When you schedule a massage, you want it to be worth your time and money. Here’s what to let your therapists know (and how to tell them) so you can get the massage you want.
What does the therapist need to know before they begin the massage?
You’ll complete a health history form before your first massage. But if we haven’t seen you in a while and something happened — like you fell, you had a severe cold, you’re taking blood thinners, or you’re pregnant — let us know so we can change the way we approach your pain complaints.
If you had a cold last week and were coughing a lot, it would affect your neck and shoulders differently than the strain of sitting in front of a computer. Our therapists would need to use different techniques to address your pain.
If you don’t want a specific area of your body touched because you had a surgery recently or something else that is causing you pain, let your therapist know at the beginning of the session. If you’ve had a bad experience with a therapist, let us know what your concerns are. Your comfort is very important to us.
But what about info that wouldn’t go on a health history form?
Your sports and hobbies can give your therapist a clue about any repetitive movements that could be the root cause of your pain.
Emotional stressors — like a divorce, stress from work, loss of a loved one — also affect your body and tissues in profound ways.
The information you give your massage therapist helps them put together a bigger picture of what is going on with your body and what is affecting your tissues.