Your first massage therapy treatment – what to expect.

Even if you’re a veteran at getting massage therapy treatments, there is always some apprehension when you go to a new massage therapist.  When you’re a newbie to the therapy, it can be really overwhelming and intimidating – maybe you’ve heard stories that make you wonder if you really want to put yourself in such a vulnerable position.

Rest easy, there’s no need to be afraid. Here are some common questions that I’ve addressed with new clients.  Also, remember that you should feel comfortable asking questions of your therapist, and a therapist’s reluctance to address concerns may be an indication that he or she isn’t right for you.

Q. Will I have to take off all of my clothes?

Not necessarily.  Your therapist should encourage you to undress to your comfort level, though massage is much more effective if performed directly on the skin.  For people who are a little more shy or reluctant, you can leave your underwear on, though (for women) the bra should come off to allow for better access to the back and shoulders. If your therapist doesn’t bring this up, please ask to clarify your concerns before the treatment begins.

Q.  What parts of my body are exposed?

The only part of your body that should be exposed, or uncovered, is the part of the body that is being worked on. At no time should your genitals be uncovered – though your therapist may undrape you just to the outer edge of the area if working on the front of your upper thigh.

If your therapist is working on the back of your thigh, it is not unusual to uncover part of the gluteal region to allow access to muscle attachments.  When your therapist is draping (or undraping, as it were)  the sheet or towel should only go the the edge of the gluteal cleft (aka the bum crack – pardon my English, I really don’t know how to say this politely, my apologies).  For a therapist to place the sheet or towel in the cleft is not only inappropriate but uncomfortable for you as a client.  If this happens, feel free to speak up and ask the therapist to move the sheet or towel more to the side – after all, you’re not paying to get a wedgie.

Q.  Why does my massage therapist insist on taking my health history?

The health history form is so important, as it gives an overview of a client’s health. Please remember that what you say to your massage therapist is confidential, and files should be stored in a secure area. Therefore, your massage therapist is not going to discuss your medical issues with anyone unless you have signed a consent form giving your therapist permission to do so. Quite often, massage therapists will discuss issues of their clients in a very general way with a goal of learning from each other – this is done with no names mentioned, so you should not have concerns about the confidentiality of your information.

Massage therapy works with the musculoskeletal system and can also affect the autonomic nervous system – this is your “fight or flight” response.  As such, a seemingly benign treatment or technique can really cause damage if your therapist is not aware of any health concerns.  When a massage therapist is informed about any concerns or limitations a client may have, he or she can modify the treatment so as to deliver the most effective and safe therapy possible.

A good example is when a person is taking medication for a headache.  An analgesic will alter pain perception, so if you usually get a deeper treatment but you fail to make your therapist aware of your medication, he or she might use deep techniques that are painful – however, you won’t know this until after your meds wear off.  At this point it is too late, and you might really feel the effects of the treament (and not in a good way) for several days.

Personally, I have refused to treat a new patient who refused to fill out a health history questionnaire.  As a massage therapist I couldn’t be expected to provide the best possible treatment if I didn’t have an overview of my clients health. From a liability point of view, I always insist that a client sign the form – this ensures that I can’t be held liable if a client fails to disclose health issues or concerns, provided that I’ve worked within my scope of practice and worked in the interest of their safety and wellbeing.

For more information on how to find a good massage therapist, or what to expect during a treatment, please visit WhyMassageTherapy.com – Information About Massage Therapy.