Selfcare for bodyworkers food for thought

Fernanda Santiago • February 14, 2023

Selfcare for bodyworkers food for thought

Let’s just start out by saying that the burnout rate for massage therapists is outrageous!


We talk about self-care to our clients all the time. Yet, are we following our own advice?

All too often therapists complain that clients are not self-care compliant. And because we aren’t the energizer bunnies 24/7, how do we give our best, be present and hold space for others when we feel depleted? We know that actions speak louder than words and your clients follow what you do. So, the question becomes, how can we stay healthy and energetic for our clients consistently?


We are in the career field where we take care of everyone else, therefore it’s crucial that we do the same for ourselves. It’s time to stop “burning the candle at both ends” and remember to “stop and smell the roses”. Because your life can also directly affect your practice.


Here are some tips from a Bodyworker and business owner of almost 2 decades actively working in the field. We hope you find it beneficial and overcome burnout.


Recognize that rest and recovery is just as important than hustle and bustle. Form nurturing habits to nourish your being inside and out. Take time to receive bodywork regularly. Get out! Spend time outdoors, going for walks, reading, reflecting, feeding your body nutrient rich foods, getting a good night’s sleep, hydrating, minimize alcohol and processed foods … the list goes on and on. I find that going to a local massage therapist regularly as a client works better from me than depending on trading with other therapists and juggling schedules because I can do this regularly without interruptions. Also taking time to be creative on projects relaxes me and makes me feel good.
Remember that YOU have to make the time. No one will do it for you. Block your calendar, and don’t allow interruptions. Not everyone has the same needs. Most importantly is to find a system that works for you.


What is it that your body needs? What fills your cup? 


Realize that selfcare isn’t a luxury, it is a priority. It is not selfish, its selfing.. Selfcare means being responsible for your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing so that you feel more grounded and balanced. When you take care of yourself, you show up differently in your life. From a place of abundance in energy and a more positive mood, you can give to others.


Delegate. The most successful business owners i know have no problem delegate responsibilities and different tasks. The things your not good at or dont like doing, you can help others while they help take some of the load off you! I have on multiple occasion seek out assistance from friends or family members that are responsible and will get the job done. From hiring a virtual assistant, scheduling out your social media and paying a high-schooler to do your laundry or helping out a single mom or someone who can use some side work can be your chance to serve others as well.


Try this exercise: The yes and no list



Many of us say Yes to a lot of things, but struggle with saying no. Sometimes because of this we allow our boundaries to get crossed.
Take a piece of paper, fold it in half and draw a line in the middle. On one side put the word “NO” and don’t the other “YES”
Now right on the list of things that are you are going to say no to and the things that you are going to say yes to. When you struggle with boundaries this is a great thing to look back at.


Monitor how and with who you spend your time.

They say you are like the 5 people you spend your time with. This means we are greatly influenced — whether we like it or not — by those closest to us. Ask yourself, “Am I spending my time with those you life me up, or bring me down?” Being around negative or problematic people can affect your thoughts and actions and take a toll on your emotional wellbeing.


On another note, with how we spend our time, we could include the trainings that we take. Are they relevant or in alignment to the demographic we serve? Are we mindlessly taking random continuing education classes or are we strategically choosing them for how they will enhance our practice?

If your practice is focused on helping moms through pre and postpartum work, infant massage etc., It might not be ideal to spend time in workshops focused on sports massage, etc. because that is a completely different audience than the one you serve. However, that can also change and as your practice grows you can monitor and adjust.


 Keep a journal– Write it down: goals-daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Thoughts, ideas action plans. Getting it on paper means its not bouncing around in your mind taking up room. It helps promote mental clarity and focus. Journaling has also been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety. #


Sometimes my best ideas come while I’m giving bodywork. For this reason, I keep a little notebook in my treatment room.


Ask for help- Know that you’re not alone. There are wellness experts you can add to your circle to help yourself and your clients. Who are your local nutritionist, exercise specialist, acupuncturist, etc.?

