Spa Manual Printing

By Author: Kaitlyn Miller
Total Articles: 90
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Running a spa can be a redundant thing. It operates the same way—you train therapists, they go into an on-the-job training, and then they work in the spa. From time to time, they undergo a refresher course just to maintain the quality of the massage service that they render and also to remind them of the standard massage strokes and sequence used at the spa. In most local spas, they try to make their strokes as uniform as possible but the only way that they can do this is to have training manuals that will sort of serve as their “bible” for massage services. These print manuals could be like a big coffee table book where each branch gets one copy and is left in the care of the manager. Or they could be just small pocket size books that can be given out to each therapist. This is just to ensure that like product manuals, everything given out to clients is the same service.

It is kind of difficult to maintain the quality of a spa service because after all, the massage depends upon the attendant. There are really those that have the magic touch while there are those who consider their stint at the spa as merely a job ...
... that will help them get by their lives. But if you have a training manual, it is easily done. Although it cannot really be perfect, but at least, you will be closer to making your services uniformly done.

To-Do - The manual should include all kinds of massage that you are offering, such as Swedish Massage, Shiatsu, Thai, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi, and Combination Massage. Define each kind of massage so that it will also be informative and will teach your therapists the effects of different massage strokes. Indicate the length of time for each service as well the preparations that the therapist needs to do.

Label your strokes - Many standard massage strokes have names like effleurage, tapotement, knuckling, etc. Use these to detail your strokes along with the number of repetitions. But if you have come up with your own customized strokes, such a combination of pressing and stroking, make a name of it and include it in the manual. Just make sure that you describe it in detail as well as the number of repetitions.

Chronological - Arrange the strokes in chronological order from the first stretch to the last touch. For example, many combination massage treatments start with stretching and end with a hot towel bath that is also done using some stroking. So write these down.

The formulation of these print manuals is also good if you hired a licensed massage therapist as trainer. But he is only on retainer and after the training period, he is off to another spa. The training manuals will ensure that the same services are rendered close to what the instructor had taught. These can also be your showcase, much like what product manuals do. That will maintain the credibility of the treatment. Additionally, if you train new recruits, you no longer have to hire the trainer because they usually charge high fees plus accommodations. At least with the manual, your senior therapists can handle the training of newbies based on the manual. You can just give them some extra remuneration for their efforts to teach their colleagues but at least it will not be as expensive as hiring an outside teacher because they are already working in the spa.

For more information, you can visit this page on training manuals