In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A light oil, lotion or gel is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The gel also helps to hydrate the skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage is most effective when your body is not resisting.

In a Shiatsu session, people usually receive therapy while lying on a floor mat. The massage is performed through the clothing and disrobing is not required. Gentle pressure is often applied using the thumbs, though various other parts of the body may be employed, including fingertips, palms, knuckles, elbows and knees. Shiatsu typically consists of sustained pressure, squeezing, and stretching exercises. It may also involve gentle holding as well as rocking motions.

The therapist will give you directions on how she wants you to lay on the table (face up/down, etc.). Then she will leave the room while you undress. The general rule of thumb is to undress to your individual comfort level, whatever that means for you. Women are advised to at least remove their bras. Men who wear boxers may want to tuck them up to allow access to the upper quadriceps and hamstring areas. During your session, you will be draped with a sheet for privacy.

In Shiatsu, disrobing is not required since the massage is performed through the clothing.

You and the therapist will discuss the desired outcome of your session. This will determine which parts of your body require massage. A typical full body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, neck, shoulders and face (unless you tell the therapist you don’t want your face massaged). You will not be touch on or near your genitals or breasts.

The average full-body massage or bodywork session lasts approximately 50 minutes. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session.

Make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage and bodywork in general or about the particular technique you are receiving. The massage room should be clean, private and quiet.

When the massage is over the therapist will leave the room and allow you time to relax and rebalance yourself and get dressed. Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from you soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage to flush the toxins out of your system. Some soreness the following day is to be expected. Rest, healthy eating and fluids will help minimize this process.

Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. These changes are readily felt in day-to-day life as well, which adds another dimension of reinforcement. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.