Getting the Most from your Massage

Times are tough. You probably have a little more stress in your life than is normal right now. I'm happy to say that many people are finding Balance Massage Therapy lately, and trying us out. It's always a treat for massage therapists to have a "newbie" that we can give that first great massage to. If you have never had massage before, or you are just not sure about a different type here are some pointers to get the most out of every session. If you don't see your question answered here drop us an email or come to our FREE class on April 8 at 6 pm. Massage 101 is an hour long live demo and question and answer period. We will show you a couple of the many different styles of massage that we offer like swedish, sports, deep tissue and hot stone.

• Communication is key! - Communication is important, not only for the therapist but also for you. The more feedback you give us the better your session will be. Talking about what you want to cover, the amount of pressure or any questions you may have at any time during the session will get you more of what you want.
• Focus - If an area is really bothering you, or has been a long standing issue, skip the full body and just pick a couple of areas to focus on. This allows us to spend more time and really work all of the muscles that may be involved in that one sore spot giving you more relief that lasts longer!
• This is Your Time - On that same note, massage is very special because it is so personal. As a therapist all of my focus is on covering the areas that bother you and working out stress during our time. I am so happy to be able to do this for people so please don't ever feel that you can't get a massage because you are unhappy with your body. People of all ages, shapes, sizes and needs come through our doors and we are just here to help. So quit procrastinating and feel your best.
• Breathe - Breathing is so important for muscles to release and to fully relax the body. It brings oxygen to muscle tissue that helps it function properly. And the movement of the body breathing also lets muscles release. This can sometimes feel like work, but will let muscles release faster so we can cover more ground.
• Be Comfortable - Massage can be performed over clothing. In a massage session the therapist will step out of the room after checking in with you to give you privacy as you change. Using professional draping, everything will be covered except the area the therapist is currently working on (e.g one leg, one arm, back.) If you are uncomfortable with being undressed you can still be massaged over clothing or just on your hands, feet or neck. There are also specific types of massage that are always performed fully clothed (like some energy work.)
• Stretch - Just as important as the massage itself are the self-care that the therapist will recommend after the session. If you have any questions about it or about something during the massage this is another great time to bring them up. Self-care is something that you can do on your own in between sessions to counteract how your muscles are used everyday. It gives you a way to reset for tomorrow and allows your body to slowly make further progress with problem areas.