Five Difficult Questions You Will Have To Ask Before Receiving A Massage

What is appropriate to wear while receiving a massage?

The easiest answer is: whatever you are comfortable with. It is the goal of any massage therapist to relax you and make you feel well treated. If you are not comfortable with disrobing, do not do so. Although it is important for the therapist to be able to treat the most affected area, the best way to approach this topic is to have a conversation about it with them. If experienced, they will understand your feelings and will work with you to get the best results possible.

One does not ever have to be completely nude to receive a massage.

What type of technique does a massage therapist use?

The most common type of massage used is the popular Swedish method. This method includes the relaxation of the outer muscles and nerves and a slow increase of pressure to areas of tension. While variations exist in contemporary practices, this method produces the best results with many different types of clients and needs.

This is especially important to ensure the therapist's preferred style of massage matches yours. There are well over 50 different types of massage styles. If a massage therapist focuses on sports massage and deep tissue massage, and you are more interested in relaxation and you hate painful massages, then this is not the therapist for you. If you are unsure of the different types of massage, ask the therapist, "what are the benefits of your massage?" and "how will I feel after your massage?" This will help you determine if this massage is right for you.

Can I get references from the therapists?

Find out what others have said about the potential massage therapist you are thinking of going to. This is one of the best ways to evaluate any type of massage therapist. If the therapist does not have testimonials to give freely, you may not want to hire them.

If you are hiring a therapist for an in home massage, you may also want to ask if there are any clients you can e-mail as references. This will help you check the quality of the massage and professionalism of the therapist.

What are the benefits of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?

Therapeutic massage and bodywork can improve circulation, help to loosen contracted muscles and stimulate weak muscles. Therapeutic massage and bodywork can also aid relaxation, help to reduce stress, help to prevent and relieve pain from injuries and muscle spasm, and improve flexibility. It promotes deeper and easier breathing, improves posture and strengthens the immune system. Therapeutic massage and bodywork also fosters a peace of mind and a feeling of well-being, promotes mental alertness, improves the ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately, and enhances one’s ability to calm thinking and creativity. It also increases the awareness of mind-body connection.

When is massage or bodywork not recommended?

There are specific situations where massage and bodywork will not be warranted, including, but not limited to broken bones, recent surgery, inflammation of the skin, varicose veins, open wounds, acute infectious diseases, acute pain, fever and blood clots to name a few. It is important that the client inform the practitioner of their current health status. There will be cases where the practitioner will require a release from the physician prior to the treatment.