10 Things You Need To Know Before Getting A Massage
Whether it’s your first time or your twentieth time, here are ten things to consider before getting a massage.
1. Arrival Time
If it’s your first appointment with a therapist, try to arrive at least 10 minutes early to fill out a Client Intake Form, have a conversation with your therapist about your goals for the session (relaxation/certain aches and pains), and get familiar with their workspace
2. Ask Questions
Whether it’s your first time or twentieth time getting a massage, never be afraid to ask questions when they come up.
Some questions people often have: “what muscle are you working on,” “are there any stretches or things you recommend me to do to help with my aches and pains,” “why am I tight there?” etc.
3. Pressure
Communicate with your therapist about pressure. It is 110% okay to ask for more or less pressure. You are not being rude or being “too much.”
Pressure needs vary throughout the body, so please let us know how we need to adjust.
Our goal is to help you as best as we can.
4. You don’t have to talk
Some people talk to relax. Other people like silence. Some people ask questions related to massage and are quiet the rest of the time.
If your therapist is talking to you and you really want to enjoy silence, perhaps just say “I’m going to try to zone out and focus on my breathing, thank you.”
5. Breathe
If you’re holding your breath, chances are the pressure may be too deep for your body and you don’t realize it.
If you can’t breathe through deep pressure, the massage is causing more tension than release in your muscles.
Or if your breath is minimal, you might be really stressed out and need to focus on every inhale and exhale during the massage.
Take the time to connect to your breath. Let it help you release tension in your physical and mental body.
6. Shame Free Zone
Things to be shame free about during massage: you did not shave, you get an erection, you are on your period, you fart, you need to blow your nose, you undress to the level of your comfort, you fall asleep, you drool, you snore, you don’t like your feet, you have scars, you tell your therapist the pressure is too hard too soft or in the wrong place, your BODY!
7. Hydrate
Drink plenty of water to help hydrate your tissues and prevent dehydration. Think of massage like a mini workout for your muscles. It’s important to drink water after a workout right? Do the same thing for after a massage! It helps to flush out the gunk (aka metabolic waste) that’s been accumulating in those tight areas. Also, minimize alcohol consumption before and after getting a massage. I’ve had clients tell me they drank alcohol after a massage and woke up the next day feeling like they had the flu. While this may not happen to everyone, it is best to stick to water after getting a massage.
8. Skip coffee after a massage
Coffee is very acidic and that, in combination with caffeine, can work against the relaxing effects of massage. It usually makes the muscles hold on to tension rather than letting go.
9. Schedule regularly
If you get your car oil changed more than your body worked on, you’re taking care of the wrong machine. If you’ve had these aches and pains for months and years, one massage session likely will not be able to completely fix you. Commit to taking care of yourself. Massage is a small price to pay when it comes to all the benefits it brings. Most people don’t know how good their body is designed to feel.
10. Extend your me time
After your massage is over, try to give yourself some time to get back into the real world. Some people rush to work or run errands. Sometimes you don’t have a choice and there are only certain times available. But we encourage you to take some more care of yourself. Maybe do some light stretching, yoga, meditate, schedule a facial for after, just take care of you!