What To Expect When You Get A Massage

This is an explanation of what you can expect from me and the session when you come in for a massage with me at Massage Refuge, in Leawood, Kansas. I’m writing it expecting that you have never received a massage before. So many people want to get a massage, but don’t because they’re nervous about it, and I want, as much as possible, to help people feel comfortable!  So I hope this explanation helps people in this situation, or a similar one. It is specific to me and how I run my business, but it can most likely be generally extended to other therapists as well. Most of us do things in a similar way!

When you schedule your massage, you can text or email me and I can schedule it for you. But the easiest thing for most people is to book it online. This is great for me because it collects all the information I need without us having to go back and forth with you in text. You can choose to reserve your appointment with a credit card, or you can prepay with your credit card. There is a questionnaire that I ask that you fill out. Every question is intentional. I don’t require an answer to every question, but I do appreciate it if you answer all of them, because it helps me to prepare for your appointment. I can be more prepared with the right questions when you come in.

The day of your first appointment with me, I will text you with directions to my office, once you’ve arrived on the property. These directions are also online and on my social media accounts, with pictures. I’ve found people often end up at the wrong building, so the text is meant to have all of the information you need handy, without you having to go searching for it.

Ideally, you would arrive at my office 5 minutes early, after stopping in the rest room if that is necessary. This gives us a few minutes to talk privately about what you are needing, and allows me to start the massage on time. 

I will determine my approach for the massage based on what you tell me. Are you just wanting to relax? Is there an area that’s really bothering you? Are there areas that you don’t like to be touched? I might ask you if you want a full body massage or if you only want me to focus on the problem area. You’re not under any obligation to answer me in a certain way, it is completely up to you, it is your massage! I only ask to make sure that you have the experience you want. The more specific you are, the more I am able to tailor the massage to your needs.

One question on every new client’s mind is how much of their clothing they should take off for the massage. The answer is, “as much as you can while still remaining comfortable.” If you’re uncomfortable, (not feeling safe), you will not be able to relax, and that defeats the purpose of coming in. Regardless of what you wear, your breasts, (if applicable), genitals, and gluteal cleft, (aka butt crack), will always be covered by the sheet and blanket. So if you are comfortable removing all clothing, you can rest assured that your privacy will always be maintained. (It’s about 50/50 whether clients leave their underwear on.) If you do leave underwear on, it will help if you pull them down slightly so that I can massage your back all the way to the top of your hip bone. If you wear boxers, it would help if you could also pull the legs up as high as possible so I can massage most of the quad and hamstrings. In the case of underwear being left on, I usually massage the glutes over the sheet and blanket, unless you ask me not to. I recommend women take their bra off if they are comfortable with that, so that I can do long massage strokes, uninterrupted, down the back, and so that I can massage the shoulders without having the straps in the way. Again, the feeling of safety is the #1 priority, so wear as much as you like, but massage is usually more enjoyable when there is hand-to-skin contact, so keep that in mind! 

I will leave the room for you to get undressed and on the table. Please don’t start undressing until I leave the room! I will knock on the door before I come back in.

In general, I usually start people in the face down position on the massage table. I will put a heating pad on your back. There is already one underneath you. If you get too hot or too cold, it is important to let me know! I can turn the heated pads up, down, or off, and I can remove the one from your back.

I generally start the massage by working on your feet, then the glutes and legs, then the back. I’ll have you flip over and I’ll massage the head, face, and neck. Each arm and each leg. Sometimes I will use a different order, like start you lying on your back, or I will skip a body part if we run out of time, or if there is a reason you don’t want something massaged. 

I also used heated towels and a neck pillow! Aromatherapy and hot stones are available by request.

Your job is to completely relax. Just like when you get into bed to go to sleep. Nothing is required of you. If I go to move your arm, for example, you don’t need to help me! Let me move your arm. You don’t need to help me do anything unless I ask. 

If there is anything you need during the massage, let me know! More pressure, less pressure, heat up, heat down. More time on a certain area is also possible, though I might need to deny that request if the massage is close to over, or I will skip a body part if we are short on time. I personally do not like to break the silence too often by asking questions repeatedly, so I expect you’ll let me know if you need something! 

One thing I want every massage client to know is that it is 100% appropriate and necessary to tell your therapist if something hurts or if they are doing something you do not like. Massage should “hurt so good.” We aim for a 7 out of 10 on a pain scale at the most. If it becomes, “Oh my god, she is killing me, this hurts so bad,” then you really need to let the therapist know! No pain, no gain does not apply to massage therapy! Your body language tells us a lot, but in some cases, we would only know that something hurts if you tell us, so please do!

At the end of the massage, I will leave the room. I will leave a hot towel for you to wipe off extra oil if you need it. When you are dressed and ready we will take care of the payment, if that wasn’t already handled. If you’d like to sit and relax awhile, you are welcome to!

The next day it is possible you could be sore, if I worked deeply on a tight area. But I try to tow the line between soothing and therapeutic, so it isn’t completely expected, just possible. Try to not work too hard the day of and after. Let your body enjoy being free of tension! If you lift weights, do a few warm up sets and a lighter working weight so you can be sure your body is prepared for it. 

I hope this answers most questions about what to expect. If there are any questions that I can answer for you, please reach out! I’m always happy to help.