Pants or no pants?

"Pants or No Pants?"

This is a question I get asked a lot before a massage,  along with a lot more interesting questions 😄

There is a plethora of etiquette for salon's and spa's on the internet and every business has different guidelines on how to make the most of your treatment. However I find when clients, especially new clients enter the treatment room, a feeling of anxiety fills the space between therapist and client. Massage can be an extremely vulnerable and daunting experience for people. I wanted to write this blog to help put people at ease and be as honest as I can when it comes to setting boundaries. I've put together a few suggestions to help repose that nervous/giddy feeling that causes all logic to disappear 😁

Why are you here?

Before you have your treatment ask yourself two questions: why are you having this treatment and what do you hope the outcome to be. A good therapist with have done a lengthy consultation and explain what the treatment involves. There are so many types of massage on offer that it can be confusing and expensive. so be sure to do your research and ask your therapist the difference between treatments. 

Speak up

Don't be afraid to ask questions and voice concerns, that goes for both new and returning clients. 

The massage you had last week might not suit your body this week. The human body is a complex system and needs different techniques at different times, so talk to your therapist. Give feedback because you know your body better than anyone else so listen to what it is feeling. We are here to listen as well as massage and we are trying to get a better understanding of your body and the pain it is experiencing. 

Limitations

Please understand that there is 'no one size fits all' massage. Your body retains pain, remembers old injuries, emotional pain, postural imbalances etc. One massage session isn't going to fix you and that is why you must be patient with your therapist and give the treatments time to work. However, therapists must be honest with you as well. If I can't get you to a place of optimal movement I'll tell you and recommend another therapist who will better suit your needs.

So pants or no pants

To be honest, it's about trust, for your first massage you might feel too vulnerable but after you get to know your therapist and build a rapport with them you might feel differently. I always ask my clients what level of nudity suits them and with the proper draping of towels, you should never feel exposed. Just talk to your therapist before hand and work out what suits you both. 

Do I have to be quiet?

This is another question I get asked a lot and my response always is "it is your time so use it how you feel fit". For some people talking is a way of relaxing so if you want to talk I'm not going to ignore you likewise if you don't want to talk, I'm not going to dive into your personal life.  What I would recommend its every now and again just re-connect with your body and notice any areas that you feel tense or areas when pain is traveling from. You may want to discuss this with your therapist after. 

As hard as you can go!

Every therapist has different pressures, techniques and a flow of massaging. So just because you agreed on a certain pressure at the start doesn't mean that pressure has to be continued through your treatment.  Certain areas of your body might be sensitive to the pressure so speak up because pummelling the body can be counterproductive. The word DEEP has different meanings to both therapist and clients (I'll explain in another blog). Some areas of the body might need a softly softly approach like myofascial release, which is working slow but quite deep into the muscles. If you ask for deep pressure be warned that your body could be quiet achy for a few days after! 

Move

A lot of my clients thought they had to lay very still during the massage but this is like saying to a three-year-old be still for a minute..... its impossible. Your body is the same, it wants to move, it needs to move because the massage is lengthening muscles that have been stiff and tired for along time. The only thing I would suggest is to keep your spine straight especial when the therapist is working on your back. 

Feedback

I welcome feedback as a therapist but be kind and give constructive criticism. Don't leave the massage feeling exasperated, voice your opinion. Maybe the therapist found another area that needed more work or certain muscles are connected and working those muscles will relieve your areas of pain. Or maybe you just didn't connect with the treatment and that's perfectly fine too just try and be constructive. 

The main message I want you to take from this blog is there is no such thing as a stupid question. So chat with your therapist, be open with us because we want to help. These are suggestions, not rules and very therapist will have different guidelines. I'd love to hear what you think and if you have any questions just drop me a line. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.

Respect your body, it does a lot for you 💗💜