Get the Most From Your Massage Treatment



Posted: Tuesday, May 04, 2010

by Jodi Forsythe
http://www.whymassagetherapy.com

Whether or not you are a newbie to the massage therapy world, or a veteran, learning how to get the most from your massage therapy treatments is sometimes a bit of a mystery. As a massage therapist at a busy sports & physiotherapy clinic, and a massage therapy patient myself, here are my tips for getting the most out of your treatment.

1. Depending on the reasons you are going for treatment, be discerning in your choice of facility . If you are going for a relaxation treatment it is going to be a bit easier to find a suitable therapist and facility than if you are going for an injury related treatment. Word of mouth is a great way to get started in your search.

2. When you've made your appointment, be sure to arrive early , especially if you have to fill out a health history form. This ensures that you are relaxed, and that you are ready at your appointment time. (this also demonstrates respect for your therapists time, something that we appreciate.)

3. Fill out your health history accurately. Whether or not you think something is relevant, your therapist needs to know in order to provide a safe and effective treatment. This includes past surgeries and accidents, and past or present diagnosis. He or she can't ensure your safety if the information you've provided is inaccurate, incomplete or misrepresented. And, on a legal note, he or she can't be held liable if you've withheld or misrepresented your health information.

4. Don't eat a large meal within 1-2 hours before getting a treatment your body is busy digesting, and honestly, it's just plain uncomfortable to lie on a full stomach.

5. Empty your bladder before your treatment time. Think of it this way have you ever tried to sit through a long movie when you really have to go? Exactly, except it feels 10x worse when you're laying on a full bladder. (trust me!)

6. Communicate with your therapist. If you are nervous or want to ask a question, it's your right to express how you're feeling. The same goes for your comfort level during the treatment. Personally, I want to know if there might be potential issues so I can pre-empt any confusion and establish a therapeutic relationship of trust and respect.

7. Let your therapist know if you want to talk or not. I generally take a client's lead - if he or she speaks to me, then I respond; if not, then I keep quiet except for asking about comfort levels. If you find that your therapist is chatty, but you want to "zone out", tell them so.

8. Understand that if you are being treated for a specific condition, compliance is important with treatment plans, homecare and remedial exercise. Since massage therapy is a passive therapy, it is only about 20% of the recovery process from injury or conditions. Follow therapeutic recommendations and you will prolong the positive effects of treatment and improve much more quickly.

If for any reason you are not happy with treatment, or don't feel you have a good relationship with your therapist, it's OK to find someone else. Not everyone is a perfect fit for every massage therapist, and vice versa. You are investing your time and money to achieve a result, so it's your right to find someone who can help you achieve the desired results.

Jodi Forsythe has been a Massage Therapist since July of 2000, after graduating from a 2200-hour Massage Therapy Diploma program in Nova Scotia, Canada. She created www.WhyMassageTherapy.com as an online resource for all things concerning massage therapy, and where you can now Find a Massage Therapy School and get free information to start your career as a Massage professional.

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