2008/08/09




What To Expect From Your Massage

I have never had a professional massage before. What should I expect?

A professional massage can be a wonderful experience for your body. You might choose to have an entirely relaxing massage or you might be able to use the skills of a massage therapist to help you work out your physical pain or even emotional energy blocks. What you will get out of the experience is entirely up to you and the massage therapist that you choose. The first thing you should do is to identify what you want from your massage so that you can choose a massage therapist who provides that type of work.

You will call or email the massage therapist and make a time for your appointment. At this time, you can ask any specific questions that you might have. Length and location of appointments will vary, but in general, the massage will take place in a private location (the therapist’s home, office or studio or your home or hotel room) and will take anywhere from half an hour to two hours to complete.

At the appointed time, you will meet with your massage therapist. Most likely, he will ask you about any health problems or physical concerns that you might have, and the two of you will discuss what you are seeking from the massage. Depending on the type of massage that you are receiving, he will most likely ask you to undress down to your level of comfort and to lie beneath sheets on a massage table. He will probably leave the room to let you do this in private. Then he will re-enter the room and complete the massage.

When the massage is over, your massage therapist will be likely to tell you that you can lie and rest for a moment and then get up and get dressed when you are ready, and he will again leave the room. When he returns, he may give you some advice and ask for your feedback on the massage. Then payment for the massage will take place and you may book another appointment if you so choose.Again, this experience varies greatly between massage therapists and depending upon the type of treatment you are receiving. If you have any questions or concerns, you should be sure to ask them of your massage therapist during the process of booking the appointment or at the time that the appointment begins.

I see that some massage advertise incalls and others advertise outcalls
– what does this mean?

Incalls and outcalls refer to the location in which the massage is going to take place. If what you want is for someone to come to your location (be it your home, office or hotel room), then what you want to find is someone who will provide an outcall. If what you want is to show up at the home or office of your massage therapist, then what you’re seeking is an incall.
In general, incalls are less pricey than outcalls because outcalls factor in the commute time of the therapist.

Do I have to have a massage therapy table at my home for an outcall?
No. If your massage therapy treatment requires the use of a table, your therapist will provide that. Make sure that your home or the space in which the outcall is to take place has enough room for the therapist to set up the table and to be able to walk around it on all sides.

Will all treatments use a massage therapy table?

Not all types of massage therapy will use a table. However, most massage therapists do work off of a table. This is because the table will provide more support than you would get from working on a bed or on the floor. Additionally, the table has a face cradle so that your neck isn’t turned during the massage which generally makes the experience more comfortable. Furthermore, most massage therapists find that working on a table places the client at the best level for the work to be done well.

That said, there are types of massage (such as Ayurvedic, Thai and some forms of Shaitsu) which are almost always performed on the floor rather than on the table. And there are some massage therapists who prefer treatments done on the floor or on a bed. If this is a concern for you, ask your massage therapist in advance about whether or not he will be using a table for the massage. Many of the therapists provide this information on their PMG profile.

Will my massage therapist be using oil?

Your massage therapist will most likely use either a type of massage oil or a massage cream throughout the massage. This is because this type of lubricant makes it easier for the massage therapist to work with the skin and the underlying muscles than if he is working on contact with bare skin. Whether your therapist uses oil or cream and what type he uses will depend both on the therapist’s preferences and on your own preferences.

In some cases, the massage therapist will have developed a personal preference for particular oils or creams. In other cases, he will offer a selection and will let you choose based on your own preferences. If you don’t know anything about them – you’ll find basically that oils are generally more easily absorbed into the skin and will sometimes make the effects of the massage feel deeper whereas creams are generally water-soluble and will remain at the surface of the skin and then wash off more easily than oils do.

If you have a particular preference between the two, you should ask your therapist in advance whether he uses oils or creams. Also, be sure to note any allergies or skin concerns in advance of the session so that your massage therapist knows if certain oils or creams can not be used. Remember that even certain scents can produce allergies. If your massage will include aromatherapy, you might want to find out in advance what the physical effects are of the different scents offered by your therapist.

As a tip, you should be aware that nearly all massage therapists use either oils or creams for the massage. Exceptions include types of massage that are done over the clothing. If your massage therapist is using lotion, such as the kind that you can buy at the drug store, he is unlikely to be a certified massage therapist.

How should I prepare for my massage?

