When should I get a massage?
Any time is a good time to get a massage. You don't need to wait
until you're stressed or injured. Too often I see clients who wait until
they reach this state to see me. Massage works wonders as preventive
care for a person's body and mind. Instead of waiting until your back
hurts from overwork or stress, or the headaches that start at the back
of your skull begin to pound, or the stress of every day life makes you
want to pop your cork, get a massage before these things happen. A
regular massage is a wonderful way to cope with stress, both physical
and emotional, and to keep if from causing discomfort or harm to your
body.
If you've found yourself dealing with a nagging minor injury, sore
muscles, or are completely stressed out, find a massage therapist and
see what he or she can do for you. First, check out the next question in
the FAQ.
When should I not get a massage?
There are several contraindications for receiving a massage. If you
have any of the following conditions, you should not get a massage:
- Fever
- Any type of infectious disease
- Systemic infections
- Severe cold
- Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury
- Liver and kidney diseases
- Blood clot
- Pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxemia, preeclampsia/eclampsia
- High blood pressure (unless under control with medication)
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Open skin lesions or sores (therapist may work around them if
localized)
The guidelines here are pretty straightforward. You don't want the
massage to make an underlying medical condition worse, and you don't
want to pass anything contagious to the massage therapist. If you're
unsure about whether a minor condition should prohibit you from getting
a massage, call your therapist before your appointment. If you have a
chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before proceeding on a
course of massage therapy. For some illnesses, other bodywork modalities
may work well. If you're suffering from fibromyalgia, lupus, and other
conditions, try to find a bodyworker who has some experience with these,
since they should know what works best under certain conditions.
At your initial visit, you will most likely be asked to fill out a
client intake form. Some of these are simple, some run for a couple
pages. Not only does it provide the massage therapist with your name,
address, and phone number, it should also have a place to list any
underlying medical conditions. The therapist should be aware of any of
these. Even if you have an allergy to something in the oil the therapist
uses, you should list this. You should be asked at any subsequent visits
about any new medical or physical conditions. If you're not asked,
volunteer that information if there is anything the therapist should
know.
What types of massage are there?
There is a wide array of bodywork modalities. The most common, and
probably the best known, is Swedish massage. If you see a movie or
television show with someone getting a massage, this is usually what
they show. The client is undressed, draped with a towel or sheet, oil is
placed on the skin, and the muscles are kneaded, rubbed, vibrated, or
tapped. Most of this FAQ will concern itself with Swedish massage.
There are many types of Oriental bodywork, Shiatsu and acupressure
are the most common. These are often done with the client clothed, and
concentrate on applying pressure to different points of the body. The
primary body focus of these are energy meridians, and bringing them back
into balance. Practitioners of these arts believe that an imbalance in
these meridians affect the inner organs of the body and causes illness.
Some bodyworkers may combine one of these therapies with a Swedish
massage.
There are a host of other types of bodywork: cranialsacral, myofacial
release, postural or structural therapy (Rolfing, Hellerwork, and
others), Reiki, and many, many more. They all have one goal in mind, to
bring the body's systems back into balance. The accumulation of stress,
misuse and overuse of the muscular-skeleton system, illness, poor
posture, and just the normal routines of daily life bring the body out
of balance, and some degree of suffering ensues. All bodyworkers try to
bring the client back towards the state of natural equilibrium in their
bodies. Note that this doesn't usually happen in one session.
What is not included in a therapeutic
massage?
Sex. Let's get it right there out in the open. We all know that there
are tons of places that call themselves massage parlors, and probably
the last thing you'll get there is a real massage. It is pretty obvious
from the ads these places have, and the way they present their
businesses, that they are offering sex. They are not to be confused with
therapeutic massage. These massage parlors may have licenses, they may
have taken the minimum hours of training to become a professional
therapist to get that license, but massage is not what they're selling.
That's not the place to go complaining about tight hamstrings.
Many phone books have listings for therapeutic massage, and most of
the people or businesses listed there are serious bodyworkers, not
prostitutes. If you're unsure, make the call and ask. They will be up
front with you about what not to expect from the massage. Most
practitioners of therapeutic massage call themselves massage therapists,
because the titles masseur and masseuse have sexual connotations
associated with massage parlors. Massage therapists work out of their
studios or offices, not parlors.
Don't even think about going to a serious bodyworker under the guise
of wanting a therapeutic massage, and expect something sexual to happen.
Don't ooh and aah and grind your hips into the table thinking they'll
take pity on you and get you off. Don't think because they might catch
sight of your genitals that they'll be unable to resist you. Don't ask
for anything inappropriate, or indicate that you want sex in any way.
