When it comes to massage cream, the professional touch therapist ideally will be use a product that adds to the satisfaction of the session for each client. At the very least, however, the massage cream should not take away from the client’s experience.
The products you choose to use in your practice, including any bodywork lubricants, all should work in harmony to showcase your hands-on skill set and allow you to provide the best touch therapy possible for every client.
Depending on the massage therapist or bodyworker, and the type of techniques he or she regularly employs, choosing products to showcase those hands-on skills may mean selecting items that simply set the perfect stage for the session—or it may mean buying products that serve a more noticeable role during sessions, as “supporting actors” of sorts in the healing work that takes place.
In terms of massage creams, which seem to be an indispensable detail in the work of most massage therapists and bodyworkers, selecting one that sets the stage, but in no way takes over the show, often begins by making sure the massage cream contains absolutely no fragrances.
A large number of massage therapists and bodyworkers choose unscented massage creams for their healing to ensure no client will be irritated or overwhelmed by a scent, as many people are sensitive to fragrances, whether natural or synthetic.
Another factor in locating massage creams that will only show off your skill set and not overshadow it is finding massage creams that don’t leave lasting effects on the body. That way, when a client leaves your session room, he or she will only be feeing the lasting effects of your hands-on healing, not a layer of moisture, a lingering scent or the tingle of a pain-relieving element.
On the other hand, you may be a massage therapist or bodyworker who likes products to play a “supporting role” in the session room, in that these products bring their own benefits to the table, to add to and enhance the effects of your particular modality or blend of techniques.
In this case, you may want to try out several massage creams that contain such ingredients as essential oils to add a twist of aromatherapy to each of your client appointments. You might also look for a massage cream that packs a moisturizing punch, or brings pain relief to an especially aching region of the body.
Therefore, when searching for and purchasing massage creams, it’s key to know what your goals are as a massage therapist and bodyworker, as well the common needs of your clients.
–Brandi Schlossberg