Choosing the Right Massage

Massage is an investment of your time and money into your health and well-being. Choosing the right massage for your needs can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Understanding some basics about massage and your personal goals can help simplify the decision.

Your Massage Goals

The first thing to ask yourself when choosing a massage is, “Why do I need a massage?” Your answer will help you decide what type of massage, your massage therapist, and the duration of massage to choose. People seek massage for a variety of reasons. Here are some common massage goals: relaxation, tension relief, stress management, pain relief, ease headaches, manage pregnancy and postpartum changes, improve sleep, manage anxiety and depression, and adjusting to hormonal changes.

Your Health History

There are some medical conditions that may require special training, positioning or adjustments. Your massage therapist will want to know about your health history. Being open and honest about any medical conditions you have will allow your massage therapist to prepare for your massage. Some conditions to alert your massage therapist about include: pregnancy, current or cancer diagnosis and treatment, high blood pressure, diabetes, blood clots, surgeries in the past 2-5 years, autoimmune conditions, and any medications you take.

Duration of Massage

The duration of your massage should match your goals, health history, schedule, and budget. Choose a duration that allows your massage therapist to address your needs yet does not stress your schedule. If you are looking for massage that focuses on one or two areas of concern, say a tight back, neck, or sore feet, then a massage of 30 – 45 minutes may be sufficient. But, if you are looking for a massage that covers more area or have several areas that need attention, scheduling 60 – 90 minutes will allow both you and your massage therapist to have a better experience.

Type of Massage

Choosing the appropriate style of massage will ensure that your massage goals are met. There are many types, or modalities, of massage therapy available. Understanding the benefits of the type of massage available in your area will help you decide which to choose. When choosing the type of massage to schedule, start by learning what is available in your area. Then, learn about the modalities being offered. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals offers a glossary of massage modalities that may be helpful for you with deciding what type of massage to receive. Often, a massage therapist will combine several types of massage into one massage session based on your needs.

Frequency of Massage Appointments

How often you receive massage is dependent on your massage goals, your life outside of the massage room, your availability, and your budget. Often, if you are dealing with acute pain, tension, or stress, you may want to visit your massage therapist every one to two weeks for a few sessions. Once your body is accustomed to the massage and you are beginning to get relief, spreading your massages out to once a month for maintenance may be recommended. Whether it is twice a month, once a month or every six weeks, you will get the most benefit from receiving regular massage.

Your Massage Therapist

Choose a massage therapist who is educated and experienced. Be sure to choose someone who is educated and appropriately licensed. If you have specialized concerns such as pregnancy or cancer, choose a massage therapist who has training in working with these issues. A recommendation from a trusted friend, family member, or coworker is a good place to start your search for a massage therapist.  Many massage therapists have a website that provides basic information about their education, experience, specialties, and focus for their massage practice.

Communication is Key

Once you have narrowed down your search, communicating directly with your massage therapist is going to give you the best results. If you have questions you would like answered before scheduling, contact the massage therapist you are considering. They should be able to help you with deciding on the best massage for your personal needs. Often, after your first massage, the massage therapist will make recommendations about duration, modalities, and frequency of future massages based on your goals.