What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is a health care profession that uses the manipulation of soft tissue to encourages over-all physical well-being. Massage is used to encourage lengthening, relaxation and encourage recovery to the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body. The goal of massage is to maintain healthy muscles as well as to treat an injury and reduce pain caused by injury, posture or stressors.
What are the benefits of massage?
Massage therapy has may benefits, especially when used regularly as part of your self-care maintenance.
Massage therapy can help decrease muscle stiffness, improve muscle tone and flexibility, treat an injury or chronic pain, relax and reduce stress held within the body, increase circulation and recovery time after activity and much more.
How often should I get a massage?
Different bodies require different frequencies but for healthy maintenance, most people find one month to be the most effective.
Your massage therapist will go over what you hope to achieve with massage and set up an appropriate treatment plan with you.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
At your first appointment, your massage therapist will go over your intake form and history, as well as your physical goals and what you want to get out of your appointment and from there develop a treatment plan.
After the questions your massage therapist may assess some areas you have discussed. They will then leave the room so you can get on the table and make yourself comfortable.
Once you are on the table the massage therapist will knock and come back into the room.
Using proper draping of the sheets, the therapist will expose the area being worked on and start with treatment.
What do I wear?
Before getting in the table you will undress then lie down under the sheets and blanket.
Underwear can be left on or taken off depending on your comfort level.
The sheets will remain properly draped so that only the necessary areas are exposed.
What should massage feel like?
Depending on your goals, massage treatments can feel different. Relaxation tends to be on the lighter side for pressure and encourages a calm state of mind.
Deep tissue or treatment may have some uncomfortable moments but you should be able to breath through any uneasiness.
What if I don’t like the pressure?
It is very important to communicate honestly with your massage therapist. Wether the pressure feels too light, too deep, or if they are on a spot that you feel needs extra attention, let them know. They will check in periodically but communication is very important.
Are there different types of massage?
At Matrix, your massage and the techniques used will be based on your goals.
There is relaxation massage, deep tissue and hot stone as well as different tools your therapist may used such as myofascial cupping, gua sha, assisted stretching, kin taping and more.
How do I know what type of massage is best for me?
Discussing your reasons for coming for a massage as well as your physical goals will help your massage therapist determine what types of treatments and tools will be most beneficial for you.