COMMON  MASSAGE QUESTIONS

Here are the answers to some common massage questions you want to ask, but may be too embarrassed to.

How often should I have a massage?
Listen to your body and come back when you need it…every week, every month, every few months…

Usually new clients choose to come twice a month and after 4 sessions once a month.

How many Therapeutic Massage sessions does it take to get results an how often will the Therapeutic Massage sessions need to be?
Each condition and each person gets different results with Therapeutic Massage, so it’s difficult to give an exact number of sessions for a specific condition. However, with my Therapeutic Massage, our goal is to make progress with every session, even if it’s sometimes just a little progress.

“A slow steady improvement is almost always the best course, rather than two steps forward and one step back” Art Rigs
Once the condition is under control, a Therapeutic Massage once a month can help to maintain that control and prevent the condition from getting out of control again.

Am I supposed to take off my underwear when I get a massage?

Please keep your underwear on during a massage. Massage without underwear is not an option at Marix Therapy. If your problem areas are your lower back, hips, buttocks, or groin, tight-fitting underwear can sometimes get in the way of massage work, but a thong for women or briefs for men should do the trick.

What if I realize I’ve drooled during the massage?

Many people fall into a peaceful slumber during the massage but when they wake up, they notice a pool of drool on the pillow or massage table. This is very common. It often happens when people are being massaged while lying face down on the massage table. Don’t be afraid to ask the massage therapist for a tissue.

Will the massage therapist be there when I undress?

The therapist will instruct you how to get changed and lie down on the couch, then leave the treatment room for a few minutes for you to change in privacy.

Should I talk to the massage therapist during the massage?
It is personal preference whether you want to talk or not – whichever is more relaxing for you. The therapist will not be offended if you just close your eyes and relax. Deep tissue massage and sports massage are just some of the types of massage that require more feedback. The massage therapist often works on deeper layers of muscle and will want to ensure that the pressure is not uncomfortable.

Be sure to speak up if:

  • the room is too hot or too cold
  • you experience pain
  • you have any questions related to the massage
  • there’s anything you forgot to mention during the consultation
What if I get an erection during the massage?

Some men don’t get massage therapy because they worry that they’ll get an erection. Or they get the massage, but are unable to relax during the massage because of this fear. But there is no reason to be embarrassed. It’s perfectly normal for men to get an erection during a non-sexual, therapeutic massage. Gentle touch administered to any area of the body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and cause a partial or full erection. Your massage therapist (male or female) understands this and will generally ignore it. The therapist will behave professionally at all times, and the same is expected of you. If you are still worried, you may wish to wear a men’s swimming trunks during the massage, which provides more support than boxers.

The pressure isn’t deep enough, but I don’t want to insult the massage therapist’s technique. What should I do?

Communicate openly with the massage therapist. Keep in mind however that it’s a myth that massage therapy has to hurt to be effective. Some of the most effective types of massage therapy are gentle and do not involve deep pressure or pain. In fact, too much pressure can cause muscles to seize up. Here is a good rule of thumb – on a scale of one to 10 where one is no pain and 10 is extremely painful, the pressure should always be less than seven.

I’m self-conscious about a certain part of my body and don’t want the massage therapist to see me. What can I do?
People are self-conscious for various reasons. Some of the more common concerns are:
  • I’m overweight.
  • I have excessive hair growth on my body
  • I’ve got acne on my face or back
  • My feet are ugly I have scars.

Being self-conscious should never keep you from seeking health care, whether it’s visiting your doctor or seeing a massage therapist. If you’re self-conscious about a certain part of your body, you can ask the massage therapist to avoid that area. Just remember to provide complete and accurate information on your health history form, so that the massage therapist is aware of any precautions or contraindications.