What will happen during your massage session?
During the first session, you will be asked to fill out a medical history and clarify any condition that may affect your health and comfort during the session. It is possible some conditions will require a physician’s clearance before proceeding.
We will discuss the desired outcome of the session with you. This will determine which parts of the body require massage. A typical full-body massage will include work on the back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck and shoulders. Please be aware that you will not be touched in an inappopriate or sexual way.
Techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; generally removing all clothes apart from underpants. However, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped (covered with a sheet or towel) for warmth, comfort and privacy during the entire session. Only the area being worked on will be exposed. Your massage therapist will leave the room while you undress, relax on the table and cover up with a clean sheet or towel.
In a typical massage, the session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm the nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As the body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Oil is used to allow muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate skin.
You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when the body is not resisting. Massage Therapists are trained to solicit and receive client feedback and are expected to respond to such situations.
Your massage therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting an arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during the session. You should feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage and bodywork in general or about the particular technique they are receiving.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.