Everyone wants the perfect massage, but how do you get exactly what you’re looking for, every time? Follow these four easy steps to make your next massage perfect!
Find a Therapist
Finding the right therapist for you can take time. Not only does your therapist need to be able to do the work your body needs, they need to be able to put you completely at ease. Sometimes, even though you really like the other person, they’re not the right fit for your massage. If you need quiet, but you and your therapist love to chat, you’re not getting what you need. Don’t feel bad if you want to switch therapists to find your perfect fit!
Know Your Needs
There are so many different modalities available, each tailored to different needs. Swedish massage is designed to offer relaxation and body maintenance, but isn’t going to address any specific pain or injury. Therapeutic massage covers a wide variety of modalities, including deep tissue, trigger point, sports massage, lymphatic massage, and more. You can work with your therapist to find the right modality for your body’s needs at any given time. Remember, needs shift over time, and just because you needed deep tissue massage two weeks ago doesn’t mean your body needs it now. Talk to your therapist to adjust your massage to fit your needs every time.
Speak Up
Maybe you’re lying in a position you don’t find very comfortable. Maybe you’d rather not talk today. Maybe you didn’t like the way something felt. It can be hard to say something, we know, but it’s the single most powerful thing you can do to ensure you get the perfect massage. While all massage therapists try to be in tune with their clients, they’re not mind readers. Tell your therapist if anything feels wrong at all. Ask for what you want, too! More or less pressure, a change of position, focus on a certain area and more are all things your therapist will be happy to do, if you just let them know.
Listen
If you have ongoing pain or issues that you’re working on with your therapist, they may recommend some stretches or similar activities for you do try between massages. Experienced massage therapists have a lot of knowledge and they’re eager to pass it on in order to help their clients regain and maintain functionality. A therapist may also suggest more or less frequent visits for massage, or adding on an infrared sauna to your next massage. At THRiVE, our goal is always to serve you in the best way possible. We want to see you live your best life!