What massage therapists care about
What do massage therapists care about? To begin with I care that you have phoned me to make an appointment. I will answer as many questions as you have over the phone and reassure you as to what will happen when you are with me.
I care that you arrive on time so we can make the most of your agreed appointment time and you leave feeling well looked after and respected.
There will always be a Health History Form to fill out before we start so your treatment plan is agreed on before you get on the table. That way you will be treated appropriately.
I care about your sight, hearing, understanding of the process, answering questions correctly, your ability to undress and get on the table alone (please ask if you require assistance with this) and that you have a fresh body when you arrive. The treatment room is small and to be forced to spend an hour or more in the room with old perspiration or strong perfume can be uncomfortable.
A massage therapist lends a general wellness to a client through therapeutic massage to the joints and soft tissue muscles of the body.
We help give relief from pain, rehabilitate injuries, improve poor circulation and teach relaxation techniques, as well as helping to reduce stress.
We like to get honest feedback. Please speak up if the massage is too painful, too light, you feel uncomfortable or unhappy about something that is happening. I know how difficult some people feel lying face down, undressed in front of someone they hardly know. I promise I will never laugh at you. We may laugh together but I will never be the only one laughing.
I don’t care if you have not shaved. Hair does not cause muscle pain so please do not be concerned about your legs or any other part of your body. I just add more oil to the area and visualise the muscles underneath the skin.
After seeing so many bodies I tend to view hair, cellulite, scars, bumps and birthmarks as normal. Moles are something different and need to be treated as such.
Please do not be selfconscious about your weight. Every client is a collection of muscles and knots to work on and repair. You will never be judged by me. After all, I am not perfect either. I just want to help make your body feel at its best.
Falling asleep on the massage table is common. Many of my clients admit to falling asleep at least once. It means that you trust me and feel comfortable. I feel it is an honour to get to this stage and earlier the better.
We sometimes uncover serious health complaints. My clients often come to me saying their doctors have dismissed the pain and told them to learn to
relax. Ongoing pain can sometimes signal more serious issues. We are not doctors or nurses and will insist our clients go back to see their doctor if the pain concerns us.
Massage therapists love their jobs. We love knowing that we are helping people to relax, work through their issues, to improve their general quality of life and reduce their pain to more acceptable levels.
Please remember you are with me for an hour once a week or month, so more than 50 per cent of the future is in your hands. I will do my best but will not be with you to constantly remind you to stand straight, sit correctly, to do the stretches and simple exercises you are advised to.
Remember the great feeling you get after a massage is not by design, it happens by appointment. Make an appointment and see how good you feel afterwards.
For an appointment or more information, call massage therapist Helen Forrest on 03 352 2406 or 027 411 2921. Hours and prices to suit.