What Happens During A Massage?
How Long Does A Massage Session Last?
The type of massage most people think of is the traditional western, or Swedish, massage. The massage session will usually last about 45 minutes, which is considered one clinical hour. But Swedish massage is not the only type of massage; depending on which type is being used, a massage session can last anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
For example a chair massage or a massage for a sports injury or pre-game warm-up may last just 15 minutes, while a session using a polarity or cranial-sacral technique may last up to two hours. Many Eastern style massage techniques, such as Shiatsu or Thai massage, will usually be between 45 and 90 minutes.
Most massage therapists will provide you with a price list of their services, including the techniques used and the time allotted.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
For example a chair massage or a massage for a sports injury or pre-game warm-up may last just 15 minutes, while a session using a polarity or cranial-sacral technique may last up to two hours. Many Eastern style massage techniques, such as Shiatsu or Thai massage, will usually be between 45 and 90 minutes.
Most massage therapists will provide you with a price list of their services, including the techniques used and the time allotted.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
Is It Necessary To Shave Your Legs Prior To Massage?
Shaving is not a necessary requirement. By the time a massage therapist has gone through school, he or she has already practiced on hundreds of people, including friends, fellow students and the public from the school’s clinic. There are very few circumstances or situations that would come as a surprise or problem.
Considering that massage therapists work on both men and women, and it is usually women only who shave their legs, the massage therapist is used to working on all types of skin and in various stages of shaved and unshaven. If you do choose to shave your legs in anticipation of getting a massage, do so at least 24 hours before. If you do it right before your massage, your skin may still be raw or have slight nicks or cuts that could prove problematic and cause irritation or even infection.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
Do I Have To Get Undressed For The Massage?
One of the things a massage therapist should tell you prior to getting a massage is that you only need to get undressed as far as you feel comfortable. This would be for such modalities as Swedish massage or any techniques that use oils, creams or lotions and where the massage therapist would be using long, gliding strokes or kneading strokes. For most people this means leaving on only your underpants. For those who require more modesty, it may be more advantageous to request acupressure or other modalities that are effective with clothing on and use no lubricants.
Massage therapists are required by law to use adequate draping on clients. This means that a large towel or sheet should be arranged to cover all body parts that are not being worked on. Breast and groin areas should be covered at all times. So even if you are undressed, your body is covered and modesty is maintained.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
Massage therapists are required by law to use adequate draping on clients. This means that a large towel or sheet should be arranged to cover all body parts that are not being worked on. Breast and groin areas should be covered at all times. So even if you are undressed, your body is covered and modesty is maintained.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
What Body Parts Is A Massage Therapist Qualified To Massage?
Licensed or certified massage therapists are trained to do a traditional western (Swedish) massage. This qualifies them to do what is called a basic all-over relaxing massage using various techniques, such as long gliding strokes (effleurage), kneading strokes (petrissage), tapping or drumming strokes (tapotement), friction and vibration.
While what they do is considered full-body, the laws of the individual states licensing them and providing them with the scope of practice restrictions forbid a massage therapist to work in the groin or genital areas of males or females as well as the breast area of females. Additionally, these areas of the body must be draped with either towels or sheets at all times during the massage to reinforce the feeling of safety for the client.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
While what they do is considered full-body, the laws of the individual states licensing them and providing them with the scope of practice restrictions forbid a massage therapist to work in the groin or genital areas of males or females as well as the breast area of females. Additionally, these areas of the body must be draped with either towels or sheets at all times during the massage to reinforce the feeling of safety for the client.
Written by Linda Fehrs, LMT
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