| REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY FAQS |
| WHEN SHOULD I GET A MASSAGE? Any time is a good time to get a massage! You don't need to wait until you're stressed or injured. Massage works wonders as preventive care for a person's body and mind. Instead of waiting until your back hurts from overwork or stress, or the headaches that start at the back of your skull begin to pound, or the stress of every day life makes you want to pop your cork, get a massage before these things happen. A regular massage is a wonderful way to cope with stress, both physical and emotional, and to keep if from causing discomfort or harm to your body. Once or twice a month is probably a minimum if you want to be at your best physically and emotionally
WHEN SHOULD I NOT GET A MASSAGE? There are several contraindications for receiving a massage. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not get a massage: The guidelines here are pretty straightforward. You don't want the massage to make an underlying medical condition worse, and you don't want to pass anything contagious on to the massage therapist. If you're unsure about whether a minor condition should prohibit you from getting a massage, call your therapist before your appointment. If you have a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before proceeding on a course of massage therapy WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING MY FIRST MASSAGE THERAPY VISIT? Your massage therapist will require you to fill out a health history form. Afterwards the therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your massage therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition, and to see if you have any presenting complaints. HOW LONG WILL A MASSAGE TREATMENT LAST? The average full-body massage treatment lasts approximately one hour. A half-hour appointment only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet. Many people prefer a 60- to 90-minute session for optimal relaxation. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session. WHAT PARTS OF MY BODY WILL BE MASSAGED? This will depend on the comfort of both the client as well as the therapist. If there are certain areas that you or your therapist is not comfortable massaging, they will be avoided and other areas of concern will be addressed. It is also dependant on your complaint and amount of time you have for your massage. For example, if you are complaining of neck and upper back pain and are only booked for a 30 minute session, then the therapist will most likely just focus on these areas. DO I HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY UNDRESSED? You should undress to your comfort level. The massage therapist will work around the clothes left on the best they can. You should realize that this may mean that certain areas of the body may not be massaged at all, or may only receive minimal work there. It is usually ideal to be completely undressed under the drape, however if this makes you uncomfortable, you should leave on whatever is required for you to stay relaxed during the massage. WILL THE MASSAGE BE PAINFUL? This depends on the type of massage. Some people like a gentle technique while others prefer a more vigorous one. A relaxation massage (Swedish) should not hurt. Deep Tissue may access painful points. However, most clients describe such feelings as "a good hurt". The most effective and deepest massage works with the body's natural responses, rather than against them. It is important that you let your massage therapist know if you are feeling any discomfort throughout the massage. HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENT? Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. DO YOU ACCEPT GRATUITIES? We graciously accept gratuities, if you feel the need to be generous. Registered Massage Therapists at the Adelaide Health Center will never ask for additional fees during your session. |
