- Low light levels
- Soft playing music
- Warm temperature
- Neat and clean space
Health History
You may be required to fill out a health history form which details information about your health past and present. Here you can mention any areas that are troubling you or anything in particular you would like the massage therapist to pay attention to.
Before the session begins, you will discuss your health history with the massage therapist. This is a great time for you to ask questions, convey your wishes and expectations for the session as well as emphasize what areas of the body give you trouble.
Getting on the table
The therapist will let you know whether you should start lying on your stomach or on your back. She will leave the room and allow you a few minutes to get undressed and on the massage table. You may remove as much or as little clothing as you feel comfortable. Make sure to remove any jewelry or other articles that may interfere with the massage. You will get underneath the top sheet, so that you are completely covered. This not only respects modesty but also helps keep you warm. The therapist will knock before reentering the room.
During the Massage - Speak up and be honest!
The massage therapist will uncover only the area of the body being massaged. Some people talk during a massage session while others prefer silence. That is a personal decision. Many clients find that a great deal of idle conversation distracts from their ability to relax and from their awareness of their body. However, communication with the therapist is incredibly important!
Throughout the session, be sure to communicate with the therapist about your comfort. This may include feedback about:
- The amount of pressure you're receiving
- Sensations you're experiencing on the table or off (e.g.-You're pressing into my shoulder, but I feel a tingling in my head. Or, when I'm running, I notice my ankle.)
- Room temperature, light levels or music volume
Feedback for the therapist is valuable. Most massage therapists are here to serve the client's needs and appreciate any information you can provide. It is imperative that you are comfortable, mentally and physically, throughout your massage. If you feel the pressure is too much or a specific technique is not working for you, tell the therapist. She will be thankful for the information and incorporate it in the remaining time of the session.
Will massage therapy hurt?
Massage therapy should not hurt! If you are experiencing pain during the massage, the pressure is too deep. It is likely that your body is actually tightening up in response to the painful pressure which not only inhibits the benefits of the massage but may also create more tension than you had before you came in. Therapeutic Massage may cause some discomfort in areas that are regularly painful or particularly tight in your body but you should be able to breathe and relax into the work throughout your massage session.
Ending the session
The massage therapist will let you know when the session is complete. She will leave the room allowing you time to get off the table and dressed. When you are ready, open the door and she will know to return. It is common to end the session with post-massage care instructions which may include stretches, exercises, a regimen of ice and/or heat as well as drinking plenty of water. This is also a great opportunity to ask questions that may have risen during your massage.
Above all, remember that the time during your massage session is your time. This includes the time before, during and after being on the massage table. Don't be afraid to ask your therapist questions or to discuss what would make you more comfortable. Enjoy it! |
