What Can You Expect in Your First Massage Session?
Remember the first time you sat on a bicycle saddle? Well, you probably felt like a freshly baked chocolate chip, all hot and nervous, right? Chances are your arms were also sweaty as you tried hard to balance while steering. Hopefully, someone was by your side, ready to catch you and keep you from skinning your knee.
If you’re contemplating getting a massage, similar feelings of curiosity and anxiety may bubble up. Questions like, “Will it hurt?”, “Will I be in my birthday suit during the rub-down?” “What should I do during the massage?” may roll into your mind.
Don’t fret – we have created this mini-guide to ensure your first massage session goes smoothly. Read on to find out what you can expect.
1. Assessment
Think of this as your entry exam or orientation day before class: Usually, you’ll be asked to fill out an intake form to capture your medical history and the current state of your health. Depending on the type of massage you have in mind, the practitioner may ask about conditions such as allergies, skin problems, or other medical issues.
Some intake forms may include sections pertaining to your goals or expectations. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to provide information about your lifestyle, such as how often you exercise and your diet type. This confidential information helps the practitioner create a personalized treatment plan.
The initial discussion also lets you inform the practitioner about your concerns. Hence, if you want more (or less) attention in specific areas of your body, voice it out.
2. Preparation
The therapist guides you through the preparation for the session. This typically includes removing certain clothing and lying down on a massage table. That being said, you may undress as you deem fit (to your comfort level), rock the cozy robe the facility provides, and enjoy some ‘me time’ before the session gets underway.
I know what you’re thinking, “Hold on! Did you say undress? Like, completely?” No – massage therapists are professionals and usually use a drape to cover parts of your body that are not part of the massage.
Draping involves covering you with a sheet or towel and only revealing the part of your body being worked on at that moment. This also creates a physical barrier between you and the therapist and helps keep you toasty. Also, irrespective of the extent of clothing you decide to shed or retain, the drape only exposes the specific area being attended to while always covering the genital area and breast tissue.
The masseuse also sets the mood with soft music, pleasant scents, warm towels, or a heated blanket – to help you unwind. And if chirping birds and crashing waves are more your jam, they may add a sound machine to the mix.
3. Consent and Communication
Once you’re ready for the massage and have given the green light, your therapist directs you to the massage room and informs you about the procedure, including what to expect. They also encourage communication during the massage session. Feel free to provide verbal or non-verbal feedback (using hand gestures, for example) if you find a particular area uncomfortable or want more or less pressure.
Yeah, it might feel a tad awkward at first, but talking helps the masseuse adjust the technique and make you feel more relaxed. The professionals also use leading questions to ease the tension and help you open up.
4. Therapy
Once the rubber meets the road, so to speak, your therapist begins with a gentle stroke and then gradually increases the pressure. The aim is to soothe tight muscles and increase circulation.
The massage usually starts with long strokes on different areas of your body before moving into deeper targeted treatments. And depending on the technique used, you may feel slight discomfort – this is usually the desired outcome of the massage session.
Your masseuse may start with a face-up position, targeting the scalp, neck, arms, and legs. Then they may ask you to flip around, so they can work on the shoulders, back, legs, and glutes – if needed.
Even so, there’re no fixed rules. The practitioner can customize the routine based on your needs and preferences – it comes down to the modality you prefer and the results you have in mind.
5. Aftermath
Following the massage, your therapist may provide some after-care tips. For instance, they may advise you to drink lots of water as it helps flush out toxins released during the session. You may also need to avoid activities requiring lots of physical exertion for at least 24 hours. Similarly, they may recommend lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your daily routine.
Ready to let a therapist knead your worries away? Relax – you’ll only be a first-timer once! Soon enough, you’ll be a regular, humming cheerful tunes with inner tranquility. For now, enjoy the moment. Your body deserves the break. And remember, you call the shots – your therapist wouldn’t have it any other way.
