I just completed posting another dozen or so new therapists listings to the Myofascial Release and Bodyworker Practitioner Directory. (sidebar: If you have not signed up for this free directory, what are you waiting for?) As I enter information for therapists and practices literally from around the world I am struck with the wide variety of training these therapists possess. I was trained in myofascial release in a sheltered world of thought. I had heard of other trainings but was told that all of these were inferior. It wasn’t until I broke from that trainer that I realized there were dozens of excellent and effective seminar lines out there teaching myofascial release to the world. Whether direct or indirect methods, with or without emotional work, myofascial release IS effective.
A few tips for therapists, when it comes to promoting your practice:
– Market your strengths, not the words “myofascial release” or your mentor’s name. I made this mistake the first few years of my private practice. I was out to convert every doctor in my city to the wonders of MFR, all the while attaching my teacher’s name to it as well. I quickly realized the general population does not care what it was that I did, or who I trained with. They cared about what I could do for them. My practice changed from the “Myofascial Pain Relief Center” to just the “Pain Relief Center”, and business grew. Know your strengths and make that your marketing tool. The name “Tulip Petal Therapy” may have great meaning to you, but it will be completely lost on someone looking for help.
– Today, a website should be considered mandatory. Place a professional photo of yourself on that website. There are many good sources for website design, but as I check out various sites across the country I see a few glaring flaws. Fix those spelling and grammatical errors. If your website design program does not show these errors, cut and paste your text to Word, or other similar word processor, and check for those mistakes. Have a friend proof read things. These simple to correct mistakes can turn off a potential client very quickly.
– While postcards, and similar mailings can be effective, consider switching to an online newsletter program, such as Constant Contact. By collecting email addresses from clients, you can reach out at any time. It also gives them an opportunity to share your newsletter with a friend, expanding your reach.
Simple tips, such as these, can make a difference.
For now,
Walt Fritz, PT
Wonderful suggestions for bodyworkers wanting to create a more professional identity.
As a marketer, business mentor for therapists AND founder of Active Myofascial Therapy method- you are absolutely spot on!
I wish for the day when therapists realize their practice will grow dramatically when they learn how to first TALK about the results they can give clients, then GIVE those results, then have the confidence to suggest to the clients what the next steps are to take to continue the progress.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom Walt,
~ Irene Diamond, RT
Well said, Irene.
Thanks Walt for the great tip. Myofascial release therapy is quite new here in Australia and gaining momentum. I love it, receive it and practice it. However, most people still only relate to remedial massage for pain relief and come in expecting a traditional remedial massage. I try to blend the techniques but wondering if you have any tips on how to give MR but still meet client expectations.
Thanks
Lynn Guilhaus, RMT
Hi Lynn,
My only experience with remedial massage comes from my friend, Peter LeLean, another Australian. I am going to have to generalize a bit, so reign me in if I stray too far from the facts.
Yours is a frequent question that I receive at my seminars, mostly from LMT’s in the US, though the question could as easily from a PT. I am assuming you find myofascial release more effective than your previous work. One way to interest your clients in MFR is to…raise your prices on MFR. Like it or not, people often equate value with price. Higher price; better quality. (with good reason!)
If pain relief is why people come to see you, you may begin t have a conversation with them. If they are achieving their pain relief goals with Remedial Massage, why switch? If not ask them if they are looking for more. Then tell them about what you may be able to do with myofascial release.
It is not an easy process, as many people do not like change. Some therapists find that they need to keep their existing client base as it was, while transitioning new clients to myofascial release. Start your new ones from scratch, there will be no looking back.
Thank you Walt. You have given me some good ideas. MR has been the only therapy to help with my own upper back problems and as a therapist I could do myofascial release all day, everyday. 🙂
Lynn Guilhaus