Summary

A licensed massage therapist provides guidance on maximizing the benefits of massage therapy through proper breathing, cleanliness, and mental presence.

Abstract

The article "How To Get The Most Out of Every Massage" by a seasoned massage therapist outlines key practices for clients to enhance their massage experience. The therapist emphasizes the importance of deep, even breathing to signal relaxation to the nervous system and facilitate better access to tight muscle spots. Cleanliness is also highlighted, with the therapist suggesting clients shower beforehand and remove jewelry to ensure comfort and hygiene during the session. Lastly, the therapist advises clients to mentally let go and focus on the meditative aspect of the practice, rather than engaging in conversation or worrying about impressions. The piece concludes with a review of these points, encouraging clients to prioritize self-care and relaxation during the massage.

Opinions

The therapist believes that breathing deeply and consistently is crucial for clients to relax and allow the therapist to work more effectively.
Cleanliness, including showering before a massage and removing jewelry, is considered essential for both hygiene and comfort.
The therapist views the massage space as a judgment-free zone where clients should feel comfortable in their natural state, including not shaving or wearing makeup.
There is an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship being one of mutual respect and focus on wellness, rather than social interaction.
The therapist values the meditative aspect of massage and encourages clients to let go of external concerns to fully benefit from the session.
The article suggests that the massage experience is enhanced when both the client and therapist are fully present and engaged in the therapeutic process.

How To Get The Most Out of Every Massage

What your massage therapist wants you to know

As a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years, I can offer you some feedback to help you get the most out of every massage you receive. Every client is different and has different needs, but each person can do their part to help the therapist help them. There are three keys to remember:

Breathe

If you begin breathing deeply and evenly from the moment you lay on the table, by the time I begin to massage you, you will have already signaled to your nervous system that the peace party is starting. I know you want to tell me the issues you are having and where it hurts, but I should already have asked you this information before you were on the table.

I will check in with you throughout the massage to make sure the pressure is comfortable for you. It is okay to talk, but breathing is your number one priority activity for the next hour. If you don’t breathe, I can’t get in the tight spots as well and your muscles won’t hold the fix as well either.

Cleanliness

If you’ve showered before the massage, that’s ideal, but I am going to clean your feet anyway — I do that to everyone. Everyone could use their feet cleaned with a hot scented towel before a massage commences. If I am going to touch your feet and your face at the same hour, I should make sure everything is as clean as possible. This also helps more tickly clients gain some relief in their arches, as they can bear the contact through a hot towel.

Note to Massage Therapists: Be careful with the temperature of these towels if you are working on a diabetic person. Keep the towels just over body temp but not super hot. Better safe than sorry. I am always careful with the heels of pregnant women as well. Best to not even rub their ankles and heels, just gentle effleurage. See reflexology texts for more on the “why”.

If you have makeup on and don’t want your face to be touched, do let me know before we begin. If possible, come without makeup, so your skin can relax for an hour too!

If you are wearing a lot of jewelry, please store in it your bag or pocket or just don’t bring it to the appointment. It will gather oils during the treatment and will inhibit your circulation.

Forget About Me

I have massaged thousands of people. You are a beautiful being of light to me. You are my client who has come here to do this meditative practice with me for your wellness and I am the lucky vessel that energy gets to flow through on its way to…wherever it goes. When you come into the massage room there is only Agape.

Many women often apologize to me for having failed to shave their legs. Honey, I do not care. Relax. You have leg hair because you were made that way. I am more worried about keeping my body smells away from your experience. This is about you relaxing, not about impressing me.

This doesn’t mean I don’t find you interesting as a person, but when you are on the table, I am unable to hold who you are and how you are in my head at the same time. Your ego and my ego go on vacation. This is why talking can make massage uncomfortable.

If you are a nervous talker, I am not judging you, I just want you to get the most out of this time. It becomes a social call, which isn’t what you came here for, is it? I may remind you to take deep breaths if I feel like you haven’t turned your thinking cap off! I’ll do it! :)

Conclusion

So let’s review. When you go to get a massage I hope you remember to

Remove any jewelry or leave it at home
Shower or bathe
Breathe throughout the massage
Forget everything but your body and your breath for the length of the treatment

In this way, you will get the most out of your massage.

If you have any questions about massage, either as a client or a therapist, feel free to ask me in the comments or in a private note on this piece. I have practiced in the USA and the UK, so I am familiar with the industry in both places.

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