You’re headed for a treatment which is designed to pamper and heal you, so the best thing to do is get yourself in a positive, relaxed frame of mind before your massage. However, there are a few other little things that you should do to make sure that you are safe and appropriate for your massage.

In terms of safety, you should let at least one person in your life know where you are going and when you’ll check back in with them to let them know the massage went safely. After all, in some cases you are going to a stranger’s home or office and it’s better to take precautions than to wish you had!

In terms of appropriate etiquette, you should shower before you head over to see your massage therapist. After all, they’re going to be right up against your body and it’s a courtesy to them (as well as a comfort to you) for you to be clean. Note that some therapists offer showers at their massage office (or home) so if you know that you won’t be able to shower soon before your appointment, consider choosing a therapist who offers such amenities.

Should I do anything special after my massage?

As your massage therapist will probably tell you, you should drink a lot of water throughout the day after your massage. If you have the opportunity to rest and relax after your massage, this is also a good idea, as you’ll find that the soothing benefits of the massage are better enjoyed this way. Also, if you were careful to let someone in your life know when and where you’d be having your massage, don’t forget to check in with them after the massage to let them know that you’re safe.

I want a professional massage by a qualified therapist. How do I make sure that I’m going to get a treatment which is more than just a "body rub"?


While massagekl.blogspot.com can not guarantee the quality, training or expertise of any of our Massage Therapists and bodyworkers, we can recommend that you look into the following issues to make sure that you are selecting someone who will provide the level of service which you are seeking:

Consider the type of massage which appeals to you. Do you want specific trigger points worked on? Are you interested in affecting the energy flow of your body? Do you want a relaxing massage or a therapeutic one? Find a massage therapist who specializes in the type of massage you decide is right for you?

Can massage be dangerous?

Any time that you engage in a medicinal practice, you necessarily take some risks. Problems which may occur as a result of massage include increased soreness of the muscles, muscle strain or stress, bruising, scratching and occasionally damage to the muscle or the surrounding connective tissue. However, massage is a generally non-invasive procedure which is rarely dangerous to the body. You should also maintain open lines of communication during the massage to reduce problems.

Is it beneficial to receive a massage to treat stress caused from work?

Yes! Stress is the number one factor which causes back and neck pain which are major reasons for choosing to see a massage therapist. Stress can combine with environmental factors (such as long hours in a car or at a computer) to put strain on the body. This strain can be released through massage therapy. Sometimes just taking the time to relax and focus on yourself can be all that you need to heal, and light massage, such as Swedish massage, may be the perfect way to get your mind back in the right place.If work stress is an ongoing problem for you, you may also consider additional types of massage which focus on improving the energy in your body and in your life.
Treatments such as Thai massage, Reiki and other energy work can help you to re-align your spirit and your body so that you can live a healthier life and better manage your stress.


Should I tip my massage therapist? How much?

Massage therapists make their money from the standard rate of pay that they charge you as well as from the tips which you provide based on the quality of their service. In general, most people do tip their massage therapist, especially if their work was well done. The amount is up to the individual and is generally service-based but an average tip for a massage therapist is same for that of a good restaurant – somewhere between ten and twenty percent of your total bill.Also, remember that word of mouth is one of the best ways that you can show appreciation for your massage therapist. Tell others about the good massage that you got.

Will I be wearing clothes during my massage?

This is an important question which you should be sure to ask your massage therapist when you are booking your appointment. Different types of massage offer different levels of dress and different massage therapists have preferences about this.

In general, most massages involve direct contact with the skin and so the massage goes more smoothly if the client is unclothed or barely clothed. In most cases, the massage therapist will ask you to undress down to your level of comfort – many people leave their underwear on during a first massage – and will then drape you with a massage sheet or a towel.

However, there are some forms of massage – such as chair massage – which are performed with clothing on. And there are some types of massage – such as Lomi Lomi and Thai Massage – which are often performed unclothed and undraped in order to increase the effects of redirecting energy flow. It is important that you are comfortable during your massage, so if you prefer to be partially or completely clothed – or you prefer not to be clothed at all – you should address the issue with your massage therapist prior to the appointment. If, at any time, you feel uncomfortable with your clothing level, you should not hesitate to bring up the issue.

What should I do if there’s a hot massage therapist on here that I want to do more than just give me a body rub?

massagekl is not a hook-up site or a place for escorts to advertise their services. It is a place for massage therapists and body workers to advertise their massage work to the community. It is strongly recommended that if you are seeking more than just a massage, you should look to a site which is geared towards that service.