In this excerpt from Healing Lifestyles & Spas, the author provides some very good tips that we at Natural Balance Massage and Wellness Center continually drive home with our clients. I especially like the fact that it mentions the importance of the client being 50% of the session and that therefore [the client] has the responsibility to speak up and make their needs or preferences clearly known.
Sometimes I hear people say, "Oh, I don't want to get the therapist in trouble", or "I don't like to tell the therapist what to do because I don't want to make them feel bad", or "The therapist should KNOW what I like or want". WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
Therapists are only human, and contrary to popular belief, they do not read minds. Remember, no two people are alike. Massage and spa clients would be much better served if they communicated clearly before, during, and after the session...what they want, enjoy, or need, in order that they may obtain the most benefit and value out of their massage.
Just because you may have enjoyed a therapist who somehow and intuitively "clicked" with you and your body, does not mean that other therapists shouldn't be able to do so, too, with a little help from you. Some of my best massages have been from therapists with whom I had to provide detailed information on what works for me, and after a couple of treatments, WOW! The heavens sang...amazing work happened, and I could not have been more pleased.
Do not discount a therapist merely because of an okay massage on your first try. If all else is good between you, the rapport, the trust, the basic approach and overall style, then the massage can always be honed into a masterpiece, and you'll be very grateful that you gave this person another shot or two. After all, it's like any relationship worth having...it requires a little effort on each person's part.
Do not discount a therapist merely because of an okay massage on your first try. If all else is good between you, the rapport, the trust, the basic approach and overall style, then the massage can always be honed into a masterpiece, and you'll be very grateful that you gave this person another shot or two. After all, it's like any relationship worth having...it requires a little effort on each person's part.
At Natural Balance, we take it one step further than this article suggests: we actually require our guests to turn off their cell phones during a treatment because it is counter-productive and disruptive to the healing process, as well as to other guests.
There are two other, very important tips I would add to the list:
- After a massage, take a few moments to stretch your arms, your legs, your back, and your neck...all right from the massage table before you arise. It's a good way to end your treatment.
- Re-book for your follow-up and DEFINITELY make it a regular visit. After all, prevention is key, and just like brushing your teeth daily helps prevent decay, getting a massage at the very least once per month if you are in fair health, will help prevent stress and wear-n-tear related damage...to your body AND your mind!
Share with us...tell us about YOUR massage experiences, the good, the bad and the ugly. What was your best massage like?...your worst?
"Make the Most Out of Your Massage...It's Over Before You Know It"
from Healing Lifestyles & Spas(note...your Natural Balance blogger has taken license to make minor grammatical changes from the original material. Such changes are for overall effect and do not in any way alter the author's context.)
Aaaahhh, massage, just imagining it relieves stress from my shoulders. But have you ever experienced a massage that was not so relaxing? Perhaps you had something on your mind, or a chatty therapist, or the pressure was never quite right, or the worst...the room is cold! Though you may not realize it, you, as the client, have a responsibility to the session too. After all, you’re 50% of the massage.
To ensure that every massage is all that it can be, practice the following:
from Healing Lifestyles & Spas(note...your Natural Balance blogger has taken license to make minor grammatical changes from the original material. Such changes are for overall effect and do not in any way alter the author's context.)
Aaaahhh, massage, just imagining it relieves stress from my shoulders. But have you ever experienced a massage that was not so relaxing? Perhaps you had something on your mind, or a chatty therapist, or the pressure was never quite right, or the worst...the room is cold! Though you may not realize it, you, as the client, have a responsibility to the session too. After all, you’re 50% of the massage.
To ensure that every massage is all that it can be, practice the following:
- Be punctual you don't want to feel rushed through your massage. And forget the 50 minute deals. Go for the full 90...it takes 50 minutes just to unwind!
- Communicate with your therapist before the massage. Tell them what your goals and expectations are, what you like best and what you can’t stand.
- Don’t talk during the massage, except about the massage itself
- Be present. Breathe deeply into the area that is being worked on, follow these tips. Use visualization to help unwind problem areas.
- For heaven’s sake, turn off your cell phone! Who needs the distraction or the Emfs
- Don’t rush off the table.
- Drink plenty of water for the next 24 hours. Hydration helps the lymphatic system flush out wastes and mitigates soreness from deep tissue work.
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