So, you’ve decided that you want….no, wait…that you NEED a massage. It’s proven to help relieve stress, manage blood pressure and boost your immune system. Scheduling that massage is a great idea! But how do you get the most from your massage?
Here are five tips from TouchPointe Centre to help you plan your best therapy session.
1) Be Specific About Your Needs.
We live in a customizable world. You don’t just order your morning coffee, you create it — tall, double frappe with extra foam. Your massage should be customizable too.
Tell the therapist about your current health issues and what you hope to get from your massage. The type of aromatherapy used, the amount of pressure applied and even the type of therapy you need all depend on your initial conversation.
2) Arrive Early.
A racing mind is not conducive to a relaxing massage. It takes a moment to transition from an afternoon of errands to an hour of ease. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You can take that time to relax in the reception area to quiet your mind. If it’s your first time you may need to arrive 20 minutes early to fill out a client profile.
3) Make Sure You Are Comfortable.
You probably already planned to dress comfortably for your massage. Who wants to get oils on their best shirt? But have you thought about your overall comfort level? As odd as it may sound, getting a stress-relieving massage can induce anxiety for people.
Do I have to get completely naked?
Will they notice my weird mole?
What if I fall asleep and snore?
You should NEVER feel uncomfortable when you get a massage – physically or emotionally. Professional massage therapists will adjust their approach to match your comfort level. Don’t want to take your clothes off? That’s fine. TouchPointe therapists have done work on people fully clothed, seated in a chair. And good therapists don’t judge their clients. Let go of your anxiety.
4) Speak Up.
This is a continuation of tip #3: Make Sure You Are Comfortable. If your therapist is applying too much pressure for your liking tell him/her. Some people enjoy deep tissue massage while others are happier with a very light touch. A good therapists “listens” to your body but can’t read your mind.
Speak up and let your therapist know if something doesn’t feel right. They will adjust so that you still get the benefits of massage but in a way that works for your body.
5) Drink Plenty of Water.
If you’ve ever gotten a massage you have probably been offered water afterwards. Hydration is an important step following your therapy session. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to drink water before the massage as well. Why water? Through the manipulation of muscle and tissue, the massage therapist has released toxins into your body. Water helps your lymphatic and circulatory system process these toxins. If your therapist doesn’t offer you water, be sure to ask for it.