What every Massage therapist wants you to know




I have done many post race massages, the ones that are offered directly after the race but I have had very few "professional" massages. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the people giving the massages in the race tents are professionals, but I'm talking about a massage at a spa or studio. My first "real" massage was at the Phonecian Resort and Spa in Arizona and that was several years ago. A few months ago I had my second "real" massage at a studio near my home and it was fabulous. Do you remember me commenting back then about the massage therapist being blind? Well that was not a concern at all. In fact I booked a second appointment with her and it was equally as fantastic.
In fact, we talked about some things people can do to make sure they (and their massage therapist) have a pleasant experience.


1. Get there early: If you are a first timer, you will need to show up early to fill out paperwork and what not. If you have been there before, know that generally your time starts from when your appointment is scheduled, NOT from when your massage starts. For instance, if your appointment is at 9:00 am and you show up at 9:10, you've already loss 10 minutes of massage time.  Of course each massage therapist is different and if nobody is scheduled after you, he or she might give you a break. But to play it safe, show up early.

2. Be clean and showered: you would think this is a given but my massage therapist said that you wouldn't believe how many people come right to the studio after working out at the gym.

3. Don't wear a bunch of Jewelry, tie long hair back and watch how you dress: This is also common sense. You'll end up taking that jewelry off anyway. I would also add to not dress too complicated. You don't want to waste too much time fiddling with ties and buckles and buttons and what not. You will be taking your clothes off ( with the exception of your underpants). Don't worry, you will be covered with a sheet the entire time.

4. Hydrate: Not only should you be hydrating well before the massage, but hydrating well AFTER the massage is essential. My massage therapist gave a very good analogy when she said our bodies are like a wet dish cloth. When you wring out the cloth you are releasing all the water. The same thing happens with our body.

5. Communicate with your therapist: Sounds easy enough but not a lot of people do this. Tell the massage therapist what you want. If you have problem areas, tell them. If the pressure is to intense, tell them. If the pressure is not enough, tell them. Don't be afraid that you will offend them. They want to give you the experience you want but they are not mind readers!

* If you are a Runner it is not recommended that you get a deep tissue massage the day before a race.  Your massage should be at least 2 or more days away from race day. Remember this tip  when you go on a "Racecation" because you may be tempted to check out the spa at the resort and get that much needed massage before race day.   Lighter massages should be okay.

Where is your favorite place to get a massage?

Don't forget to enter our GIVEAWAY and have you signed up for the HOLIDAY CARD SWAP?


26 comments:

  1. Great tips! I've never had a professional massage-I'll have to reference this again once I finally find the time to fit one in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Massages after a race are wonderful. I hope you find time to get yourself one!

      Delete
  2. Great minds think alike! I wrote about massage today too! The best way to recover for sure #ToTR

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'll be getting a massage a week before my race and I am so excited! I love a good deep tissue massage.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have never had a massage, but considered one after MCM. The time got away from me since we are in the middle of building a home and packing up the one we are in now, so I never got one. After my next marathon it is definite plan to have one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh for sure! With all the races you have been doing lately you definitely deserve one!

      Delete
  5. Timely! I have a massage scheduled for next Tuesday since I figured that would be the perfect amount of time after the Richmond half :) I had never thought about the hydrating thing. That makes a lot of sense with the analogy though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yea, I think that is a great analogy she used. Enjoy your massage ( and your race)!

      Delete
  6. My first massage was at the Grand Floridian. I got a sports massage when I was 18 and it felt soooo good. I had years of sports in my legs already since I'd been in sports for 10 years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bet that felt SO good for you! The GF is the perfect place for relaxation and pampering!

      Delete
  7. Great massage tips! I don't know why, but I have a hard time communicating during the massage (more pressure, less pressure). I do just fine before but during I don't like speaking up! Guess I need to change my ways! Thanks for linking up with us today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could definitely see where that could become an issue!

      Delete
  8. Great tips! Especially don't wear anything too complicated.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great tips! I have had a few massages in my life and have always enjoyed every one of them, but I remember being stressed and worried before the first one not knowing what to do. These tips would have been wonderful and so helpful. Thanks for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. My bridal part and myself went for messages a day before my wedding. It was great! I love getting professional massages. A Massage must be in my future... This is the third post I have read about getting one and I need one soon! Maybe my husband will get me one for Christmas... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Confession - I always forget to shave my legs and then feel like I am creeping them out. Hairy beast!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have never gotten a massage, even though I have a gift card for a spa I got two years ago. I just don't think I'd like it. But I have heard so many things about how good it is for you. I wonder if I should make an appointment and be honest with the therapist about how I'm not sure I'll like it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I had a great post run massage last week. What was nice about the therapist was that she asked me questions along the way about my problem areas and her pressure. I've had ones in which they do not say anything and those have been the worst massage experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also have never had a professional massage, so I did not know a lot of your tips. I would love to have one though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great tips! My work gives us 20 minute seated massages, but I've never had a professional full body one. Not gonna lie, it makes me kind of uncomfortable, so this is helpful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are great tips! I am SO in need of a massage right now, it's not even funny, lol. I've had very few "professional" ones in my life, too. I've always felt weird about talking during the massage, or asking for something else, different pressure, etc. -- it's good to know that they probably don't mind/won't be offended!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love a good massage! Unfortunately, my favorite lady lives near my parents, so I haven't been in a while...

    Thanks for joining our linkup! Hope you'll join us this week when we talk about "worst racing conditions"!

    ReplyDelete