Communication With Your Massage Therapist is Key
Do you want a good massage or a great massage? If you don't like the technique or pressure of your massage, it's important to communicate with your massage therapist without fear of offending them. It's like any other relationship, communication and understanding are key. In the immortal words of the Spice Girls: “…Tell me what you want, what you really, really want!”
Below are things you, as the client, can do to ensure you get a great massage at your next appointment.
Communication is key
It’s important that you communicate about any recent injuries, areas of tenderness, things you like, things you dislike, etc. Open communication will help your massage therapist to apply the right techniques, and this will ensure you get what you came in for. Make sure you are on the same page as your massage therapist from the beginning to end; even during your session.
Different styles
Massage therapists are equipped with lots of different techniques that can accomplish a variety of results. When the client can tell the massage therapist what they want, the massage therapist can then do their best work. Check out a few different massage styles below.
Swedish Massage – one of the most common types of massages you can get. This type of massage focuses on muscle relaxation, targeting superficial muscles (rather than the connective tissues targeted in deep-tissue massage) and increasing blood circulation.
Trigger Point Massage –Trigger points are hardening of a taut band of muscle fibers passing through the tender spot in a shortened muscle (like a string of a guitar)—also called knots—found in muscles. When stagnant pressure is applied, a local twitch response of the taut muscle occur when the trigger point is stimulated.
Myofasical Release Technique – Myofascial release is a modality that treats the tight fascia around the muscle group and individual fibers; think saran wrap around your muscles. This style increase mobility, relaxes contracted muscles, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulates the stretch reflex in muscles- aka spreading butter on toast.
Lomilomi Massage – Lomilomi is an ancient Hawaiian restorative healing system, one component of which is the art of compassionate touch. The style of techniques uses reflects the connection we have with the land (‘aina), the spirit guides or ancestors (‘aumakua) and the breath of life (aloha). Lomilomi is beneficial for many ailments and to increase spiritual energy and personal power (mana).
Deep Tissue Massage – The most misunderstood type of massage technique, there is a difference between mere “firm pressure” and deep tissue. Firm pressure presses into the tissue until the natural stop signals are reached. This engages the muscle at a comfortable level, possibly to the mildly uncomfortable level momentarily. Deep tissue means that the therapist is using tools like knuckles, elbows, and such to engage the muscles closest to the bone. (This is not for most people and not recommended for the first session with a new massage therapist, because they need to learn your muscle tissue tension levels.)
