We could call this massage etiquette as a proper description of the right way to behave the first time you go to a massage therapy session. These are not definite rules as you will see, but are tips to enjoy your experience at a maximum level.
We will review the dos and don´ts and give you some cool tips. Read on and find out everything you always wanted to know about massage etiquette and never dare to ask.
Different Types of Massage
There are many different types of massage that have different types of etiquette. Each of them requires the patient to perform diverse actions. For example, Thai massage is a technique that requires the patient to be fully dressed and allow the masseuse to put him or her into different positions by moving his or her body around. The patient is not expected to do anything, just relax like any other massage therapy session, but is required to be fully dressed in comfortable clothes and ready to be moved and stretched.
The rules of etiquette or series of best practices covered in this article are related to the traditional massage, also known as Swedish massage.
#1 Undress to your Comfort
This is rule number one of a massage session: you need to be completely relaxed and not to worry about anything at all. This is why you should only undress to the point you feel comfortable. In 99 out of 100 cases you will be covered with a towel on your intimate parts, so you should not feel intimidated by the level of “nakedness” you are showing to your masseuse.
Besides the towel-factor, you should bear in mind:
- Masseuses work with people all day long – This is a fact, they are very used to seeing torsos and necks, backs, legs and all the rest that they don´t have anything special with your body. Besides, they are professionals and all they see are sore muscle tissues and knots.
- You are expected to undress – In this kind of situation, it is awkward to do the opposite: not to undress, so do it confidently.
- Wear your towel at all times – If you wear your towel at all times, you should not be exposing any parts you don´t want to your massage therapist. Just make sure you don´t drop it while you move
Cool tip: Wear the underwear you feel the most comfortable with and think looks the best in you, so you won´t be embarrassed to be dressed only in it.
#2 Turn Off your Phone
This is an absolute must for relax and also to make the world of the massage therapist a lot easier. Imagine trying to relieve the stress off your shoulders after a long and hard office week when your phone is ringing non-stop… it will make him or her even more nervous and stressed than you!
No, don´t put it on vibrate, just turn it off. Even the slightest of
vibrations can be heard really loudly in a very quiet room such as a
massage one; it will take you out of focus and break the magic of the
distractions-free environment created specifically for you.
It will even be good for the apparatus if it has been going on for six
months straight. Sometimes even technology needs a break from
technology.
One thing you might notice after the phone has been off for about 90 minutes is that it is not the end of the world as we know it and that you can definitely live without it for about an hour and a half and nothing (bad) will happen to you.
Cool Tip: Tell all important people who might be calling you like employers, mother, wife, children that you will be out for ninety minutes to avoid misunderstandings and make that relax feeling last so much longer.
#3 Be Communicative to your Masseuse
Being communicative with your massage therapist is a great way of making a
good experience a much better one. for example, there is certain kind
of people who don´t feel comfortable with massage therapy sessions
involving their feet. Some don´t like feet and others feel like they
are ticklish and get them out of the relaxation mood.
There is another very important piece of information you have to definitely
communicate that is the amount of pressure you like. It is very
common that some massage therapists ask this before the session
starts. If it is your first time, you won´t likely know, so it is
okay to communicate that you are feeling pain or discomfort. It is an
old myth that is not at all true the fact that a massage session
needs to hurt in order to be effective. A massage session should be
just as relaxing as you want it to be. Some people enjoy deep-tissue
massage and a lot of pressure and some don´t. This indication is
only valid for relaxation massage and not if you are having a massage
because of a condition or illness.
Some common questions are:
- Can
I have a conversation?
– Well, it is not recommended to enhance your relaxation
experience, but there are no rules against it. You should just use
the communication channels as described above, and not to tell him
or her about your week, that is what psychologists are for. Besides,
for a fully relaxed experience just listen to the music and let go.
- Can
I fall asleep? –Yes,
it´s totally fine and very common, your masseuse won´t be offended
at all.
Cool tip: The good thing about going to the same masseuse time and again when you find one that suits you is that in the growing confidence and knowledge your relaxation experience will grow too.
Conclusion
There are no written rules about massage etiquette; these are just some of
the ones that experienced massage-goers have put together throughout
the years. We could add to get a proper shower and arrive early to
make the experience the best it can possibly be.
