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What should someone expect during a
massage?
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The massage therapist will ask
questions about what prompted you to get a massage.
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The massage therapist will want
background information about your physical condition, medical history,
lifestyle, stress levels and any painful areas.
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The massage therapist will ask what
your health goals are and will discuss how massage may help you achieve those
goals.
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During a one-on-one massage, you
will be asked to remove clothing to your level of comfort. Clothing is not
removed during “chair” massages.
Consumers also should consider the
following tips to help them find a massage therapist who is trained and
qualified.
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Are you licensed to practice
massage? (37 states have passed legislation to regulate massage therapy)
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Are you a member of the American
Massage Therapy Association?
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Are you Nationally Certified in
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork?
Trained massage therapists are happy
to share their credentials with clients. AMTA professional members have
demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing and
are required to meet continuing education requirements to retain membership.
Finding a qualified massage therapist
is easy. Simply click the button below to click on the
Find a Massage
Therapist website, or call toll-free, 1-800-THE-AMTA (888-843-2682) to find
a qualified professional member of the AMTA in your area
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How to Get the Most From Your
Massage
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Be as receptive and open to the process as possible.
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Do not eat just before a massage session.
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Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed
state, it will take longer to get to a relaxed state. Please let your massage
therapist know in advance if you need to cancel. Many massage therapists
require a 24 hour notice.
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If you do not want to remove all your clothing, wear
clothing that you will be comfortable wearing during the massage and will
allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you
expect will need to be worked on.
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Give the massage therapist accurate health
information.
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Good communication is very important. Before the
session, let your massage therapist know what your needs are. During the
massage session, report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage or due
to any problems or distractions related to the environment, e.g., room
temperature, music volume, lighting, etc. Feel free to give feedback to the
massage therapist regarding the massage, e.g., amount of pressure, speed of
movement, etc.
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Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or
concerns. It is important that you be as comfortable as possible during your
massage. Your massage therapist is a professional dedicated to do his or her
best to help you feel at ease.
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Some massage therapists like to play music during
the massage session and may have music specially composed for relaxation and
other effects. Others may find music distracting. Let you massage therapist
know if you have any preferences regarding music if it is available.
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Some people like to talk during a massage session,
while others remain silent. If your massage therapist encourages you to talk
or not talk, it is usually based on whether or not it seems to help let go of
tension and getting in touch with oneself. Sometimes talking can be a way of
unburdening oneself or opening up. Sometimes being silent can be a way of
letting go of thoughts or concentrating. On the other hand, talking can be a
way of "being in the head" and out of touch with one’s body or feelings; and
being silent can be a way of holding back or not opening up.
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Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People
often stop or limit their breathe when they feel anxious or a sensitive area
is massaged. If you realize you are stopping your breathing, let yourself
breathe.
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Tightening up, i.e., contracting or hardening your
muscles during the massage is counterproductive. If you are able to, relax
those muscles. Let your massage therapist know 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.
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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.
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If anything is happening 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.
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If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage,
do not get off the table too fast.
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Drink extra water after a massage.
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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.
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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. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic
patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. These changes are
readily felt in day-to-day life as well, which adds another dimension of
reinforcement. 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.
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