What to tell your therapist
What to tell your therapist may seem an irrelevant topic. However, what you do and do not tell them may or may not impact not only your massage, but also your health. All details and situations varying, read on.
Tell your therapist about injuries, pregnancy, surgeries, medications
Communicate with your massage therapist. Tell your therapist prior to beginning the massage service about any previous injuries, recent surgeries and medications you take.
If you are pregnant and had not informed anyone at the spa, please do. Some treatments are not advised for expecting mothers. Pregnancy massage is very popular, but must be provided after the first trimester and also approved by the expecting mother’s doctor.
See “contraindications of massage” for more information on when to avoid massage.
Tell your therapist of any discomfort
During the service, tell your therapist if there is any discomfort. If you need support under your neck, let them know. If the pressure is too deep or is uncomfortable, be sure to say something.
If you are experiencing claustrophobia (especially in a body wrap), tell your therapist so they can alleviate the discomfort. If you have questions, ask them. Verbal communication is key to a great experience.
In any therapeutic massage, such as deep tissue therapy, sports massage, or bodywork treatment such as ashiatsu, some deep pressure and intensity is expected. You will need to decipher between good and bad pain. If the pain is too much, be sure to speak up.
If you don’t let your therapist know, they may not realize they are going too deep. This could leave you very tender and sore (possibly bruised) in places you don’t want to be. Remember, everyone’s pain tolerance is different and the massage therapist is there to help you, not hurt you.
Use discretion in what you tell your therapist. Not all things will be relevant to your current health status. Not all injuries will have left complications behind. What they really want to know is whatever is pertinent to your current health and the service they are providing.
Once disclosed, be sure to enjoy and of course, feel free to let them know they’re doing a great job!
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