comments:
LMT of 11 years & been using gloves for every session since hard water and all the oils started affecting my skin (super dry and cracked, and skin splitting around my finger nails, all the nail filing and hand washing too adds up). Combined with cat scratches and knicks from yard work etc, it's easier to just wear gloves. And it feels great going home knowing that I'm not bringing home any skin conditions from clients. My nitrile gloves are skin tight & I learned to use my hands in a way that doesn't make them bunch up, and with minimal noise. I work for myself, 4 days a week- 16-18 clients a week using my hands and fingers (almost never use forearms). My style wouldn't work for every therapist but it works for me & my clients are happy. I get these x-small gloves: Nitrile Gloves They are chemo rated so you can use essential oils without them deteriorating or breaking during session. While some clients might not like it, I do inform them on my website that I use them and why, and have them acknowledge the use as a reminder when they sign their intake. My clients are there for pain relief in a clinical setting, and are just happy to leave feeling better. My clients would prefer I make accommodations for myself than give up massage because of my atopic dermatitis. Just manage your clients' expectations going in. If you do good work, you can build your practice to what works for you. Or work at a PT or chiropractor office. Lot of ableist comments on here.