Communicating with your massage therapist
It's interesting to see how many people are shy when it comes to telling the massage therapist very important things. So here's a list of some things to keep in mind and use your voice when you are receiving a massage.
Important things to communicate to the therapist:
1) If it hurts. - Frequently, people will just grin and bear the pain. Sometimes the therapist might not be able to tell that it's painful. So it's important to communicate that information to the therapist. The goal really isn't pain, occasionally it might be, but only temporarily and certainly not intolerable.
2) If you are uncomfortable being undraped - Most massage therapists, if they have been doing massage for a while, get totally anesthetized to nudity or partial nudity. For most therapists, it's just skin, fat or muscle tissue. So if you feel like you are exposed, it's up to you to communicate that to the therapist. If they are professional, then they will make sure you are draped and understand your concerns.
3) Temperature - Being cold on the table is not relaxing. Most massage therapists have blankets they can use to make sure are completely comfortable.
4) If you need to go to the bathroom - Again, because of our western-be-polite sort of society, people will hold having to go the bathroom. Believe me, massage therapists want you to go. And they will usually have a robe or some kind of way to make sure you can easily go to the bathroom and then come back to enjoy the rest of the massage.
5) If you don't want to chat - From time to time, therapists will chat with their clients during the massage, if you don't want to chat, that's totally ok, just let the therapist know. The massage therapist will understand.
Those are some of the major ones. Massage therapists are really there for you. It's your experience. So speak up, if something is bugging you, let them know. It's ok. It's also ok to let them know when they are doing something right as well.
Until next time....
Important things to communicate to the therapist:
1) If it hurts. - Frequently, people will just grin and bear the pain. Sometimes the therapist might not be able to tell that it's painful. So it's important to communicate that information to the therapist. The goal really isn't pain, occasionally it might be, but only temporarily and certainly not intolerable.
2) If you are uncomfortable being undraped - Most massage therapists, if they have been doing massage for a while, get totally anesthetized to nudity or partial nudity. For most therapists, it's just skin, fat or muscle tissue. So if you feel like you are exposed, it's up to you to communicate that to the therapist. If they are professional, then they will make sure you are draped and understand your concerns.
3) Temperature - Being cold on the table is not relaxing. Most massage therapists have blankets they can use to make sure are completely comfortable.
4) If you need to go to the bathroom - Again, because of our western-be-polite sort of society, people will hold having to go the bathroom. Believe me, massage therapists want you to go. And they will usually have a robe or some kind of way to make sure you can easily go to the bathroom and then come back to enjoy the rest of the massage.
5) If you don't want to chat - From time to time, therapists will chat with their clients during the massage, if you don't want to chat, that's totally ok, just let the therapist know. The massage therapist will understand.
Those are some of the major ones. Massage therapists are really there for you. It's your experience. So speak up, if something is bugging you, let them know. It's ok. It's also ok to let them know when they are doing something right as well.
Until next time....
posted by Robert at 1:57 PM
2 Comments:
I'm from fredericton New Brunswick. I've been a Licenced Practical Nurse for almost a decade. I am very interesed in the art of massage therapy. It would be a dream come true for me to become an RMT. I am married with 3 great, very active children. The one and only fear I have that is holding me back from applying to the program is ...the fear of the academics. I've heard it is an extremely intence program. I'm typically a positive person, not afraid of committment and hard work. With raising 3 children and running the household, I think to myself...What if I can't do it(pass the program...what if??
I realize that this discusssion is off topic somewhat. If there is any one that can give me a little encouragement , I'd greatly appreciate it.
From the gal who loves getting a massage,
Mary
Hi Mary-
The biggest challenge of massage school is the time commitment. I would consider that a more important consideration than the academic side. Especially in your situation.
Probably the hardest part of massage school academically is the anatomy and physiology. But being an LPN, you might have had some exposure to that already and that will help you immensely.
But, it's the time issue that's critical. Going to school, working and raising 3 kids is a juggling act. Possible? I still think so.
What you could do is apply for a class or 2 first, take those and see if you like it. If so, then press on.
Good luck,
Robert
Post a Comment
<< Home