As an LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) and lover of massage, I have been in hundreds of massages. Knowing what to do, both as a client and a therapist, is second nature to me. It is easy to forget that not everyone who walks into my treatment room is as well-versed as I am in the world of massage. When you are a stranger in the world of massage, you might not know what to expect. In todays edition of Massage Monday, we'll be going over what you should expect before, after and during a professional massage.
When you walk into a spa (or massage center or when a therapist enters your home/work/hotel...etc), you should be greeted warmly and professionally. You should be made to feel welcome and important...because you are!
If it is your 1st visit to that spa, you will be given an intake form to fill out. Intake forms will vary slightly from place to place, but they should all cover the same basic name, phone number, address, email, emergency contact, service desired, health issues, areas of tension, health history, and a signed consent. Most places will have you fill one out on your first visit and then periodically to keep their files up to date. Some spas, such as Rejuvenating Touch, will have you fill one out each visit. This is to ensure that each massage is tailored to your specific needs. The inital intake form will be 1-2 pages long. Subsequent intake forms are generally shorter.
After you have finished the intake form, the LMT or spa personnel, should show you where the restroom is located and allow you time to use it, if needed, before the session. The LMT should greet you by name and introduce themselves to you (unless you've already met).
You will then have a consultation with your LMT. This will either take place in the lounge/waiting area (only if there is only one treatment room) or in the treatment room. In the consultation, the LMT should confirm with you the modality (type of massage) and duration of the massage you'll be receiving. The LMT will inform you to disrobe to your comfort level, where you can place your belongings, to take off any jewelry, how you are supposed to lay on the table (face up or face down and which end to lay your head). They will also go over any pertinent issues on your intake form (health inquiries, tension areas, etc) and ask you if there are any areas you would like focused on or avoided, and outline the massage for you. This is the time where any questions you might have regarding your massage session should be asked. The LMT will then leave the room so you may disrobe and get on the table and so that they can wash their hands and prepare for your massage.
Then comes the part you've been waiting for -- the massage! A basic massage will be full body, scalp, face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet and back. Some therapist will include upper pecs, abdominals and glutes. If there are any areas you do not worked on, let your LMT know during the consultation. This is your massage. Let the LMT know if you would like them to adjust the pressure or music, get you a blanket or turn on a fan, spend more time anywhere or if something is too tender to be worked on. Your job during the massage, is simply to relax. Close your eyes and let your mind float away. The LMT will let you know if they need you to do anything and when they need you to turn over. At the end of the massage, the LMT will let you know they are leaving the room, allowing you time to slowly get off the table and redress.
After the massage, the LMT will advise you to up your water intake for the next 24 hours. They will also go over with you any issues they found, advise you on any stretches that might help you, and give you their card. You will then cash out with the front desk (or the LMT if you are not at a spa). The price should have been set before you went into session, and written on a brochure or advertisement of some sort. This is the time to express any grievances or praises of the massage and the LMT, and to book your next session!
I hope this brief tutorial has helped to clarify what you should expect from a massage session. If there is anything I missed, please leave your question in the comments below or email me at Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com. Check back next Monday for cell phones & massage.
For more massage info:
friend us on facebook - Lauren RejuvenatingTouch
like us on facebook - Rejuvenating Touch
follow us on twitter - RejuvTouch
check out our website - RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
email us - Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
or give us a call 727.342.0SPA (772)
When you walk into a spa (or massage center or when a therapist enters your home/work/hotel...etc), you should be greeted warmly and professionally. You should be made to feel welcome and important...because you are!
If it is your 1st visit to that spa, you will be given an intake form to fill out. Intake forms will vary slightly from place to place, but they should all cover the same basic name, phone number, address, email, emergency contact, service desired, health issues, areas of tension, health history, and a signed consent. Most places will have you fill one out on your first visit and then periodically to keep their files up to date. Some spas, such as Rejuvenating Touch, will have you fill one out each visit. This is to ensure that each massage is tailored to your specific needs. The inital intake form will be 1-2 pages long. Subsequent intake forms are generally shorter.
After you have finished the intake form, the LMT or spa personnel, should show you where the restroom is located and allow you time to use it, if needed, before the session. The LMT should greet you by name and introduce themselves to you (unless you've already met).
You will then have a consultation with your LMT. This will either take place in the lounge/waiting area (only if there is only one treatment room) or in the treatment room. In the consultation, the LMT should confirm with you the modality (type of massage) and duration of the massage you'll be receiving. The LMT will inform you to disrobe to your comfort level, where you can place your belongings, to take off any jewelry, how you are supposed to lay on the table (face up or face down and which end to lay your head). They will also go over any pertinent issues on your intake form (health inquiries, tension areas, etc) and ask you if there are any areas you would like focused on or avoided, and outline the massage for you. This is the time where any questions you might have regarding your massage session should be asked. The LMT will then leave the room so you may disrobe and get on the table and so that they can wash their hands and prepare for your massage.
Then comes the part you've been waiting for -- the massage! A basic massage will be full body, scalp, face, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet and back. Some therapist will include upper pecs, abdominals and glutes. If there are any areas you do not worked on, let your LMT know during the consultation. This is your massage. Let the LMT know if you would like them to adjust the pressure or music, get you a blanket or turn on a fan, spend more time anywhere or if something is too tender to be worked on. Your job during the massage, is simply to relax. Close your eyes and let your mind float away. The LMT will let you know if they need you to do anything and when they need you to turn over. At the end of the massage, the LMT will let you know they are leaving the room, allowing you time to slowly get off the table and redress.After the massage, the LMT will advise you to up your water intake for the next 24 hours. They will also go over with you any issues they found, advise you on any stretches that might help you, and give you their card. You will then cash out with the front desk (or the LMT if you are not at a spa). The price should have been set before you went into session, and written on a brochure or advertisement of some sort. This is the time to express any grievances or praises of the massage and the LMT, and to book your next session!
I hope this brief tutorial has helped to clarify what you should expect from a massage session. If there is anything I missed, please leave your question in the comments below or email me at Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com. Check back next Monday for cell phones & massage.
For more massage info:
friend us on facebook - Lauren RejuvenatingTouch
like us on facebook - Rejuvenating Touch
follow us on twitter - RejuvTouch
check out our website - RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
email us - Relax@RejuvenatingTouchFL.com
or give us a call 727.342.0SPA (772)
The intake form? Is it possible to fill this form out on line before my visit to expedite the process? Or is it something that needs to be filled out at the place of business?
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Some places offer it online, or if you make the appointment in person, most places will allow you to take it with you. At Rejuvenating Touch, we don't yet have that option, but we will soon!
ReplyDeleteYou will want to fill it out the day of though, so that the information regarding tension/soreness is accurate and you receive the best massage for your current state.
You would still need to sign and date in person at the spa.
Hope that helps!