Bodywork Etiquette

"Most massage aficionados remember the trepidation that came with their first massage. What should I expect? Will I have to take off my clothes? How much do I tip?"

"For relative newcomers to massage, the prospect of those first visits and their unknowns can be unnerving." The best experience from a bodywork session is one that is completely comfortable.  Often enough clients are afraid or embarrassed to ask questions that will ultimately make or break their experience.  I have had many conversations with clients about "how to ask" certain questions.  I came across and awesome article published in Body Sense magazine a couple of years ago and about some of the things that clients have a hard time asking.  I thought that it would be a great idea to revisit this article to help answer some of the "not so frequently asked questions."  I will address the top questions / concerns in this post, but invite you to read the article in it's entirety by clicking on http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1504/Bodywork-Etiquette.


Honor Your Body
Some people have a hard time even considering massage because they are so unhappy with their body. Primarily a female issue, poor body image can be extremely damaging, leading to eating disorders in many cases and negatively affecting the way people live. While it's hard to imagine that getting naked and lying on a massage table will make the situation any better for those dealing with self-esteem or body image issues, massage therapy and bodywork can do wonders.

According to bodyworker Merrill DeVito, massage helps integrate body and mind again, allowing clients to see things from different perspectives, bringing them back into awareness of their body, and showing them what it means to listen to their body. Bodywork can help mend the body-mind chasm that is created through self-hate, bringing the two pieces back together in a peaceful, healthy union.
Massage therapists and bodyworkers not only have advanced knowledge of tissues and structure, they also have a great appreciation for the human body as a whole, no matter its shape or size. "Massage therapists and bodyworkers don't look at their clients as fat, thin, ugly, or beautiful, but rather see the person as a joy and a privilege with which to work," says spa consultant Charles Wiltsie. Whether working with a 350-pound woman on the massage table or a 100-pound man, massage therapists see bodies as bodies.


Shower Up
While most guidelines recommend showering before your massage, it's important to note that many therapists work with clients in less-than-hygienic conditions. Throughout the summer, you'll find massage therapists at cycling events, road races, and even triathlons. A weary cyclist staggering into the massage therapy tent at the end of an exhausting day's ride hardly smells like roses. For massage volunteers who work with the homeless population, judgment is not passed on those non-showered bodies either.

That said, if you find that your feet have endured a long sweaty day and you're just about to go in for your massage, take a moment to stop in the restroom first and wipe them down. And, if you're able to shower beforehand and wash away the grime and energy of the day's events, do so.


Get It Your Way
If there's one thing that will make your massage both more enjoyable and more beneficial, it's communicating with your therapist. If the room is too warm, if the bolster under your legs isn't in the right spot, if the music is driving you batty--whatever the issue--let your therapist know right away so you can get back to the business of enjoying your massage. "By all means, you should speak up about anything that diminishes your enjoyment of, or ability to focus on, your session," says Nina McIntosh, massage ethics expert and author of The Educated Heart. Wiltsie agrees. "Communication is key to getting your needs met," he says. Clients must take the lead and let therapists know if a particular treatment or something else within the session is making them uncomfortable.

Your therapist will occasionally check in with you during your session, checking on pressure and making sure you're doing okay. Be sure and let the therapist know if you're not feeling well, if that spot on your calf is too tender, or even if you can't hold your need for a bathroom break any longer.

Nope, Won't Find That Here
It's unfortunate that massage therapists even have to address this subject, but they do. So the answer to late-night callers is, "No, we don't give happy endings. No, you may not pleasure yourself. Therapeutic massage has nothing to do with sex."
If a misinformed client somehow ends up in the massage room of a professional therapist and asks for something other than therapeutic massage, they will be asked to leave. Flirting, inappropriate touching, and sexual innuendos will not be tolerated. Keep the relationship professional and above board and your therapist will be a valuable member of your healthcare team.


You're Human
The body can have a lot of responses to therapeutic massage. While avoiding food at least one hour before your massage will help, there's still the chance that you'll have tummy gurgles or even pass gas. It's okay. As the body relaxes and systems get moving, the body can play all kinds of tricks. Your therapist has seen it all, yet sees well beyond those kinds of issues.

For men, there's even a possibility that massage will cause an erection--a common response to nervous system activation. "It rarely occurs, but if it does, don't panic," says massage therapist and author Robert Chute. "Therapists know that this is a physiological reaction and will treat the situation accordingly." He says the therapist might try to redirect your attention with a shift in the focus of the work, maybe altering pressure or moving to a different area of the body. Don't worry, Chute says, "Your unintended erection, and any embarrassment, will soon pass."

 Tipping Tips
When it comes to gratuities, most experts say it's ultimately the client's decision whether or not to tip. Like in other service industries, providing a tip is usually done in response to excellent service. In considering this, it's important to note that many therapists who work in spas earn only a small percentage of what you've paid for their services. For these therapists, tips are an important part of their income. According to CNNMoney.com, the tipping norm for massage and bodywork services is 15-20 percent. Tips, however, are usually not accepted for massage performed in a medical environment.

Unsure what to do? Ask if tipping is customary and what is the policy. This is especially important when booking at spas, according to the Day Spa Association, as tips might already be included in the service price. Be sure to get clarification on fees and services at the time of booking.