11 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Massage

1. Book your appointment several days in advance. Not only will it give you something to look forward to for the next week or days, it will give you time to reflect on your body and what kind of treatment it craves.

2. Hydrate well several days prior to your massage, especially if you are a heavy alcohol, coffee or soda drinker. Hydrated tissue is easier to work with, and is more conducive to the mechanical and reflexive effects we’re trying to achieve. 

3. Eat something within a couple hours of your appointment. The passive actions of resting and digesting are complementary functions of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” branch of the nervous system. In other words, eating can help you relax.

Click on the image for hydration tips

4. Use the restroom before your session. Some of the deepest relaxation can occur closer to the end of a session. Don’t let an angry bladder spoil it.

5. Be willing to talk about your body.  Saying, “Just massage me!” is a surefire way to get an unsatisfactory massage. Before you come in, ask yourself some questions about your body. How does your body feel today? Are you currently in pain? Where? Is that pain dull, sharp, achy, sporadic, etc? How long has this been going on? Does it prevent you from going about your daily tasks? The more you disclose, the more we can tailor a session to your needs, and the greater the benefits you’ll reap.

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6. Be aware of your breathing. While you’re on the massage table, make sure you’re not hyperventilating or holding your breath. Breathing is essential to relaxation, and relaxation is essential to eliminating body tension.

7. If something is uncomfortable, speak up. So, most of us know the difference between “good pain” and “bad pain”, right? Well, if you feel the bad pain, it’s your duty to inform your massage therapist immediately. Enduring bad pain basically allows me to continue harming your body, which is the exact opposite of my actual intention. Yeah, I'm pretty skilled at reading body language -- when toes curl, or eyebrows scrunch, it’s a pretty good indicator that something isn’t right. However, contrary to popular belief, massage therapists are not psychic. Well, maybe a few are.        
                  

8. If something feels awesome, speak up. When you’re on the massage table it’s all about YOU! Be as vocal as you want to be. For example, some people like to sigh softly, while some moan quite loudly. Some people exclaim, “EUREKA! That’s the spot!” All of these are perfectly appropriate responses. In fact, I prefer any of these to silence because it’s a form of feedback and helps guide the session. Vocalization, like breathing, can also enhance relaxation.

9. If you’re nervous, find a happy place. Visualize you’re on a warm, tropical beach. Imagine soaring through the magical world of Harry Potter. Make believe you are a car at the mechanic, getting a tune-up. Pretend you’re on a massage table -- whatever works for you.

10. Do your homework. If you don’t understand why we’ve suggested a specific stretch or icing regimen, feel free to ask for the logic behind it. I wouldn’t do homework unless I understood it’s importance. The post-treatment activities we recommend are designed to simply prolong the benefits of your massage. Also, when we suggest a frequency of massage, it’s only with your best interest in mind. If you’re in good shape, I’m not gonna tell you to come once a week. With that said, I truly believe monthly maintenance massage is a good baseline for most people.
 Where's YOUR happy place?

11. Don’t drool on my shoes. I like them the way they are.


I wholeheartedly agree! - article reposted from the website of Jacob Livingston, LMP