Posted on September 10, 2007 in Massage Basics
You might choose to have massage therapy either in clinic settings or private home settings. Massage therapist who operate individually would be willing to travel to patients’ homes or workplaces to provide massage, but if the therapist works for a clinic or a fitness parlor then it is likely that the massage will be provided to you at the clinic or parlor itself.
A few questions regarding the therapist may come to your mind when you decide to go for a massage therapy. Let us discuss what best can be done to make you feel comfortable about your therapist.
What do you need to ask or mention to the massage therapist?
- Credibility of the therapist is the first question that arises in your mind when you choose to go for a massage therapy. To clarify your doubts, go for a Licensed certified therapist with considerable experience in therapeutic massage. Specialization in more than one technique of massage in her/his work span is an added advantage.
- After you have decided to go forward with an experienced therapist, mention your medical conditions to her/him and ask if you need to consult a doctor before choosing the oils and techniques of massage.
- Learn about different techniques, time, number of sessions and the costs involved before you go for the treatment.
- Enquire if you have to follow any specific diet before going for the therapy. Also enquire if there will be any side effects like temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling, a sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.
- Learn if there is any insurance cover for the therapy.
What does the therapist do during the therapy?
Each massage therapy session usually lasts for 30 to 60 minutes. During the session, the therapist also tries to set a particularly calm and soothing atmosphere by using dim lighting, soft music and fragrance.
Every therapy has set rules to follow. According to which you will be asked to lie on a special padded table or sit on a stool. You might be fully clothed (for example, for a “chair massage”) or partially or fully undressed (in which case you will be covered by a sheet or towel; only the parts of your body that the therapist is currently massaging are exposed). Oil or Powder might be used for the massage. At times the therapist may use other aids like ice, heat, fragrances, or machines for the massage.
How do you overcome your embarrassment before the therapist?
The idea of subjecting your body to a therapist to massage might arouse a little discomfort in you. To deal with this discomfort be open with your therapist. For example:
- Undressing can make you feel uncomfortable. Usually the therapist would leave the room till you are ready for the therapy. Otherwise don’t hesitate to ask the therapist if she/he would mind leaving the room while you undress.
- While you undergoing the therapy, you might fall asleep and drool. Do not feel embarrassed in such situation because it is natural to fall asleep during the therapy.
- Tell your therapist if the room temperature is not very comfortable for you. For example you might feel the room is too cold or too hot for you. The therapist will see to it that the surroundings are to your comfort.
- Men might have a fear of erection during a massage therapy session. This fear makes it impossible for them to relax during the massage. So you need to know that it is but natural to have an erection while having a massage because gentle touch administered to any area of the body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and cause a partial or full erection. Your therapist perfectly understands how your body might react when certain pressure points are touched.
- You might be uncomfortable or insecure about some aspect of your appearance. In such cases consider your therapist as a doctor who will treat you. In this way you can be less conscious about your appearance.
If few address all you concerns with your therapist, the therapy will turn be an elating experience for you to remember lifelong.
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