How to Get the Most from Your Massage

• Do not eat just before a massage session.
• Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to get to a relaxed state. Please let your massage therapist know in advance if you need to cancel. We require a 24 hour notice to cancel a session. If you must cancel within 24 hours, you will be charged half the cost of your session in order to compensate the therapist for her time.
• Give the massage therapist accurate health information.
• Be as receptive and open to the process as possible. Deep breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop or limit their breathing when they feel anxious or when pressure is applied to a sensitive area. Stay focused on your breath throughout the session.
• Tightening up or contracting your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. Unless your massage therapist asks you to engage your muscles, you should focus on relaxing them.
• Good communication is very important. Before the session, let your therapist know what your needs are. During the massage, report any discomfort and feel free to give feedback to the therapist regarding the amount of pressure, speed of movement, etc. Don't be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns.
• Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. Sometimes talking can be a way of unburdening oneself or opening up. Often, being silent can be a way of letting go of thoughts and being present in the moment.
• Drink extra water after a massage.
• After your massage session, allow for some open, quiet time if possible. It can be beneficial to take a little extra time to absorb and integrate the results of the massage session.
• Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the more quickly his/her body will respond. Relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed.