I hope to provide answers to common questions about massage and a massage therapist.
Here I'll provide you with the knowlege to be at ease with your decision to have a session as well as give you ideas and questions to ask of the therapist.
Remember first and foremost,
the therapist is there for you, not the other way around.
But also remember, a massage is synergistic.
It is a two-way flow of information as well as of physical and mental energies.
You must have information and so must your therapist.
TALK! Don't assume anything!
Look for and ask for credentials. All therapists practicing in the state of Missouri must be trained, tested and licensed.
A minimum of 500 hours of training is required as is the passing of the NCTMB certification test.
PMTC has provided me with 600 hours of training and as far as continuing education is concerned, I have completed an extra 155 hours thru Oct 1, 2011.
One of the major hesitations of most first time massage clients is that of disrobing and being exposed.
Please rest assured. The therapist will NOT expect you to be 'naked before God and the world'. You may disrobe to YOUR LEVEL OF COMFORT. A massage can be performed fully clothed, fully unclothed or somewhere in between. The difference is in the quality of the application of professional touch.
Quite frankly, the only articles of clothing I require you to remove are your shoes and socks, the rest is up to you.
Regardless, KNOW THIS; it is by STATE LAW that only the body part being worked can be uncovered. You will be draped and your privacy protected at all times, it is the LAW.
You have the right at any moment of the massage session to stop, cease, quit and walk away. And so does the therapist.
Should either of you feel uncomfortable for any reason whatsoever, the session will END.
- Preliminary information.
- The massage therapist will ask preliminary questions to determine your overall health and your desired results from massage therapy.
- He or she will assess your needs and explore your motivation in getting massage, including your health goals.
- The massage therapist will consider information about your physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels and any areas of physical pain.
- The information gathered in a brief interview will help the massage therapist determine how to structure the session to achieve your desired results.
- Removing Clothing.
- Before your massage, you’ll be asked to remove clothing to your level of comfort.
- The therapist will leave the room while you undress and remove any jewelry or other articles that might interfere with the massage. Take off only as much as you are comfortable removing.
- Keep in mind that your massage will be most effective when the massage therapist can touch your skin in areas they will massage.
- Lay on the massage table, underneath the provided sheet or towel, which will cover your body except for the part being massaged.
- The massage table. The massage table is padded, and may have extra attachments or cushions, such as a face rest, which allows you to lie facedown without turning your head or neck.
- The environment. Expect a peaceful and comfortable environment for the massage. The massage therapist may play music during the massage. Some people enjoy the music, and some don’t. If you prefer silence or different music, ask the massage therapist to turn off or change the music.
- The massage. The massage technique or modality used will depend on what the massage therapist determines is best for your massage.
- The massage therapist may use oil or lotion, which reduces drag on the skin while performing the massage strokes. If you are allergic to oils or lotions, let your massage therapist know before your massage begins. A powder might be available as an alternative.
- Depending on your needs, the massage therapist will massage either the full body (except for private areas) or only specific areas that need attention, such as especially tight muscles.
- Remember to breathe normally.
- A typical table massage session is usually a minimum of 30 minutes and a maximum of 90 minutes.
- The end of the massage The massage therapist will allow you to slowly get up and get dressed in privacy. Usually your massage therapist will offer you water after you’re dressed.
Chair Massages
Chair massages, which often are offered in public spaces and workplaces, are an exception to the above descriptions. A specially-designed massage chair lets you lean forward and supports the front of the body. This allows the massage therapist to massage most areas to be massaged. You remain clothed and no oil or lotion is used. Seated massages last from 10 to 30 minutes.