What You Need to Know Before Booking a Massage
Massage is a popular therapy that can relieve pain, stress, and muscle tension. It also promotes relaxation and helps improve sleep quality. Massaging someone’s body is a wonderful way to give them the gift of healing. However, it can be difficult to know what you should expect when you schedule your first massage appointment. Here are some important things to know before booking a massage appointment.
What type of massage will I receive?
Before you book your appointment, be sure to ask your therapist what kind of massage they typically provide. Find out if they specialize in any particular type of massage, such as Swedish, deep tissue, or aromatherapy. If you have any allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients like essential oils or products that might be used during a massage, this is also something you’ll want to ask about so your therapist can provide the most suitable treatment. Asking these questions will help ensure that your massage is customized to meet your needs.
How long will my massage last?
A massage session typically lasts 60-90 minutes. If you have a specific time in mind for when you would like your massage appointment to take place, make sure to schedule accordingly so you can fill out the necessary massage intake forms. Massage sessions are generally shorter during the weekdays than during the weekend.
A full body massage can last up to two hours and is considered an optimal option if you’re looking for deep relaxation and pain relief from chronic or acute pain issues. If you’re just looking for general relaxation benefits during your day, a half-hour body massage is usually sufficient!
What kind of relaxation techniques will my therapist use?
After you’ve undressed, the therapist will have a few minutes to assess your body and make sure it’s ready for a relaxing massage session.
Once they’re ready, they’ll help you get comfortable on the table. If a lot of tension exists in certain areas of your body, such as around your neck, shoulders, or back, they may use some relaxation techniques like deep-tissue work or joint mobilization before starting the actual massage session.
Most therapists also utilize their knowledge of anatomy during this step to help determine if the client needs more pressure in certain areas of the body. For example, if someone has tight muscles in their back and needs more pressure when massaging that area, then therapists will use an elbow-to-knee technique with their hands and feet to apply enough force without causing pain or injury.
What should I do after my massage?
After your session, there are plenty of things that you can do to help yourself relax and recover from the massage. It’s important to know what is recommended before booking your first appointment so that you don’t feel embarrassed or anxious when you arrive.
Some things that people recommend doing after their massages are drinking some water, meditating or reading a book, listening to music or using guided meditation apps on their phone. You should also try not to sleep right away because sleep deprivation can make people feel worse than they did before they received the massage.