Scheduling: How much time between appointments?

[lilbigd2010]

Let's assume that your usual session is an hour.

How much time, minimum, do you personally schedule between appointments?

Also, How much time would you PREFER to schedule?

My thoughts:

Assuming that we ask clients to be 10-15 minutes early for an appointment so they can begin to relax, do any intake forms, use the restroom, and otherwise prepare for the massage, including disrobing and arranging themselves on the table.

Also assuming that we'd like to let clients take a few minutes after their massage before they hop off the table, get dressed, pay, grab some water and run out....

And then there's the time required to get cleaned up, change linens, etc...

Personally, I couldn't see scheduling anything LESS than 30 minutes between the end of one massage and the appointment time of the next.

Of course, I don't know yet what kind of endurance I'll have in this work, so I may NEED much more time for my own rest and recouperation between sessions.

Then, of course, comes the question of... if you're on an outcall, and doing 2 or more massages at the same client location, taking even a half hour between sessions might be too much?

 

[Ryan / Stumpy]

I had a situation where I was collecting money for a cause and doing massage for donation. When I did that I gave myself about twenty minutes between clients. I only did four, so I was doing massage for about four to five hours. Each massage was about 45 minutes then. When in clinic, we did hour massage with a half an hour in between time. Now at work we usually have a half an hour also, but we also do therapy out of our office too, so some times half an hour is a luxury. If it were my place, half an hour is a definite, unless doing hot stone, then at least 45 minutes alotting for clean up, ect. Hope this helps.

 

[Karthik K]

I'd like to have @ least 15 min between clients, but that doesnt always work out. Im good doing massages back to back until I reach about 6-7, then I get cranky, so I know not to do that anymore. Its hard to say "no" when someone needs you, but no sense in burning out! I usually schedule 30-45 min mid-day for lunch, stretching, call backs :}

 

[Snopea]

Scheduling: How much time between appointments?

Then, of course, comes the question of... if you're on an outcall, and doing 2 or more massages at the same client location, taking even a half hour between sessions might be too much?

how about 5 minutes? or better yet, as short as i can get the 2nd person on the table. i want to finish my work and get gone.
even if i do 3 hours, i still don't take a break until i'm done. 3 is my limit for how many i do in a row on site. my hour is 60 minutes.

 

[Nicola J]

re: How much time between appointments?

OK - I may get the award for the longest breaks. I schedule one hour off between appointments. To explain: I work in my own office in a beautiful location, which I find very relaxing myself. I see 4 clients a day (usually totalling 5 hours of massage) and my schedule stays full. From Day One, I scheduled 30 minutes between appointments, because I didn't want me or my clients to feel rushed. When I got my own office, I increased the break time so that after saying goodbye to one client, changing table linens, writing up their progress notes and returning phone calls, I would have time to sit down and relax for 15 minutes before the next client arrived. 1 hour lets me do this. (I cherish solitude and find that quiet time just for me is very rejuvenating). The drawback is that it makes my workday longer, and I totally understand therapists who wouldn't want to do it. It works for me. I stay peaceful all day and am always happy to see my clients -- even when the clients are higher maintenance than usual and everyone wants deep tissue therapy.

 

[carrie_adams19]

When I worked for the DC I barely had 5 mins in between. Now working for myself, I leave 30 mins. between.

Most of the time you aren't going to have a day worth of new clients filling out paper work. I don't do a written intake everytime - verbal is good for me to check in and get changes. So for me 30 mins. is good for standing appointment and current clients.

 

[Sudeep King of Scorn]

re: How much time between appointments?

OK - I may get the award for the longest breaks. I schedule one hour off between appointments.

I am right there with you on this Blisss. I too started with 30 minutes between clients but I'd often find one client leaving late and the next coming in early and there would go my few minutes of solitude. Currently I am seeing four clients in a day, five max. With the hour breaks between sessions I feel I have more endurance during the day and can give consistently good sessions from the first to the last.