Trust me, they can tell if that's what you're after. If you insist on
any inappropriate behavior, the therapist is likely to end the session
immediately, and you'll be required to pay the full price whether the
massage lasted two minutes or an hour. Don't whine, "My penis is a
muscle too!" or "I'd be even more relaxed after an
orgasm!" Those won't get you anywhere but out the door, and other
massage therapists in the area will be warned about you.
If you want sex, go someplace that specializes in that. There are
plenty of them. A prostitute is the expert in delivering those services.
Don't insult, offend, or intimidate a legitimate massage therapist by
expecting it from them.
With all that said, I'm sure there are readers who will say, but
can't massage be part of sex? Of course it can. Massage is a wonderful
and sensual way for lovers to add pleasure to their sexual play and to
learn the ins and outs of each other's body. It's a wonderful gift to
give to another, and I heartily suggest that everyone find some way to
incorporate massage into their interactions with their lover. It is
wrong to assume, though, that every massage should lead to sex. Massage
can be a wonderfully sensual experience, but sensual does not equal
sexual. Not everything sensual has to lead to sex, not every sense of
touch between human beings has to be construed as a sexual come-on. The
world would be a much better place if we all could learn to accept touch
in our lives without assuming that all touch is innately sexual. In the
confines of professional massage therapy, you can receive a massage that
is relieving, pleasureful, sensual, and if you try to make it into a
sexual activity, you will rob yourself of the experience of enjoying it
for what is offered.
Where do I find a massage therapist?
The best place to find a massage therapist is a referral from someone
else. People who are happy with their massage therapist are usually
eager to recommend them to you. Ask your friends and family, and see who
they recommend.
If nobody you know receives massage, or you're too embarrassed to
ask, there are a variety of sources. The phone book is a good place to
start. Some newspapers carry ads for massage, use the ones in the health
section, not the ones in the entertainment section. There are a host of
web sites for massage therapist listings, although there's always a
question of how up-to-date those listings are. The AMTA (American
Massage Therapy Association) will provide a listing of therapists in
your area, but they may restrict that list to therapists who are members
of their organization.
In an urban area, there are a multitude of massage therapists from
which to choose. Make sure you find a legitimate massage therapist, not
someplace using massage as a front for sexual services (unless of
course, that's what you're looking for). As a general rule, any place
that advertises how beautiful, exotic, or young their masseuses are, is
offering sexual services. The age, gender, or attractiveness of the
massage therapist has no bearing on the quality of the massage you'll
receive. In suburbs or smaller towns, look around to see the therapists
in your area. Then ask around to see what others can tell you about him
or her. Many therapists work in together in group practices, work for
chiropractors, or work for resorts and spas.
When you have decided on which therapist to try, give them a call. Be
aware that therapists who have their own studio, or work from home, will
not have a receptionist answering the phone. That's normal. If they're
not there, or they're with a client, they'll let the answering machine
pick up. Don't hang up because they're not answering immediately. Leave
a message, and they should call back within a few hours most of the
time, or within a day almost all the time. Ask them about their rates,
the type of massage they offer, the length of the massage, what type of
hours or days they usually work, and explain the reason you want a
massage. Just saying that you want to treat yourself is a perfectly good
reason. If it's because of soreness or an injury, explain that too.
Believe me, they'll be doing their darnedest to make you feel at ease
already, and want you to come see them.
The massage therapist will describe the type of massage they do.
There are therapists who practice what's often referred to as
"medical massage." They prefer to work with clients recovering
from an injury or trying to live with an underlying medical condition.
They work closely with their clients' doctors. Some, but not all, aren't
interested in doing a general stress-relief massage. If this is the
case, you're better off with someone who does, who centers their
practice around using massage as preventive care and relieving stress.
Find a therapist who is more inclined to provide the kind of massage you
want.
There are massage therapists with restrictions on accepting new
clients. In some cases this is because they're booked solid with regular
clients, and can only take a few new clients. It is not uncommon for a
female massage therapist to take only female clients, or they will only
take a new male client only upon a referral from an existing client.
This is because they've been harassed too many times from men seeking
sexual relief instead of a massage from them. They don't want to deal
with this harassment anymore, or put themselves in a potentially
dangerous situation.
Does the gender of the massage therapist
make a difference?
The short answer is no. There is a perception that male therapists
can give a deeper massage, and in many cases this is true. I've had
massages from petite women, however, that have been deeper than massages
I've received from some men. In general, nothing about a therapist's
gender will give you a clue about the style or quality of the massage
they give.
