Have you ever had a massage and not been happy with the experience or worse still, left in more pain. Here’s some tips to get the most out of your treatment and getting the massage experience right.
1. Communication
First and foremost the flow of communication between you can your massage therapist needs to be open, honest and informative in getting the massage experience right. It starts from when you make your appointment, especially if this is your first appointment with that therapist and doubly so if this is your first massage experience. You don’t need to communicate specifics about your treatment until you get there but if you have any serious health conditions you are currently being treated for, or if you have any concerns that you think may impact on your massage, it’s a good idea to let them know before you arrive.
Health history
For example, if you are under going chemotherapy you should inform your massage therapist. In this case, they may ask you to seek permission from your cancer specialist, and to bring along written consent from them.
If you are pregnant, double check your therapist is a qualified pre and post natal massage therapist. Let them know how many weeks pregnant you are. This way, they can prepare the room appropriately before you arrive.
If you have allergies, most massage therapists will be prepared with different oils to use. If you have any contagious illnesses or skin conditions, it might be best to wait until they’re cleared up.
Comfort levels
During the massage feel free to speak up about anything you are uncomfortable with. Your massage therapist should want to make your experience as comfortable as possible. If you’re having deep tissue or remedial massage, it’s not always relaxing, although I like to include some relaxing elements in my treatments. However, if the pressure is too firm, or not firm enough please speak up. If you are cold or too hot. If you need the toilet. Or if you simply have had enough – it’s okay to say so.
Please remember, as intuitive as we are, massage therapists are not mind readers and we appreciate your feedback on your treatment.
2. Relax, it’s a massage
You came for a massage to either relax your body and/or your mind. So give yourself a chance to let go. All too often clients talk or move around or just don’t allow themselves to relax. If you are comfortable with your massage therapist (and you absolutely should be) then let them take the lead in moving your body. When we are lifting your limb or turning your head, you don’t need to assist. If we need you to move, we will ask.
Talking
A good massage therapist will usually take your lead in talking – I go by the 80/20 rule. That is, you do 80% of the talking and I do 20%. I do not mind if you want to talk. I appreciate some conversation in my otherwise quiet day but I also respect your want or need to just be quiet. Also, don’t feel you need to fill the silences. Listen to the music, breathe. Relax.
Body issues
Don’t worry about your ‘body issues’. If you think you’re too skinny/fat/hairy/tall/old…etc to get a massage, you’re not. Massage therapists don’t care about these things. We appreciate when you’re clean and have appropriate clothing on. After that, we just see and think about muscles. Muscle tension is easy to feel through fat, towels, even clothes. A really good massage therapist will have a hunch about what you need treated as you’re walking into the room. So please don’t worry about the superficial stuff surrounding it.
Clothing
Wear clothing that is easy to get on and off. Wear underwear you are comfortable in, and please leave it on. I understand not everyone wears underwear, that’s fine. It is easier for me to drape and tuck the towel when you have briefs on. Less so with boxers. Even more less so with no underwear. If you’re having remedial treatment to your glute or thigh areas please wear briefs. It will make things easier for both of us. If you are not comfortable taking off your bra, please wear a bra that clasps at the back, so I can unclasp it to work, and then do it back up for you.
3. Choose your therapist wisely
Finding a massage therapist that suits your needs is sometimes difficult. Be mindful, if you go to a day spa you may not have a massage specialist do your massage. Likewise, if you want to relax, a sports medicine clinic is probably not the best place to go. If you have a chronic or acute injury, a shopping centre massage shop may not be able to cater for you. There are of course, exceptions to these rules. You will find some of the most amazing skilled therapists in Thai massage centres, or a beauty therapist that truly values the massage experience. But in general, this is not the norm.
4. Like the T-shirt says…
Please don’t say inappropriate things to your massage therapist. Or hey, don’t say them to anyone, ever… there’s a great lesson in life. Sometimes, I know, people get nervous and say the wrong thing. Sometimes people think that getting undressed to be rubbed all over is a gateway to other things. In this case, it is not. It will only make things uncomfortable for both of you, potentially upset your therapist and result in you being asked to leave and not return.
When we’re working, our minds are on our work – your muscles. If you’re attracted to your massage therapist and seriously want to ask them out, have a good think about it first because you will have to find a new therapist. Then if you’re still serious, don’t do it during the massage.
On that note, it’s probably best to treat your massage therapist with politeness and respect. You’re in a vulnerable position, you’re spending good money on your massage, you want them to do their best job. It is very difficult for me to treat people that are rude or disrespectful. I would not intentionally hurt someone on my massage table but it will effect my ability to treat you and my mental health. Please be friendly and polite. If you need to ‘complain’ about something, please bring it up outside of the massage time – before or after, and I will do my upmost to rectify the situation.
5. Turn up and be timely
Your appointment time is your time. I will do my upmost to be running on time. If I am late, I will discuss with you that I want to honour your appointment in full – that is my fault. However, if you are late, I cannot go over and make my next appointments late.
If it’s your first appointment it’s a good idea to arrive five minutes early so you can fill in your details. Don’t be too early, or you may have to wait for the previous client to finish.
Your appointment time is also my time. If you don’t turn up at all, without notice, you will be asked to pay a $30 late cancellation fee on your next visit. 24 hours notice for cancellations is required. I understand there may be extemporaneous circumstances around late cancellations. I am willing to make exemptions but please do your best to communicate (see point 1) with me if you cant make it and you’ll be on the right track to getting the massage experience right.
