<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>        <rss version="2.0"
             xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
             xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
             xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
             xmlns:admin="http://webns.net/mvcb/"
             xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
             xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
        <channel>
            <title>
									The Massage London Forum - Recent Posts				            </title>
            <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/</link>
            <description>The Massage London Discussion Board</description>
            <language>en-GB</language>
            <lastBuildDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:08:52 +0000</lastBuildDate>
            <generator>wpForo</generator>
            <ttl>60</ttl>
							                    <item>
                        <title>RE: CPD and professional development</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-38</link>
                        <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2026 15:46:18 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Sophie’s preference for practical workshops raises a useful question: how much individual feedback will you actually get? Before booking, it’s worth asking about group size, hands-on practic...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sophie’s preference for practical workshops raises a useful question: how much individual feedback will you actually get? Before booking, it’s worth asking about group size, hands-on practice time and whether tutors watch and correct your technique. Separately, check whether it counts towards your professional body’s CPD requirements and whether your insurer will cover the technique afterwards.Has anyone attended a London workshop where the tutor gave particularly useful feedback on pressure or body mechanics? What made the teaching helpful?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Jessica</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-38</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Self-employed and working alone? Tell us one thing you wish you&#039;d known sooner</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/introductions/self-employed-and-working-alone-tell-us-one-thing-you-wish-youd-known-sooner/#post-37</link>
                        <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:36:27 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[For me it&#039;s how much of the job isn&#039;t the massage. In the clinic I turned up, treated and went home. Now it&#039;s bookings, reminders, laundry, receipts and chasing the odd payment, and that add...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>For me it's how much of the job isn't the massage. In the clinic I turned up, treated and went home. Now it's bookings, reminders, laundry, receipts and chasing the odd payment, and that adds up to more hours than I expected.What I wish I'd done from day one is set aside a fixed hour each week for admin and expenses, rather than leaving it to evenings. And keep receipts properly from the start. Sorting a pile of them before a tax deadline isn't fun.Curious whether others found the admin side or the quiet weeks harder at first.Mark</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Mark Cox NWL</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/introductions/self-employed-and-working-alone-tell-us-one-thing-you-wish-youd-known-sooner/#post-37</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: What are you charging in 2026?</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/what-are-you-charging-in-2026/#post-36</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 12:15:34 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;m in SW London and rent a room by the session rather than monthly. When I first set my prices I only thought about what other therapists charged. Took me a while to realise the room fee, t...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I'm in SW London and rent a room by the session rather than monthly. When I first set my prices I only thought about what other therapists charged. Took me a while to realise the room fee, towels and quiet midweek slots eat more than I expected.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For a 60-minute massage I'm at £75–£85 depending on the day. 90 minutes is £110–£120. That feels about right for where I am, but I'm curious what people charge if they go mobile instead of renting.</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Olga SW London</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/what-are-you-charging-in-2026/#post-36</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: CPD and professional development</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-35</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:52:47 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve been thinking about this a lot recently. I work as a massage therapist at one of London&#039;s leading spas and I&#039;m looking at deepening my deep tissue and myofascial work, and maybe some pa...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I've been thinking about this a lot recently. I work as a massage therapist at one of London's leading spas and I'm looking at deepening my deep tissue and myofascial work, and maybe some part-time independent clients alongside spa work later on. The hard part isn't finding courses. It's knowing which ones actually change how you treat, rather than just adding another certificate.</p>
<p>A short, heavily practical workshop has been more useful to me this year than a longer, theory-heavy day. I also like the idea of the CPD log. If I do go more independent, having courses and any insurer or professional-body requirements in one place would save a lot of scrambling.</p>
<p>For those already working independently: have you found a London provider where the tutor feedback on pressure and body mechanics genuinely felt worth the fee?</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Sophie M</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-35</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>RE: Free massage price calculator: are you charging enough?</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/free-massage-price-calculator-are-you-charging-enough/#post-34</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 10:17:36 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I&#039;ve been putting off working this out properly, so the calculator came at a good time. At the spa the rates are set for us, but if I go part-time self-employed I&#039;m wary of picking a number ...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I've been putting off working this out properly, so the calculator came at a good time. At the spa the rates are set for us, but if I go part-time self-employed I'm wary of picking a number that "sounds right" for central London and then finding room hire, insurance and quiet slots wipe half of it out.</p>
<p>I haven't run my own costs yet. Mostly I've just been comparing what other therapists charge. Has anyone used the calculator and found their real floor was higher than they expected?</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Monica</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/free-massage-price-calculator-are-you-charging-enough/#post-34</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>CPD and professional development</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-33</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:40:39 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[With so many massage courses, workshops and online training options available, it&#039;s not always easy to decide what&#039;s worth investing in.