In reality, many people are nervous about receiving a massage from
one gender or the other. Most women prefer a massage from a woman, and
most men prefer a massage from a woman. Some people are more comfortable
receiving a massage from a person of the same gender, some from a person
of the opposite gender. While no professional wants their services
refused based upon their gender, they also realize that if you're too
nervous about who is giving you the massage, then you won't be able to
relax and enjoy it. I've had several people over the years, both men and
women, who could never relax during the massage, and I can almost hear
them thinking the whole time, "A man is touching my body!"
One result from the constant linking of touch or massage with sex, is
a thought that hangs in the back of many people's minds that female
massage therapists are there to service men's sexual needs, and that
male massage therapists are on the prowl trying to bed their female
clients. Fortunately this mindset appears on the wane as legitimate
massage therapy takes hold and becomes more widespread and accepted.
What does a massage therapist's license
or certification mean?
A license means that a massage therapist has met the requirements and
paid the fee to legally practice massage in that area. In some places
the massage is regulated by the state, others are regulated by the town
or municipality. Many places have no licensing requirements. To get a
license, a massage therapist will usually have to have a minimum hours
of training at an accredited or accepted school or training center. This
varies widely, from 100 hours in some places to over 1000 hours in
others.
Certification means that the therapist has successfully passed a
specific course or test and been granted a certificate to bear out that
fact. This may range from courses in pregnancy and neo-natal massage, to
different modalities like Rolfing or Hellerwork. There is also a written
national certification test for massage therapists.
Ask a group of massage therapists about licensing and certification,
and you'll get a never-ending argument among them. Some are insistent
that licensing and certification are a necessary protection for the
public to ensure that every massage therapist has the correct training
in massage methods, ethics, contraindications of massage, and
understands all the local laws pertaining to massage in their area.
Others are just as vociferous that licensing and certification are tools
of those who would attempt to control the industry so that they can
maximize their profit from it, driving up the prices for everyone,
driving therapists out of business, and providing no real protection for
consumers. Learning facts and passing a written test says nothing about
a massage therapist's palpitation skills, interpersonal skills, personal
ethics, or anything else that can't be measured on a written test. Some
states that license do insist on an actual evaluation massage before
granting that license.
If a jurisdiction requires licensing, it also means that a set of
laws governing massage exist. Some places still can't get out of the
mindset that massage always equals sex. Massage therapists in these
areas must have fingerprints and blood tests taken, and might be
restricted to doing business in areas zoned for adult entertainment.
Other places have laws that control nudity, draping, and even force the
consumer to use a same-sex massage therapist. In most cases, these
aren't laws that were drawn to protect the consumer, but are anti-sex
laws used in an attempt to restrict massage parlors that are really
offering sexual services. The number of hours of education required to
obtain a license often is also used to make it difficult for sex workers
to get a massage license, not to ensure that the therapist is properly
educated.
So I'll leave it to each person to draw their own conclusion as to
what a license or certification means about any massage therapist. The
bottom line is that a good recommendation from a therapist's clients
actually says more than any piece of paper can.
What happens during a massage?
When you first arrive at the massage therapist's studio or office,
you'll be asked to fill out a client intake form. This will give the
therapist the personal information about you that will guide them to
give you the style of massage most appropriate for you. Don't hesitate
to ask questions about anything which you're unsure, or any concerns you
might have. If you're expecting something in particular from the
massage, make sure this is told to the therapist. For example, if you've
been having a lot of tightness in your right shoulder, and you'd like
some extra attention given to it, tell the therapist. If you prefer a
lighter or deeper massage, make that preference known. The massage
therapist will discover your tight and sore areas during the massage,
and will prioritize the time spent on these areas, and may do less work
on areas that don't need as much attention. Letting the therapist know
ahead of time about these problem areas, lets them prepare to spend some
extra time there.
Once you've finished with the intake, the massage therapist will give
you some privacy to get undressed and get on the massage table. A drape,
either a sheet or towel, should be provided. The therapist should have
advised you to start the massage lying on your stomach or on your back.
If you're to start on your stomach, there will be a cushioned
doughnut-shaped device at one end of the table. This is a face rest, and
you should place your face in there. This allows you to be face down,
and keep your shoulder and neck muscles relaxed. If you lay your head on
the table and turn it to one side, the muscles in your neck and
shoulders won't be in their relaxed state and won't be able to receive
the best benefits of the massage.
There may also be a pillow or bolster on the table. A bolster is a
padded, cylindrical device. These are to be used for your ankles and
knees. If you're lying face down, the pillow or bolster goes under your
ankles, so you're not hyperextending your feet while lying that way for
an extended period of time. If you're lying on your back, it goes under
the knees to prevent any hyperextension of your knee joint.
