How to receive a massage
O.k., I know this may sound silly to some, but there are ways to benefit from any massage whether good or bad just by doing certain things. Knowing how to receive a therapeutic massage is the number one way to maximize your session and frankly, your money. No one wants to spend $80 on a so so massage your going to forget about in an hour.
First of all, talk to your therapist and let her know what’s going on with you physically and mentally. A few Massage Therapist’s take a Holistic approach to massage. Sometimes physical pain can come from deep seated emotions and just speaking of them can lighten you ever so slightly. You don’t want to be worrying about your job, car, dog, child the whole time. It will keep you from relaxing and letting go. Your diet and lifestyle may at some point come in to play as well. When you describe your physical issues, please know that one 60 or 90 minute session will not erase a whole year’s worth of stress or knots and your therapist may not be able to address all of your needs in one session, but getting yourself on a wellness and maintenance plan can be very beneficial to your physical and mental health.
Now, it’s time to receive your massage. If your therapist asks you if you are comfortable, warm enough, or if you need anything, speak up so it’s not bothering you the entire time.
Breathe deep. This means push all the air completely out of your lungs, hold it for a split second, then take a full deep breath as deep as you can, pause then let it out and do it all over again 3 or 4 times. This will help slow your heart rate and relax you naturally.
Talking. It’s totally ok to talk a bit, to communicate. However, talking too much like throughout the entire massage, will leave you feeling like you just talked to your therapist for an hour or so and forgot the massage. This is YOUR time to relax, let go, which sometimes means putting everything else on the back burner and letting auto pilot take over. You’d be amazed at how much more you get from your session and the results are long lasting.
Be patient. Your back behind your right shoulder blade may be killing you but your therapist starts you face up. Sometimes it’s good to loosen up the neck and chest muscles because they are a lot tighter than you may think. By the time they get to your back on the right side, you are in less pain and able to enjoy that part of your massage.
Pressure. You like your massage so intensely deep yet the therapist just can’t go as deep as you want. You’re still going to benefit from that massage because your blood, lymph, and stored toxins are still being circulated . On the other hand if the pressure is too deep for you, let the therapist know a.s.a.p.! If you are tensing up that is NOT beneficial and could lead to injury. Some therapists will use a different approach to deep tissue desires and use a Myofascial Technique or Structural Integration which is actually more beneficial at times because it works with the connective tissues that cover and attach to the muscles and usually raved about because it helps with pain so much. The results are long lasting.
Movement. A lot of Massage Therapist want to be thorough so they might move or lightly stretch your arms and legs. Your first instinct will be to move and “help” them, but don’t. Just lie there and let them do the moving and stretching. This is where you must learn to receive. It feels strange at first, especially for those type A’s but if you can completely let go you’ll be able to feel the difference and you will actually get a better stretch out of it. When you try to help stretch your foot, Your therapist is not doing a single thing, you are doing all the work and that’s not receiving. In fact you are basically flexing your muscles. So let go!
Post massage. So your massage is over and now that you’ve done all the things to receive the most from it, you must retain that wonderful, light and relaxed feeling for as long as possible. If your therapist gives you water, DRINK IT! Then when you get home, drink more. If you have a bath tub, soak in a hot bath of any of BeSimple’s Therapeutic Bath Soaks available on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeSimpleMassage . The salts will help draw out more toxins and keep your muscles flexible and feeling good. It will also extend that relaxed feeling and also benefit your health at the same time.
I hope that I have helped you to be able to go into your next massage with confidence that it will be a beneficial one no matter what and it will be a dollar well spent. Peace, love, health and happiness to you.
Raindrop Technique
I love Raindrop Technique and have benefited from it as well. The essential oils are anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Great if you have aches and pains and the sniffles or maybe just a seasonal allergy.
Here is a great article to inform you on the technique a little more. Enjoy!
Welcome to the new blog
Thanks for visiting the new blog. Check back for info about new massage techniques, how to get most out of your massage, relaxation product and more. Be simple is Nashville’s Premier massage therapy studio and is located near Hillsboro Village. Schedule an appointment and come see our great new location.
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