Your therapist will chat with you about what level of pressure you'd like, so make sure to speak up if you'd like things changed throughout the session. Depending on what areas of your body you'd like to work on, your therapist will then move through your major muscle groups and relieve stress, tension, and tightness.
The Massage Process
They may start with soft, gentle strokes to help you relax before gradually applying more pressure to release tension from deeper muscles. Feel free to communicate with your therapist throughout the session. If something feels uncomfortable or you have a specific request, don't hesitate to speak up.
Wear whatever you feel comfortable in to your appointment. Once you are there, the massage therapist will ask you to remove your clothing to your comfort level. They will leave the room and allow you to undress and get under the provided linens on the bed, so you will always be covered throughout.
No you do not have to take your underwear or bra off during a massage. As always, you (the client) only undresses to your comfort level. If you want to take everything off that's up to you – whatever you're comfortable with. It's common for women ...
You can lay however you feel comfortable. Most massages will start you face down on the table in about halfway through you'll flip over to the other side. Some massage therapist will sideline massage to get at areas on your side easier. You can also do chair massage if you don't want to lay down.
If I have an "all body" massage, will it literally be my whole body? A full-body massage doesn't have to include your sensitive areas. You can say which parts of your body you don't want to be touched. A full-body massage usually includes your arms, legs, hands and feet, your neck and back, your stomach and buttocks.
Massage and Emotional Release: It's Totally Normal! When you think of massage, common assumptions would be that it's relaxing, peaceful and restful. And these are all true, but there are other emotional releases you might experience - and they're totally normal.
Leave the leather pants and pencil skirts at home! I generally remind you of this before your session, and it's quite common for people to come straight from work, but with a bag of clothes to change into. I usually recommend wearing a t-shirt and yoga pants/sweatpants/shorts.
Take off only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. If you don't want to remove your clothing, wear clothing that will be comfortable during the massage and will allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be massaged.
The standard hospitality rate for massage tipping is 20 percent. For example, if a massage or body treatment costs $100, a 20 percent tip would be $20.
During your massage, your therapist will typically begin by massaging your back and shoulders; for this, you'll need to be laying down comfortably on your stomach. Then, the therapist will massage your legs and feet, (and your glutes if this has been agreed to) before proceeding to massage the arms.
The first rule of massage therapy is to ensure the comfort and safety of the client. This includes creating a comfortable and relaxing environment, using proper techniques and pressure, and communicating effectively with the client to ensure that they are comfortable with the massage.
So do you need to shave before getting a massage? Our response to this FAQ is simple: it's entirely up to you and what you're most comfortable with. "It makes no difference to us, and it will not affect your massage" said Kurt, LMT at Williamsburg. "If you're comfortable not shaving, we're comfortable as well."
Key Takeaways: Massage therapists will ask you about your health and comfort levels before the session starts. You can expect to lie on a padded table, usually face down, while the therapist massages your back, neck, and shoulders. Massage therapy can improve your mood, decrease anxiety, and help relieve pain.
The back is one of the most requested areas in any massage. It's where many people carry stress, tension, and discomfort from sitting, standing, or physical activity. Therapists focus on the upper, middle, and lower back to release tightness and improve mobility. The neck and shoulders are another high-tension zone.
For individuals who plan on having a full body massage and are comfortable with removing clothing, the standard is to keep your undergarments on. It's a good idea not to remove all of your clothing unless your therapist has requested you do so.
In most professional massage practices, the breast is only massaged if the client specifically consents. Most people feel more comfortable if this area is left out to avoid awkward situations. However, there are specific massage techniques that target the breast.
A good rule of thumb for tipping in the massage industry is between 15% and 20% of the total service cost, which is the standard practice in the broader service industry. This range is widely accepted as a standard gesture of appreciation for satisfactory to excellent service, and is a perfectly acceptable tip.
Spending time exploring each others' bodies is a simple way to build intimacy and increase arousal. Different types of massage have been connected to sexuality for thousands of years. Today, there are a wide variety of different types of sexual massage, including sexual reflexology.
Understanding Professional Boundaries in Massage Therapy
Any form of non-consensual physical contact is strictly prohibited, including sexual advances or inappropriate touching.