Massage FAQs
- What is Massage?
- What can Massage do ?
- What should I expect ?
- During my massage?
- After my massage...?
What is Massage?
Massage is a gentle therapy that can relieve pain and, in combination with medical attention, heal certain conditions and help prevent return. Massage is one of the best known remedies for stress. Reducing stress improves your outlook on life and, in the process reduces your likelihood of illness. It can relieve symptoms in conditions that are aggravated by anxiety. Massage relieves most muscle tightness. Massage acts directly on your muscles with stretching and kneading motions. It also stimulates the nervous system to instruct muscles to relax even more.
Back in the days before aspirin, heating pads and whirlpools, humans treated their sore bodies the old-fashioned way: with massage. When a caveman twisted one of his Neanderthal knees, he rubbed it.
In many ways, massage is the most natural of natural remedies. Touching your body where it hurts seems to be a basics instinct, like running from danger or eating when you're hungry. And experts say that massage, no matter how humble or low-tech it may seem, can be a powerful healer.Massage has come a long way over the centuries! To learn more about the different types of massage that I offer please visit : Types of Massage!
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What can Massage do?
- Promotes general relaxation
- Increases flexibility and joint movement - (range of motion)
- Relieves muscle tension, relaxes muscle spasm
- Helps the body to produce its own natural pain killers (endorphins) to ease pain and soreness
- Faster recovery from injuries and illness
- Reduces stress and gives a renewed sense of well being
- Improves circulation of the blood and lymph system, thereby strengthening the immune system
- See Benefits of massage page
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What should I expect?
"I've never had a professional massage - what should I expect?"
On your first visit, your massage therapist should do an intake - asking questions about your general health, specific injuries and whether you are under a doctor's care. They may also ask you to stand or walk around and let them watch you. This is the time for you to ask any questions you have for the therapist. The entire process should only take a few minutes. It should not substantially cut into your massage time.
The therapist will then give you instructions on how they want you on the table (face up/down etc.) They should be out of the room while you are changing.
The massage room should be clean, private and quiet. Some therapists like to use music, candles, aroma therapy or soothing sounds to enhance your relaxation. If you don't want any of those things you are free to ask the therapist to stop using them. Also, each therapist likes to use a special oil or lotion. If you have something you like to use on your skin, bring it and they will be happy to use it.
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During my massage...?
If you are getting a massage for feel-good relaxation, there should be
little or no talking. For deep tissue work the therapist will probably
be checking in with you to make sure you are tolerating the work and to
remind you to breathe and relax. I will sometimes use light conversation
to distract my clients when I am doing very deep work.
As the client, you control the massage - talk / no talk - music / no music / different music - scents / no scents - deeper / lighter. If you are in any way uncomfortable - speak up. Don't ever suffer in silence. Make your wishes known.
"Do I have to take my clothes off?"
For any massage involving lotion or oil, yes, you do need to be undressed. A massage therapist must have access to your body.
However, if you are uncomfortable being completely disrobed, you should leave your underwear on - the therapist will work around them or move the fabric away from the glutes (butt muscles) to work those specific muscles. The breasts and genitals are not worked on during a massage.
Your should never be on the table without being covered by a sheet or towel. The only part of the body that should be exposed is the part the therapist is working on. When you turn over you should still be covered. Any massage therapist who works with a client undressed and fully exposed is not in my opinion a professional.
When the massage is over, the therapist should leave the room and allow you time to get up and get dressed before they come back into the room.
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After my massage....?
How do I take care of myself after a massage?
You should drink plenty of water to flush the toxins out of your system. If you have access to a steam room or whirlpool, they are ideal ways to continue cleansing the system. If not, a hot shower followed by a soak bath is also a great follow-up.
For the 24 hours after a deep tissue massage you may feel a little sore or achy. This is a normal response - a lot of stuff gets stirred up and that feeling is a healing response. It should go away within 24 - 36 hours. Rest, healthy eating and fluids will help minimize the response.