Many first time clients have questions about their massage… Here are a few of the more common concerns. As always, feel free to call and ask any questions that don’t get answered here. We welcome a chance to set your mind at ease.
What happens if I forgot to shave my legs this morning? Didn’t get a pedicure or a manicure before coming?
A police officer at the scene of a car accident doesn’t ask what the victim had for breakfast… because it is not relevant. The question might not even occur to them. He or she is focused on the more important issues at hand. Likewise, your massage therapist is concerned with what happened here? What can I do to make it better? What is the status of the muscles and the different body systems? How does the daily life of the client interact with their body to affect these conditions? How can we create lasting change? So if you forgot to shave this morning, rest assured it will bother you a whole lot more than me. I won’t even notice.
Should I tip my massage therapist?
This is dependant on setting. In a spa setting or private practice, it is a lovely confirmation of your appreciation for the wonderful service. Here at Integrative Acupuncture, we would rather you apply that extra money towards more treatments…. We love the thoughtfulness but also enjoy seeing you more often.
Will I have to be completely naked? Will my massage therapist see me completely naked?
First off, it is your choice as to how much you disrobe. After the initial short consult to determine the goals of the session, the therapist steps out and allows the client to disrobe and get in between the sheets on the table. At no time is the client walking around completely naked. Some people feel better without any clothes on in their massage – they don’t have to worry about accidentally getting oil on their underwear etc . Some people prefer to keep their underwear on. Either way, the client remains covered by the sheet accept for the specific area that is being worked.
If your shoulders are the only thing that you want addressed, then you may only need remove your shirt and possibly your bra. That being said, we can and do work with whatever you would like in terms of disrobing. We want you to be comfortable first and foremost. I have told a client to disrobe to their comfort level and returned only to find their shoes removed and all else still in place. That is fine… we can always tailor the massage to exactly what you need.
How about when I combine massage and acupuncture?
Often, we find a great synergistic effect with combining massage and acupuncture. In this case, the client may already be in a state of partial undress as required by the acupuncture treatment. Often the massage therapist can come in and work the same area without moving the client or requiring any extra disrobing.
As always, we want you to feel comfortable with all things relating to the treatment. Please feel free to bring any concerns up with your therapist.
