I am soon to be starting my own business to include mobile (home) reflexology treatments. Instead of using a specialist chair/lounger for the client and a chair for myself, I was thinking of having the client seated on their own chair or sofa, resting their feet on a foldable footstool, and myself sitting on a thick 'meditation' style cushion. The main reasons for this is to keep the equipment I carry around to a minimum, and also I think it would be pretty comfortable for me as I tend to sit on the floor at home most of the time anyway.
If anyone has any comments about this set-up I would be glad to hear them - my main concern is whether it would look professional, and if anyone thinks it may prove uncomfortable in the long term.
Any feedback is appreciated!
Sounds like a good idea to me - you may find it takes a few minutes to make sure your client is 'ergonomically sound' before you start - if they have a sunlounger or one of those fab reclining chairs or sofas you can't go wrong.
It might be a bit more tricky getting the right height between footstool and chair - saying that most people have their own mega comfy set up so as long as they are happy to reveal their slob secrets to you they should be comfy throughout the treatment.
I treat my parents whilst they are in thier recliners and me on the floor and it's very comfy all round. Also I've dne treatments on holiday and at friends houses with them lying on the sofa with their legs over the arm - the problem here has been waking them up when I've finished, one time my 'client' spent the next 3 hours snoring away on the sofa.
good luck
Lou xxx
Hi longvines (again)
Before I had a car, I used to visit clients via public transport. I used a folding stool like those used by fishing hobbyists with a cushion on top (from the client) to prop up the feet. I sat on a Japanese style meditation stool (with legs that folded inwards for travelling), to keep my posture good.
So in a small rucksack I had: the folding fishing stool, meditation stool, two small towels, lotion/oil, and paperwork. This all I needed for Hand & Foot Reflex, IHM, and Reiki.
I'm not one for nostalgia, but I look back at those days with great happiness and a sense of pioneership, and try not to remember the hours of standing in the freezing wind, rain and fog coming off the Atlantic Ocean!
Now for portable work I use a Lafuma recliner for reflex and a Thai mat for massage squeezed into the back seat of the car.
Best Wishes
RP
Hi Longvines
I bought a porta-ped to cut down the weight I have to carry around with me for mobile treatments.
You can adjust the height and angle to suit each client. I also bought a cover for it. It is lightweight and easy to carry around for home treatments. Therefore they can sit in a comfortable chair and put their feet up to the right height for your seated position.
I think this system works very well, the only disadvantage being that the client is sitting upright and it may not be quite as relaxing in this position compared to lying back in a reclining chair.
Binah
xx
Thanks for all the good advice everyone! I am going to be reliant on public transport in the first stages of setting up my practise so keeping weight down is important. Hopefully by winter I will have established a client base and be at the stage where I am thinking about renting premises, and be able to avoid the damp Manchester weather...