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Bodywork Blog

10 Tips to Get the Most from Your Massage

1/6/2016

15 Comments

 
Deep Tissue Massage Therapy
1. Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible.
 
2. Don’t eat a large meal just before a massage session.  Let your body digest your meal first.
 

3. Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it may take longer to relax.

4.  Privacy - Your massage therapist will leave the room while you undress.  A sheet and blanket are provided for draping during the massage and she will uncover only the part of your body being massaged, ensuring that modesty is respected at all times. After the massage is finished, you will be provided with privacy while dressing.  If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please let your massage therapist know.
 
Take off only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. If you don’t want to remove your clothing, wear clothing that will be comfortable during the massage and will allow the me to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be massaged.
 
5.  Communicate with your massage therapist
  • Before the session, give accurate health information and let your massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage.
  • Allergies to Oils, Lotions, Powders – We use lotions and oils to reduce friction on your skin.  If you are allergic, tell your therapist, so they can choose a substitute.
  • We play recorded music during the massage session.  Let us know if you have any music preferences or if you would prefer no music.
  • Some people like to talk during a massage, while others remain silent. Tell your therapist what you prefer.
  • During the massage session, report any discomfort, whether it’s from the massage or due to any problems or distractions related to the environment, e.g., room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc.
  • Give feedback to your therapist during the massage on the amount of pressure, speed of hand movement, etc.  If anything happens that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask your therapist to stop.  If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.
  • Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. It’s important that you be as comfortable as possible during your massage.  Your massage therapist is a professional dedicated to helping you feel at ease.
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6.  Remember to breathe normally. Breathing helps facilitate relaxation. People often stop or limit their breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged.
 
 7.Relax your muscles and your mind. Tightening up by contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. Let your massage therapist know this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique  and may be able to help you relax the affected area. If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more body-centered and to quiet your mind is to follow her hands and focus on how the touch feels.
 
8.  Drink extra water after your massage.
 
9.  Don’t get up too quickly and do allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session. If you’re dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast. It also may take a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session. 
 

10. Be prepared to schedule several massage sessions. Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you’re getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed. 

Adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association.
15 Comments
Chance Cook link
9/29/2021 01:13:41 pm

I would like to get a massage if I can have my privacy. I don't want other people in the room besides the massage therapist. That way I can feel at peace.

Reply
Hailey Miller link
12/3/2021 08:44:40 pm

Thanks for pointing out that a sheet and blanket are provided during the massage to uncover only part of the body being massaged. My husband and I want to relax and unwind to forget work problems. We are hoping to find massage appointments on Monday that can also relieve muscle pain.

Reply
Jeff Carbine link
1/5/2022 05:24:21 am

I never knew that tightening up by contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. I never thought that it would be like this, it is an intriguing article to read and I will also share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about massage therapy.

Reply
Jeff Carbine link
1/11/2022 06:43:41 pm

I loved it when you said to relax your muscles and your mind. Tightening up by contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. With the effect of the extended pandemic lockdowns, I am overwhelmed with anxiety. Upon reading your post, I feel the need for massage therapy to relieve me from stress.

Reply
Braden Bills link
1/13/2022 06:32:43 am

I've been having a hard time with stress and anxiety, and I'm not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to consider getting a massage for this. That seems like a good way to relieve some of my stress.

Reply
Eli Richardson link
3/24/2022 07:30:49 am

It's great that you explained the importance of arriving early to a massage therapy appointment. A couple of days ago, my shoulders and neck started to hurt. I believe I might be too stressed, and I've heard how massage therapy can do wonders to reduce stress and relax our muscles, so I'll be sure to look into it. Thank you for the advice on how to prepare before a massage session.

Reply
Best Physiotherapy Edmonton link
4/18/2022 05:20:00 am

This is YOUR massage and your body. It’s important that you be as comfortable as possible during your massage, so feel free to give feedback to your therapist regarding the amount of pressure, any discomfort (or relief) you are feeling, room temperature, music, etc.

Reply
John Carston link
4/21/2022 07:05:45 pm

It's great that this article talked that it is necessary that you are comfortable during your massage. A couple of days ago, my athlete cousin told me that he was planning to have a massage to get rid of the muscle pain because of daily training, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. Thanks to this helpful article, I'll be sure to tell him that he should consult a trusted massage therapist as they can help him with his muscle pain.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
4/21/2022 07:09:38 pm

Thank you for explaining the importance of letting the massage therapist know the reasons for the massage. My sister wants to get a massage for her tired body. I should share this post with her to get the most from her massage therapy.

Reply
Max Jones link
5/25/2022 10:34:15 am

Thanks for the info about massages. I have been feeling stressed lately. I'll consider getting a massage.

Reply
Mia Evans link
7/7/2022 10:03:13 pm

It's great to know that the massage therapist will leave the room when we get undress and also cover our body with a blanket during the process. This will be my first time trying this kind of treatment for my body pains, so it has given me the confidence to actually try it because I will not be fully naked during the session. Now, I just need to find a facility with reasonable rates and a good reputation to have the best experience and feel better this weekend.

Reply
Mia Evans link
8/22/2022 09:44:04 pm

It really helped when you said that we should relax our muscles and mind, because it will be counterproductive for the treatment when we tighten them. I will keep that in mind for the very first couples massage treatment that my husband and I plan to take this year. Actually, I've never tried one before because I get conscious about my body, but my husband has been convincing me that they are professionals so we don't have to feel conscious.

Reply
AJ link
8/24/2022 12:25:52 pm

Good tips and I'd add "don't forget to use the bathroom beforehand" -- the time is ticking and it's a waste of precious minutes if you have to stop a massage, get dressed, run to the bathroom, get back undressed and on the table!

Reply
Jessie Holloway link
9/20/2022 05:35:44 pm

Thanks so much for the advice on how to properly prepare for a massage by not eating a big meal beforehand. I've been suffering from back pain recently and I can't seem to help it at all. I've been thinking about going in for massage therapy to see if that will help my issue.

Reply
Henry Killingsworth link
10/10/2022 12:13:09 pm

It was interesting to me when you talked about how it is a good idea to breathe normally in order to get the most from a massage. As far as I know, taking deep breaths can be a good way to get your body to relax quickly. It seems like it would be a good idea to take several deep breaths while you are getting a massage.

Reply

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