Before your massage
Definitely have something to eat and drink at least an hour or so beforehand but not too much! Lying down on a full tummy could give you indigestion and if you drink too much immediately beforehand you might need the loo!
Switch off your phone. Make the most of the time that you have set aside for this treatment. Nothing is worse than being at that point of relaxation where you can drift off and your ring tone of a barking dog blares out. However, if there is something really urgent you need to have your phone on for, just inform your therapist.
There are so many massage courses and some people qualify after a 2 day course, others have spent years working to degree level to be able to treat people with a wide variety of ailments. This means that some people can offer basic relaxation to friends and family whilst others can treat people in pain, with long-term chronic conditions or use skills such as hot stones for relaxation. Check if your therapist can meet your expectations about what you need from your treatment.
During your massag
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Your therapist should take a detailed consultation and make time for you to ask any questions. You might want to know if they can adapt treatments specifically to meet your needs, for example, you might be pregnant, use a wheelchair, going back to work for a few hours after treatment or preparing for a marathon. These will all require some different approaches.
There are some massage treatments when you don’t necessarily have to undress. For most massage treatments you will need to get undressed to a level you are comfortable with. Unless it is part of the treatment and you and your therapist agree to it, keep your knickers on!
It really doesn’t matter if you forgot to shave your legs or wash your hair. Honestly, it really doesn’t.
The length of the appointment can vary but basically an hour’s appointment includes time for the consultation, treatment, and time to provide any self-care advice. I will tell you now, time flies by!
Some people like to talk, some want silence. This can vary depending on the type of day/week/month you have had. If you want to talk with the therapist that can be cathartic and a stress release for you. However, not all massage therapists are trained counsellors so talk as much as is helpful but get professional help if needed.
The therapist will work with you to ensure pressure of their touch is comfortable for you. If you are ticklish, let the therapist know. Often people can be sensitive on their feet but adjusting the techniques and/or pressure can override this sensation.
When treating specific issues, communication between therapist and client is needed during treatment to allow effective work. This is especially true when working on injuries or chronic conditions.
After your massage
It is not unusual to feel sore for up to 48 hours after a massage. For some treatments, such as cupping it is not unusual to see bruising that persists for longer. However, usually the quality of movement after a massage is easier.
Do drink water after a massage, the room is warm, your blood pressure might be lower as you have had a massage and been lying down and it will aid your circulation. Alcohol is best avoided.
Listen to your body, you might feel like going home and having a little lie down, you might want to stretch or go for a gentle walk to stimulate and move your body. Do what feels right and pain free for you.
Other FAQs
How many sessions do you need? This does depend on why you are having a massage treatment in the first place. If it is a one-off session to relax, well one session is what it is. If it is to manage long term stress or a chronic injury then usually as a Jing therapist it can be up to six regular sessions, within close succession. As much as we try to help people fix their issues, we can’t always do it in one go. That’s why we are massage therapists and not miracle workers, although occasionally we get feedback from clients who are convinced that we are the latter!
Can a massage therapist diagnose what is wrong? Massage therapists have great soft tissue skills and those with advanced training are able to assess what is happening within those tissues but they cannot diagnose. For that you need to see an appropriate health professional, such as your GP or physiotherapist.