If you don’t like something, change it. Let’s face it, some things in life are out of our control. But I believe there is a lot that is in our control. If you are not happy at your current position, move. Don’t stay at a job bitter and miserable and reflect that on your clients. For those who work for themselves, if you’re not satisfied financially, change it. If you’re not fulfilled with the type of bodywork or clients you’re serving, you can change that too. Focusing on where you want to be and how you want to practice, rather than trying to be everything for everyone to the point where you’re not taken care of. Not being happy with your work life can take an emotional toll and also lead to burnout and fatigue.

Monitor and adjust
There are constant moving parts in life and in business. Learning to adapt to change and becoming more resilient will help you stay on target with your goals and progress. Being aware that things can change at any moment, may help you be able to better manage your lifestyle choices, make self care a priority, protect your boundaries, prevent or avoid unnecessary stress, and work towards a better quality of life.

Be kind to yourself – It takes time to lose old habits and incorporate new ones. Self compassion involves acting the same way towards yourself as you would towards others when times get tough. If your feeling drained, come back to this blog when you need reminders and share it with others too!

Nurturing Pregnancy Through Thai Massage

By Susan Good • December 19, 2025
Before I became a massage therapist, I trained as a doula and fell in love with all things pregnancy and birth. I was living in Ireland at the time, and then I spent two months volunteering as a doula in Honduras. In one town I taught childbirth education classes in Spanish, but in all three hospitals where I volunteered I offered labor and birth support. Sometimes I wondered how I could help when I myself hadn’t yet had children, but I quickly learned that it was all about being a quiet presence and supporting the birthing woman’s own natural process. The following year I became licensed in massage and was excited to start working with prenatal clients. I noticed some of my co-workers at the spa hated getting booked prenatals, and I wondered why since I truly enjoyed the work. Over the years, chatting with colleagues helped me understand some of the things they didn’t enjoy about prenatal sessions: They hated massaging in side-lying position. They didn't like all the cushions. They fumbled with the draping. They were nervous they’d send their client into labor. (If only it was that easy!) THEIR bodies hurt giving the massage. In the beginning of my career I definitely felt physically uncomfortable giving some prenatal massages, like if my table wasn’t the correct height or my client’s back wasn’t close to the edge of the table. Sometimes I would contort my body to give what I thought was a good therapeutic massage. As I deepened my Thai massage practice, I noticed my body started feeling so much better than it ever had before. Working on a mat on the floor allowed me to use more of my body during the session and to deepen the work without having to overexert myself. One of my Thai massage teachers, Homprang Chaleekanha, says in her classes that when giving the massage stops feeling good for the practitioner, the work stops being therapeutic for the client. When I was pregnant with my daughter I received a Thai massage, but it was a bit too intense. The stretches went too far, the compressions too deep, and I felt very protective of my low back. After that, I assumed Thai massage was just something you couldn’t get when you were pregnant. In 2022 and 2023 I went to Thailand to study womblifting with Homprang, whom I first studied with in 2019. She taught us how to make herbal poultices and use them during the treatments in a traditional way. (I wish I could heat clay pots over an open fire in my treatment room!) Although womblifting is totally contraindicated during pregnancy, I learned so much about the approach of working with women where one of my jobs as the therapist is to nurture and support. Attending that training was deeply healing for myself after having had my first baby a couple years prior. Women need special attention in the prenatal and postpartum periods, and I love learning different holistic ways I can offer that. Over the years, I started feeling much more confident doing Thai sessions with pregnant clients. I realized those sessions aren’t (only) about what not to do in terms of stretches and compressions, but how to nurture the pregnant woman with oils, gentle focused stretching, and warm herbal poultices. Although experiencing pregnancy is ABSOLUTELY not necessary to be able to give a wonderful prenatal Thai massage, I made note of the various changes my own body had made during pregnancy to help customize each and every session. Listening to the cues my clients' bodies give before and during the massage always helps me learn something new with each treatment. Some of my favorite sessions to give are prenatal Thai massages! I love mixing the herbal blends, filling the treatment room with the sweet floral aromas before the client arrives, and creating an environment where the client can truly tune in with her body and relax mentally. Giving prenatal Thai massage on a mat allows for much more room for cushions and for the client to rest comfortably however she wants. The steamed herbal poultices are a soothing extension of my hands…not to mention MY hands feel amazing while working with the herbs. As one of my clients once put it, receiving a prenatal Thai massage is like taking a nap in a warm cup of herbal tea! I’m excited to teach Thai Prenatal Herbal Poultice Massage to therapists so we can help more pregnant women experience this deep and nourishing relaxation!

