Issue link: http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/381994
6 Body Sense helpful. Your therapist can work with you to create the treatment plan that meets your needs. You may find that over time your preferences change. After you recover from the issue that brought you to massage, you may decide to come back regularly for short touch-ups to keep you on track. Or perhaps you'll prefer a maintenance plan of a regular, longer treatment that incorporates both relaxation and targeted work to your problem area. Even if you think you don't need to chill out, you'll still benefit from the following tips that can help even the tensest client relax during a massage. TIP #1 BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF Receiving massage is a skill. It takes practice. Being calm and quiet and letting someone else move your limbs or hold the weight of your head doesn't come naturally to everyone. As you get more massage, you'll find it easier to let the therapist do the work. And if you don't? That's fine, too. TIP #2 KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON, OR TAKE THEM OFF One of the most common questions massage therapists hear is, "Do people take all their clothes off for massage?" The usual answer is something like, "Undress to your level of comfort." That can be confusing when you're already feeling nervous about your first massage, or just your first treatment with any particular therapist. I'm not always sure what "my level of comfort" is, or what the therapist prefers. If the therapist requests that you undress, you may be uncertain if you're supposed to take your undergarments off or leave them on. If the therapist expects to do lots of low back, hip, and hamstring massage, he or she may suggest that you remove your underwear along with the rest of your clothes. That doesn't mean you have to—it's just a suggestion. No matter what, you'll always be covered (draped) with a sheet and a blanket. You'll never be left feeling exposed or chilly. A specific area will be undraped while being massaged and re-draped when your therapist moves on to another area. If the technique requires lots of movement, like Thai massage or Active Isolated Stretching, you may be instructed to come to the session in loose, comfortable clothing. If so, you know you'll be leaving all your clothes on during the treatment. Here's a little secret: whatever you decide is just fine. Really. If you're most comfortable with your underwear on, leave 'em on. If you wish to remain completely clothed, talk to your therapist about what techniques will work best for you. A great therapist will work with you to help you feel comfortable and respect your preferences during a treatment. Deep-Tissue Massage: techniques that utilize deep-tissue/ deep-muscle massage are administered to affect the sublayer of musculature and fascia. The muscles must be relaxed in order to effectively perform deep-tissue massage; otherwise, tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper musculature. Oncology Massage: this specialized practice requires therapists to be fully educated in, and pay close attention to, the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of clients in all phases of cancer—diagnosis, treatment, recovery, survivor, or terminal.