Massage Therapy

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy, also known as Swedish massage, is the most common form of massage therapy in the United States.

Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion.

How Does Massage Therapy Work?

Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues.

It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.

Why Do People Get Massage Therapy?

People get massage therapy for relaxation or for a variety of health conditions:

• Back pain
  
• Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis
  
• Stress relief and stress-related conditions
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains
  
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
  
• Circulatory and respiratory problems
  
• Post-injury and post surgical rehabilitation

Massage therapy relieves stress. It is thought to help the body's stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol.

Massage therapy also appears to enhance immune function.

What a Typical Massage Therapy Session is Like

A typical massage therapy session is between 40 and 90 minutes. Your massage will begin with a brief consultation and review of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle.

You will be asked to undress (many people keep their underwear on) while the massage therapist is out of the room, and lie face down under a sheet on a padded massage table.

The massage therapist will knock on the door to make sure you are ready. The massage therapist re-enters the room and will then adjust the face rest and pillows to ensure that you are comfortable and properly positioned. Tell the massage therapist if you are too warm or cold.

The massage therapist uses a light oil or lotion on the skin and begins the massage. A full body massage usually begins on the back and then moves down to the legs. You will then be asked to turn over so you are face up. The massage continues on your arms, legs, neck, and abdomen.

You are underneath the sheet at all times, and in North America, only the part of the body being treated at any one time is uncovered.

After the massage, the massage therapist leaves the room so you can get changed.

Take your time getting up. If you sit or stand too quickly you may feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Will Massage Therapy Hurt?

Massage therapy shouldn't hurt. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over "knots" and other areas of muscle tension. If the pressure is too strong for you, let the massage therapist know.

How Will I Feel After a Massage?

Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. Occasionally, people experience mild temporary aching for a day.

Precautions

Massage therapy is not recommended for certain people:

• People with infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
  
• Immediately after surgery
  
• Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
  
• People prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
  
• Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage.

Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional Massage Tips

Don't eat a heavy meal before the massage.

If it's your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.

Male vs. Female Massage Therapists

Choosing The Right Massage Massage Therapist For You

Deciding whether you want a male or female massage therapist is one of the first questions you're faced when you get a massage.

When you make an appointment, the receptionist generally asks if you have a preference for male or female massage therapists. There are more female massage therapists in the business, and both men AND women tend to prefer women. Some of the reasons people prefer female massage therapists include:

• People feel vulnerable when they're nude, and want to feel safe.
• Women believe male massage therapists will be judging their bodies.
• People are worried the massage will be sexualized with male massage therapists. Men are afraid male massage therapists are gay....and women are worried they aren't!
• Many hetereosexual men find a woman's touch pleasant -- even when it's not sexual -- and find it easier to relax.

Massage therapists are trained to respect boundaries and use proper draping techniques, so these issues shouldn't be a problem. But since male massage therapists aren't as popular, anyone who doesn't state a preference will likely get booked with a male.

More experienced spa-goers often don't care whether massage therapists are male or female. They're comfortable with the routine, and know the most important factor is skill, not gender.

Some experienced spa-goers actually prefer male massage therapists. Male massage therapists often have more strength, which can be helpful with deep tissue massage And gay men, who are big spa-goers, tend to prefer male massage therapists.

Whether you prefer male or female massage therapists, feel free to state it up front. It's your massage, and you should enjoy it.

Tips For Enjoying Your Massage

A massage is supposed to be a soothing, relaxing experience. So why do so many people arrive at 1:30 for a 1:30 massage? You should be in your robe already! And if you arrive late, in a frenzied state, you might as well have not come. Get there early is the most important tip for enjoying your massage. But there are plenty more. (Hint -- don't eat a big sausage sub right before you get there, and be sure to speak up if you don't like the pressure.

Here are some tips adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association to help you enjoy your massage.

* Be receptive. Don't eat just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* If you don't want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist. Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

* Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session, Speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

* Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general you should do whatever you feel like, and the massage therapist will follow your lead.

* Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

* Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

* If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more "body-centered" and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

* If anything happens during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

* If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

* Drink extra water after a massage.

* Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

Remember, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

8) The pressure isn't deep enough

8) The pressure isn't deep enough, but I don't want to insult the massage therapist's technique. What should I do?
Communicate openly with the massage therapist. Keep in mind however that it's a myth that massage therapy has to hurt to be effective.

Some of the most effective types of massage therapy are gentle and do not involve deep pressure or pain. In fact, too much pressure can cause muscles to seize up.

Here is a good rule of thumb -- on a scale of one to 10 where one is no pain and 10 is extremely painful, the pressure should always be less than seven.

7) How do I know if it's a legitimate massage clinic?

7) How do I know if it's a legitimate massage clinic?

Although you might think massage parlors that offer sensual or erotic massage may look obviously seedy, it can be sometimes be difficult to spot these places.

If you're trying a new clinic or spa, it's a good idea to call first and ask these questions:

• Do you offer therapeutic massage?
  
• Is the massage therapist certified or licensed?
  
• Do you require a health questionnaire of your clients?

A licensed massage therapist will not come into contact with your genitals or nipples during the massage.

6) What if I get an erection during the massage?

6) What if I get an erection during the massage?
Some men don't get massage therapy because they worry that they'll get an erection. Or they get the massage, but are unable to relax during the massage because of this fear.

But there is no reason to be embarrassed. It's perfectly normal for men to get an erection during a non-sexual, therapeutic massage.

Gentle touch administered to any area of the body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and cause a partial or full erection. Your massage therapist (male or female) understands this and will generally ignore it.

If you are still worried, you may wish to wear a men's bikini bathing suit during the massage, which provides more support than boxers.

5) Should I talk to the massage therapist during the massage?

5) Should I talk to the massage therapist during the massage?

Although some people prefer to talk throughout the massage, don't feel like you have to make conversation with the massage therapist. After all, you're having a treatment, you're not at a cocktail party!

Feel free to close your eyes and relax, which is what most people do.

Deep tissue massage and sports massage are just some of the types of massage that require more feedback. The massage therapist often works on deeper layers of muscle and will want to ensure that the pressure is not uncomfortable.

Be sure to speak up if:

• the room is too hot or too cold
  
• you experience pain
  
• you have any questions related to the massage
  
• there's anything you forgot to mention during the consultation

4) Will the massage therapist be there when I undress?

4) Will the massage therapist be there when I undress?

In North America, the massage therapist will leave the room so that you can remove your clothing and lie on the massage table (usually face down) under the top sheet.

Don't rush or worry that the massage therapist will walk in on you -- the massage therapist always knocks and asks if you are ready before entering the massage room.