Of course I am doing reflexology only and that alone may be why I need the longer breaks. Some of my MT friends that are also trained in reflexology would much prefer giving an hour massage than an hour of reflexology. Though I don't know if it is boredom or the body mechanics for them? t116

 

[Catie]

Some of my MT friends that are also trained in reflexology would much prefer giving an hour massage than an hour of reflexology. Though I don't know if it is boredom or the body mechanics for them?

I have thought this too. Using deeper pressures on a small area. Kind of the opposite of MLD - it is so light I would get tired faster from holding my arms and hands up.

 

[That Guy!]

I would love to have 30 minutes in between clients and then an hour after I do 3. I was doing that for a while after my car accident, and I felt a lot better to be able to relax and get ready for my client. I hate doing massages back to back but I don't have control over booking them right now so I don't have a choice. Suggestions go ignored where I work... but when I have my own space, I don't think I would want to have more than a 30 minute break so that I can get on with my day. I would love to have even 15 minutes in between clients at my current job so that I don't feel rushed. Giving the client only 5 minutes to get on the table, and 5 minutes to get off then be booked on the hour just doesn't work... I worked for someone that wanted us to do 60 minutes on the hour... hello!!! Then would yell at me because I would get backed up... simple math, it doesn't work.

But everybody is different, I go nuts having time when I am not doing anything, but I do need some time...

 

[<insert witty name here>]

30 mins minimum for me (in-studio, not outcall)....anything less than that makes it seem like assembly work ("...NEXT!") lol

Now, when doing on-site/housecall massage, I'm with mush...the faster, the better, as I usually have a decent-size drive home

 

[eeyore6802]

How much time between appointments?

I try to get at least 15 minutes. I think sometimes 20 would be nice if I have to return more than two calls and take a bathroom break. Beside, when do most people do the other activities that MTs do-like postal stuff, laundry, cleaning, marketing, etc?
My first job about 19 years ago was at a tennis camp. The massages were booked on the half-hour. It was quite challenging to keep dancing as fast as I could.
I also worked in a DC office where I would get a 15 min. break during a 4-4.5 hour shift. That easily got shortened if I had to find a file or something.
I like to schedule about two sessions close together and then take lunch.
I really think the time in between or after sessions is mine, so I keep the door closed and locked.
Kind regards,
rubmyster

 

[malcolm b]

yep, 30 minutes between my appointments too. although by the time i go over their 60 minutes, they get dressed, i say good bye and change sheets, i've got 2 minutes...sometimes less. but i like to have that time for my clients not for myself. i could do one after the other but i need time to get things ready.

 

[Littleboots]

I do thirty minutes, but I really LOVE that one hour idea!!!
Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Lulu Panda]

Generally, I put there is 1/2 hour between clients... working from home, I can throw in a load of sheets, wash my hands, make tea, let the dogs outside, etc between clients and accomplish a few things during the day besides providing loving care for my clients. I have a husband and wife who always schedule back to back every 2 weeks. To get a break in between their sessions, I talk to which ever of them is going 2nd that particular day about how their day was, what their body is doing that I need to take care of, etc. while I am changing sheets, making out receipts for the both of them, rebooking their appts for the next session, etc. I don't feel rushed, they appreciate the time to see one another before they are off and running in different directions post-session, and the majority of the paperwork, etc is taken care of in one "swoop".

I have a few clients who like to arrive way too early for their massages, and would like to be seen when they arrive..... unless I unlock the office door, they are treated to private time in their vehicle [no space for a waiting room except my front porch in spring, summer, and early fall].... that guarantees I get my break in without interruptions, and rarely do I have any complaints about not providing services prior to scheduled appointments.

 

[Karla Reyna]

I remember back in student clinic, it was back to back to back to back. I don't think there was a break in clients. It was assembly line massage. We were told to do the full 60 minutes, but that the new client would be waiting at the top of the hour, so don't keep them waiting. Having to have the client fill out an evealuation after the table was cleaned and new sheets were added the new client was probably waiting 3 to 4 minutes... The instructors would walk around poking their heads in and letting you know when the new client arriveds. It seemed crazy to book clients so close together, but they were for clinic so the school wants to make the most money in the shortest amount of time. I guess in the real world it isn't this busy unless you work for a chiropractor lol.

