Get ready for a massage

Relax

If you’ve never had a massage before and you don’t know what to expect or you have had a massage once or twice, but still have some questions this article should help you out.

Many people are nervous the first time they go and get a massage, I was and I was training to become a licensed massage therapist. I had to receive a massage as part of my training. I grew up loving to help people and being more of a care giver, but I was horrible at receiving care and didn’t like to be touched. I know it sounds strange, but I learned that receiving is just as important as giving and there is safe and healing touch.

If you are anything like me you like to help out and make things easier for other people. This may occur when you are receiving a massage by lifting up your leg or head to help the therapist out. Don’t do this.

Yes, I’m talking to all the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and any type A people that have problems with relaxation or issues related to control. You have one job to do when you are receiving a session and that is to relax. If that means you fall asleep and start snoring that’s ok. Your body needs that. This is your time to heal and in most cases it’s only an hour, worry about your grocery list or your big meeting later after you take this time to refresh. Oh and shut off your phone, it’s only an hour. It doesn’t bother me if your phone goes off, but you are short changing yourself of the full benefits you could get during this time.

Communicate

Massage therapy is not church or a funeral. You don’t have to be quiet if you don’t want to. Start a conversation with your therapist if it helps you relax. Your therapist is there to help you, they might suggest that the quiet time will be more beneficial, and you will find the right therapist that meshes with your needs and personality over time.

The reason I bring up speaking during a session is because communication and feedback are important for providing the best experience possible. Every session is different based on each client’s needs and every therapist has different techniques and pressures. If the pressure is too light or deep don’t keep your mouth shut and muster through the massage. The therapist wants to make sure you leave feeling good and come back for follow up visits. Speak up.

My goal for all my clients is for them to be comfortable, relax, and address the issues they came in for. I don’t care if you have hairy legs, face, or back, I do care that you are feeling self conscious and nervous. We will not be able to get any work done if you can’t get comfortable. Do what you have to do before you come to feel comfortable on the table.

Knowing that you’re going to a professional massage therapist should ease concerns about anything inappropriate. If you feel uncomfortable at any time you can end the session.

Prepare

I suggest before a session to take a warm shower to relax the muscles, drink some water, and give yourself plenty of time so you can come in relaxed. If you want to do meditation before you come in to get in the right headspace that’s not a bad idea either.

Tipping

The question of tipping comes up a lot. Most therapists are hired at places and told that they should plan for a certain percentage of a tip as part of their income.

Places such as spas and resorts pay therapists less expecting that they make good tips, working for chiropractors and medical professionals they should be paid more and not necessarily expect a tip. People don’t tend to tip in those environments and chiropractors don’t pay as much as you would think so use your discretion. A good rule of thumb is to tip 20% of the price of the massage cost before discounts. If the massage costs $100 you should tip $20. Some people tip more or less than that.

You would think that people tip on the quality of service they receive. I could do the exact same quality on two different people because I do the best I can for every client, one person might tip me $3 another might tip me $50. It’s really hard to budget based on that kind of variance. Personally, I feel like tipping $3 is insulting and you should just keep the money or tip like you appreciate the hard work the therapist did for you.