We&#039;ve already had some interesting discussions about...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span>With so many massage courses, workshops and online training options available, it's not always easy to decide what's worth investing in.</span></p>
<p><span>We've already had some interesting discussions about deep tissue techniques, myofascial release and advanced massage training.</span></p>
<p><span>But there's another side to CPD that can easily get overlooked: keeping proper records of what you've learnt.</span></p>
<p><span>Some professional bodies and insurers have their own CPD requirements, so it's useful to have everything organised, particularly if you're working independently.</span></p>
<p><span>We've added a </span><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/free-templates/"><span>free CPD log</span></a><span> to the website. It's available as a printable PDF or editable Word document, so you can record courses, workshops and other relevant learning.</span></p>
<p><span>We'd also love to hear which training you've found genuinely worthwhile.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>What's the most useful course or workshop you've completed this year?</span></strong></p>
<p><span>It doesn't have to be an expensive qualification. Sometimes a short practical workshop can make a real difference to the way you work.</span></p>
<p><span>If you've found a good training provider in London, feel free to share their name too.</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Caroline Davies</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/techniques-and-cpd/cpd-and-professional-development/#post-33</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Insurance, licences and client records: is your paperwork up to date?</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/insurance-qualifications-licensing/insurance-licences-and-client-records-is-your-paperwork-up-to-date/#post-32</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:36:45 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Something that doesn&#039;t get discussed enough is the paperwork therapists need to keep on top of, particularly when working independently.
Insurance is one thing, but there are also consultat...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span>Something that doesn't get discussed enough is the paperwork therapists need to keep on top of, particularly when working independently.</span></p>
<p><span>Insurance is one thing, but there are also consultation forms, treatment records, qualifications and, depending on the treatments and borough, local licensing requirements.</span></p>
<p><span>It's worth reviewing these things regularly rather than waiting until there's a problem.</span></p>
<p><span>For example, does your insurance cover every treatment you're currently offering? Have you checked whether additional qualifications are required for specialist techniques?</span></p>
<p><span>And if you're renting a room, do you know which responsibilities belong to you and which belong to the premises operator?</span></p>
<p><span>We've put together two guides that may help:</span></p>
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
<p><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/guides/massage-therapist-insurance/"><span>Massage therapist insurance</span></a></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/guides/special-treatment-licence-london/"><span>Special treatment licences in London</span></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span>There's also a </span><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/free-templates/"><span>free client consultation form</span></a><span> available for members to download and adapt.</span></p>
<p><span>Licensing requirements can differ between London boroughs, so it's always worth checking directly with the relevant council.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>How do you manage your client records?</span></strong><span> Do you still use paper forms, or have you moved everything online?</span></p>
<p><span>And has anyone found a particularly straightforward system for keeping their paperwork organised?</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Caroline Davies</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/insurance-qualifications-licensing/insurance-licences-and-client-records-is-your-paperwork-up-to-date/#post-32</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Room hire in London: what are therapists actually paying?</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/jobs-and-room-rentals/room-hire-in-london-what-are-therapists-actually-paying/#post-31</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:26:43 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[We&#039;ve had a few discussions about the cost of working independently, and treatment room rental seems to be one of the biggest expenses.
