As wellness industry professionals, we’ve built our careers around delivering services that improve our clients’ overall well-being. Like any service-based industry, it’s a business built on trust, and our clients return because they believe in the services we provide and the results they’ve come to expect. That level of trust between therapist and client not only emphasizes a responsibility on the part of the therapist to educate themselves on the best services, products and techniques available, but it also provides a unique opportunity for therapists to expand their reach with clients based on the valuable knowledge they already have. One way to think of it is “taking it to the next level” — educating clients on the add-ons, upgrades or new services that they’d find most beneficial has the dual benefit of boosting your bottom line while further strengthening the therapist-client relationship and maybe adding an extra way to fulfill their wellness goals. Interested in expanding your reach or education with clients? Here’s how to use what you already know as a therapist to do exactly that.
Lean in to Essential Oils
Essential oils have increased in popularity over the past few years and for good reason. They can offer numerous health benefits, and they’re easy to incorporate into a variety of products and services. When sharing about essential oils with clients—particularly as an upgrade or add-on to services you offer—it’s important to emphasize that different oils are thought to offer different benefits. For instance, peppermint is refreshing, cooling and increases circulation; lavender is calming and offers mild antiseptic properties; ginger boosts circulation and increases alertness; lemon is uplifting and boasts additional exfoliating benefits; and grapefruit promotes balance and boosts mood. The list goes on. They can be added to body scrubs, facials or incorporated into massage treatments, and diffusers can be used in treatment rooms. Keep a card on display that explains the different oils and their uses/benefits. Clients can incorporate oils at home, too.
Enhance the Client’s Experience with Room Additions
Think about your favorite products that add to the calm and serenity of your clinic by enhancing the overall ambience, such as a diffuser with essential oils (see above), an infrared mat on the massage table or a portable halo therapy salt inhalation device (may help with respiratory issues). Himalayan salt lamps are another great option as they emit a sun-like coloring and release negative ions that help to purify the air and help with anxiety or sleeplessness. These can be used in the spa to improve your overall atmosphere, but don’t discount the benefit of educating clients on how and why to incorporate these products in their homes as well.
Try Topicals for Pain
Relaxation isn’t the only reason clients visit. Sore muscles and other aches and pains send just as many clients through our doors, and they’re looking for more than ibuprofen and a heating pad. Take the opportunity to educate your clients about the benefits of cold therapy. Products like Biofreeze, a fast-acting, menthol-based formula, are known to relieve pain by stimulating receptors in the body to block pain signals normally sent from the spine to the brain. Unlike an oral pill, the pain relief is targeted to a specific area of the body. Topicals like Biofreeze come in creams, gels, patches and more.
Detoxify with Bathing Solutions
Teach your clients about detox bath products they can use at home to rid the body of harmful toxins and restore a more balanced well-being. Himalayan salt detox baths are one great option. This is also a great opportunity to educate clients about eco-friendly products to use at home. Consider providing resources that help clients determine the environmental sustainability of the products they choose. For every product that enters their home, they should be aware of where it comes from, how it’s made, and whether it’s responsibly sourced.
Complement Your Service with Massage Tools
Massage tools are no replacement for in-spa massage services, but they can complement the services you already provide if your clients know what tools to choose and how to use them. There are a wealth of affordable tools on the market today, such as vibrating massage pillows that combat headaches while providing shoulder and back relief and foot massage balls that help alleviate tight muscles and heel pain. Put together a list of massage tools you recommend, and offer a time in the spa (perhaps as an add-on to massage on your menu) when you can demonstrate how to use the tool at home in between sessions.
Highlight Your Amenities
Many clients will come to the spa regularly for a particular treatment without exploring the other amenities you have to offer. On their next visit, take the opportunity to highlight amenities that will complement the treatments they already receive. Whirlpools, Himalayan salt saunas, and steam rooms are wonderful ways to further the experience while releasing stress and relieving sore muscles. Infrared treatments are another growing industry. The potential benefits include muscle relaxation, pain relief, anti-aging effects, skin cleansing and potential weight loss. On a smaller scale, spas can incorporate infrared and LED facial machines to help spot treat acne, illuminate skin, and more.
In the end, with any education you offer your clients—whether it’s about a new service, an at-home product, your spa’s newest amenities or something else entirely—you’re equipping them with the information they need to take their next step toward overall wellness. Trust yourself and the knowledge you’ve gained during your years in the industry. Then share that knowledge with your clients. Next time they come in for their regular treatment or ask what you recommend, don’t be shy about sharing what you know. Remember, customer loyalty is built on trust, and trust is built with exceptional customer service.
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