Education Destinations

We all believe we provide great massage experiences for each of our clients, right? But do we really?
And how can we be sure? How do we know what our clients really want from each massage experience,
even if they can’t articulate it? In this hands-on workshop we will practice massage techniques and communication skills:

Listening and communicating, before, during, and after bodywork

• Can we help our clients express what they want?
• How do we eliminate barriers to an ideal massage?
• Are we providing a space and experience that promotes restoration and wellness?

Flexibly applying your skills, intuitively following client’s lead

• Move beyond your “one-size-fits-all” routine
• Learn to see and listen with your fingertips
• Adjust your pace and intensity for purposeful touch

Following these principles will help you connect more deeply with your clients, widen your client base,
and energize your approach.

What to bring: Massage table with face rest and bolster, linens, oil/lotion.

Do your clients ever have these complaints?

• “Wow, I really have a nasty headache.”
• “My neck is stiff this morning. Feels like I slept wrong.”
• “Lately, my jaw feels sore and tight.”
• “Things have been so intense on my work project. My head needs some relaxation!”

Set yourself apart by going beyond the usual quick scalp and neck rub, and become the expert in
alleviating these conditions. We’ll carefully explore the anatomical structures of the head and neck,
focusing on trigger point patterns and fascial lines of tension. These techniques will help you develop an
intuitive touch, enabling you to “see” with your fingertips.

Additionally, we’ll review some of the causes of head and neck pain, and how to educate our clients to
minimize recurrence.

What to bring: Massage table with bolster, table linens & blanket, face rest & cover, 3 pillows & cases,
lotion/oil, pen and paper.

Many people suffer from low back pain, but did you know that recent studies indicate:

• Almost 80% of Americans will have back problems sometime in their adult lives.
• 54% of people who suffer from low back pain spend most of their workdays sitting.
• Nearly 30% of Americans experienced low back pain in the last 3 months.

Build your skills to be a low back expert! Your current and future clients need your help. Knowing where and how to work will result in better client outcomes.

In this hands-on workshop, we will:

• Approach low back conditions with myofascial, deep tissue, and trigger point techniques
• Position clients in supine, prone, and sidelying positions to maximize the effectiveness of your techniques and improve client comfort
• Use simple tests to identify stressed muscles and postural imbalances
• Determine when to proceed with massage and when to refer to medical professionals
• Sharpen up your body mechanics so YOU won’t become a low back pain sufferer!

Join us and help your clients feel better faster.

So many of our daily activities require us to lean forward with our arms and hands out front: computer work, driving, gaming, and giving massage. All of this forward-shifted activity results in shortened, tight muscles in our anterior chest, shoulders and neck, and stretched, fatigued muscles in our upper back and posterior neck. By releasing and lengthening these shortened muscles, we can more effectively alleviate our clients’ back and neck discomfort and create better postural balance.

In this workshop we will practice a variety of myofascial, deep tissue and stretching techniques with our clients in supine and side-lying positions. Muscles of focus include pectoralis major and minor, intercostals, serratus anterior, subclavius, sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalenes.

Relaxation and deep tissue work – in the same massage session? Yes! In this workshop, you will learn techniques that:

• Are easy to use
• Protect yourself from injury and fatigue
• Provide a very deep, restful experience for your client

You’ll practice new techniques to slow things down, firm up your pressure, and improve your body mechanics. Your clients will love these deep, relaxing massage techniques.

Chair massage is a fast, easy and effective way to bring massage to your clients, and to build your client base! These energizing techniques are a great compliment to your table massage business.

This hands-on workshop is appropriate for massage therapists of any level of experience. You will learn and practice:

• Effective techniques using your hands, forearms and elbows
• Treatment of specific conditions in the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands
• Marketing ideas to help you grow your chair massage client base
• Improved body mechanics so you can comfortably perform chair massage for hours

Plus, Dale Wheeler will share practical advice from nearly 10 years of chair massage business. Join us for this fast-paced, fun workshop!

We are sometimes hesitant to thoroughly work the muscles of the hip, but clients experience many benefits when we knowledgeably address this area of the body. These practical techniques are easy on you and your clients. In this hands-on workshop, we will:

• Practice proper, secure draping and maintain safe boundaries
• Address common conditions with a variety of techniques
• Apply sustained firm pressure techniques to bring about deep relaxation
• Utilize fascial, deep tissue and stretching techniques with our clients in supine, prone and side-lying positions

Set yourself apart by going beyond the usual quick scalp and neck rub, and become the expert in alleviating these conditions. We’ll carefully explore the anatomical structures of the head and neck, focusing on trigger point patterns and facial lines of tension. These techniques will help you develop an intuitive touch, enabling you to “see” with your fingertips.

Additionally, we’ll review some of the causes of head and neck pain, and how to educate our clients to minimize recurrence.

Side lying is not just for pregnancy massage! Many of your clients will benefit – those with sinus problems, heart issues, obesity, and those who simply prefer this comfortable position.

In this hands-on workshop, you will gain amazing access to the tissues of the neck, shoulder, abdomen, hip and leg. We’ll treat our clients utilizing myofascial, trigger point and deep tissue techniques – from subtle to firm. We will also practice stretches that are easily applied with our clients’ side lying.

Afraid or unsure about draping? We’ll perfect those skills! You and your clients will feel at ease with the safe, comfortable and easy techniques you’ll practice this workshop.

Is your school, spa or group looking for quality continuing education to fit your specific needs? Education Destinations can customize workshops by topic or number of hours. Contact Dale below to request your ideal workshop.