What To Expect At Your First Massage

What happens during a massage?

You will first be asked to fill out a client intake form for your therapist to get to know you a little bit and help give them guidance in style and pressure for your massage. You will be taken to your therapy room and given the opportunity to talk to your therapist about what you would like out of your massage or if you have a tight or sore area you would like them to give a little more attention to than other areas. You will then be left alone to get undressed and on the table.

Your therapist will direct you to either lie under the sheet on your back or stomach. The therapist will come back in the room and begin your massage. As she massages different areas of the body she will uncover one area then cover it back up when finished and work on another area. You will want to stay relaxed and enjoy the massage. When the massage is over your therapist will leave the room and you will have a chance to get dressed again and you can meet them at the reception area when you are ready.

Should I talk to my massage therapist during my massage?

That is completely up to you and what makes you comfortable and relaxed. Some people choose to talk throughout their massage and others like to just lay back, close their eyes, and relax for the time. It is your treatment so if you want to converse do so, and if not do that too!

What is the difference between light, medium, and deep pressure?

Light pressure is gentle soothing. Some people find this very calming. Medium pressure is firm and flushes metabolic wastes from sore muscles. Deep pressure is very firm and focused on chronic, tightly contracted knots.

If the pressure isn't deep enough or too deep, what should I do?

You should communicate openly and honestly with your massage therapist. Listen to your body. Feel free to state your preference for pressure before and during the massage. After all, this is your massage that you are paying for and you need to be comfortable and relaxed. They want you to get what you want!

You may also want to speak up if the room temperature is too hot or too cold for your comfort, you have any questions about your massage, you experience pain, or have anything else you would like to mention and would be important for your therapist to know.

What should I do after my massage?

Drink extra water. During a massage circulation is improved, which helps flush irritating waste products from stressed muscles and other tissues. Drinking water aids in the functioning of the whole body including the circulation and the kidneys, which are both involved with relieving the body of waste products. It also seems to help reduce soreness and fatigue after a massage.

You will also want to schedule time to take it easy. Rest if you feel the need or take a nap if you can.

If your massage was focused on a particular injury or body part, stretch, ice, or apply heat to that area with the advice of your massage therapist. You may want to do some gentle movement, such as walking, sometime in the hours after to encourage your muscles to work in a balanced way.

Soreness is sometimes experienced for 24 hours or so after a massage. If you feel sore, stretch gently in a hot shower or take a warm bath with Epsom salts. Remember to tell your massage therapist about your experience so it can be taken into consideration in your next session.