new to massage

You slept wrong last night and your neck is stiff and sore. Maybe you have been working in the garden all weekend and your back hurts from being bent over. You are under a lot of stress from your job and can't seem to relax or sleep at night. A friend suggested you get a professional massage to help ease the pain. It sounded like a great idea, but you have never been to a massage therapist. You are a little apprehensive because you are not sure what to expect.

If you are reading this, you have taken the first (and right) step to improving your health and well-being. There are many benefits of massage. But how does it work? What really happens in a massage therapist office?

In a professional massage therapist office, the first step to receiving a beneficial massage will be the filling out of some basic forms. Typically they include a client intake form, a health history, and an informed consent form.

* The Client Intake Form This form will tell your massage therapist some key information about you.

* The Health History Form is very important for you and the massage therapist; and should be filled out completely. It informs the therapist of any medical condition that may dictate the use of a certain massage technique, or be contraindicated for massage.

* The Informed Consent This form is more of a legal form than anything else. It is for your protection as well as the therapist. It gives the therapist written permission to perform a massage.

After you've completed the forms your therapist will take you to the massage treatment room and the two of you will discuss your concerns and health history in a little interview. Your therapist will explain draping techniques and discuss the type of massage you will receive. This is a good time to ask your therapist questions. After the interview your therapist will leave the room while you dis-robe.

Do I have to take all my clothes off? Massage is best received fully unclothed. But you may undress to the level of your comfort. What does that mean? If you are not comfortable with removing all your clothes, you may leave some or all of them on. The therapist will adjust the massage to what you leave on. Keep in mind that it will limit the therapist to what techniques may or may not be used. It can effect the over-all outcome of your massage.

But He'll See Me Naked If I Remove All My Clothes! NO, he won't. A professional massage therapist is bound by standards of practices and codes of ethics to provide draping for you, the client. What do you mean draping? Draping is a technique that uses the sheets (or towels) on the table to keep all private areas of your body covered at all times. There are techniques used during the draping process that ensures you are not exposed at any time. This is accomplished with a bed/ table sheet, pillow case, and/ or towels. Please see our Draping Photos page for a complete description of the draping process. All aspects of massage therapy requires communication between the therapist and the client. Draping is a big concern for most clients. Do not be afraid to talk with your therapist about draping techniques. Your comfort and understanding is a top priority of your therapist.

Generally you will receive a full body massage, from head to toe. This will include the abdomen, upper chest, and glute muscles. If you prefer not to have certain area's massaged, inform your therapist before the session begins. You can change your mind at any time during the massage, to add an area that you previously selected not to have massaged - or vise versa. If this is your first massage, I highly recommend receiving the full body experience.

Recommended further reading for the first-time massage client:

Choosing A Massage Therapist - Tips and guidelines to help you choose the right massage therapist.

Massage Draping Illustrated - A photograghic journal of massage draping techniques.

Massage Etiquette - Tips and guidelines for making appointments and what’s expected from the client.

Communication - The Key To A Great Massage - Learn why you must communicate with your therapist during a massage.