How to Receive a Massage

   I know what you’re thinking. “Don’t I just lie there and accept it?” No! As a licensed massage therapist who’s been working in the field for over three years, I can tell you a few things that you should do to make sure you get the most for your money!

 1) Know which service you want!

     There are many different kinds of massage. The ones I do the most are Swedish and Deep Tissue. You’d be surprised at how many people don’t know the difference!

  During a Swedish massage, the practitioner only works with the hand flat. That means, if you’re looking for them to really “get in there,” you should not get the Swedish massage, you should get the deep tissue. A lot of times, people ask for a Swedish at the front desk, but when they get on the table, they ask for a deep tissue and don’t want to upgrade. The reason for this is that deep tissue massages cost more money. But we don’t charge more because we feel like it, it costs more because the therapist has to work a lot harder. We are loosening up severe areas of tension in your muscles to increase your range of motion and treat muscular-skeletal disorders.

    Now, just because you may not want a deep-tissue massage doesn’t mean you can’t get a strong, firm treatment. Swedish massages can be done at any pressure! If you’re looking more for relaxation and a full-body treatment, get the Swedish.

    Last thing on this topic, if you want a deep-tissue massage, it may not be full-body. It is impossible to fully release all of the tension in your back/shoulders/area of concern and still have time to get to everything else. To increase your chances of getting more work done, go for the 90 minute instead of the 60 minute. Yes, it’s pricey, but it can prevent injuries and the doctors appointments for injuries are way pricier (ever been through physical therapy?).

2)  Talk to your massage therapist!

    A lot of us in the massage business are very intuitive, but we can’t read your mind! If the face cradle is uncomfortable, if ANYTHING is uncomfortable (room temperature, music volume, pressure etc.) speak up! It is the absolute worst to have a silent client tell you after everything is over what could have been better for them, or worse, lying to our faces and then complaining to the spa manager.

   Also, when you meet your therapist tell them how you’re feeling. Not just physically, but mentally. We are, for the most part, a very nurturing people. If someone tells me their day/week was lousy, I will usually work extra hard to make sure their experience is therapeutic. And on the flip side if their day is going AWESOME, far be it from me to ruin that!

3) Feeling talkative?

   If you want to chat during the massage, that’s fine! If you don’t, that’s fine too! If your massage therapist starts chatting you up while you’re on the table and you don’t want that, let them know. Generally, we don’t do that, but I’ve heard stories. “Why didn’t you say anything to them?” “Oh, he/she was so nice…” That doesn’t matter. You’re paying for a service, not a pow-wow.

4) Other:

-Be on time for your service. If it is at 1:00, don’t show up at 1:00, show up 15-20 minutes early so you get your full service. If there is a 2:00 appt, why should the 2:00 person have to wait just because you didn’t show up on time?

-If you’re getting a scrub service, don’t shave your legs beforehand. You could react badly to the exfoliating sugar/salt in the scrub.

-Wait until your massage therapist leaves the room to disrobe.

-Get in the covers on the massage table as though it were a bed. There is a blanket, a top sheet and a bottom sheet. Your therapist should explain that to you, but every once in a while I’ll still come into the room with the person lying on top of everything. That pillow with the hole in it is where your face goes.

-Take off all jewelry beforehand, or don’t wear jewelry. Massage oil/creams ruin pearls. Wedding/engagement rings are fine.

-I know I don’t really get a say in this, but while I have your attention, feel free to wash your feet beforehand, especially if you were wearing flip flops. That’s just a little considerate.

-Don’t drink alcohol before a massage. Alcohol is dehydrating and when you receive bodywork, your circulation increases so your body is doing a lot of work.

-Drink TONS of water after to avoid dehydration, since your body will be all well-circulated.

-Always go to someone who is licensed. Don’t settle for someone who isn’t just to save money. You’re investing in your health and trusting someone with your body. You want to know that they know what they’re doing so you don’t end up injured.

Alright folks, that’s all I’ve got on the subject for today! I hope you’re still working out hard and that you’ll reward yourself by getting a faaaabulous massage!