How to Choose a Massage Style

A massage is one of the great affordable luxuries. There’s nothing like the relaxation that comes from trained hands kneading away all of your daily stress. Because a massage is something that most people don’t indulge in every day, you might not be aware of all of the different massage styles--as well as the diverse benefits they provide. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Consider what benefits you hope to gain. If you simply want to relax, you still need to make some choices. Do you like firm pressure or more gentle strokes? Do you want to try hot stone therapy as part of your massage? If you’re looking for something more concrete, such as prevention of injury during athletic activity, consider a sports massage.

2. Talk to a couple of massage therapists. Look for a combination of knowledge and personality. Some therapists are talkers, for example, and if you want a silent massage, her personality may be a deal breaker.

3. Ask for referrals. Once you’ve found someone that you feel comfortable entrusting your body to, ask him for some referrals. You can talk to previous clients about whether the masseuse performed the type of massage requested and what their overall experience was.

4. Evaluate your massage. A few days after your massage, reflect on whether you gained the benefits that you’d hoped to. If relaxation was your goal, did it work? If you needed help with a sports injury, can you perform better now?

5. Try again if necessary. If you conclude that your massage left something to be desired, respectfully discuss it with the massage therapist. Perhaps he or she didn’t understand exactly what you wanted, or maybe you asked for a Shiatsu when you really meant Thai. Unless it was a terrible experience all the way around, give the masseuse one more try.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t know where to start when choosing a style, try a Swedish massage. It’s the most common type of massage in the U.S and is known for its relaxing properties.
• Not every masseuse will be trained in every massage style. If you find a massage therapist with whom you’re comfortable--but who doesn’t offer the exact massage you’re interested in--ask if she offers a massage that is comparable or that delivers similar benefits.
• If you want a therapeutic massage, which is intended to help alleviate pain or other conditions within a certain body part, make sure you’re very clear with the massage therapist about what strokes or how much pressure causes you pain. And if you experience pain during the massage, speak up!
• There’s no room to compromise with a pregnancy massage. Only use a therapist who’s trained in pre-natal massage and who uses a specialized table. Prenatal massages performed incorrectly could cause harm to the mother-to-be.