Massage expectations for new clients

You slept badly last night and your neck is stiff and sore. Maybe you’ve been gardening all weekend and your back hurts from bending over. He is under a lot of stress from his work and cannot seem to relax or sleep at night. A friend suggested that she get a professional massage to help ease the pain. It seemed like a great idea, but you’ve never been to a massage therapist. You are a little concerned because you are not sure what to expect.

If you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first (and right) step to improving your health and well-being. There are many benefits of massage. but how does it work? What Really Happens in a Massage Therapist’s Office?

What are all these shapes? I just want a massage.

In a professional masseur’s office, the first step to receiving a beneficial massage will be to fill out some basic forms. They include a client intake form, a medical history, and an informed consent form.

The Client Intake Form – This form will give your massage therapist key information about you. It will let the therapist know what areas of concern you have (i.e. back pain, stiff neck, leg pain, etc.). If you are under the care of a physician for anything that may be important to the outcome of the massage. Also let the therapist know if you have ever received a professional massage.

The medical history form: why do I have to fill out a medical history form? It is very important to you and the massage therapist that this form is completed completely. Inform the therapist of any medical conditions that may dictate the use of a certain massage technique, or a technique that may be contraindicated (should not be used).

Informed consent: This form is more of a legal form than anything else. It is for your protection and also for the therapist. You give the therapist written permission to perform a massage.

Okay, I filled out the forms, what’s next?

Your therapist will take you to the massage room. Before the massage begins, the two of you will discuss your concerns and health history in a short interview. This interview usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes. This is when you and your therapist will get to know each other. You will discuss your expectations of the massage. Your health history, if there is information that will determine the massage techniques used during the massage. This is a good time to ask your therapist questions. After the interview, the masseuse will leave the room so you can undress.

Untanned? Do I have to take off all my clothes?

The massage is best received without clothing. But you can undress at the level of your comfort. What does that mean? If you are not comfortable taking off all of your clothes, you can leave some or all on. The therapist will adjust the massage to what you leave on. Note that you will limit the therapist to what techniques can or cannot be used. It can affect the overall result of your massage.

But you will see me naked if I take off all my clothes!

No, he will not. A professional massage therapist is bound by standards of practice and codes of ethics to provide shelter for you, the client. What do you mean by draping? Draping is a technique that uses the sheets on the table to keep all the private areas of your body covered at all times. There are techniques used during the laying process that ensure that you are not exposed at any point. This is accomplished with a sheet / sheet, pillowcase, and / or towels.

How does draping work?

The massage table on which you will receive the treatment has a complete set of sheets. A bottom sheet that you will lie on and a top sheet that you will use to cover yourself. When the therapist leaves the room, you will undress. Then you will get on the massage table. between the sheets. Your therapist will give you time to do this. It will knock on the door waiting for your authorization to enter. When you are ready, the therapist will enter the room.

After the therapist re-enters the treatment room, you will receive pillows or cushions to provide comfort while on the table. The therapist will adjust the facial support and check with you for anything else you may need at this time.

During the massage, your therapist will lift the top sheet exposing only the area in which you are working. What does that mean? If the therapist is working on your back, the sheet will be pulled down exposing your back for treatment. When the treatment is complete, your back will be covered again. Your therapist will move to a new area of ​​your body. That area will be uncovered (i.e .: glutes, leg, arm), receive body work, and then recover. This will continue in this manner throughout the massage.

How do I roll over to have the other side of my body massaged?

Your therapist will help you roll over on the massage table. The technique for this is simple. Using your legs, the therapist will “nail” one side of the top sheet to the edge of the massage table. Then, extending your hand over your body, you will hold the other side of the sheet. Lifting the sheet slightly to form a “tent”. This gives you room for you to turn around, all the time without being exposed.

I am a woman and I want my stomach to be massaged. How will this be done without exposing my breasts?

This is where the therapist uses the extra towels or pillowcases. The pillowcase will be placed over your breasts, on top of the covering sheet. The sheet will then slide under the pillowcase. The pillowcase stays in place, covering your breasts. The sheet is pulled lower to expose your stomach for treatment. Once the bodywork is completed, the blade is returned to its original position. This time it will be placed on top of the pillowcase. The pillowcase will be removed from under the sheet.

I still do not understand Why I have to completely undress

Your body and the muscles that control all your body movements are a complex system. Do you remember that old song about your bones? “The toe bone is connected to the foot bone. The foot bone is connected to the leg bone. The leg bone is connected to the thigh bone.” If you remember this song, it is probably playing in your head now. Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues (such as muscles) in your body. You can replace the word “bone” in that old song with muscle. Although it’s a bit more complex than that song, you can get a little mental picture of how the muscle structure is connected throughout the body.

I’m going to use low back pain (the most common complaint) as an example of why it is best to get a full nude massage. Most of the back muscles are connected to the upper edge of the pelvic girdle. The gluteal muscles are also connected to the upper edge of the pelvic girdle. While the back muscles extend from the pelvic girdle upward, the gluteal muscles extend from the pelvic girdle downward. If your “glutes” are tight, they are pulling on the top of your pelvic girdle. This, in turn, is pulling on the lower back muscles. Feel the pain in your lower back. It is not the “cause” of your pain, it is the result.

To relieve low back pain, a masseur may need to work on the gluteal muscles. While this can be accomplished with clothing on, it limits the techniques the therapist can use. It is not as comprehensive and will take longer (more visits to the therapist) to achieve the desired results. If you completely remove your clothing, your therapist can use a variety of techniques. Get more positive results in less time.

Contact your therapist

All aspects of massage therapy require communication between the therapist and the client. Draping is a big concern for most clients. Don’t be afraid to talk to your therapist about draping techniques. Your comfort and understanding is one of your therapist’s top priorities.