Therapeutic Massage - by Faith, LLC

Address: Tell your massage therapist why you are getting a message. For example, you may want relief for sore feet or tight shoulders, or you may just want to relax.

Getting on the Table: If you wish, your massage therapist will help you get onto the table. Pillows or cushions may be used to help support you. If lying down is uncomfortable for you, most massage therapists can work with you seated in a chair.

Special Concerns: Always tell your massage therapist whether the pressure being used is comfortable. Indicate if you do not want oil or lotion, or if you dislike scented lotion. Let your massage therapist know if you are hard of hearing. If you are too cold or hot, your therapist can adjust the heat or your covers.

After the Massage: Before getting up from the table, give yourself a few minutes to reorient from a state of deep relaxation. If you wish, your massage therapist can stay and help you.

How Long? The length of your sessions will depend on your general health and your reason for getting massage. For your first massage a half-hour or less may be enough. With experience, you and your massage therapist can determine the best length for each visit.

How Often? Frequency is usually more important than the length of each massage. With regular sessions you may begin to notice positive changes in how you feel between massages, and in how many aches and pains you do (or don't) experience. Your massage therapist will help you set an appropriate schedule.

Therapeutic massage can result in a deep sense of relaxation, which for many people is reason enough to have one. Massage elicits the body's "relaxation response," a natural function of the nervous system that reverses the effects of unwanted stress on the body. Muscles that have been tensed for action relax, breathing slows and deepens, a racing heart and high blood pressure return toward normal.

With regular massage therapy you can even improve your ability to relax on your own. This happens as the feeling of relaxation becomes familiar, helping you recognize tension as it occurs and take measures to release it before it becomes a problem.

As massage decreases your general level of tension, you may find yourself feeling pleasantly relaxed and rejuvenated. This can translate into increased energy for daily activities, more patience with life's minor irritations, and a renewed enthusiasm for daily living.