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Breathing
helps facilitate relaxation. If you find yourself holding
your breath or limiting your breathing, check in with
your body. Are you anxious or nervous? Exhale
that anxiety. Is the pressure too much? Holding
your breath can be a guarding
mechanism for too much pressure. Always tell your therapist
if you feel any discomfort from the massage. Please let your
therapist know if the pressure is ever too much or too little.
This is your time to relax. Everyone has different
ideas about how much pressure they like. Your therapist
won't know what pressure you like if you don't tell her.
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Tightening up,
i.e. contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage
session is counterproductive. "Holding up"
your hand, arm or foot for the therapist never helps either.
Just relax. Massage therapy requires one simple effort
on your part....be willing to let go of your stress
or tension & communicate openly with your therapist. Let
your massage therapist know if you would like to
have the technique being used for your massage
adjusted for your well-being. Every "Body"
is unique and responds differently to various massage & bodywork
techniques. There is no reason for you to simply tolerate
something your therapist is doing.
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If you find your thoughts
are racing during the massage, count your exhales
at your normal rate of breathing or simply bring your
attention to following the hands of the massage therapist.
Either technique helps you center your attention on
YOU.
-
Ask your therapist
to stop anything you dislike or anything that seems
inappropriate. You also have the right to end the session
at any time.
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After a massage,
most people feel very relaxed. If you wish
to feel more energized than relaxed after
your massage, please let your therapist know before the massage
begins. This request can be accommodated. Many people notice
reduced aches and pains after a massage.
Many people also mention getting a better night of
sleep after a massage. The full effects
of your massage may reveal themselves in many subtle ways
over a period of days after your massage.
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If you are dizzy
or light headed after the massage, rest on the table
before getting up slowly. If this persists, you may sit in
a chair to regain your equilibrium before going home. Call
a ride if needed.
-
Drink extra water
after a massage.
-
Absorb the results
of your massage by allowing some quiet time after your massage
if possible.
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Remember that massage
has its greatest benefits over time. The
therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative.
Each visit is like making a deposit into your personal wellness
bank. Chronic patterns of stress in the body are reprogrammed
with multiple visits. Frequency of sessions can depend on
an individual's response to each successive visit.
