Quick post to ask all knowing f-list a massage question

[kelly_girl]

So for Christmas, Hubby got me a 3 month massage memebership to this place here in town. I have never been to a massage place or therapist.



If anyone has been I'd love to know about your experience and if you have any advice or/and tips.

Comments

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Get there at least ten minutes early. If you have a preference for the gender of your therapist, say so when you make the appointment. If the massage is slated to last an hour or more, both back and front will be done.

Some places ask you to leave on your panties; some say it's your preference.

Personally, I usually say whatever to the gender of the therapist because the time of the appointment is more important to me. One of the best masseur's I ever had was a guy named Vladimir. It wasn't at all weird; he was a total professional. He also got cramps out of my legs that I didn't even know I had. Wonderful. If I have a choice, I'll usually tell the person I'm making the reservation with where my specific problem areas are. They can often help you make a choice. For instance, Vladimir was known for how well he did legs, but the woman who worked in the same time slot apparently performed wonders with shoulders.

Shower or sauna before your appointment if you can. Deodorant is fine, but try not to use powder or heavy perfumes. Tell them what your allergies are and don't be afraid to ask for an ingredient list on the massage oils.

Most of all, just relax into the sensation. I've never had any licensed (or even the students who practiced on me) touch me in any way that felt inappropriate. I've reveled in the touch.

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it.

[dameange.livejournal.com]

yes to everything fabrisse said. also, if you've never had a massage before, just go with a regular Swedish massage to start with. don't get deep tissue until you're used to the pressure. tell the therapist if the pressure is too much and they'll lighten it. drink TONS of water afterwards. massaging brings all of the toxins out of your muscles and they must be flushed out of your system. if you don't drink water, the next two days will be hell (your body will be sore if you're especially tense, but it'll be worse if you don't drink water). hope that helps!

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

I hadn't even thought of what type of massage so thanks for the tip!

[pigglet27.livejournal.com]

My one and only massage experience left me with this gem:

you do get naked, but you get *under* the provided sheet. :-)

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

That is very very good to know! Thank you.

[spikedluv]

I love massages!!

Yes to getting naked (and getting under the sheet *g*), though I kept my panties on the first few times until I felt comfortable with the woman.

Also, my experience is limited because I've only been to one massage lady (as I call her *g*), for like, the past 10 years she's done me, and she owns her own place/works alone, so I don't have any advice re getting there early/choosing a gender.

But yesyesyes to telling them what you want. It might be easier for you to vocalize after a visit or two, but tell them what you like and where you need them to spend more time, like if you woke up with a stiff neck or have had cramps in your calves.

Aside from my neck and shoulders, my favorite bit is the hand/wrist. It just feels amazing to have that area worked.

Oh, and don't be afraid to fall asleep. (I tell my lady to wake me if I start snoring. *g*)

Good luck, and have fun!

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice!

[spazzer-mctwich.livejournal.com]

make sure you ask for a happy ending!

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's going to make me giggle as I get massaged. Which may lead to me making snorting noises.

[faithpitts.livejournal.com]

I had an older woman for my first massage, and it was late in the day, so she'd been massaging for hours. You could tell, because her fingers cracked about ten million times during the whole thing. I like a lot of pressure when I'm massaged, and my mom doesn't. We did it together, and she got a muscular guy who was too rough, and I got a soft lady that was too soft.

Try to do it early in the person's shift, when they are just starting and not tired. (:

My experience was the only negative one so far, I see. It was pretty bad. I just sat there the whole time, totally not relaxed at all.

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

Gah, that sucks that yours was not relaxing at all.