What to Expect – FAQ
What type of improvements can I expect with consistent massage therapy treatments?
By following a regular massage program, your body is able to continuously reap the benefits of relaxation: decreased tension in the muscles, and an increased range of mobility. Depending on your health goals, you and your massage therapist together will determine a treatment schedule. Once your body becomes comfortable with a schedule, you will find that you’re able to go that span of time without becoming sore or achy (provided no abnormal activities or injuries occur).
Why do I feel sore and achy the next day after my massage?
Usually, if someone feels “sore” or “tender” after a massage, it’s because they:
- Haven’t had massages before,
- Aren’t receiving massages frequently enough, or
- Have had a specific and deeper massage to get rid of tight muscles and tension.
Achiness after a massage is caused by the lactic acids and metabolites in the muscles that are released by massage. It is much like the achiness people feel after a good workout. A hot Epsom salt bath can usually alleviate and possibly prevent any achiness from occurring.
Can I talk during a massage?
Absolutely. And some people choose not to. Usually people are more chatting during their first massage, or only the first 15 minutes. Then once people are more comfortable they settle into a relaxation mode, somewhere between being awake and asleep.
It really depends on you as a person, if you talk the therapist will chat with you. If you prefer to be silent, then the therapist should be silent as well, only asking you questions that are necessary for the treatment.
What if I am embarrassed about my body, will I have to be totally undressed?
This is a personal choice. Often people seem to shy away from massage because they feel they will be exposed. This is not the case. You can have a massage treatment fully clothed if that is your comfort level or undressed but covered with a sheet. However, the most benefit you receive is when the massage is applied directly on the skin.
Please be aware that the only part of you that is uncovered is the part that is being directly massaged. Therefore if your leg is being massaged, only your specific leg is uncovered.
Every Body has a different shape, different kinds of skin, and while our skin is very important, as a Massage Therapist we focus on your muscles and tissue beneath the skin. Which is why direct massage is the best and most beneficial way to obtain that.
There have been some cases where patients will leave on their underclothing (and/or full clothing) for the first and/or second appointment until they become familiar and comfortable with the setting and their therapist.
Why can’t I book a 30 Minute Appointment?
The only case where I discourage 30 minute appointments is for your first massage appointment. The appointment time takes up any time needed to go over your health history form to clarify any health concerns, and any assessment that is needed to provide you with the best care. If your concern is a specific shoulder injury or issue that you want to focus on, then by all means maybe 30 minutes is for you, in subsequent treatments. However if you are looking for a full body therapeutic massage, 30 minutes doesn’t give the therapist enough time to be effective to all areas that you require.
What is the difference between a relaxation and a therapeutic massage?
When you ask for a relaxation massage you are telling the therapist that you do not have any injury, or issue that you wish the therapist to address and that you just wish to ‘relax’.
When you require a therapeutic massage, you are asking the therapist to address injuries or areas of pain or discomfort. This indicates to the therapist that you are looking to decrease your pain levels, improve your range of motion and generally recover from an issue or injury.
Your Massage Therapist will be able to adjust the pressure in a massage depending on the type of massage you request.