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The massage therapist and their massage table

By admin on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

The caliber of a craftsman can also be seen in the tools that he uses. The massage therapist is no different. The therapists experience and expertise will not only show in how he does his work; it can also be shown in the massage equipment that he uses. The quality, workmanship, and efficiency of his tools also reflect on the therapist himself. One thing you can look at is the therapist's choice of massage table. A massage table is more than just a plank with four legs. It could mean the difference between an effective and relaxing therapy and a fruitless one.

portable massage table

What should you spot in a quality massage table? First is the outside appearance. The upholstery of the table says much about the quality of the table. This is where looks can be telling the truth. A stylish massage table says that the therapist isn't cutting corners in making you feel comfortable and pampered during the massage. The sheets are also good signs. Well-maintained and clean sheets indicate care for hygiene and valuing your comfort.

But for function, the table should be at the right height in relation to the therapist. Too low or too high and the therapist would be straining himself, thus not giving you an effective massage. The width should also be just right for your body and the therapist's reach. If he can easily reach to the other side of the table without much problems, then that is a suitable table. The therapist is not just thinking about making things easy for him, he's also thinking about being able to work on your body without too much strain on you and himself.

The foam used on the table is also important. The softness and firmness of the table has a great effect on the massage depending on the type of massage to be applied. For deep tissue massages, a firmer table would be what's needed. Light body work would require softer cushion for the body. So, the table used should be appropriate for the type of massage to be done. The amount of resistance the table can give is the key to making the massage session effective. The massage equipment should also be apt to the work to be done.

If you're concerned about the environment, then this can be another criteria to look for in a massage equipment. In the case of massage tables, you should look at it's construction whether they are environment-friendly. The materials should be PVC- and CFC-free. Wood materials should also be from renewable sources and not from irresponsible logging. Therapists would usually inform clients about these facts as they also would like clients know their concern for the environment. If not that, it is a good selling point to those clients who are.

There is much that can be known from the massage equipment that a therapist uses. In terms of massage tables, these are some of the things that can show a therapist's level of experience and knowledge in his or her profession.

Some Facts About Deep Tissue Massage

By admin on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

deep tissue massage

If you're considering getting deep tissue massage, here are some things that would be good to know about it. These can help you get a better understanding of the massage therapy and get the most out of the experience. Knowing these also gives you a good idea of what to expect from each session.

No pain doesn't mean no gain

One of the conceptions about deep tissue massage is that it needs to be painful to be effective. Though true in the general sense, that is not necessarily the case. You don't need to be in pain for deep  tissue massage to be beneficial. Remember that pain is something relative, what is painful for one might not be for another. The main objective of the massage is to loosen up the strained muscles which then gives a relaxed feeling after the massage. The techniques involved in the massage can be penetrating which involves some discomfort, but again, inflicting pain is not the goal, it's the necessary consequence of having to target muscle tissues under the surface. In fact, some deep tissue massage techniques just involve stroking and the use of light pressure. Just because the massage isn't as painful as you thought doesn't mean it's not working.

It's a treatment in phases

As with all massages, you would need more than one session to fully enjoy the benefits of deep tissue massage. The main reason for this is that your body won't be able to stand the strain of the massage if done in just one session. Another is that it is impossible for a single therapist to do an effective full body massage in one instance. Even if your body can take it and the therapist was able to do it, fatigue would come into play which would make the therapy ineffective. This division of sessions is not just to get more money out of you, that's just how the therapy goes for it to work.

Another thing to note is that the sessions are designed to treat one area of the body at a time. This would help the therapist focus his or her efforts on one area without being pressed for time or pressured to complete a full body massage.

Remember how to "melt"

Melting is the term that therapists use for muscles that have been relaxed due to massage and stimulation. It is compared to a flowing or fluid like feeling to the muscles, just like the feeling that your muscles melted. This absence of tension in the muscles is the main goal of the massage. Your therapist should be able to feel once your muscles have reached this point, and a good therapist would tell you about it. For your part, it would be best to remember the sensation so that you'd be able to tell your therapist once your muscles have "melted" or not. This can help your therapist determine whether he or she would have to change the approach to relax your muscles.

Hopefully, these facts should clear some misgivings about deep tissue massage. Knowing these basics can help you appreciate the massage more and also assist your therapist in giving you effective treatment.

Maximizing Your Massage Experience

By admin on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 | No Comments

The selling point of a massage is a relaxing and invigorating experience. But that can be ruined by no fault of the massage at all. There are things that you can do that can mess up or improve the benefits that you'll get from any kind of massage. To ensure that you'll maximize your massage experience, here are some things that you can do.

Deep tissue massage

First is be punctual. Give your self time to relax before the massage session. A little anticipation  is not bad for your massage experience.

To avoid any abdominal pain or any stomach ache, don't eat right before your session. Massages can be pretty intense which can upset your digestion. That can pretty much ruins it for your relaxation.

Be open to your therapist about your preferences. You are the client after all. Aside from this, therapies are for the most part subjective. The overall experience would depend on how you experienced it. In practical terms, if you feel that the massage is going too strong, or if the pressure is too light, by all means say so. The therapist, though trained to be sensitive to body responses, can't read minds. What's relaxing will eventually depend on you. If you just keep quiet and let things pass, you will be holding the short end of the stick.

Also inform your therapist about any existing allergies or preference for oils, lotion, or powder. There's no sense in complaining about rashes or a runny nose after the massage is done. The same goes for the ambience of the massage room. If you think it's too dark, or you don't like the music, or if the scents are too strong for your taste, you should speak up.

Massage therapy is not a one-time thing. You would need to take several sessions to fully feel the effects of the massage. This means you have to allot the time and resources for your massage sessions. And since you're going to be doing massages for a period of time, it's also good to choose the same therapist that you like for all your sessions. Similar to how you go to the same hairdresser who knows your hair and preference, having the same therapist would ensure familiarity with what you want and what relaxes you.

The last thing, let yourself relish the massage. You should relax yourself and clear your mind during the massage. Though the massage should do it for you, you should also help yourself relax. After the massage, you should also give yourself some time to rest and lie down. It's not strange to feel lightheaded and enervated after a massage. Most spas will allow you time to lie down and nap after the massage session.

Massages are indeed relaxing, but it's not a one-way affair. There are things that you can do to ensure that the massage is as relaxing as it should be. Simply follow these tips to ensure that you're going to get the best out of your massage session every time.

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