Massage has numerous benefits. Drug-free and suitable for young and old, massage can be used in the treatment of a specific ailment or injury. It can be a part of a plan to manage a chronic condition, and is increasingly used as part of sports training programme. To many, massage is now an integral part of self-care and used to prevent the build-up of stress and so reduce its potentially detrimental effects on the mind and body.
By encouraging the muscles to relax and the circulation to improve, massage can help in the management and prevention of migraine, headache and fatigue, can speed recovery from injury and reduce ailments often related to anxiety such as poor sleep and digestive problems.
Communication is the key to getting the best massage possible. Whatever their training or specialties, a good therapist will tailor his or her treatment to the specific needs and wishes of their client. Talented, devoted and experienced they may be, but mind-readers they aren't, hence why the therapist will likely ask a number of questions about your health, family and lifestyle during your initial visit.
Massage may be an inappropriate treatment for some conditions, so always tell your therapist if you have osteoporosis, a heart condition, very high or low blood pressure or blood clots. Blood borne illnesses should also be mentioned so the therapist can act accordingly. If you are suffering from cancer, seek the advice of your oncologist before proceeding with massage therapy.
Less serious ailments, such as veruccas, warts and Athlete's Foot, wounds or skin conditions such as eczema should be pointed out so the therapist can avoid them if necessary. Also tell him or her if you have a fever or the chills; this could be the start of an illness and they will advise accordingly.
Your therapist will likely ask you if you have any allergies. This is especially important in massage, as nut oils such as Sweet Almond Oil are often used but can be simply traded for another oil if the client has a nut allergy. Many therapists use non-nut oils routinely to avoid this issue. Don't forget herbs and spices; as well as being used in techniques from the East, such as Indonesian and Ayurvedic massage, plant oils are habitually used in Aromatherapy, tailored, of course, to the client's condition and wishes.
If you are pregnant, or think you might be, it's important you tell your therapist. If pregnancy has been established, it's advisable to say how far into the pregnancy you are when booking your appointment. Most massage therapists learn about pregnancy during their training, and some specialise in pregnancy massage. As well as offering mums-to-be a chance to relax during this demanding time, pregnancy-specific massage helps manage the ailments and issues common during pregnancy such as fluid retention, morning sickness and poor sleep.
Don't feel you have to keep quiet during your massage. Though massage is usually deeply relaxing, and you may not feel the urge to chat, that doesn't mean you need suffer in silence. If you are too warm, catching a draft, or need to use the bathroom, tell your therapist; massage is meant to be enjoyable and beneficial, not a test of endurance!
The same goes for the depth of your massage, especially when visiting a therapist for the first time. The therapist may have an idea of whether you're enjoying the treatment from your muscle tone and expression, but nothing beats verbal communication. Tell them if the pressure they're using is too light or too strong, or whether they've got 'the spot' - and don't wait to tell them after the treatment!
If you're unsure of whether you'll need to come back, or how often you should book treatment for your condition, simply ask; you're paying to see an expert after all.
People often ask if they can drive or go straight back to work after their massage treatment. Given that clients occasionally leave the therapy room with something of a dazed expression, it's advisable to proceed with a little caution. If you schedule a massage in the middle of a working day, go for a shorter treatment, such as a 20-minute Head, Neck and Shoulders massage. Tell your therapist so she or he can incorporate some energising strokes into the end of their routine, and give yourself at least 10 minutes to adjust before heading back into the bustle of work.
As massage helps release toxins from the body, it is normal to feel a little tired after a session, and even more so if the body is working harder to support pregnancy or help recovery after injury or illness. Whatever your condition or the length or style of your treatment, always drink plenty of water to help the body flush the toxins from your system.
"Try and schedule your appointment so you don't have anything stressful immediately afterwards," advises Harumi Josifek, a massage therapist. "I often say to my clients, 'After this massage, please go and spoil yourself'. Often, the period after the massage is as important as the massage itself."
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