on your pain (be it chronic or acute) from injury.  

 

 

 

8) I don’t provide “canned / generic massage sessions”. 

Any professional massage therapist knows, or will soon learn that providing therapeutic massage is both physically and emotionally demanding.   

You may know, or have known massage practitioners who provide 6, 7 or more full sessions (or more) per day.  Is that wrong?  No.  That’s their preference, but I personally won’t spend my money to be on their table and my reasoning is simple: In my opinion, when someone does that many sessions…they are just “going thru the motions” for daily revenue… providing mediocre service becomes “the norm” for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 For those consumers experienced with therapeutic massage, I think you’ll agree with me, when I say, that when anyone receives a therapeutic massage ... the results of that session will be subjective in nature. 

So, I’ll just say I don’t consider myself “better” than someone else; however, when it comes to providing you – the client – with skilled professional therapeutic massage service, I know I can and will stand alongside anyone…  NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

 

 

 

 

9) I won’t “process” a client. 

Ever schedule a massage session, and then learn that your actual “hands-on” session time is/was about 10 or 15 minutes less than what you expected?  Ever wonder why?  The answer could be as simple as: Some businesses / Some therapists value their time more than yours.  In other words, you pay more for less service.

Yes, many businesses / therapists will “start the clock” at the exact moment of your appointment time, and end at a specific time - no exceptions.   Within your “paid appointment time”, they “give you” 5 minutes to talk…5 minutes to disrobe and get on the table, and then 5 minutes to get off the table, get dressed, pay, talk and your out the door~!  (And yes, this is “the standard” found within: Day Spas, Massage Centers, Chiropractic and Physical Therapy offices).

  At RS – MASSAGE & MOVEMENT THERAPY, all we ask is that you arrive about 10 minutes before your scheduled appoint time starts.  This will give us time to talk, go over your health concerns, the goals of your next/this session, and then you’ll have time to get ready for your session.  Once you’re on the table, and comfortable… only then does your session time start.  When your requested session time ends, we ask that you just lay back and relax, or “Just take some time for yourself”.   There is no need to “jump up” and run out.    In short, I don’t do “back to back sessions”.   I refuse to “process” clients.

 

 

10) Competence.  15+ years of Full Time Professional Experience.

I’ve been a full time Massage Therapist since 1993.  I started my career – as a Massage Therapist – by working at Ft. Eustis, McDonald Army Hospital, Physical Therapy Clinic.  To gain additional experience, I also worked within two very different Chiropractic offices and at a Fitness Center. 

I do a lot of volunteer work, and for four years I was Captain/Director of the AMTA Peninsula Professional Sports Massage Team, and I didn’t hold that position by being a “weak link”. 

 

 

 

11) Education – Credibility.

Supporting the client’s goals, by way of a continuing, documented professional education.  

I hold multiple advanced certifications / credentials, and not just the minimum / required Virginia Board of Nursing certification.

NOTE: I was the 14th person in the state of Virginia to become “Board Certified” (Va. Board of Nursing, #000014).   In 1994, I obtained my National Certification in 1994 (#427).     And yes, there are some “experienced” massage therapists out there that still don’t have their national certification.  Why not?  Yes, they have been “grandfathered into the Virginia State Certification program, but I really don’t know why they’ve not obtained National Certification.  After all, national certification has been “the standard” about the last 10 years. 

 

 

 

Male or Female, a professional massage therapist

continually advances their education

not because they have to, but because they want to.

 

 

 

 

12) Skills. 

The style of work I use is dependent on the client, and their goals.  By the way of a sound education, and clinical training, I am able to provide you from a relaxing massage to postpartum massage, to orthopedic massage services! 

In short, we work smarter, not harder... achieving positive therapeutic results that will last. 

 

 

 

13) Integrity.

I will tell you what I know by what I see and palpate.   Normally, you’ll be able to see or feel the positive results - of the work we do together – in 3 to 5 sessions.   I will NOT “feed you a line” just to get you to come back.

Each person is different, and people interact differently.  As a massage therapist if I can not assist you, I promise to recommend another health care provider that may better assist / support your needs.  

 

 

 

14) Positive Attitude, Enthusiasm, and a Sense of Humor.   

Clients, and massage class attendees appreciate my friendliness, enthusiasm, and sense of humor.

 

 

 

15) Talk, or not to talk!

Ever receive a massage where the therapist just “talks” and all you want to do is relax?   

Well, if quiet is what you prefer... we promise that is what you will receive.

 

 

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