Interested in booking a massage for the first time?
Booking your first massage session can feel daunting, but clear communication and understanding of your options can transform this experience into a deeply relaxing and beneficial massage session. Before your appointment, thoroughly discuss your health history with your therapist and what you aim to achieve from the session. This initial conversation sets the stage for a personalized treatment for your needs. During the massage, don’t hesitate to voice your preferences on pressure, comfort, and any discomfort you might experience. Remember, this is your time; your therapist is there to be sure you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
After the massage, following your therapist’s recommendations to prolong the massage session’s benefits is important. Simple practices like gentle stretching, staying hydrated, and possibly applying heat or cold to certain areas can help maintain the positive effects.
Regular massages can significantly enhance your well-being, but they should be complemented by self-care routines. By actively participating in your massage experience and post-session care, you improve the benefits and contribute to your long-term physical and mental health.
This go-to guide for first-time massage clients emphasizes the importance of customization and communication in massage therapy. It begins with practical advice on booking your appointment and choosing between different massage types and therapists. It also guides you through the intake process, where you’ll learn to communicate your health history and session goals. The article explores various massage techniques, like Swedish and Thai, helping you find the right fit for your needs. Plus, you’ll find practical advice on what to do after your massage to keep feeling great.
If you’re anything like me, the anticipation of receiving a massage can feel like the build up to going on a great vacation. But instead of a long weekend, you’re in for an afternoon of relaxation with significant health benefits, ranging from decreased back pain to improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
It’s a welcome break from the world.
But it does require the all-important first step: booking the appointment.
As obvious as the benefits are, both physically and mentally, booking your first appointment can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Will the massage therapist be a man or a woman? What should you do if you feel uncomfortable?
A common misconception is that massage is a one-size-fits-all therapy. Many people don’t understand that it’s supposed to be an extremely customizable and personalized experience, based on individual needs and comfort level.
So, what should you expect during your first massage session—and how can you make sure the experience is as enjoyable as possible?
Preparing for Your First Massage
Booking your first massage session can seem like a difficult task, but clear communication and understanding of your options can transform this experience into a deeply relaxing and beneficial one. Here’s how to prepare:
1. Choose the Right Massage Therapist
Look for certified and insured massage therapists with positive reviews, or ask for personal recommendations to be sure you’re in good hands.
2. Understand Different Types of Massages
Familiarize yourself with various massage techniques, such as Swedish, Thai, and myofascial. Knowing what each type offers can help you decide which one best suits your needs.
3. Communicate Your Health History and Goals
Before your appointment, have a thorough discussion with your massage therapist about your health history and what you aim to achieve from the session. This initial conversation sets the stage for a personalized treatment made to your needs.
4. Plan Your Day
Schedule your massage at a time when you can relax afterward. Avoid planning strenuous activities or work right after your session to maximize the benefits of your massage.
5. Arrive Early
Get to your appointment a bit early to fill out any necessary forms and to give yourself time to relax before your session starts. This can help you transition smoothly into a state of relaxation.
6. Dress Comfortably
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. You’ll be able to undress to your comfort level before the massage, so choose attire that’s easy to change out of.
Communicate Before, During & After the Session
Before your appointment begins, your massage therapist should take a few minutes to learn about your health history and have you fill out a massage intake form. This will help to determine how your body is feeling and discuss what you’d like to get out of the session.
During this discussion, you have the opportunity to communicate your needs, concerns, and any areas you prefer to have the therapist specifically work with and, conversely, the areas you would like the therapist to avoid.
If you’ve never had a massage before, you may discover you like, dislike, or need to adjust something during your session. Always speak up and let the massage therapist know what you need.
Whether it’s more pressure, less music or additional draping, there should always be an open line of communication between you and your therapist to make you as comfortable as possible, at all times.
Understand the Power Differential
It’s important to be aware of the power differential that can take place once you’re on the table.
Many times, people don’t speak their needs as clearly when they are at a massage table, and a clothed professional is standing over them. This can inhibit many people from communicating their needs regarding pressure, table temperature, or if the draping doesn’t feel comfortable.
The good news is massage therapists are trained to use leading questions to help you feel at ease.
For example, in terms of asking about pressure, rather than asking how the pressure is on the table, the therapist should ask you whether you’d like more, less, or the same amount of pressure so you can articulate what you want. This feedback is important for you and them throughout the massage session.
Like communication in any new relationship, it’s normal to feel awkward communicating with your massage therapist at first. Rest assured that this feedback and information is a normal part of the massage therapist’s service, so that may take some of the apprehension out of asking for what you need.
With time and experience, you should find yourself becoming more and more at ease.
Know What You Like
There are several different approaches to massage. Swedish massage, sometimes also referred to as sports massage, tends to be more of a gliding massage that uses oil-based lubricants, so the therapist is actually gliding and kneading the tissue.
Other types of massage, such as myofascial massage, might include static holding of the skin and a light stretch that would involve little or no lotion on the hands, so it engages the tissue more directly without the glide.
Then you have various forms of bodywork like shiatsu, where digital compression is applied from the thumbs without any lotion or oil, and Thai massage, where you’re fully clothed during the massage.
