Asking Diagnosis - The Popsy Principle

The Popsy Principle - Asking Diagnosis to bring your clients back

When I took my cat to the vet, whatever her condition and his treatment, he would always say to me "And I want to see Popsy again in two weeks, so please make an appointment with the receptionist as you go out."

He did not sit there anxiously hoping I would want to rebook. He told me to. By telling me so, he gave me the reassurance that he was treating Popsy properly.

Asking-Diagnosis gets to understand the people who have come to you for a shiatsu treatment. As you progress through your shiatsu-learning the basic "How're you doing? any aches or pains?",evolves into a focused conversation.

How you present this questioning-diagnosis can determine whether or not they become a regular client. Launching straight into a series of intimate personal questions might lead to a initial resistance. By starting with a little explanation, you can put the Popsy Principle into practice.

Why have you come for shiatsu? Curiosity? Serious condition?

Whatever you hear, explain why you need to ask questions- it helps to get specific permission for the Asking Diagnosis. I have found something along these lines quite effective:

"Shiatsu is a holistic treatment, so I'd just like to ask you a few questions to help me understand you as a whole person...."

wait for their agreement

".....then we can get on with the treatment and perhaps look at working out some kind of plan that's right for you...."

Start with relatively neutral questions. I find it helps to focus down the body, asking head-things like job, working down to heart-things like stress, relationships, down to diet, digestive system, down to reproductive issues etc

Often a person wants to know how many treatments it would take to help relieve symptoms of their condition. I would hesitate to give much of an answer before the treatment. I would suggest to them that we may come to a clearer idea afterwards.

The treatment follows, with questions about pain, sensitivity etc.

Allow your receiver plenty of time to return to this dimension following the treatment-experience. Often they will ask you what you found - explain, in everyday language avoiding shiatsu jargon, the imbalances you found during the treatment. Relate these imbalances to what your receiver told you during the asking diagnosis, so they can understand the connection.

Then apply the Popsy Principle, suggesting a course of treatments related to their condition. At least three, perhaps, followed by a review of the situation.

You have a duty of care to your clients. If you think they'd benefit from more treatments, tell them to book in. Leave it up to them to say no - don't do it for them! Give them the chance and remember - they don't have to be ill to feel better!

NEXT WEEK: Working with AIDA to tell the world about your shiatsu.

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