It would be useful to get a better idea of what thera...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span>We've had a few discussions about the cost of working independently, and treatment room rental seems to be one of the biggest expenses.</span></p>
<p><span>It would be useful to get a better idea of what therapists are actually paying across London.</span></p>
<p><span>Are you renting by the hour, booking a room for a full day or paying a fixed monthly amount?</span></p>
<p><span>Hourly rental sounds convenient when you're starting out, but once you've built up regular clients, I wonder whether a monthly arrangement works out better.</span></p>
<p><span>Location obviously makes a difference too. A treatment room in central London is going to be a very different proposition from somewhere further out.</span></p>
<p><span>We've recently published a </span><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/guides/massage-room-rental-london/"><span>guide to massage room rental in London</span></a><span>, and the </span><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/massage-price-calculator/"><span>free price calculator</span></a><span> can help compare different rental costs.</span></p>
<p><span>If you're happy to share, let us know roughly which area you're in, what you pay and whether you're happy with the arrangement.</span></p>
<p><span>It might help someone who's currently looking for their first treatment room.</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Caroline Davies</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/jobs-and-room-rentals/room-hire-in-london-what-are-therapists-actually-paying/#post-31</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Free templates for massage therapists: consultation, aftercare, cancellations and CPD</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/client-care/free-templates-for-massage-therapists-consultation-aftercare-cancellations-and-cpd/#post-30</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:24:36 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[We&#039;ve added four free templates to The Massage London, which members can download and adapt for their own practice.
They&#039;re designed to help with some of the paperwork that comes with runni...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><span>We've added four free templates to The Massage London, which members can download and adapt for their own practice.</span></p>
<p><span>They're designed to help with some of the paperwork that comes with running a massage business.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>What's available?</span></strong></p>
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>
<p><span>Client consultation form, including health questions, consent and treatment notes.</span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span>Aftercare sheet with general advice for clients following a treatment.</span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span>Booking and cancellation policy covering deposits, notice periods and missed appointments.</span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span>CPD log for keeping track of courses, workshops and professional development.</span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span>Each template is available as a printable PDF and an editable Word document, so you can add your own business details and make changes where needed.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/free-templates/"><span>Download the free templates here</span></a></p>
<p><span>You'll need to be signed in to access the downloads.</span></p>
<p><span>These are starting points rather than one-size-fits-all documents, so please check that they suit your treatments, insurer's requirements and professional standards.</span></p>
<p><span>We're also happy to improve them based on feedback.</span></p>
<p><strong><span>Is there another form or document you think would be useful?</span></strong><span> Perhaps something you've had to create yourself that other therapists might benefit from?</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Caroline Davies</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/client-care/free-templates-for-massage-therapists-consultation-aftercare-cancellations-and-cpd/#post-30</guid>
                    </item>
				                    <item>
                        <title>Free massage price calculator: are you charging enough?</title>
                        <link>https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/free-massage-price-calculator-are-you-charging-enough/#post-29</link>
                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:23:21 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[We&#039;ve just added a free massage price calculator to the website, particularly for therapists who are self-employed or thinking about working independently.
One of the hardest things about s...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span>We've just added a free massage price calculator to the website, particularly for therapists who are self-employed or thinking about working independently.</span></p>
<p><span>One of the hardest things about setting your prices is knowing whether you're actually earning enough once all the expenses are taken into account.</span></p>
<p><span>Room rental, insurance, laundry, oils, travel and those gaps between appointments can make quite a difference.</span></p>
<p><span>Our calculator lets you enter your expenses, how many treatments you expect to provide each week and what you'd like to earn. It then works out an estimated minimum price per treatment.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/massage-price-calculator/"><span>Try the free massage price calculator</span></a></p>
<p><span>We've also published a </span><a href="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/guides/massage-prices-london/"><span>guide to massage prices in London</span></a><span> if you're comparing rates.</span></p>
<p><span>It would be interesting to hear what everyone thinks.</span></p>
<p><span>Have you worked out your actual costs per treatment, or do you mostly base your prices on what other therapists in your area charge?</span></p>
<p><span>And if you've recently increased your prices, how did your regular clients react?</span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/"></category>                        <dc:creator>Caroline Davies</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://themassagelondon.co.uk/community/rates-and-getting-clients/free-massage-price-calculator-are-you-charging-enough/#post-29</guid>
                    </item>
							        </channel>
        </rss>
		