How to Show Up for a Massage

So you’ve booked an appointment — what now?

First, you’ll get some forms sent to your email: A cancellation policy, a consent to therapeutic massage, and an intake form. If you’re a returning client, there’s no questionnaire but an option to leave updates/notes.

Our intake form is comprehensive for a reason: we want detail, nuance, health history, and an honest representation of what you’re coming in for. Why did you choose massage? This allows the verbal intake we’ll have before treatment to be streamlined—we’ll know what questions to ask to pinpoint exactly what needs to go into the treatment plan.

And importantly, the time you pay for is the time you’ll get on the table.

We care about who you are and what you need; detail-oriented care is our priority. You can show up in any mood, attire, or stress level. We can handle it all. What we really care about is that you show up willing and open to engage with the complexities of a massage.

What to Expect During a Session

We’ve made it to the table! Great. We’ll make sure the angle of the face cradle is comfortable, and that any bolsters needed are situated properly. You have the option of remaining clothed, or undressing to your level of comfort. No matter what you choose, consider the “bikini” template as areas that remain draped at all times.

That doesn’t prevent us from doing glute work, inner thigh work, hip work, or pec work, but it does set an immovable boundary. Bodywork mandates clear and communicated consent with a constant consideration for comfort and safety. From the trauma-informed angle, we will also often ask you: “Are there any areas of your body you would specifically like us to avoid?” You owe no explanation and we will abide by that request without question. 

Most sessions will start with a standard introductory touch. Then we’ll dive pretty quickly into our agreed-upon treatment plan. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of frilly spa massages with add-ons and luxury, but that is a service with a preset template and a sole priority of pampering. Those experiences can be amazing, but it’s just not what we do. Most of the people we work with are frustrated by the impersonal nature of a spa massage and how it often neglects what you actually want worked on. It is far more fulfilling for us to curate something specifically for your needs.

Communication and autonomy during treatment

If you’ve gotten bodywork from me, I’m sure you’ve heard me say: “It’s your session, not mine.” This is not a stage for us to show off fancy skills, new techniques, or wax poetic about life (…very aware I do that last bit every now and then).

Seriously, though, it is a space for YOU to exist freely in your body, in your feelings, in your injury or pain, and you get to process however you choose. We can have silent sessions, chatty sessions, commiseration sessions, strategic sessions, the list goes on. We aren’t psychotherapists and that boundary will remain firm, but it is foolish to separate the mind and body—pain is multifaceted so we treat it as such.

It is paramount to dispel the notion that just because you are on the table does not mean you aren’t in charge.

You ALWAYS have the option to say that something is too much, not enough, that you’d like to approach something differently, or that something feels great and not to move an inch. We’re great at our jobs, but you are the expert on your body and so we communicate and adapt as such. It’s called the therapeutic alliance for a reason: we work together. It’s collaborative. A successful session includes trust going both ways! We trust that you are engaging with the sensations as they come, and you trust that we are prioritizing your well-being at all times. 

How to take care of yourself after a massage

Pain decreases with decreased fear.

A goal of ours during treatment is to cushion the weight of chronic, injury-related, or acute pain. Intensity is often alleviated by a kinder mindset towards our bodies. We carry so much, and it is much harder to receive a massage than it is to give one. No matter if you’re coming in for a strictly “sports” massage (stay tuned for an entry on modalities) or an emotional/somatic-focused session, you as the receiver are doing the hard work of feeling it all. Letting go with some aftercare does wonders, so we’ll give you some tips and tricks at the end of the session and we always recommend approaching the rest of your day with an extra dose of care. Drink a bit extra water, replenish with some good food, and pay a little extra attention to how you feel in your body. Hopefully, some things have changed, some movement is easier, and some stress is alleviated. 

Thank you so much for reading and please reply with any commentary on your experience with bodywork, things you wish you knew, or what you wish practitioners did more often!