This Is What a Massage Therapist First Notices About You
I was recently featured in Reader's Digest! The article reflects my commitment to wellness and the art of healing touch. It is a chance to spread the word about the magic of massage therapy.
In our feature, we dive into the incredible benefits of massage therapy- how YOU can be completely at ease in your body during a massage session. We understand that many clients may have questions or concerns about their massage sessions, which is why we take this opportunity to educate readers on the profound advantages of this holistic practice.
The goal is not only to offer soothing massage sessions but also to empower our clients with knowledge on how to be completely at ease in their bodies during a session.
Click the title to read the article in full and check out excerpts from the article below:
This Is What a Massage Therapist First Notices About You
Article written by Bethany Heitman
From your intake form to your body-hair situation, here's what your masseuse registers before they even touch your body
Your masseuse pays attention to more than just your back
Chances are, when you head to a spa for a massage, you start noticing things the minute you walk through the door. Perhaps you detect the calming scent of lavender in the air or realize the whole place is decked out in soothing neutrals. Or maybe there are some more unfortunate things that catch your attention—like dust bunnies on the floor or a massage therapist with a bad case of BO. Good or bad, these little things will affect your experience and may inform how much you tip for your massage. Interestingly, though, you’re not the only one taking stock of things.
Massage therapists are also noticing plenty of things about you too, and it’s a little different than what a hairstylist or nail tech would notice. Whether you frequent luxurious spas or more humble spots, massage therapists are trained to be attuned to their clients, and a good therapist pays close attention so they can provide the best possible service. Curious what they notice? We spoke to massage therapists to find out—here’s what they said.
Your overall hygiene
Your massage therapist is about to get up close and personal with you, so if you show up smelling like you just ran a marathon, they notice (and probably cringe a bit). On the flip side, they’ll also know (and appreciate!) if you have showered or freshened up before a massage.
“Not only does this contribute to a more enjoyable experience for both the therapist and the client, but having clean skin also sets the stage for a more effective massage because it allows the therapist to apply oils and lotions smoothly,” says Carmen Barcelona, owner of Carmen Barcelona Bodywork and Massage Therapy in Hawaii.
Your posture
Whether you walk into the room like a robot or you’re loose and agile, your massage therapist is paying attention. The same goes for how you sit in the chair in the waiting room. Don’t stress, they’re not judging you—they’re just collecting info on your body language so they can do their job better. They’ll see where you hold your tension, if you have an injury, how stressed you are, and your overall mood.
Interestingly, they may even be able to tell what kind of job you do based on these things.
“For example, if a person has a profession that requires them to sit for long periods of time in front of a computer, they will often present with a chronic forward head posture,” says Barcelona. “It’s a fascinating aspect of my work to notice how the body can reflect the demands and habits of a person’s daily activities.”
These little tells can be helpful because they can give your therapist a clue regarding what parts of your body need special attention.
Your breathing pattern
Well before you get on their table, a masseuse will notice whether your breaths are deep or shallow. Yes, we’re talking even before the treatment has officially started.
Here’s why: Breathing is important and can reveal whether or not you are holding tension in your body.
“Our observation begins as soon as the client enters the space, continues during the assessment, and persists while they are on the massage table,” explains Barcelona. “This helps me assess their emotional and physical state, providing insights into their tension levels. Typically, slow and deep breaths indicate relaxation, while shallow or irregular breathing may suggest tension.”
Your level of detail
Many massage therapists ask you to fill out a form before a massage. On it, you’ll generally find questions about preferred pressure, areas of your body that may be aggravating you, and any medical issues you have. All this information can help therapists do their job better and let them know exactly what you’re looking for.
“By combining my assessment with the client’s feedback,” says Barcelona, “I can customize the massage techniques to precisely target and address areas of tension, ensuring a tailored and effective massage experience.”
Yelps, squirms, and holding your breath
Speaking of pressure, if it is too intense and you start holding your breath or trying not to wiggle against the pain, your therapist will pick up on that.
“It’s a clear signal that the deep pressure may be too intense for your body to handle comfortably,” says Barcelona.
Real-time feedback
Pressure-related feedback isn’t the only kind of feedback that is appreciated during a massage. Rather than waiting till the end to tell your therapist how the experience is, give them an idea of what you think within the first 10 minutes. This will allow them to change tactics or do more of what you like so that you get the best massage possible.
Not sure what to say?
“Tell them if something doesn’t feel good—or if it does, so they know to keep doing that.” says Barcelona.
Your body-hair situation
Didn’t get a chance to shave your legs? Are your underarms a little fuzzy? Sure, your masseuse may notice—after all, they are running their hands over your body. But they won’t care. The same goes for things like back acne or callused feet.
“I strongly encourage clients to not feel embarrassed about their appearance when coming in for a massage,” says Barcelona. “Body hair, acne, scars, and various skin conditions are entirely normal and make no difference in the quality of care and attention you will receive during the massage. Your comfort and well-being are what truly matters.”
Whether you chitchat or not
A really good masseuse wants to make you feel as comfortable as possible, so they pay close attention to your conversation cues. If you make small talk, they’ll engage. If you are silent, a good therapist will follow your lead and check in only when they need you to move or want to check on you. That said, most pros will prefer not to engage in extensive conversation
Another thing to keep in mind is that a spa’s environment mirrors that of a library—it’s quiet. “Sound can travel, and that may disturb other clients,” says Barcelona. If you do want to chat, keep your voice low so as not to bother anyone else.
If you fall asleep
You’re laying on a table in a dark room with relaxing music. Who could blame you if you doze off? Certainly not your masseuse, especially if they’re using one of those super calming scalp massagers.
Still, of course, they notice. “I can typically discern if someone drifts into slumber during a massage,” says Barcelona. “Often, subtle shifts in their breathing pattern signal a transition into a deeper state of relaxation.”
Oh, and falling asleep may even signal to the therapist that they’re doing their job right.
“In massage styles like Swedish massage, sleep is often a positive sign, indicating that the therapist is effectively inducing relaxation and comfort,” explains Barcelona.
That said, not every style of massage is suitable for sleeping. Sessions that concentrate on more intensive, structural techniques like trigger-point release and rolfing can be more challenging if someone is asleep, says Barcelona.
