How to Communicate with your Licensed Massage Therapist
Ginny Hicks • November 4, 2020
Communication seems like an easy thing to master, but for most of us, proves to be a very difficult concept to implement at times. Everyone has different backgrounds, experiences, and lifestyles that affect the way we speak and how we interpret the words of others. This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re communicating properly with your massage therapist. Without proper communication, we often don’t know your real wants and needs for each session, as well as your overall goals for treatment.
While massage therapists may not be doctors, we are licensed professionals who are passionate about the field. Our goal isn’t only your satisfaction with the experience, but also your wellbeing, during and after treatment. Your first visit for a massage, you’ll be asked to fill out an intake form which will ask a series of questions about your health history, current complaints, and goals for treatment. Make sure you are 100% honest on this form, because your answers may affect your visit. If you are on certain medications or have been diagnosed with some medical conditions, I may need to adjust the pressure or techniques to best suit your body. Don’t worry, what you write on the intake form isn’t set in stone. If anything changes from the information you originally filled out, let me know so we can adjust each and every session after to be the best for you.
Life is always changing. There may be times you walk into the office in pain and other days you have no complaints at all. There may be times you’re stressed to the max and others where life is going pretty smoothly. You don’t have to divulge every part of your personal life, but it is important to let me know if you have any changes in your stress levels, or in your body and overall health that may affect the treatment plan for you. If you aren’t sure if something falls under that category, don’t hesitate to ask. You owe it to yourself to make sure you are maintaining an honest conversation to ensure you aren’t putting your body into any potential danger.
The communication shouldn’t end after the intake. It’s imperative that you communicate throughout your entire visit. If you have questions about how far to undress, how you’ll be covered during the massage, if you need the room or table to be a bit warmer or cooler, prefer a change in music, or anything else, speak up. If you like to talk throughout or prefer some peace and quiet, want to just relax or need some more focused, deeper work, let me know. You’re spending your time and money and my goal is to make sure you enjoy your experience. Communicate your wants and needs and give me the chance to adjust anything in the session to your liking.
One thing people struggle with is whether it is okay to ask questions about what their therapist is doing. The answer is yes. If you are wondering the purpose of a technique being performed, ask away. It’s important to know and understand the potential effects and benefits. If you don’t like the pressure or a particular technique, it’s important that you speak up as well. I can’t read your mind. The only way I’ll know if I need to change something is if you tell me.
The key to a great client/therapist relationship begins with an open line of communication and trust. If you haven’t been open and honest so far, it’s not too late to open that conversation up. Just remember to listen to suggestions as well. My goal is to keep you happy, healthy, and coming back. Help me help you!
There’s no denying we’re in a difficult time. Not only are we dealing with a silent, invisible enemy, but we’re also seeing division among people on an extreme scale. My goal is to educate the public on the inclusivity of massage and bodywork; everybody can benefit from massage, and every person is welcome on my massage table...always.
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