WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING A MASSAGE . . .
. . . but are kind of shy about asking.

What are some of the benefits of getting a massage?
You can enjoy a wide variety of benefits from regular massages including:

• An increase in blood flow in the body that helps remove metabolic waste products like lactic acid that accumulate in the soft tissues.
  
• An increase in oxygen and nutrients supplied to body tissues.
  
• Stimulation of the lymph system, helping to boost the body’s immune system.
  
• A decrease in muscle tension and stiffness.
  
• A state of relaxation and an increase in endorphin secretions.
  
• An increase in your overall sense of well-being.
  
• More flexibility and range of motion in muscles and joints.
  
• Better muscle performance during exercise and athletic events.
  
• A decrease in muscle recovery time between athletic events and between exercise sessions.
  
  

What should I expect at my first massage visit?
You will want to be a little early to fill out an intake sheet. The intake sheet provides relevant information about you to your therapist to ensure you do not have any conditions prohibiting you from receiving a massage. Some conditions require the therapist to avoid certain areas or using certain types of massage.

Your privacy is maintained at all times. Anything discussed or disclosed to your massage therapist in verbal or written form receives the same confidential treatment offered to you by other health care professionals.

You can also expect a brief description of the type of massage modality (method) you’ll be given and how each area of your body will be worked.

Do I have to take my clothes off to get a massage?
Generally your massage therapist will ask you to undress to your own comfort level. Most people prefer to leave their underwear on. Your therapist will use draping techniques to ensure only the body part being massaged is uncovered. Most therapists ask women to remove or unhook their bras in order to adequately massage the muscles of the back. Your “private parts” are covered at all times, even if you are unconcerned with nudity or request no covers. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, speak up and let your massage therapist know. It is your massage, and your therapist will work within your comfort level.

You should remove any jewelry that may interfere with the massage, including necklaces, watches, bracelets, rings, earrings, and other accessories. This helps ensure your therapist can easily access all of the muscles needing attention without being scratched by, or getting massage oil on, your jewelry.

What should I do while getting a massage?
RELAX! Turn off your cell phone, your pager and any other electronic distraction you have with you and unplug from the world for a while. Your massage therapist may ask if the amount of pressure being applied to your muscles is too much or too little, or if you’re feeling too warm or too cold. This is done to ensure that you are completely comfortable and able to relax.

BREATHE! Take deep, cleansing breaths to help increase your relaxation. Don’t hold your breath, it’s not healthy. Allow your limbs to go limp and let your therapist lift and move them during the massage. Focus on relaxing and living in the moment to get the most out of your visit.

Is it O.K. to talk while I’m getting a massage?
For some people, talking is a way of unwinding and letting go. Some people are a little nervous while on the table and prefer a little light conversation to help ease their tension and help them relax. Then there are those who truly feel silence is golden. They prefer using massage as a chance to rest, relax and get back in touch with themselves and their own thoughts. Always feel free to speak up and let your therapist know when you have a question or when the pressure being applied is too much. But as far as general conversation, as long as it’s not sexually suggestive, talking while getting a massage is up to you. Your therapist takes cues from you as to how much or how little you prefer to talk.

Will getting a massage hurt?
A massage treatment should never hurt. If you’re experiencing pain or something uncomfortable, let the massage therapist know immediately. Based on your comments, he or she will alter the pressure being applied to your muscles, adjust your draping, modify the room’s temperature, and so forth to ensure you’re at your personal comfort level. That said, there are times when a small amount of discomfort may occur depending on the type of therapy you and your massage therapist discussed at the start of your session. Your therapist will work to your tolerance level. After a few massages, you’ll both have a better understanding of the amount of pressure you prefer and be in better touch with your unique border between discomfort and true pain.

What if I fall asleep during the massage?
Massage is a very relaxing and soothing experience, so falling asleep is a natural reaction. Your massage therapist will continue the massage until the end of your session and will gently wake you when finished.

