Swedish massages can also be helpful for reducing anxiety and increasing circulation throughout the body.
This type of massage might be less pleasant for beginners and people with arthritis or other forms of chronic pain.
If you’ve previously had a sports injury, be sure to inform the massage therapist before your service. They may have to adjust the service slightly to accommodate more sensitive areas on your body.
Trigger point massages can involve more discomfort than you’re used to in a regular massage. Be sure to communicate with your therapist throughout the service, and let them know if you experience any pain.
The spa associate or therapist should be able to recommend an appropriate massage for your needs. For example, if you’ve never had a massage and are looking for a relaxing experience, they might recommend a 60-minute Swedish massage. If you’re a runner who’s looking to rehab your muscles after doing a marathon, but you don’t have a lot of time in your schedule, they might recommend a 30-minute sports massage.
If the spa doesn’t have many reviews, has a lot of negative reviews, or their website looks unprofessional, pick a different spa for your services.
This is an especially appealing option for people who aren’t able to leave their homes due to limited mobility or chronic pain.
For example, you might say something like, “Hi, my name is Alex, and I want to book an appointment on Thursday for a Swedish massage. I’m available any time after noon. ” If you’re not sure what kind of service you want, you can say, “Hi, my name is John, and I want to book a massage, but I’ve never had one before. I’m available on Saturday or Sunday mornings before 11 a. m. , and I’m a bodybuilder. Would you be able to recommend a massage for me?”
For example, you can say, “I have an appointment on May 10th at 1 p. m. for a Swedish massage with Anna, and it costs $75. Do I have all of that information right?”
In general, both male and female massage therapists will have the required strength and abilities to give you a good massage.
You may also be required to fill out and sign a release form that protects the spa and therapist in case you fail to tell them about a condition or problem and get injured.
For your first appointment, aim to arrive 15-20 minutes early so the spa associate or massage therapist can explain the process for the massage and get you situated in the massage room.
During the massage, the therapist will only expose the part of your body that they’re working on at that time. The therapist will never expose your genitals during the service. You can let the massage therapist know if there are any other parts of your body that you don’t feel comfortable with them uncovering.
Your therapist should have access to your medical history if you filled out the health history paperwork. However, if you have a condition like arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or deep vein thrombosis, remind them before the appointment. Let them know if you’ve previously broken any bones or have any cuts, scrapes, bruises, or burns on your skin. Your therapist might ask you about the last time you got a massage and how that treatment felt.
Your body will probably feel sore for the next 2-3 days after the appointment, which is normal. If you have persistent pain after the massage, call the spa and let them know, and then visit your doctor to create a pain management plan.
If you fall asleep, the therapist will wake you at the end of your appointment.
