Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so. When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion.
Let's get one thing out of the way: experienced massage therapists agree that taking a shower before your massage is a always a good idea. You should rinse off chlorine, perspiration or environmental pollutants before your treatment or therapy, because you don't want all that to be rubbed into your skin.
Do not take a hot bath or shower. Your body needs time to adjust after a massage therapy session, and a hot bath or shower will only make the process take longer. The temperature of the water can cause your muscles to tense up, which can negate the benefits of massage therapy.
A massage therapist should never touch the genital area of the client. This is either sexual abuse or prostitution. In most parts of the U.S., massage of the breast is off limits. In the few states where it is legal, there must be written consent by the client.
The massage therapist should not touch your breasts or groin area without you giving them explicit permission to do so. Most forms of massage therapy do not include these areas. The massage therapist should not touch areas that you have explicitly requested that they avoid.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM DURING YOUR MASSAGE? Going to the bathroom before the massage begins is ideal, but if you need to urinate during the massage, be sure to let the massage therapist know. Holding it for the duration of the massage isn't comfortable or conducive to relaxing.
It's not necessary to shave prior to getting a massage. Most times the massage therapist will not realize it or mind it at all if they did notice. A spa will not demand you to remove your body hair before your appointment. In reality, whether you decide to shave or keep your body hair is entirely up to you.
What should I wear to a massage? It is best to wear comfortable, loose-fitted clothing to your treatment. I tend to wear my gym clothing, as it's easy to slip on and off and is super comfortable.
OPTION #1: Leave it all covered
It is possible to receive a massage fully clothed. Your massage therapist can perform your massage service regardless of attire. While they will still be able to work on your body, you may miss out on the thoroughness that comes when your therapist addresses the whole muscle, end-to-end.
Is it okay to talk during a massage? Yes it is, as the client you can choose to converse with your therapist whenever you want. If you want to talk, feel chatty or just want to be heard it can be an important part of the letting go process.
Myth 3: You cannot shower after a massage
Truth: It is safe to shower or bathe after a massage. It will not reverse the benefits of massage nor cause too much blood circulation. Showering after massage is a personal preference, not a health risk. The exception is if you've had a skin treatment massaged into your skin.
After receiving this massage, you may receive some minor side effects for the next few days. Your urine may become darker and smelly due to the stimulation of the kidneys. Your urination frequency may also increase throughout the day because your body is ridding itself of all the excess toxins.
Massage therapists are trained to feel where knots occur by looking for tension in the back, neck and shoulders. They find this tension and release it by applying deep compression with their thumb, fingers or elbow, and holding for 20-30 seconds.
You might feel some unique sensations in your body following a session. These can include muscle twitches and tremors, pulsating, or heat as blood flows back into chronically starved regions. Again, this is normal, and all symptoms should pass within 24-48 hours.
Whether you want to talk a lot, a little or stay silent it's up to you! Don't forget it's your time. Whether you're getting a 15 minute chair massage or a two hour full body massage, how much conversation there is, is completely up to you.
It's best to leave heavy fabrics, such as denim or wool, at home and choose lighter clothes that are thin and form-fitting. Some suitable options include t-shirts, tank tops, shorts or sports bras. Even if you prefer to cover up, make sure you've considered the limitations placed on your massage therapist.
Stress creates tension in body and over time may cause “holding patterns” that are evident when performing a massage. It is easy to tell whether a guest is relaxed or not as soon as they lay down on the table.
Many clients find it comforting to talk for the first few minutes of a massage, especially their first few sessions as we're getting to know each other and build the trust that is really important to a great therapeutic relationship.
It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every three weeks (or every two) to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress.
Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so. When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion.
It's always better to get your massage after you have exercised. If you tend to get sleepy from a massage, you should have it as late in the day as possible so that you can just go home afterwards. If you don't want massage to take time out of your day, you can get one early in the morning.