I’m too __________ to get a massage.
Too what? Too fat, old, short, tall, pregnant . . . ? Whatever you think fits in that blank, put your mind at ease! Massage therapy is for anyone who seeks relief from chronic pain, stress and muscle fatigue, or who wants it as part of a health and wellness routine. You’re never too young or too old to get a massage. Infants and the elderly enjoy the comforting touch of a gentle massage as much as anyone else. People of all body shapes and sizes benefit from massage. There are massage modalities to accommodate both the smallest and the largest of visitors. If the only thing standing between you and a wonderfully soothing massage is your age, your weight or other physical factors, please reconsider. Everyone can benefit from the healing properties of human touch. If you still have concerns, talk with your massage therapist. Yes, there are certain health conditions that prohibit massage, but they are few and frequently short-term limitations.

When should I NOT get a massage?
If you are currently experiencing any of the following conditions, you should not get a massage:

• Cold or flu
  
• Open wounds (i.e. post operative/surgical incisions, cuts, sever bruising or burns)
  
• Infections (i.e. strep throat, staph infections)
  
• Inflammation or swelling
  
• Communicable diseases (i.e. HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, etc.)
  
• Skin rashes or eruptions (poison ivy, dermatitis, etc.)
  
• Fever
  

This is a short list of conditions in which massage is not advised. Massage performed while you are experiencing any of these conditions could make them worse, not better as you may hope. Talk with your massage therapist. Some conditions such as colds or acute swelling are temporary and you can still get a massage once they clear up or are medically assessed. Honestly, postponing your massage until you are better is the proper course of action for both you and your therapist. If you are under a doctor’s care, discuss when the doctor recommends a return to your massage therapy schedule.

Remember, most massage therapists are not licensed to practice medicine or diagnose medical conditions. If you or your therapist has doubts about proceeding with a massage, it’s always best to wait, check with your doctor and then proceed after you have talked with your physician.

Will I be “cured” after my first massage or do I have to keep going back?
It depends on what you mean by “cured.” Tension, sore muscles and muscle pain built up by stress or repetitive motion injuries develops over a period of time. In most cases, your first massage will feel very good and may help address the source of your muscle aches. You may even feel a lasting effect from the massage for many days. However, as the old saying goes, “as the twig is bent, so grows the tree.” Your job, your hobbies and other parts of your daily life are all potential sources of tense and sore muscles. It may take several massage treatments before you notice a significant ongoing improvement in your condition. Discuss a plan of action with your therapist to help you ease your muscle tension and pain between treatments. If your goal is to simply relax during a massage, one or two sessions a month may be enough to help you get back in touch with your body and rid yourself of unnecessary stress.

The simple fact is that everyone is an individual with different bodies and minds. What’s accomplished in one massage session for one person may take multiple sessions for another.

How often should I get a massage?
Most people choose to get a massage as often as their schedules and their budgets allow. Getting a massage once a week is the best way to conquer stress, relieve deep muscle soreness, improve circulation and boost your immune system. If getting a massage once a week doesn’t work for you, try going twice a month or, at the very least, once a month for best results.

What about those “happy ending” massages I’ve heard people snicker about?
The term “happy ending” is a slang term for sexual or sensual massage resulting in sexual gratification. In the state of Nebraska, massage therapists are licensed professionals and not business fronts for prostitution. It is sad that in the 21st century the general public often still considers massage therapy a “sex-for-sale” industry.

Please do not offend your massage therapist by asking for, or hinting that you would like, a sexual massage. Artistic Handz is staffed with fully licensed professionals and complies with the laws of the State of Nebraska. If you ask directly about, or hint at, anything sexual during any massage session, the massage will end immediately. We take our profession very seriously!

What’s the difference between a masseuse and a massage therapist?
Because of the sexual image associated with the word “masseuse,” serious practitioners prefer to be called massage therapists. Please do not refer to your massage therapist as a masseuse. It is considered offensive and is much the same as calling him or her a prostitute.

Likewise, please do not refer to a massage therapist’s place of business as a “parlor.” That too implies that the business conducted is sexual in nature. Massage therapists work in spas, salons, clinics, facilities, studios, suites and some even travel to other places of business to provide massages to clients in their own offices and job sites. Where we choose to provide massage services is as professional as any other type of business office. Please keep in mind that licensed massage therapists are legitimate service industry workers and we ask that you are kind enough to refer to our trade as professionally as possible.