Massage 101

Massage therapy is an important and beloved healing modality for many people. Despite its popularity, there is so much about massage that remains a mystery to those receiving it. I hope to demystify the techniques and effects of massage therapy while answering some common questions I've heard throughout my years of practice.

Do I need a massage?

Short answer: (Al)most definitely! At its most basic, massage therapy is intended to relax tense muscles and relieve stress from the nervous system. Ideally, massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, or "rest and digest mode," which allows your body to truly rest and heal. Massage therapy can be beneficial for almost any ailment known to the human mind, body, and spirit. There are many types of massage (also known as modalities), so there's something out there for everyone. There are some conditions and medications which require adjustments to massage therapy techniques, so be sure to check with your doctor and disclose any/all relevant information to your massage therapist.

What are the different types of massage?

• Swedish massage uses lotion, oil, or cream. The techniques used are effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), and tapotement (kind of like drumming). While Swedish massage can be gentle or firm, it's what most Americans think of when they imagine massage therapy in a spa-like setting, or when they ask for a relaxation massage.

• Deep tissue massage typically targets painful areas or restrictions, and can take on many forms, but generally uses less oil and more precise or focused techniques than Swedish massage. There are many types of deep tissue massage, but they all tend to focus on structural balance, ease of function, and pain relief.

• Asian and Pacific Island modalities (Shiatsu, Lomi lomi, Reiki, etc.) typically include an explicit intention to balance the energies that move through the body through massage therapy or energy work. Balancing the five elements, harmonizing yin and yang energies, and moving Qi or life force. These energy healing techniques bring a spiritual depth to massage therapy.

What can I expect?

When you arrive for your massage from me, you can expect a kind and courteous greeting, a cup of water to drink, questions about how your body feels today, and a discussion about a treatment plan for the session, after which I will leave the room to wash my hands from fingertips to elbows. This also allows you time to undress to your comfort level, place your clothes on a chair or the hangers, then lie under the sheets and blankets as directed. I will knock on the door before re-entering the room. You'll be modestly draped and kept at a comfortable temperature throughout the massage. You're invited and encouraged to request any accommodations such as more/less pressure, a change of music, a temperature change, have me avoid/move-on/give extra treatment to a specific area, ask me to stop talking so you can fall asleep, etc.

Am I supposed to leave a tip?

Because massage therapy is somewhere between a medical treatment and a spa service, it really depends on the circumstances of your massage. If you are using auto insurance to get treatment for a motor vehicle accident, it is customary for therapists to refuse tips. If you are seeing a massage therapist that is an employee at a massage clinic, whether you are paying with health insurance or out-of-pocket, it is customary to tip them 15-30% as a gesture of gratitude. Since they are splitting the revenue from your treatment with the administrative staff, their bosses, the business owner, and the cost of supplies and utilities, your tip adds a significant amount to their average hourly take-home pay. Cash tips or Venmo/CashApp with pizza emoji preferred. If a massage therapist is self-employed, they have set their own rates, and their tipping policy is their own. My tipping policy is that tipping is always accepted, but never expected.

What are the etiquette rules around massage therapy?

Massage therapists have fought an uphill battle to legitimize our practice. We care about being treated with the same level of professionalism and respect you would show your doctor, physical therapist, hairdresser, or dentist. Some ways you can show respect to your massage therapist and their field are:

• Give as much notice as possible if you will not be able to make it to an appointment.

• Remember to leave time for parking and using the restroom for your appointment. We typically have to stick closely to our schedules, and we sure feel bad about giving you a 56-minute-long massage when you paid for 60 minutes.

• Arrive for your massage with a relatively clean and exfoliated body. Showing up drenched in sweat or with a massively peeling sunburn is not cool, dude!

• Never refer to us as "masseuse" or "masseur."

• Use professional and clinical language to describe the services and the space, no matter who you're talking to.

  • For example: massage, massage therapy, clinic, office, studio, private practice, wellness, health, pain relief, posture, etc.

  • For the sake of SEO, I will not be listing the terms we don't like. If you're unsure of the appropriateness of your language, please reference any sitcom from the 1990s featuring a massage scene as a guide on what not do and/or say.

• It should go without saying, but many things that should be are not so--do not make romantic or sexual advances towards your massage therapist! While it's okay to let us know that you pulled your hamstring trying something creative on date night, we don't want or need to know the details. You may think you have a crush on your LMT, but you only know the version of them that they offer in a professional space, no matter how warm and personal that version may seem.

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If you have any other questions about massage therapy, feel free to ask me! I'd love to answer more in future blog posts.