1. Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible.
2. Communicate your intention with your therapist. This could look like, "I'd like to get a good night's sleep tonight," "I'd like to get my tense shoulders to relax after a stressful week," or, "I went for a long hike yesterday and my legs need attention."
3. Don't eat a big meal right before your session. You will be laying down and receiving pressure!
4. Leave for your massage with plenty of time to account for traffic. If you are rushed and in a frenzied state, it may take longer for you to relax during your session.
5. Remove as much clothing as you feel comfortable removing. We say, "bare is best," but if you'd rather leave your underwear on, that is totally fine. Know that it is the law for you to be modestly draped the entire session.
6. Communicate with your therapist. This includes health changes, any allergies to massage products, if you prefer a certain type of music, and if you would like more or less pressure at any time. Don't be afraid to discuss apprehensions or concerns, it is our job to make you feel at ease.
7. Relax your muscles and mind. Breathe normally. If you find yourself tensing up or holding your breath, that may mean you need less pressure. "No pain, no gain" does NOT apply to massage. We are always aiming for a "hurts so good" feeling. If you feel like you want to jump off the table, it's too much pressure.
8. Take your time getting up off the table after your massage. If you feel dizzy, take a moment and slow down. It also may take a little time to integrate or absorb the results of your session.
9. Drink lots of water after your massage!
10. Schedule several massage sessions, as massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic benefits of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you're receiving massage to address chronic muscular tension or a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed.