10 Tips for a Great Massage

Massage therapy can be a very healing experience. Some people, while they like getting a massage, don’t really know how to relax and enjoy it. I have a few massage therapist friends and here are some of their tips to help you better enjoy your next massage.

1. Make sure you are visiting a professional establishment. There is nothing worse than getting your hopes up for a great massage, and then feeling to uncomfortable to remove your shoes, much less any other article of clothing.

2. Yes, it’s okay to take off your underwear, just as much as it is okay not too. A trained therapist will never see anything they shouldn’t. Believe me, they don’t want to either. They’re good at keeping you covered. But allowing yourself this type of vulnerability, can often times help you relax even more. Just be sure you are with a therapist you trust. And folks, PLEASE, get UNDER the sheet when getting on the table. Especially when you do decide to remove your underwear. It’s greatly appreciated!

3. If you have a music CD that you would like to listen too, feel free to bring it along. It’s all about what helps you relax.

4. Communicate with your therapist. If the pressure is too hard, let us know. If you really prefer to have the entire hour of massage done on your back, let us know. We are completely willing to tailor your experience to your likes and needs. But we won’t know what those are unless you tell us.

5. Did you find a massage oil that you just love? Bring it in! Massage therapists are generally happy to use whatever products you prefer.

6. Here’s a really important one, PLEASE share your health information! Massage therapists need to know if you are diabetic, have lupus, are pregnant and so much more. They don’t want to hurt you in any way. If you have blood clots, we definitely need to know, even if you are on medication. Sharing your health information is critical for your massage therapist. So don’t hold back. For some people, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. (Thank goodness nobody has ever died on my table, but I know therapists who have had it happen!) So please don’t withhold anything in that department! It is kept confidential.

7. Tipping: This is always an uncomfortable topic for us to talk about. However, it is one of the ways people in the beauty and spa industry make our living. Especially if we are working for someone else. 15- 20% is typical, and polite. So on a $65 massage, that’s about $10-$13 dollars.

8. Don’t be afraid to ask about the training and qualifications of your therapist. They like to share with you all the classes we’ve taken. So if you have any concerns in that area, just ask. It will help you relax more to know you are in well-trained hands.

9. Please drink the water we offer you after a massage. Lactic acid and other toxins get released during massage, and can give you a major headache if you don’t flush them out with plenty of water. So be sure to drink more when you get home as well.

10. If you didn’t enjoy your massage as much as you had hoped, don’t be afraid to try other therapists. Massage is a very individual thing. Every massage therapist gives a massage that is as unique as they are. They mostly get the same training, but after a while, may develop individual techniques and style. It’s all about finding a good match.