 

[Almost Happy Housewife]

re: locking the door between appointments

Rubmyster wrote:

I really think the time in between or after sessions is mine, so I keep the door closed and locked.

AnastasiaB wrote:

I have a few clients who like to arrive way too early for their massages, and would like to be seen when they arrive..... unless I unlock the office door, they are treated to private time in their vehicle [no space for a waiting room except my front porch in spring, summer, and early fall].... that guarantees I get my break in without interruptions, and rarely do I have any complaints about not providing services prior to scheduled appointments.

I also keep my door locked between appointments. Since I take hour breaks, I lock it the minute one client leaves and then put out the "open" sign again 15 minutes before the next appointment. That ensures the solitude I need. I started doing this because I would get customers from neighboring businesses walking in "to chat". They would be perfectly comfortable taking 1/2 hour of my time asking questions about massage therapy, talking about their aches and pains (and never booking appointments). Locking the door is an easy way to prevent interruptions and restore solitude. However, when I was just starting my business, I welcomed all visitors, because I wanted to encourage new clients. My schedule stays busy enough now that I choose the relaxing break instead.

 

[riches no butler]

In my office, 30 mintues to an hour between. For outcalls, as quickly as I can make up the table and they can get on it (working maximum four hours total). When I'm doing chair on location I usually either schedule 10 minutes between sessions (employee-pay) or one 30 minute break at the middle of the day (employer-pay). Anywhere not my office I like to get done as quickly as I can.

I only do the occasional session from home now, but keeping the door locked and an "open at.." sign between sessions are great ideas I'll incorporate when that day comes.

 

[leeroy c]

Massage Therapists are Not Doritos...

When I was at MT school they scheduled 45 minutes between the 60 minute massages. I found the period between quite appropriate with all the SOAP notes, and things we had to do to get ready for the next client, plus allowing some time for self-care.
When I was working at the salon, I asked for 30 minutes break between clients, and if it was a husband and wife I'd give up my "rest time" and allow them to be booked with only 15 minutes between clients since I knew they'd be waiting on one another...
Somehow the salon took this to mean that they could always schedule me with only 15 minutes between clients, which by the time the client dressed, you escorted them downstairs, received payment and booked their next appointment... most of it was used up. You'd have to hurry upstairs again to get the table ready for the next client. SOAP notes had to wait until your lunch break or the end of the day when they're jammed that close together. And generally speaking self-care at that point was relegated to a sip of water while the client was undresssing.
Honestly some salons/day spas, only care about the $$. MTs are "expendable"... you use one up, or they get injured, you just interview a couple new ones... *shrug* What's the big deal? They'll "make more"... There's a couple schools only 50 miles away (not where I graduated from) churning out new ones.
Maybe one day, salons/day spas, DCs and other "employers" will learn that MTs are NOT machines... but I don't know what exactly it's going to take to bring them to that realization.

 

[Julie loves Hoochieboy!]

I had the same problem as Maestra in the spa...they booked at the top of the hour so the only way I got proper downtime between clients was if I was lucky enough to have a half-hour client. Sessions were 50 minutes long for an 'hour' so I had to rush the client on and off the table in order to have time to change the sheets. Which was also discouraged ("just flip the top one over when it looks used") to save time and money on laundry. When I tried to block out the following quarter-hour before going into a session on a not-busy day I got in trouble for that, too.

As soon as I had my own practice I made hour sessions the full 60 minutes and gave myself, and my client, plenty of time between.

I could never see the point of working so hard to relax muscles only to rush them a few minutes later. :roll:

 

[daydreambeliever]

I start @ 10:30, do two sessions w/ 30 min. in between. Then I take a larger break and start my next two sessions around 3 or 3:30. I do only four sessions a day. And try not to schedule more then three 90 min. sessions in a day. I have my own office, and I work Tue.-Fri. and the occasional Sat.

I usually go over on the 60 min. sessions, so the 30 min. in between disappear fast. I think my ideal schedule would be four 60 min. session 10:30, 12:00, 3:00, and 4:30. I sometimes have days like this, but usually people want to come later then 4:30 so I will have another longer break in between my 3rd and 4th massage.