I'm choosing a question from my list of frequently asked questions. This time, I'll focus on: "Do I have to take off my clothes to have a massage?"The short answer is NO. You never have to remove all of your clothing in order to receive a massage. Your comfort is the most important thing. If you are feeling uncomfortable, then you will be distracted and tense. This really won't help. In fact, I would say that tensing up your muscles is the OPPOSITE of what we want to do with massage. There are a great many kinds of hands-on treatments that will end with you feeling the same kind of peaceful bliss that you experience when you present yourself, bare as you were born, to the therapist. Let's look at a few of these options:Compression. Compression entails a therapeutic method of applying force so that the soft-tissue structures (muscles,fascia, vessels,etc.) are pressed towards the bone. That sounds terribly technical. Here is a real-life example: your trunk is being compressed when your favorite aunt wraps her arms around you and gives you a squeeze.
Rocking. Rocking applies a rhythmic movement to the client's resting body. The speed of the rocking can be varied in order to provide varying therapeutic results. Slower rocking has a sedative effect, while faster rocking is likely to provide feelings of wakefulness, or to otherwise promote awareness.
Rocking is one way to move the sinus wave (remember that from high school?) into the client's body. By moving this energy, we are asking the structures inside the body to relax. Think about what happens in
the event of an earthquake--the ground is rippling, and the buildings respond by moving, swaying and ultimately losing their structural integrity. The outcome depends on the amount of force applied.
Movement. Movement sessions can assess range of motion, identify restrictions, and apply treatment. These may be hybrid sessions, including some visual assessment and some work on the table.
Stretching. Stretching sessions apply force to extant soft tissue structures. These may or may not include myofascial release, which is a specific type of treatment intended to address connective tissue. The connective tissue provides integrity to our human structure, creating pathways, containment and division--among other things. More on this another time.
Lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage addresses the lymph, which is a fluid product of the body's immunity defense system. This very gentle treatment is well-tolerated by people who enjoy light pressure.
Energywork. This is a subtle manipulation of the energy body. It can feel energizing or soothing, as though someone is rocking you in their arms; or as though someone is adding energy to your personal "tank".
Some feel textured--that is, you might feel physical sensations such as breezes, droplets on the skin, and shifting of physical symptoms.
Given that all of these options (and many, many more) can provide for a session that meets your treatment goals--how can you benefit by removing your clothing?
Well, having the benefit of visual contact with the skin will allow your therapist to provide a visual assessment. Physical contact will convey information regarding the forces that are being brought to bear against your body. Understanding which forces, and how they may be causing challenges, can convey information about how to reverse their effects. That means relief is possible.
And of course, some of the most delightful aspects of a good massage are related to the pleasant physical effects caused by gliding across the skin. The more skin that is exposed, the more positive touch you could potentially receive. Everyone wins.
Let's clarify something here: unclothed is not the same as uncovered. An ethical therapist is mindful about your modesty, and uses appropriate covering to support you. This is called draping.
Your comfort is the most important factor. Talk to your therapist, and let them know if you would like to make a change. Remember: the therapist is there in support of your wellness. That means she--or he--will do their level best to provide a service that is physically and emotionally comfortable for you.
If you want or need something new--just ask!
Rocking. Rocking applies a rhythmic movement to the client's resting body. The speed of the rocking can be varied in order to provide varying therapeutic results. Slower rocking has a sedative effect, while faster rocking is likely to provide feelings of wakefulness, or to otherwise promote awareness.
Rocking is one way to move the sinus wave (remember that from high school?) into the client's body. By moving this energy, we are asking the structures inside the body to relax. Think about what happens in
the event of an earthquake--the ground is rippling, and the buildings respond by moving, swaying and ultimately losing their structural integrity. The outcome depends on the amount of force applied.
Movement. Movement sessions can assess range of motion, identify restrictions, and apply treatment. These may be hybrid sessions, including some visual assessment and some work on the table.
Stretching. Stretching sessions apply force to extant soft tissue structures. These may or may not include myofascial release, which is a specific type of treatment intended to address connective tissue. The connective tissue provides integrity to our human structure, creating pathways, containment and division--among other things. More on this another time.
Lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage addresses the lymph, which is a fluid product of the body's immunity defense system. This very gentle treatment is well-tolerated by people who enjoy light pressure.
Energywork. This is a subtle manipulation of the energy body. It can feel energizing or soothing, as though someone is rocking you in their arms; or as though someone is adding energy to your personal "tank".
Some feel textured--that is, you might feel physical sensations such as breezes, droplets on the skin, and shifting of physical symptoms.
Given that all of these options (and many, many more) can provide for a session that meets your treatment goals--how can you benefit by removing your clothing?
Well, having the benefit of visual contact with the skin will allow your therapist to provide a visual assessment. Physical contact will convey information regarding the forces that are being brought to bear against your body. Understanding which forces, and how they may be causing challenges, can convey information about how to reverse their effects. That means relief is possible.
And of course, some of the most delightful aspects of a good massage are related to the pleasant physical effects caused by gliding across the skin. The more skin that is exposed, the more positive touch you could potentially receive. Everyone wins.
Let's clarify something here: unclothed is not the same as uncovered. An ethical therapist is mindful about your modesty, and uses appropriate covering to support you. This is called draping.
Your comfort is the most important factor. Talk to your therapist, and let them know if you would like to make a change. Remember: the therapist is there in support of your wellness. That means she--or he--will do their level best to provide a service that is physically and emotionally comfortable for you.
If you want or need something new--just ask!
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