Massage Top Five FAQ's

Massage 101: Top Five FAQ's

Over the past 11 years as a massage therapist, I’ve received numerous questions. Here are the top five most frequently asked ones.

1

Q: “Can I still come in for a massage if I’m sick?”

A: Unfortunately, the answer is no. Here are a few compelling reasons why.

Therapists understand that being sick can be challenging, and you might think, “If someone could just move my body around, I’d feel better.” However, this is a common misconception. Receiving a massage while actively symptomatic will likely worsen your symptoms. Massage does move fluid around in the body, and when you’re sick, your body is working hard to eliminate the issue by producing more fluid and causing those sore spots. If you receive a massage, you’ll increase the already larger amount of fluid, potentially moving it to a place that’s already too swollen and causing your body to work harder than it already is. This can lead to migraines, headaches, sweating, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and vertigo, among other common illness symptoms. If you have a rash or skin condition it will likely spread and increase discomfort. 

Another reason to avoid coming in when you’re sick is that you’re putting the massage therapist and everyone they see after you at risk of contracting your illness. We often work with high-risk and autoimmune-compromised pregnant people, and this not only endangers the other clients but also their babies if pregnant. 

Most massage therapists will understand if you’re experiencing an illness and will be grateful for your honesty when rescheduling for another time. You’re welcome to come in after your symptoms have subsided.

2

Q: “Is it okay to leave any clothing on during a massage?”

A: Absolutely. Your comfort and care are our top priorities when receiving bodywork. It’s helpful if you can explain why to a massage therapist so that we can address your session appropriately and co-create a wonderful experience. Saying you’d like to is perfectly valid, but if you’d like a specific area not to be worked on, please be clear verbally or with a written note. 

3

Q: “What should I do with my hair during a massage?”

A: Generally, the best approach is to place your hair on top of your head. This allows the therapist to have better access to your neck and ensures that when you turn over, you won’t be lying uncomfortably on a hair tie, clip, or styled hair.

4

Q: “Can I extend my session time during the appointment? For example, going from one hour to 90 minutes?”

A: You can always ask this question during the session or before it starts. However, most massage therapists’ schedules have very limited time between clients for cleaning and redressing the room before their next sessions. It’s not often that we have the space to accommodate this request, but it never hurts to ask. Just be prepared to hear that it’s not possible today.

On a related note, if for any reason you would like to shorten your session with a provider, that’s also okay. We don’t want you to be uncomfortable during a massage. Be prepared to still pay for the provider’s time you had scheduled.

5

Q: “Should I hold it if I have to use the bathroom?”

A: Please feel free to use the bathroom during a massage appointment. The alternative is to lie there thinking about it non-stop for the rest of the session and not be able to relax fully. You can always ask how much time is left and make up your own mind based on the information provided.

I hope this FAQ has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me.