Massage Therapy is an Art. It is expression through touch. The massage therapist is trained to touch in beneficial ways and with the intention of promoting their client's well being. When receiving massage, you are the canvass. Though the therapist may have years of experience the process of massage is shared by both of you.
Communication is important. Before the massage session begins, the therapist should take time to learn about your physical history i.e. - surgeries; accidents; broken bones and repetitious physical strains. Consider what you might share ahead of time. Things like - old athletic injuries, childhood falls, sprains, strains and work related issues, may have left a lasting mark in your tissue, and will be insightful and constructive information for the therapists. Your recent and current state of being is important to relay, as it will help the therapist tailor the massage specifically to your current needs.
People seek massage for all different reasons. Some need deep tissue work for injury; sports or persistent postural ailments, others may need soothing, rhythmic touch to assist relaxation or to establish emotional equilibrium and relieve mental stress. Sometimes it's nice not to have an agenda when receiving massage. Allowing the therapist to explore and discover what is ever telling in the body, can be a very liberating, connected and an enlightening experience.
As the massage session progresses feel free to express your thoughts about the pressure being used. What is considered deep tissue to one person may not be the same for another. If you feel that you are resisting the work i.e. holding your breath or tensing your muscles, first try to relax and secondly ask the therapist to lighten the touch just a bit. If you think more pressure would be better, speak up. Each massage is unique in and of itself. Even if you see the same therapist on a regular basis, you are never the same mind/body each time. Neither is the therapist.
Breathing is key to gaining optimum benefit from massage. Breath helps regulate the body systems and is the physical hinge by which stress can be governed. Deep, relaxed breathing helps to calm nerves and oxygenate tissue. If an area in the body is constricted and tense the binding will effect related muscles, nerves, organs and attitude. Binding may cause symptoms to occur in other parts of the body. Everything is connected. Taking a deep breath when working through an area of tension helps the therapist become aware that you too are working to relax and release.
Talking during a session is up to you. It is o.k. to communicate with the therapist before hand and convey that you would like to be quiet. Sometimes talking is desired and can be beneficial as catharsis helps release stress. Other times talking is just nervous or defensive chatter and can hinder the optimum benefit of the session.
Each therapist offers unique massage. Because massage is an intimate experience it is common for people to find one therapist with whom they feel comfortable and stay loyal to that massage relationship. It may be beneficial however to sample other styles of touch. You may discover a certain technique that your therapist doesn't employ. You can share the discovery of the new technique with your therapist. They may want to add it to their box of 'touch tools'.
In regards to payment, some therapists will offer packages or discounted rates to individuals using their service on a regular basis. If you are utilizing massage for clinical reasons such as injury or rehab, it is often most beneficial to use it frequently or until the tissue is healed or physical anomaly reprogrammed.
If you use massage regularly for prevention and overall well being then it will benefit both the therapist and you to establish a fair rate of pay. Don't hesitate to inquire about price breaks. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Most importantly, your massage experience should be a good one. If for some reason it isn't, don't give up. The benefits of massage are worth it!
If you have questions regarding massage therapy please contact me. I love to encourage A Healthy Touch!
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