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Peace Of Mind Through Massage How To Get Rubbed The Right Way Whether you spend the day sitting in front of a computer or push your body through physical labor, you may not feel relaxed and centered due to the busy pace of your life. Massage is one way to restore balance to your life; however, approaching someone and asking them to lay their hands on you may seem a bit daunting. Knowing a bit about the basics of massage may make the new experience easier. Touch is a sticky wicket in our society, imbued with angst over the amount, manner, location, and from whom. An open-palmed slap on the back from a used car salesman, the gentle brush of a lover’s fingertips and the warm enveloping hug of your mother all convey powerful messages without a word. Human touch, when both given and received, is actually vital to health and well-being. Therapeutic massage provides benefits ranging from the physical (relaxation of muscles, improvement of circulation) to the emotional (relief of stress and the warm glow of having someone focus healing attention on you). What stops some people from experiencing their first massage is the intimate nature of the service and a trepidation of the unknown. However, those who choose therapeutic massage as a vocation don’t do so lightly. They’ve undergone hundreds of hours of training. Oregon in particular has a strong state-licensing program that requires 500 hours of education for licensing. (You can visit www.oregonmassage.org to check a massage therapist’s license status.) The education covers anatomy and physiology, pathology and kinesiology, massage theory and practical application along with clinical practice, business development, communication, ethics, sanitation and hydrotherapy. Being a massage therapist is hard work, work that stems from a genuine interest in positively impacting others. You’ll find most professionals are intelligent, kind and compassionate. When choosing a massage therapist, you might start by asking a friend for a recommendation. This immediately takes away a bit of the unknown as you’re connected via someone you trust. Ask for a new client consultation. This allows you to present your specific needs: are you looking to treat a specific pain, accompany existing physical therapy to resolve an injury, or looking to relax and relieve stress? Whether you have very specific needs or a general desire to reconnect your body and mind, the therapist can tell you about their chosen methodologies and how they might be beneficial in reaching your goals. Admit honestly that you are new to massage and have questions; this will allow them to give you a full introduction including a summary of what their technique covers, what parts of the body will be worked on and how. Know at all times that you are in charge, and free to set your own boundaries. If, for example, you don’t like having the soles of your feet touched, then say so. Now to answer the big question on everyone’s mind: what happens during a full body massage? All you have to do, really, is relax. First, you’ll discuss your needs with your therapist. Then you’ll be given time to disrobe in private, and slide under the drape (a sheet or blanket used to cover the body) on the massage table. The therapist will knock and enter, and will move the drape to uncover the body part being worked. As you are in control, you can leave undergarments on, although this may make the massage therapist’s job is used to lubricate the skin and reduce friction, and may be scented to enhance relaxation through aromatherapy. It is somewhat standard for massage therapists to refrain from working high on the inner thigh or on a woman’s breast tissue without first obtaining clear informed consent to avoid discomfort or the wrong impression. The focus of a good therapist is on your body as a whole, and the function of its systems — not more personal thoughts. Whether during your first or your 100th massage, communication is of vital importance. Your therapist may be intuitive, but isn’t psychic. Let them know what feels good, and be sure to speak up if you feel they are using too much pressure, or touching an area that makes you uncomfortable. Your professional relationship will develop over time, as you become familiar with one another. A good massage is a partnership, and learning to work together takes time. After your massage you’ll feel loose, relaxed and energized -— and better able to attend to your responsibilities and explore the joys in your life. Tips for your first massage • Relax. Understand that a massage therapist deals with people of every shape, size, color, age and orientation. Your specific health needs and overall well-being are what will concern a good massage therapist. • If starting with a full body massage seems too big of a step, try a chair massage. These fully clothed massages — which usually focus only on the back, arms, neck and head — are offered at many salons, spas and malls. • Get a recommendation from a friend you trust. Ask them what usually happens during their session. • Try a variety. Each practitioner is different in style and personality. Some people prefer male therapists, some female. Find someone who clicks with you. • For your first massage you might choose a therapist who utilizes the Swedish technique, which uses long, flowing strokes intended to increase circulation and blood flow. |