Wednesday, February 23, 2011

ASK THE MASSAGE EXPERT: FIRST TIME MASSAGE INFORMATION

So you are getting a massage for the first time. And you probably have many questions to ask the massage therapist. In this first supplement of “Massage at your fingertips” Kathleen will be able to answer some of your questions even before you have your first appointment.


1.) What time should I arrive for my appointment?

Being on time is important! Arrive about 10 minutes prior to your appointment. This will give you time to use the rest room and to change into a robe and slippers (if they are provided).Should you arrive late, your treatment will end as scheduled as a courtesy to our other guest and to the therapist. If there is a front desk receptionist, be sure to “check in” so that they can tell your therapist that you have arrived.



2.) When will I meet my massage therapist?

At the time of your appointment, the massage therapist will come and get you and call you by name. They will introduce themselves. “My name is Kathleen and I am your massage therapist.” Expect to shake hands. At this point, the therapist will bring you into a treatment room.



3.) Once I get into the massage room, does the massage “just start”?

Most of the time, your massage therapist wants to get to know you. Plan on about a 5-10 minute consultation in regards your health. You may even have a health information form to fill out and a signed release “to treat” agreement.



4.) What types of question will they ask me?

Questions such as: Have you ever had a massage? If so, when was your last massage?

Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems or could you be pregnant?

Do you have any allergies? Have you had a recent accident, injury, illness or surgery?



5.) It seems like they ask a lot of personal health questions, why is that?

With massage therapy being one of the most hands on professions in health care, massage therapists need to make sure that each person they treat will receive they best care possible. And the best way this can be done is to ask many questions about your health.



6.) So I am about ready to have my massage, now what?

At this point, the massage therapist will explain that they will be leaving the room for a moment or two so “that you will have time to undress down to your comfort.” Meaning, “your may leave on your undershorts or take them off”. They will also tell you to either get on the massage table by being face up or face down in the face cradle. Once you are undressed, you will get on the massage table between the two sheets. After a moment or two, the therapist will knock on the door and come back into the room and then your massage will begin.



7.) I just found out I am pregnant, can I make an appointment for a pregnancy massage?

Many massage therapists will ask you what trimester or how many weeks along you are. If you are less than 12 weeks or 3 months from the last day of your last menstrual period, chances are you will be unable to be treated at that time. Many therapists will refuse to offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because of the increased statistics for miscarriage associated with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. However after 3 months, be sure to discuss massage options with your OB/BYN or midwife. Contraindications for pregnancy massage are as followed: Hypertension (high blood pressure) with preeclampsia, previous preterm labor, severe headache or swelling or questionable vaginal bleeding. Also do not be surprised if the massage therapist tells you that they will not be massaging your feet. Trained prenatal or pregnancy massage therapists are aware of pressure points on the ankles and wrists that can gently stimulate pelvic muscles, including the uterus. Certified prenatal massage therapists are trained to avoid very specific and intentional pressure to these areas during pregnancy. Any woman who has experienced pre-term contractions or consistent Braxton-Hicks contractions should alert her therapist to that fact so that pressure points can be avoided completely.



8). I just had a car accident, can I still have a massage?

Consult with the doctor that is treating you with your injuries. Request a referral to a clinical massage therapist. Most clinical massage therapists have experience with how to treat those who have been injured in an accident. The therapist will be able to file with insurances, work with physicians and lawyers.

Please feel free to e-mail me at fleuryk@pyamid.com with any question that you may have in regards to massage. I welcome questions from massage therapists, patients, those considering treatment and massage students.

1 comment:

  1. Good article! I like that it begins way before the massage itself, as people have question about that, too.

    Avoiding receiving massage during the first trimester of pregnancy is a myth, and a choice made more with an eye toward avoiding liability than about preventing actual harm: http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13354

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