01 Jul 5 Important Questions to Ask a Massage Therapist

Before you hit the table, and the massage therapist lays hands on you, you two should probably discuss some things that would help you overcome all the uncertainties related to the massage session. This will not only provide you with answers to all of your questions, but it will also help you decide whether this particular therapist is the right therapist for you, and best meets all your needs.

Although you may have many more, these are the top five questions that shouldn’t be left unanswered.

Questions to Ask to a Massage Therapist

1. Am I a good candidate for a massage?

Make sure to inform your therapist about any current medical conditions, including a medical history that might be of significance for the therapy itself. Why? It’s quite simple, actually. Sometimes they will not in position to carry out the massage therapy without the approval of your private practitioner. It’s just not beneficial for everyone, and you should avoid it, or at least speak to your doctor first, especially if you are fall under one of these categories:

• Pregnant
• Suffering from osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
• Diabetic (there are certain massages that are suitable for diabetics)
• You broke your arm? You’re on the wrong address, I can tell you that much.

2. How long will it take to start feeling better?

And again, this will depend on the area that needs fixing: is it a small area like the neck and shoulders, or do you need deep work of the entire body? This will also vary on the type of work you do, whether work in an office, or on a construction site. Sportsmen also require special treatment. Although the results will show almost immediately after the therapy, you may have to visit your therapist for a couple of times in a row to make sure that all the symptoms are really gone.

3. How to behave on the table?

As silly as it sounds, some people might want to know if there are any rules they should follow on the massage table. Don’t overthink it, all you should do is relax, and let your therapist do the rest. They’ll make sure that you have a sheet strategically covering your naked skin. They’ll worry about using the right massage style, right strokes, even the right massage oil. It’s their job, and it’s what they do. However, there’s one thing that you should advise them once the massage starts, and that’s whether they should increase the pressure, or decrease it a bit, in case you are feeling any pain or discomfort.

4. What can you offer?

There are many massage schools that teach various styles of massage, and the therapists, no matter how experienced they are, simply can’t know all of them. Some are maybe more experienced in providing a stress relief massage, while others are better in dealing with pain relief. Some will put an accent on a traditional massage, while others will spice it up by including alternative approaches (Thai, Shiatsu, reflexology, you name it…). Sometimes a combined approach may be the best option, but this will heavily depend on your symptoms. However, you must make sure that you’re dealing with a licensed therapist. There are many talented individuals, but don’t fool yourself – unless they’ve finished a course in massage, they won’t have much to offer and most certainly won’t have the skills and knowledge to ‘press the right button’. In addition, a few years of experience is a must, so don’t hesitate to ask them for how long they have been practicing.

5. Is there anything that I should pay attention to after the massage?

Yes! The therapist will give you some advice. Don’t be too lazy and ignore it, as it can add value to the post-effects of the massage. So, it goes something like this:

• Stay hydrated! Water will help flush out the toxins from your body. And when we say water, pay attention, as it is spelled differently than t-e-a, c-o-f-f-e-e, e-n-e-r-g-y d-r-i-n-k-s, or a-l-c-o-h-o-l.
• Grab a light snack in case you feel dizzy, as your blood pressure is most likely to drop during the massage.
• Should you feel any pain, remember not to warm up the sore spots. In that way you’ll overheat your muscles. Instead, use some ice cubes to cool down the inflamed area.
• Get some rest. Nothing could downgrade the results of the massage more easily than a hard workout afterwards.