Getting Your First Massage? Here’s What to Know Beforehand

There are dozens of different types of massages, all designed to aid your body in different ways. (Here is a good guide to a few of the most common types of massage.) In general, each type of massage employs different techniques to help alleviate pain in a targeted area of the body. That can mean the use of hot stones, an emphasis on stretching, or the use of aromatherapy, for example. If you are considering getting a massage, it is worth considering which type will work best for what you are dealing with and want to accomplish through the massage.

Massage therapists can be any gender, of course. While massage therapists of all genders will be totally professional, you may be more comfortable with a specific gender. Be aware of this, and if you have a specific preference, state it while making the booking and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

There’s nothing worse than needing to pee during a massage! You want to be able to fully relax, and that won’t happen if you need to go to the bathroom. So, take the time to use the bathroom before your massage starts, and thank me later.

With the exception of a few styles of massages, like a Thai Massage, you will be expected to undress. It is a matter of practicality; clothes can impede the massage therapist’s ability to do their job. However, you will most likely still remain mostly covered during the duration of the massage, as massage tables are often covered in sheets and towels for you to cover up with and the coverings can be moved around as the massage therapist works on different parts of the body. If you are having a full-body massage, there may come a time when you are asked to flip over. When this happens, the massage therapist will lift the sheet being used to cover you, hold it up to block their view of you while you flip around, and then place it back on top of you.

Given that a massage is about providing you with a comfortable environment, you can keep your underwear on if that suits you better!

At the end of the day, the whole point of getting a massage is to enjoy it. Don’t be shy to speak up if at any point you don’t like something that is being done, want a change in pressure, feel uncomfortable, would like special attention on a problem area, or anything else that may come up during your massage. The massage therapist is there to help you, and will be happy to hear from you (it will make their job easier!)

Massages aren’t always 100 percent relaxation. If you are especially sore and going for an intense style of massage (like deep tissue or a sports massage), the massage can hurt at times. But be aware that there are two different kinds of hurt in massages: the kind that hurts because it’s actually getting into the tight knots and sore muscles, which will actually feel great a few hours or days down the line, and then the kind of hurt that is due to a bad massage therapist. Be in tune with your body and speak up.

More likely than not, your massage will involve oils or lotion of some kind. This allows the massage therapist to glide over your skin with less friction. If you have sensitivities to scent or sensitive skin, be sure to communicate beforehand to ensure that whatever product is being used is good for you. Or, bring along some CBD oils, if that’s your thing. And if you really like certain scents, consider an aromatherapy massage!

Massages can often include the neck and scalp areas. Because oils or lotions are often used, this means the same product being used on your body may also get in your hair. Don’t worry about it! Scalp massages are divine, and it’s a great addition to any massage experience. That being said, don’t plan on getting your hair blown out right before if you want it to be immaculate post-massage.

A massage should be a comfortable experience at all its stages, so make sure to wear or bring some comfortable clothes and a fresh pair of underpants that you don’t mind getting residual oil or lotion on to change into once the massage is over.