There are many approaches and modalities of massage. So, it depends on you and what type of touch you personally find meaningful and helpful as well as gives you the results you are seeking.
Face Up or Face Down?
Whether you are face up or down, you can expect to always be as comfortable as possible. There are many ways that a massage therapist can adjust, using pillows or bolsters, to make you more comfortable, depending on your body size and range of motion in your neck and shoulders.
When you’re face up, it’s the facial and head massage, and kneading of the arms, feet and legs. When you’re face down, it’s more of a full-back experience.
Something to look out for when you are face down is that your sinuses may act up after approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
It’s certainly okay to turn your head to the side or come down on the table to be in a traditional belly position, with the pillow at your head. If you’re uncomfortable, or if you’re feeling pressure on your sinus cavity or forehead from the cradle, just communicate with your therapist and they will adjust you.
More often than not, they will notice you moving around before you even realize you’re uncomfortable and can adjust your position.
Draping Keeps You Safe & Secure
Ultimately, there are some main reasons why you are draped with a sheet at all times during a massage. The first is for protecting your modesty, the second is for warmth and comfort and finally, the drape provides a physical boundary between client and therapist, defining where the therapist’s hands may touch and where they can’t.
Dressing down to your personal comfort level should be the instruction from any professional massage therapist and that will look different for every person.
Regardless of how much clothing you choose to take off or keep on, the drape should only uncover the area being worked with and should always cover the genitals and breast tissue.
Ultimately, proper draping should make you feel safe and comfortable, and you should never question if you are being exposed. This is typically the biggest fear for clients, but a safe drape will leave no question in your mind that the parts of yourself that you want covered are covered, and the only part of your body that isn’t covered is the part that they are working on at that moment.
What to Do After the Massage
Your massage therapist should give you a professional recommendation at the end of your massage session. These recommendations could include how often you should get a massage, the benefits of regular massage as well as a piece of self-care you can take away from the session to increase the cumulative effects of your massage. Check out these free downloadable forms you can provide your client on what to do before and after a massage.
Examples of this might include rolling a golf ball under your foot, a particular stretch for a muscle group or paying attention to how you use your arms while driving.
Common Post-Massage Care Tips
1. Stay Hydrated
Why: Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out the toxins that are released during the massage.
Tip: Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day after your massage.
2. Gentle Stretching
Why: Stretching helps to maintain the flexibility and relaxation achieved during the massage.
Tip: Focus on gentle stretches, particularly for the areas that were worked on during your session. Avoid any strenuous or intense stretches immediately after.
3. Apply Heat or Cold
Why: Heat can help relax muscles further, while cold can reduce inflammation and soreness.
Tip: Apply a warm compress or heating pad to the tight or sore areas. Use a cold pack for 10-15 minutes for any swelling or inflammation.
4. Rest and Relax
Why: Your body needs time to integrate the benefits of the massage.
Tip: Plan to take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous activities and give your body time to recuperate.
5. Listen to Your Body
Why: Post-massage soreness is common, but severe pain should be addressed.
Tip: Pay attention to how your body feels. If you experience significant discomfort or pain, contact your massage therapist for advice.
6. Continue Self-Care
Why: Maintaining the benefits of your massage involves ongoing self-care practices.
Tip: Incorporate regular self-care routines such as stretching, yoga, or gentle exercises into your daily life.
7. Avoid Heavy Meals
Why: Eating a heavy meal can make you feel sluggish and counteract the relaxation effects of the massage.
Tip: Opt for light, nutritious meals that are easy to digest, such as salads, soups, and lean proteins.
8. Take a Warm Bath
Why: A warm bath can help extend the relaxation effects and soothe muscles.
Tip: Add Epsom salts to your bath to enhance muscle relaxation and recovery.
9. Follow Therapist’s Recommendations
Why: Your therapist’s advice is tailored to your specific needs and the type of massage you received.
Tip: Follow any personalized recommendations given by your therapist, whether it’s specific stretches, hydration tips, or follow-up sessions.
10. Schedule Your Next Massage
Why: Regular massages can contribute significantly to your overall well-being.
Tip: Plan your next session based on the frequency your therapist recommends to maintain the benefits and continue improving your health.
Conclusion
Massage usually isn’t a one-and-done therapy, and it’s important to know what you should do between sessions to enhance the positive effects.
Overall, while the massage therapist is the expert on massage, you’re in control of what happens during the session.
A good massage should be enjoyable, meaningful and helpful. It’s important you feel empowered to ask for what you need, from the amount of clothing you leave on, to the pressure you want, to the types of oil and lotion you prefer or the temperature on the table.
You know your body better than anyone, and by communicating that with your therapist, you will have the most beneficial experience possible.
Hopefully, that experience is one you will want to repeat over and over again.
About the Author:
Eric Stephenson is Chief Wellness Officer for Elements Massage, which is one of the fastest-growing therapeutic massage franchises in the nation. It was the first national consumer massage franchise brand in the U.S. to offer Himalayan Salt Stone Massages and recently rolled out AromaRitual, the brand’s newest line of exclusive aromatherapy treatments. Eric has contributed to the brand’s growth in becoming one of the largest providers of massage therapy in the U.S. In addition, Stephenson is co-founder of imassage Inc. and a board member of the International Spa Association.