Why Everyone Needs to Be Talking About the Iliopsoas—And What You Can Do About It

By Fernanda Santiago • April 12, 2025
Discover the often-overlooked iliopsoas muscle and how it contributes to chronic low back pain, mobility issues, and postural imbalances. Learn why modern therapists must understand this key muscle and join us for Iliopsoas Mastery—a trauma-informed, neuromuscular, and Thai massage workshop designed to address pain at its root.

The Discount Dilemma: Why Spa Businesses Should Proceed with Caution

By Fernanda Santiago • April 20, 2024
In the competitive world of spa services, it's tempting to resort to discounts and specials to attract clients. While creating seasonal offerings can be helpful to engage current clients, attract new clients and encourage them to try new services, we don’t want to fall into the trap of offering specials too often. While it may seem like a quick fix to fill appointment slots and boost revenue, this approach can actually be detrimental to your business in the long run. Here’s why: Devaluation of Services: Constantly offering specials can devalue the perception of your services in the eyes of your clients. When clients become accustomed to discounted rates, they may hesitate to book appointments at full price in the future, leading to a decrease in overall revenue. Attracting Price-Sensitive Clients: Clients who are primarily attracted to specials and discounts are often more price-sensitive and less loyal. They may shop around for the cheapest deal rather than forming a long-term relationship with your spa. This can result in a higher churn rate and lower client retention. Erosion of Brand Image: Your spa's brand image is crucial for attracting high-value clients and standing out in the market. Constantly offering specials can cheapen your brand image and undermine the perception of quality and exclusivity that you've worked hard to cultivate. Negative Impact on Profit Margins: Continuously discounting services can erode your profit margins over time. While specials may initially attract clients, the reduced revenue per service can ultimately outweigh the benefits of filling appointment slots, especially when factoring in the cost of providing the service. Difficulty in Upselling: When clients are accustomed to discounted rates, they may be less receptive to upselling additional services or premium treatments at full price. This can limit your ability to maximize revenue per client and hinder the growth of your business. While offering specials occasionally can be a strategic marketing tactic, constantly relying on discounts can have detrimental effects on your spa business. Instead, focus on highlighting the unique benefits of your services, building long-term client relationships, and maintaining the perceived value of your offerings to ensure the sustainable growth and success of your spa. In other words, work with what you’ve got! The Power of Highlighting Services: A Strategic Approach for Spa Professionals Here’s why we believe that highlighting your services creates a more sustainable and effective approach: Value Perception: When you highlight a service, you're showcasing its unique benefits and value proposition. This elevates the perceived value in the eyes of your clients, making them more willing to pay full price. Building Expertise and Trust: By focusing on specific services, you position yourself as an expert in those areas. Clients are more likely to trust your expertise and recommendations, leading to higher retention rates and client satisfaction. Targeted Marketing: Highlighting services allows you to target specific client needs and preferences. This enables you to tailor your marketing efforts more effectively, attracting clients who are genuinely interested in the services you offer. Filling Open Slots Strategically: Instead of resorting to blanket discounts that can devalue your services, strategically highlight services that have open slots on your schedule. By showcasing these services to your clients, you can fill those slots while maintaining the perceived value of your offerings. Encouraging Repeat Business: When clients experience the full benefits of a highlighted service, they're more likely to return for future appointments. This fosters long-term client relationships and generates consistent revenue for your spa. In conclusion, highlighting services offers a more sustainable and valuable approach for spa professionals compared to giving discounts or specials. By focusing on the unique benefits of each service, you can keep clients engaged, fill open slots on your schedule, and ultimately grow your spa business.