Massage therapists often offer services that can be used to enhance your massage experience. These services are often referred to as up-sells, up-sale, add-ons, or complimentary services. Up-selling services is a perfectly acceptable practice, so long as care and professionalism are exhibited. Here’s everything you need to know about the up-sell and up-selling tactics.
Pushy
Your massage therapist should not be pushy about add-on services. If the massage therapist presses you to accept more services, their minds may be more focused on money than your needs. This may be due to company expectations, but it’s not something you should be bullied or pressured into. A massage therapist should be able to justify and explain their recommendation for add-on therapeutic services, including why they think you would benefit from those services.
Pricey
Your massage therapist should be upfront and honest about the prices of add-on services. These services can be a costly surprise when it’s time to settle your bill. Adding essential oils, stone massage, or scalp massage should not add more than $15.00-$20.00 to your bill. Transparency in pricing is key to building a professional relationship. If you cannot trust your massage therapist to keep your best interests in mind, it’s time for a new massage therapist.
Therapeutic
Some add-on services are effortless and straightforward. Others can be very involved, time-consuming, and costly but devoid of therapeutic benefit. You are the only one that can decide if a service is worth your money and if it will benefit you in any way. Add-on services that hold therapeutic benefit include:
- Reflexology- The application of pressure to key points on the feet and hands to alleviate chronic inflammation, pain, and other issues.
- Hand Treatments- Hand treatments are especially beneficial for those who work manual labor jobs or computer-intensive jobs. Hand treatments can alleviate tension and stave off symptoms of carpal tunnel and other injuries due to strain.
- Back Facials- Back facials can be a deeply relaxing treatment that also addresses the health and maintenance of the skin of your back. It can be extremely difficult to properly care for the skin of your back, as it is incredibly hard to reach without the help of another person. Your back facial will include deep cleaning, exfoliation, a mask, and other treatments commonly found in a traditional facial.
- Paraffin Wax Treatments- Paraffin wax treatments can act as heat therapy and offer relief for swollen joints and tendons. These treatments are especially beneficial for those with arthritis and joint conditions.
- Scalp Massage- Scalp massage offers numerous therapeutic benefits, including stimulating the hair follicles, improving circulation to the scalp, and relieving tension. Scalp massage can help reduce the frequency and intensity of tension headaches.
There are many other types of add-on services. If you are interested in add-on services, ask your massage therapist for their add-on menu.