Yes, that’s right, relax. We know that’s one of the reasons you came to get a massage, to relax. And now you’re breathing, so that helps…but you still need to focus more on relaxing completely. Let go of the control of your muscles. If your therapist needs to move your limbs, they will do so. We know that when you lift your arm up for us, you’re just trying to help. But don’t. If your therapist needs you to move yourself, they will ask you. But, if you engage the muscles when a limb is lifted, that really doesn’t help. As I said above, engaged muscles tighten, and your massage therapist can’t work them effectively. It also takes away from the therapeutic benefit of your massage — you’re paying for it, so don’t take away the value of your own treatment.
To talk or not to talk:
Communication is important during your massage. Your therapist might ask you if you’re comfortable, or if the pressure is ok. Be honest. If you’re too cold, or too hot the temperature can be adjusted or extra towels can be added. If you’re uncomfortable, and therefore can’t relax fully, your position can be adjusted. If the pressure is too soft or too hard, it can be modified. But massage therapists are not mind readers — we won’t know unless you tell us. Sometimes there are obvious signs (like a client is shivering or flinching), but it helps if you tell us before it gets to that point. Sometimes you might not be asked, or everything was ok when you were asked but it’s not now. Speak up. A therapist can’t tailor a massage to your needs if you don’t tell them what your needs are. By the way, no pain no gain is a bit of a fallacy too. While a therapeutic massage can, at times, be uncomfortable, there is no reason you should be writhing in pain (unless you want to be!) A good therapist will work with your levels of comfort, remembering that everyone is different. And each session can even be different, depending on what is happening with the client at that point in time.
Then there is the question of having a general chat during your massage. There are a few different thoughts on this. Some people believe it’s a big no-no and that the only communication should be about pressure and comfort — you’re there to tune out and switch off. Others believe that a massage therapist is the ideal person to talk to about what’s happening in life — de-stressing can be as much about the emotional release of getting things off your chest, as the physical benefit of releasing the muscles. Personally, I believe it’s up to the client. I have some clients that are happy to chat beforehand, but once they’re on the table, they like to switch off completely. I also have some clients that love to chat while they’re on the table. It gives them a chance to talk to someone about what’s been bothering them or can provide a distraction if I’m working on a particularly sore trigger point. I even have clients who like to ask me about me and what’s happening in my life — they tell me this helps them to switch off from what’s happening in their own life. It is also important to remember that people do form a bond when they see a regular therapist — after all, there is a certain level of trust in taking off most of your clothes and literally putting your body in someone else’s hands. Learning a little about this person you’re entrusting yourself too is not a bad thing. If you ask something your therapist feels is inappropriate they will tell you.
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