If you’ve never had a massage before, you may not know exactly what is and is not okay. TV shows and movies give you an idea of what massages are like, but they don’t always indicate guidelines to follow. You want to feel safe and comfortable during your massage and you want to ensure that you are being considerate to your massage therapist.

We’ve compiled a list of helpful guidelines to follow for your first massage therapy appointment. If you ever have specific questions, it’s a good idea to talk to your massage clinic about specific guidelines they have for their patients.

First Massage Guidelines

Undress To Your Comfort Level

This can be nude, with underwear, or in loose, comfy clothing. If you are uncomfortable undressing for a massage, you can ask about the type of clothing that you can wear or the types of massages available to you. Your massage therapist will likely be able to adapt the massage to your preferences.

Massage therapists will only ask you to remove whatever is necessary and they will only uncover the area that they are working on. When they move on, they will cover that area up, so that you are covered throughout the massage.

The massage therapist leaves the room to allow you to undress in private and has you lie down on the massage table under the sheet. You don’t need to worry about your massage therapist walking in on you, as they will knock and ask if you are ready before entering the room.

Don’t Worry About Your Body

In your first massage, you may be especially uncomfortable, but don’t worry! While it’s unfortunately the norm to feel uncomfortable in your body and like something about it has to change, your massage therapist won’t judge. They see hundreds of bodies in all sorts of different conditions. They won’t care about scars or weight or body hair. Just ensure your body is clean and you will be fine.

Practice Personal Hygiene

One of the most important guidelines for your first massage is personal hygiene. Shower before the massage. In the morning before you come is good. Personal hygiene is important for all. Don’t head to the massage right after a workout until you have scheduled a sports massage. Your massage therapist may refuse service if you are unhygienic.

Come Prepared

This means showering beforehand, not eating an hour beforehand (this is because massage could cause you to pass gas if you eat too soon beforehand), arriving 5-10 minutes early, and ensuring that you have a tip for your therapist. Don’t worry about dressing nicely or making an effort with your appearance, as makeup can smudge, perfume can be overpowering, and jewelry can get in the way.

Be Open About Your Health Conditions

Do be open about your health conditions. Different massages are good for different things. Massage impacts all body systems. Your massage therapist needs to know if you have injuries or health concerns in order to provide you with the best service possible and to avoid hurting you.

Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up

Speak up! Massages are supposed to be comfortable. If the pressure is too light, it may not do anything or it may be uncomfortably ticklish. If you know that you are ticklish, letting your therapist know this ahead of time can help them apply enough pressure so that this shouldn’t be a problem. If the pressure is too much, it could hurt.

Let your therapist know if you don’t like the temperature, the pressure, a certain technique, etc. be aware that if you are recovering from an injury or have tightness, some parts of the massage could cause some temporary discomfort as those areas are worked. It’s also perfectly normal to need to take a break to go to the restroom or to get a drink of water.

Massage Therapy Salt Lake City UT Life Health Medical Center

Don’t Feel Like You Have To Talk

Don’t feel like you have to talk. While some people like making casual conversation during a massage, others prefer silence. Don’t be afraid to tell your massage therapist that you would prefer to be silent during the massage.

Avoid Inappropriate Topics

This is a professional space and should be treated as such. You especially want to avoid any sexual comments, such as about a happy ending. This can get you banned from the practice. You also want to avoid talking about politics or religion.

Respect That This Is A Professional Relationship

Respect that this is a professional relationship. And not one involving more than a massage. It’s natural to moan if something feels good, but if you are making a lot of noise, trying to touch your therapist, undressing in front of them, making suggestive comments, and the like, this is crossing boundaries.

Your therapist may refuse service or end the session early if boundaries are crossed. Massage therapists have the right to discontinue working on a client, refuse service, and even ban clients depending on their behavior.

The same goes for you. If you feel like the massage therapist is crossing boundaries, you can end the session early and not see them again.

You can also request a male or a female therapist. For some people, they do not care about the gender of their massage therapists, but others may feel uncomfortable for one reason or another. If you feel uncomfortable having someone of the opposite sex give you a massage, you can ask for a massage therapist of your sex. Massages are not sexual, but you could still be uncomfortable.

Conversely, you may feel comfortable having someone that is of the same sex as you as your massage therapist. Whatever your reservations are, ensure that the massage clinic knows so that they can schedule you with a therapist you are more inclined to feel comfortable with.

Stay Still – It’s Ok If You Fall Asleep!

Stay as still as you can. Breathe, relax, and let your therapist know if something is bothering you. It is not rude to fall asleep during a massage, in fact, it can even be a compliment to your massage therapist, as it shows you are comfortable and relaxed.

Do You Want To Schedule A Massage?

Life Health Medical Center provides massage therapy. Our massage therapists are trained in a variety of types of massage to help with a variety of different concerns, from stress to pain and stiffness to lymphatic drainage and more. When you follow these guidelines for your first massage, it will be a better experience. Contact us today if you would like to learn more about our services.

Stress is a common part of everyday life. Someone cuts you off in traffic and you have to hit the brakes in order to avoid hitting them. There’s a looming deadline for a work or school project you’ve been struggling with. You and a friend or family member are clashing and trying to figure out a way to sort out your issues. All of these and more can be stressful, but usually go away when the stressor is resolved or the moment passes.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, doesn’t just go away. That hike of adrenaline sending you into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn mode persists for weeks to months to years on end. This is very bad for your overall health, and can impact your life in many ways, from your behaviors to even your physical health.

Here’s what you need to know about the impacts of chronic stress and how functional medicine can help you.

What Causes Chronic Stress?

Chronic stress is different from your everyday stress because it is long-term. For many people who struggle with long-term stress, they can’t just eliminate the stressors from their lives, leading to them being stressed out far more often than not.

There are many different potential causes of chronic stress, such as:

Financial challenges
Health issues
Being in an unhealthy/unhappy relationship
Being in an unhealthy/toxic environment
Pressure, such as from family and work
Having a baby

How Does Long-Term Stress Affect You?

The release of cortisol (aka, the “stress hormone”) and adrenaline can be beneficial in a moment of stress. It can help you avoid a car accident or perform better in school or work. When stress doesn’t go away, this extended state of stress can take a turn from helping you to hurting you. Your body isn’t meant to be on high alert all the time!

Physical Symptoms

When your body releases stress hormones, they trigger physical responses, such as a pounding heart or quickening breath. It suppresses non-essential functions, such as your digestive system, immune system, and reproductive system, in order to better prepare you to fight or run in the event of an emergency.

If stress is chronic, though, this can negatively impact your physical health. Some of the physical symptoms of long-term stress include:

Headaches
Heartburn
Rapid breathing
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Tense muscles
Stomachaches
Nausea
Low libido
Erectile dysfunction
Missed periods
Fertility issues
Increased risk of heart attack
Weakened immune system
Insomnia
Aches and pains
Constipation
Diarrhea
Tiredness

Since stress affects your immune system, you may find yourself getting sick more frequently if you are chronically stressed.

Cognitive Symptoms

When you’re stressed, your brain is focused more on the stressor than anything else, even if you may not be consciously thinking about it at the moment. Being stressed for a long period of time can impact your cognitive function, such as by:

Inability to focus
Constant worrying
Forgetfulness
Disorganization
Racing thoughts
Only being able to see the negative side of things
Poor judgment

While stress in the short term can boost your productivity and focus, in the long term, it has the opposite effect. This can cause you to be unproductive at work or school.

Emotional Symptoms

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health – and given that chronic stress can so negatively affect your entire body, it’s not hard to see why! People who suffer from chronic stress can experience other mental symptoms such as:

Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Emotional withdrawal
Avoiding others
Decreased self-esteem
Trouble relaxing
Moodiness
Nervousness

Chronic stress can worsen existing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. It can also affect how you eat, which can lead to disordered eating as you struggle to find control in whatever way you can.

Behavioral Symptoms

You know how when you’re stressed about your relationship or your finances, it makes it difficult to focus on anything else? You may spend time avoiding your significant other or cut back on spending wherever you can.

Chronic stress affects your behavior in many ways – not all good or helpful.

Eating too much or too little
Avoiding others
Avoiding responsibilities
Procrastination
Nervous behaviors, such as nail-biting
Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or smoking

In the long term, chronic stress can affect every aspect of your life. It can alter relationships, affect your work performance, and make it difficult to find enjoyment in your hobbies.

How Can Functional Medicine Help?

Chronic stress can majorly affect your whole body and life. While you may not be able to eliminate the stressors that have caused your chronic stress, you can find help. Therapy and medication can both help you manage your stress. So too can functional medicine.

Functional medicine looks at the root causes of your symptoms. Lifestyle factors, such as food sensitivities and hormone imbalances can contribute to your overall stress levels. If you’ve been struggling with your digestion or you have tense muscles all the time, a functional medicine provider will be able to look at your specific case and symptoms in order to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Massage therapy can help you to relax tightened muscles, and releases feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin, which can improve your mood and help you better manage your stress. If you have gained or lost weight due to stress, a functional medicine provider can look at your overall diet and provide you with tips to improve your nutrition to help you achieve the results you want.

Exercise, movement, and sleep are all important to help your body manage stress. If you aren’t sure where to start, a functional medicine provider can advise you on lifestyle changes that you can make to combat stress.

All of these, combined with meditation, therapy, people to talk to, and medication if needed, can help you to manage the symptoms of chronic stress and live a happier, healthier life.

Functional Medicine In Salt Lake City

Life Health Medical Center is here for you. We provide functional medicine treatments from therapeutic injections to massage therapy to chiropractic services and more. If you could benefit from functional medicine, please do not hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Monday	8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday	8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday	8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday	8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday	Closed
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed