If it's the first time you've had a professional massage

If you have never had a professional massage before, it can feel a little odd. Having worked as a massage therapist in a busy San Francisco spa, I've had the opportunity to work with many people who have never had a massage before, and I realize you may have a lot of questions, and there are some things you can expect. I'll attempt to address concerns here, but please feel free to email me or visit my website to ask any questions you may have.

It's difficult to pick a massage therapist if you're never had a massage before, but here are some things that may be helpful to know:

1) The first session you have may feel oddly intimate, and you may feel somewhat vulnerable. It's natural to feel that way, and a professional therapist should be sensitive to that. They should be doing everything to make it a comfortable experience for you--especially when it comes to draping, boundaries and requests you have made. They should ask questions, check in with you about pressure, and listen to what you tell them you want or don't want.

2) A massage is probably one of the only times in your life you don't have to do anything! You don't have to help lift an arm or leg or your head. In fact, all you have to do is be a wet noodle, and breathe! Your therapist will tell you if the work they are doing requires you to do anything, such as push your head into their hand, or trun over.

3) You shouldn't feel exposed. If the therapist is sensitive to the fact that you are new to massage, they typically will be a little more conservative with the draping. If you feel to exposed and it feels uncomfortable, I recommend saying something. After all, your session is ultimately about you.

4) That brings me to my next point. If something doesn't feel right, then you should never hesitate to ask a question or speak up. Even people that are experienced with massage often doubt themselves when it comes to questioning what a practitioner was doing in their session. You're doing a disservice to yourself and to the therapist if you don't speak up when something doesn't feel right.

5) If you have knots or tension in an area, it may be sensitive, even if the therapist is not using a lot of pressure. Without getting into that technical aspects of why, I'll just say that it is usually a feeling where you're not sure if it feels good or bad, but it actually feels kind of good. And the bad dissipates. The therapist may be spending some time in this area, and it may feel to you like it's a little "crunchy". It is usually helpful to take a couple of deep breaths at this point, and let them go like a sigh. That helps release the tension. Your therapist won't mind, I promise.

6) And that brings me to making noise. You don't have to remain completely quiet & still if you don't want to. If you feel like audibly breathing, groaning, or even stretching, go ahead. It's actually very helpful to do so, and can enhance the benefits of your massage.

7) If your first massage was not what you were expecting, don't hesitate to try other therapists, as sometimes it take a while to find one that is right for you.

What Does "Therapeutic" Mean?

It seems that when it comes to massage, the word "therapeutic" is often used to differentiate between massage that is purely for pleasure, and one that is more health-oriented.

But Mirriam-Webster Online defines it, not necesarily in a massage context, as follows.

1 : of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods
2 : providing or assisting in a cure

What is "Wellness?"

It seems to be a buzzword that a lot of holistic practitioners are using these days.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign defines it here. In summary, they say, "Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being."

I like their definition because it is holistic. It reminds us to onsider our entire beings in finding a state of wellness, not only our bodies or our minds. It's worth a look.

If your practitioner uses this buzzword, have they actually been down this path?

Masai Barefoot Technology Shoes

Intially, I thought they were just an over priced gimmick, but I finally tried on a pair of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes, and felt an immediate difference in my lower back.

Since my whole career is about the back and body, I broke down and bought some. I've been wearing them for at least a week now, and have noticed marked improvement in my balance, as well as my ankle strength & stability. They're definitely worth checking out.

A Great Book That Explains the Body/Mind Connection

As a San Francisco massage therapist, I've recently found a book that is a good resource for anyone interested in exploring the body/mind connection. Very helpful in managing chronic pain issues. Discovering the Body's Wisdom, by Mirka Kastner. It does a great job of explaining different approaches one can take to manage pain, especially to people who are new to holistic health modalities.