Biodots -- fun and informative for clients (and MTs)

[krazykhrystyne]

Hi all:

Just wanted to mention a little "addition" I provide for my clients when they are under stress (uh . . . that is the vast majority of us, I'm afraid.)

I have run several free "stress workshops" locally (a good way to bring in more clients, BTW) and purchased some Biodots from Whole Person Associates at http://www.wholeperson.com. When you buy them for a large group, they are not exactly cheap (though perhaps there are less expensive ones out there? Haven't checked.)

Just last week I thought, "Since I have some left over from the workshops, why not give several to each client, discuss how biofeedback works, and let them try them at home?" Of course I also talk with them about deep breathing and methods of calming the sympathetic nervous system they can do on their own.

They have been a hit! My clients love knowing they indeed have some control over their stress reactions -- and are thrilled when they report that on their own they have watched the black dot (meaning under severe stress) turn into bright green and even blue and purple (indicating VERY relaxed.)

I have a special client right now who only wants a one hour foot massage from my clinic rocking chair each week -- desperately trying to reduce her stress level. Yesterday I put a biodot on her hand and we proceeded as usual. Throughout the session, she kept looking at her biodot and watched as it continued to change colors as her extremities warmed up (as the parasympatheic system kicked in.)

It was a wonderful verification that massage, indeed, produces great and beneficial relaxation to the body -- and I sent several more home with her to experiment with the deep breathing she practices daily.

We've had threads on little extras you can provide for clients -- and I thought this might be a good one to add.

Hope so anyway!

Sherry

 

[yellowstar171]

Hi Sherry,

What a great idea! LOVE it! and the stress workshops, brilliant. I think I may have to try this...

Thanks!

 

[Harlos]

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing I have several clients under some pretty extreme stresses and I'm always looking for ways to help them out.

 

[G Marshall]

I think I'm going to have to look into these. Did I read that price right, 5 for $20? There's a little "stress card" listed just below them that's $2 too. I'm always looking for little goodies for my clients and I think I'd like these. Like a mood ring for grownups!

 

[Garrett]

Here's another alternative that appears to be less $$:

Stress Dots

 

[Quinny]

may I suggest?..

I was googling biodots and came up with this site: http://www.6seconds.org/xcart/product.php?productid=72 it offers 100pks of biodots for $10.

This site has 1000pks for cheaper than the site above: http://www.lifestructure.org/catalog.htm

Another site noted: "You can also turn your own business cards into a low cost stress card with these." woo!!

edit: Breathe beat me to it! *cue dueling banjos*

 

[Cody]

edit: Breathe beat me to it! *cue dueling banjos*

Great Googly Moogly! :

 

[Candi C]

You're welcome, Stonegirl and Vita! I have gotten so many great tips from MTs here -- and am glad if I can pass along a good one of my own!

BJB-LMP, I believe you receive 100 biodots for $20.00 -- that can become a bit steep if you are doing a large stress workshop. But very reasonable if you are giving each client 3-5 dots to take home (they come in strips.) Each packet of 100 biodots comes with one color card indicating what the colors mean. You can also call and order extra color cards if you want each client to have one.

I have also purchased the plastic stress cards -- which are 2 bucks and can be used over and over again by a client. They look like a credit card and are cute to have in your wallet. Both of these items are great conversation boosters -- and I have actually had new clients call to schedule an appt because someone showed them their stress card at work and they then asked where they had gotten it. "My massage therapist . . . " More word-of-mouth advertising, which is the best!

But to be honest, the best thing about handing these out is to show your clients you really care, that during the time in between appts they can also be working on their stress, and that their bodies are far more amazing than they actually knew! As MTs, we realize that wonderful fact in the study of anatomy and physiology -- but when you explain to clients the remarkable sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in terms they can totally indentify with, they are far more prone to take action!

The website I mentioned above also has some other wonderful materials in the stress/relaxation area that have been great for my workshops and as further materials I can give to clients.

As an MT, it is also a GREAT idea to try them on yourself first, finding your own best methods (different things work for different people) -- sometimes a client says, "Will you show me how they work on you?" I hate to admit it, but the first time I did that my dot stayed black as coal because I had been super pumped up for teaching the workshop!

Now I have it down!

So sorry, folks, did not mean to write a novel . . .

Sherry a.k.a. "The Babbling Brook"

 

[FrittyKitty]

I am SOOOOOO going to buy those for my husband, Mr. Stress Emperor of the Universe.

 

[Millo]

I was going to counter and say that no, my boyfriend is Stress Emperor, but really, he's more like the local Stress Reservoir. If I'm not stressed enough, I hang around him and get my fill :roll:

 

[Black orchid]

Oh, no . . . I thought I was the only one with a stress emperor/reservoir in the house!

My hubby caught me fooling around with the biodots in between clients today -- and gave me that "Oh, no . . . not more of this stuff!" look. He did, however, become quite interested when I showed him the lovely warm color of my biodot. He actually had me put one (pitch black) on his hand and went back to his desk and editing work. (He loves competition and hates to lose! He wanted to prove that it will happen no matter what!)

Interesting . . . when he was working on a thesis he enjoyed -- the dot almost turned green without any effort on his part. Then he went back to one he had been struggling with and -- poof went the color! He stated how "interesting" that was . . .

I will admit that when I first started massage therapy he had lots of doubts -- and now will take it whenever he can get it! Hubbies/boyfriends can learn in interesting ways . . . he actually asked me tonight, "So how do you change the color?"

Gold star for that 6'2" stress reservoir! There is hope, ladies!

P.S. Thanks for the links to cheaper stress dots! Will check them out! I have found them so worthwhile that I hadn't really delved into it much.
Yay. google pros!


Sherry

 

[leos_mama]

Well, I showed this product info to my own stress emperor and he's kinda excited about them. He asked if when I purchased some if he could take some into work. People in his line of work NEED to be aware of stress levels (police officers). Perhaps this will be the key to making local officers more aware of stress and their ability to control it!

Ms. Sherry, I think you're on to something here!

 

[Eviee]

My husband said they passed out "stress cards" at his workplace once. (Computer department of a large corporation.) All of his coworkers' cards stayed black, while his turned a relaxed blue. (He's the opposite of a stress emperor. Hard worker, but very easygoing personality.) The fact that his card turned blue drove his coworkers crazy! It brought out their competitive instincts as they struggled to turn their own cards blue, which of course just kept them black as night. :

 

[Kaycee]

Wow, Vita . . . police officers. What a great opportunity that would be to give a mini-stress workshop! I have put together enough materials that I can present 1 (mini) to 3 hour workshops. For the longer ones, I bring along my massage chair and do some quick 5 minute demos.

I have done mini-workshops for a variety of groups -- teachers, writers, and a "desperate housewives" weekend at a local Bed & Breakfast (those women were a hoot to work with!) One of my elderly massage clients asked if I would meet with a group of women her age (all in their 70s) who were all going through the stress and grief of losing their husbands.

It's a great service to the community (even though I was paid for the one at the B&B) and really spreads the word about massage.

And, Blisss, how wonderful that your hubby is an easygoing guy! Yes, the dots and cards can bring about a spirit of competition (I've seen that with larger groups, especially with men!) -- and the harder they try, the blacker those dots become! : Nothing like seeing a grown man perspire over trying to turn his dot or card blue! "Uh, sir . . . loosen your grip a little bit . . . take a deep breath . . . " :

Sherry

 

[Summer099]

The fact that his card turned blue drove his coworkers crazy! It brought out their competitive instincts as they struggled to turn their own cards blue, which of course just kept them black as night. :

: Now THERE'S the perfect opportunity to take advaneforum.xxxe of the competitive spirit. You can go into that environment, tell them what your massage skills can do and how they can use massage to win! You'll have them lining up!

Sherry, I don't know why it never occured to me, but yes they could definately use a seminar on stress relief and so could their families! I actually teach at the academy from time to time and occassionally at their inservice. I usually talk about how to deal with the deaf and hard of hearing but I may have to approach the captains about a new topic in 2007!

I love this place! You all inspire me and have me thinking in new ways!

 

[tbarnes_22]

A great idea, Vita! I have several good friends whose husbands are policemen and it entails a great deal of family stress too! You have a ready-made audience. And it is a true gift to them.

On top of that you are already accustomed to teaching which is great! In my "former life" I was a freelance writer & speaker. But I have enjoyed teaching the stress workshops more than anything else in all those years. People are so appreciative -- and it also opens new doors for them with ways they can relieve stress on their own and the services (like massage therapy) available that can be benefical to mind, body and spirit. So it is a business-builder too.

And any MTs out there without a teaching/speaking background -- you can do this, too! It is a natural topic for any MT with the training we have had. I make simple handouts on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems -- how the "fight or flight" response affects the body etc. Most people are totally unaware of how much happens to the body when it is under stress. It always gets their attention and encourages them to learn to do something about it!

I also have handouts on different methods of deep breathing and relaxation (to turn those dots blue) as well as on finding their own best personal ways to relax because each individual is different.

Have fun with it, Vita! So glad you joined the group!

Sherry

 

[A Husband with Needs]

Great thread.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Jayrverlohr]

Hi Sherry!
Just wondering if you would be willing to share your handouts with all of us?? am always looking for new info and new ways to present it to my clients. Thanks in advance!

 

[mimi]

Hmmm... I think the biodots would be great for giving to people coming to an open house.

 

[stephannie1202]

Wow, this is interesting, and a neat idea! Is this what most biofeedback (in this context) is? Measuring body temperature?

Under STRESS muscles tense, breathing is shallow, and hands/feet cool down.

Warm Hands are RELAXED, Cold Hands are TENSE

Why is it, then, when I'm really under intense pressure, nervous, and anxious, my body temperature seems to rise? I get really hot! I think that includes my hands and feet?

Hmmm... I think the biodots would be great for giving to people coming to an open house.

Yeah! Those would be great to have on hand anywhere you have chair massage set up, too! Especially if you get the customized ones with your logo and information! [/quote]