Website design By BotEap.comYou slept badly last night and your neck is stiff and sore. Maybe you’ve been gardening all weekend and your back hurts from bending over. You are under a lot of stress from your job and you can’t seem to relax or sleep at night. A friend suggested that she get a professional massage to help ease the pain. It seemed like a great idea, but you’ve never been to a massage therapist. You’re a bit apprehensive because you’re not sure what to expect.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first (and right) step toward improving your health and well-being. There are many benefits of massage. but how does it work? What really goes on in a massage therapist’s office?

Website design By BotEap.comWhat are all these shapes? I just want a massage.

Website design By BotEap.comAt a professional massage therapist’s office, the first step to receiving a beneficial massage will be completing a few basic forms. They include a client intake form, health history, and informed consent form.

The Client Intake Form – This form will give your massage therapist key information about you. It will let the therapist know what areas of concern you have (ie back pain, stiff neck, leg pain, etc.). If you are under medical care for anything that may be important to the outcome of the massage. Also let the therapist know if you have ever had a professional massage.

The Health History Form: Why do I have to fill out a Health History Form? It is very important to you and the massage therapist that you fill out this form completely. Inform the therapist of any medical conditions that may dictate the use of a certain massage technique, or a technique that may be contraindicated (should not be used).

Informed Consent: This form is more of a legal form than anything else. It is for your protection and that of the therapist. Give the therapist written permission to perform a massage.

Website design By BotEap.com Ok, I filled out the forms, what’s next?

Website design By BotEap.comYour therapist will take you to the massage treatment room. Before the massage begins, the two of you will discuss your concerns and health history in a short interview. This interview usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes. This is when you and your therapist will start to get to know each other. He will talk about his expectations of the massage. Your health history, if there is information that will determine the massage techniques used during the massage. This is a good time to ask your therapist questions. After the interview, the masseuse will leave the room so you can undress.

Website design By BotEap.comUntanned? Do I have to take off all my clothes?

Website design By BotEap.comThe massage is best received completely naked. But you can undress at the level of your comfort. What does that mean? If you don’t feel comfortable taking off all your clothing, you can keep all or part of it. The therapist will adjust the massage to what you leave on. Keep in mind that you will limit the therapist to what techniques can and cannot be used. It can affect the overall result of your massage.

Website design By BotEap.comBut he’ll see me naked if I take off all my clothes!

Website design By BotEap.comNo, he will not. A professional massage therapist is bound by standards of practice and codes of ethics to provide coverage for you, the client. What do you mean draped? Draping is a technique that uses the table sheets to keep all the intimate areas of your body covered at all times. There are techniques used during the draping process that ensure that you are not exposed at any time. This is accomplished with a bed/table sheet, pillowcase, and/or towels.

Website design By BotEap.comHow does the draping work?

Website design By BotEap.comThe massage table where you will receive your treatment has a complete set of sheets. A bottom sheet on which you will lie down and a top sheet with which you will cover yourself. When the therapist leaves the room, you will undress. Then you will get on the massage table. between the sheets. Your therapist will give you time to do this. She will knock on the door, waiting for your authorization to enter. When you are ready, the therapist will enter the room.

Website design By BotEap.comAfter the therapist re-enters the treatment room, you will be given pillows or cushions to provide you with comfort while on the table. The therapist will adjust the face support and discuss with you anything else he may need at this time.

Website design By BotEap.comDuring the massage, your therapist will lift the top sheet exposing only the area in which you are working. What does that mean? If the therapist is working on his back, the sheet will be pulled down to expose his back for treatment. When the treatment is complete, your back will recover. Your therapist will move to a new area of ​​your body. That area will be uncovered (ie: buttocks, leg, arm), receive bodywork, and then recover. This will continue in this way throughout the massage.

Website design By BotEap.comHow do I turn around to have the other side of my body massaged?

Website design By BotEap.comYour therapist will help you roll over on the massage table. The technique for this is simple. Using their legs, the therapist will “clamp” one side of the top sheet to the edge of the massage table. Then, reaching for your body, he will hold the other side of the sheet. Raise the sheet slightly to form a “tent.” This provides space for you to turn around, all the while without being exposed.

Website design By BotEap.comI am a woman and I want my stomach massaged. How will this be done without exposing my breasts?

Website design By BotEap.comThis is where the therapist uses the extra towels or pillowcases. The pillowcase will be placed over your breasts, on top of the sheet that covers it. The sheet will then be slipped from under the pillowcase. The pillowcase stays in place, covering your breasts. The sheet is pulled further down to expose your stomach for treatment. Once the bodywork is complete, the blade is returned to its original position. This time it will be placed on top of the pillowcase. The pillowcase will be removed from under the sheet.

Website design By BotEap.comI still do not understand why I have to undress completely

Website design By BotEap.comYour body and the muscles that control all your body movements are a complex system. Remember that old song about your bones? “The toe bone is connected to the foot bone. The foot bone is connected to the leg bone. The leg bone is connected to the thigh bone.” If you remember this song, it’s probably playing in your head right now. Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues (such as muscles) of your body. You can replace the word “bone” in that old song with muscle. Although it’s a bit more complex than that song, you can get a little mental picture of how the structure of your muscles is connected throughout your body.

Website design By BotEap.comI’m going to use low back pain (the most common complaint) as an example of why massage is best received without clothes on. Most of the back muscles are connected to the upper border of the pelvic girdle. The gluteal muscles are also connected to the upper edge of the pelvic girdle. While the back muscles extend from the pelvic girdle upward, the gluteal muscles extend from the pelvic girdle downward. If your “gluts” are tight, they are pulling on the top of your pelvic girdle. This, in turn, is pulling the muscles in the lower back. You are feeling the pain in your lower back. It is not the “cause” of your pain, it is the result.

Website design By BotEap.comTo relieve lower back pain, a masseur may need to work the gluteal muscles. While this can be accomplished with your clothes on, it limits the techniques the therapist can use. It is not as complete and it will take more time (more visits to the therapist) to achieve the desired results. If you remove your clothing completely, your therapist may use a variety of techniques. Getting more positive results in less time.

Website design By BotEap.comContact your therapist

Website design By BotEap.comAll aspects of massage therapy require communication between the therapist and the client. Draping is a big concern for most customers. Don’t be afraid to talk to your therapist about draping techniques. Your comfort and understanding is one of your therapist’s top priorities.