Your First Massage? Relax, here's what to expect

Although many tout the benefits of massage, for the uninitiated, it can be a daunting experience. First, consider the list of massages available, usually as long as a Swedish smorgasbord and as difficult to interpret. And for first-timers, the questions keep coming: What do I wear? How much do I undress? Should I talk? Should I shut up? Do I tip? What if I fart? And then there's the body thing, because, let's face it, most of us don't share our rolls of fat with strangers.

"Let me dispel one myth right away: Licensed Massage Therapists are not looking at your body shape," says Linda Derrick, director of the Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy, with schools in Westport, Newington and Groton. Derrick should know, since thousands of LMTs have graduated from her schools in the past 30 years "For a massage therapist, your weight is the least interesting thing about you."

"Having a massage is like going to a doctor," adds Eugenia Tzoannopoulos, regional developer for Massage Envy in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Westchester County, N.Y., and franchise owner of Massage Envy in Fairfield and Stamford. "We understand that people feel vulnerable lying on a table undressed, but the body is covered at all times. Body parts are only exposed as the massage therapist works on the client. And genitals and breasts are never touched."

Since knowledge is power, today we offer a primer on massage, answering the questions many might be thinking but are too afraid -- or more likely embarrassed -- to ask.

THE FIRST STEP

Joycie Lewis, director of the Agora Spa in Stamford, says it's wise to visit a massage therapist's place of business before you make an appointment. "You want to feel relaxed and comfortable," she says. "A massage is for relaxation and healing, and if you are not comfortable, neither will happen."

And all three experts say consumers should only have massages from LMTs. Ask the clinic or spa three questions:

• Do you offer therapeutic massage?

• Is the massage therapist licensed by the state?

• Do your require clients to fill out a medical profile?

Yes to all three gives clients the green light to make an appointment.

Deciding on where to have your massage is the first step. Next comes who, followed by what.

All three experts say a client should be upfront about what she is looking for in a massage, and be frank about whether she wants a man or woman therapist. As for the what, all suggest a newbie start with a Swedish massage, the most common type of massage therapy in the United States. "A Swedish massage is full body, and the client is really getting a thorough experience of therapeutic touch and contact," Derrick says. "You end up feeling relaxed, refreshed and balanced, and it's done in a very non-invasive way."

BEFORE THE MASSAGE

It's wise not to eat right before a massage. Your body needs a few hours to digest the food.

Since new clients will be asked to fill out a medical profile, arrive early for your appointment. It is on this form that you list your ailments, medications, recent surgeries, allergies, aches and pains, in addition to the parts of the body you would like the LMT to focus on and the areas you would like the massage therapist to avoid. "It's so important for the client to be completely honest when filling out this form," Lewis says. "Whenever someone works on your body, they have to know what is going on internally."

When you meet the massage therapist, explain your reasons for having the massage and any concerns you might have. Although you have mentioned allergies on your medical profile, if you are allergic to oils or creams, be sure to tell the therapist in person. Adjustments easily can be made.

THE MASSAGE

The therapist will leave the room while you undress. Remove only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. Although the most benefit comes with skin-on-skin contact, massage therapists are professionals and can work around clothes.

Lie on the table, under the sheet. Although most massages start with the client lying face down, if you would like to start face up, tell your therapist so.

If there is music playing that you don't like, let the therapist know.

If the room or heated massage table is too hot, or not hot enough, tell the therapist.

If it makes you more comfortable to talk during the massage, then talk, although our experts say an important part of a massage is relaxation, which is better achieved in silence.

If the therapist is applying too much or too little pressure, immediately tell him or her. Feedback is important. The last thing massage therapists want is for clients to tell them at the end of the massage that the pressure was not correct.

Remember to breathe normally, which accelerates relaxation. If a particular area is really hurting, breathe more deeply, sending your thoughts to that muscle. This simple technique often brings needed relief.

Relax your muscles. Contracting or hardening muscles does not bring relief.

If you are uncomfortable and cannot relax, call a halt to the massage. In this case, Derrick suggests reflexology (done on the feet and legs); reiki, body work done without touching the skin; or a chair massage, again done clothed.

If you find yourself falling asleep, give in. "The greatest compliment a massage therapist can receive is for the client to fall asleep on the table," Derrick says. "It says to the therapist that the client is very comfortable, and that he trusts the massage therapist."

As for farting, burping, drooling, extremely hairy bodies, acne on faces and backs, and ugly feet: "Massage therapists have seen it all," Tzoannopoulos says. "And as with yoga, as the body relaxes, it just does things. Massage therapists are used to this."

AFTER THE MASSAGE

Take your time getting off the table. There is absolutely no reason to rush.

Drink the glass of water the massage therapist offers.

Discuss with the LMT the points on your body that are tight. The massage therapist usually can offer some home exercises for you to do to loosen these areas.

A normal tip is either 15-20 percent of the cost of the massage.

And if you liked the experience, book a second.

"Everyone comes to massage for different reasons -- injury, bad back, stress," Tzoannopoulos says. "How often you have a massage depends on what's going on. A recent Cedars-Sinai study found that 45 minutes of massage once a month decreases cortisol (stress hormone) levels. That alone is enough reason to have a massage once a month." HL

Know your terminology

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, the four most common types of massage are:

• Swedish: The most common type of massage, to relax and energize you using light to medium pressure.

• Deep tissue: For muscle damage from an injury, such as whiplash or back strain, and targeting deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.

• Sports: To help prevent athletic injury, keep the body flexible and heal the body should injury occur.

• Chair Massage of the upper body, while fully clothed and seated in a special portable chair.

Other forms include:

• Aromatherapy: The addition of essential oils to help the healing process.

• Hot stone: Heated, smooth stones are placed on the body to warm and loosen tight muscles.

• Pregnancy: Used to reduce stress, decrease swelling and relieve aches and pains.

• Reflexology: Pressure is applied to certain points on the foot that correspond to organs and systems in the body.

• Shiatsu: A form of Japanese bodywork that uses finger pressure on acupuncture meridians.

• Thai: Uses gentle pressure on specific points, in addition to compressions and stretches.

• Reiki: In Japanese, reiki means "universal life energy." Therapists place their hands above clients' bodies, detecting and alleviating problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional and spiritual level.