Once you're undressed and under the drape, the therapist will come
back into the room. For the most part, your work is done, and all you
have to do is relax and enjoy. The therapist will undrape the section of
the body that they will work on first, and apply oil to the skin. They
will use a variety of strokes, some rubbing, kneading, vibration,
percussion, whatever they think will work best for your muscles.
Stretching, rocking, or pressure point work may all be added. If the
therapist gives you directions for slow exhales, just follow along. If
they stretch or rotate any joint, don't try to help. Just stay as
relaxed and limp as you can and let the therapist move that part of your
body.
Every therapist has their own style of massage, strokes they like to
use on different parts of the body, and prefer to work on different
areas of the body in a particular order. One therapist may start you on
your stomach and begin the massage with your back. Another may start you
on your back and begin with your feet. So for a first visit with any
massage therapist, don't be alarmed if their style and direction is
different from another therapist you've seen.
When the therapist finishes with one area of the body, they will put
the drape back over that part, and undrape the next section to be
massaged. At some point, you may be asked to roll over under the drape,
and the therapist will continue with the other side of the body. When
the massage is over, you'll be left in private to get dressed again. If
a towel was used for a drape, you can wipe off any excess oil with it.
The therapist will return, and this is a good time to tell them how you
feel, if you have any concerns, settle the bill, and make your next
appointment.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
This will vary from therapist to therapist. The one area you can be
assured that won't receive any stimulation will be the genitals.
Different therapists may skip other areas of the body, Some work only on
the back side of the body. Some won't work on the buttocks or inner
thighs. Some skip the abdomen. Some won't work anywhere in the chest
area of a woman. If one area of the body takes a lot longer than
expected to massage, the therapist may skip other areas of the body to
finish within the allotted time.
There are different reasons why some massage therapists skip
different areas of the body. For some it may just allow them to
concentrate on areas of the body that are typically the areas that need
the most work. They would rather give fuller attention to these areas
and not do areas that usually are not a problem for most people.
Some therapists would rather not work on areas of the body, either
out of their own discomfort with those areas, or not wanting to provoke
any discomfort in a client by working on those areas. You must respect
the therapist's decision not to work on those areas. If you would prefer
these areas to receive some massage, you can ask the therapist to do so,
and they may agree.
Some therapists will ask you during the intake if you have any areas
of your body that you would prefer not to be massaged. This may be
verbal or you might have to check off areas of the body on a chart on
the intake form. The therapist will respect your wishes.
Should you request that any part of your body not be massaged? This
is another area where the answer is not so easy. A person getting
massaged should be relaxed. If anything during the massage causes them
to tighten their muscles, than the benefits from the massage won't be
obtained. So if having your buttocks massaged makes you suddenly steel
every muscle in your body, then massaging this area is a waste of time.
On the other hand, the body is one interconnected organism. Even though
you may feel discomfort in one part of your body before a massage, the
cause of the problem may rest in a different area of the body.
Overcompensation for an ache or nagging injury by limping, walking
differently, or carrying yourself other than your normal way will cause
muscles throughout the body to suffer. To reap the most benefits from a
massage, all areas should be addressed. Skipping an area like the
buttocks will ignore all the large and important muscles in that area
that connect the torso to the lower limbs.
A massage therapist has seen and massaged hundreds or thousands of
different bodies. They won't get excited seeing or massaging any part of
your body. You'll find that even on parts of your body you might be
nervous about having touched, that the therapist will use the same sure,
confident strokes that they've used everywhere else. Numerous times I've
started on a new client's buttocks, and felt a small twinge of
nervousness from them as I did, but by the time I was finished with it,
they were relaxed, and often made the comment that they didn't realize
they were sore there.
The other area besides the buttocks that cause a lot of nervousness
is working around a woman's breasts. Some therapists skip this area
completely so as not to make the client nervous. Others work the
pectoralis muscles (your pecs) above the breast, and sometimes to the
side of the breast near the armpit. They keep as much of the breast
draped as possible while working these areas. Again, it can be an
important area, especially if you have upper back problems. Tightness in
the chest muscles can affect the muscles in the upper back. The same
caveat applies, though, that if you cease to be relaxed because this
area is being worked, then the benefits of the massage will be lost.
As a general rule, just try to stay relaxed as much as possible
during a massage. If it's your first massage, and you suddenly find
yourself nervous as the therapist moves to a new area, just try to make
your mind float and enjoy the feeling of having the stress worked out
the muscles there. As you see more of the therapist in future visits,
your nervousness about these areas will probably go away pretty quickly
as you come to trust their strokes and professional approach to their
work.
