Sure, I could tell you in detail about the variety of massage therapies available out there, but when you’ve made the choice, and are waiting in the waiting room for your massage therapist, the only things you’re thinking about are “am I supposed to tip? Do I completely undress? I do hope I don’t fall asleep! Or maybe I do?” How do you avoid embarrassment when it seems like it may be too late? Follow these simple pointers to make sure you are prepared before you lay on that table!
Should I tip?
The standard gratuity is 15-20%. There are no real ground rules when it comes to massage in a medical setting. Here at Medical Massage Specialties we always say gratuity is always appreciated but never expected. If you are on a frequent schedule and tipping seems to be a factor in restricting your care then please don’t worry. We want you to heal and feel better! You can tip the therapist personally with cash or add a gratuity to your payment when checking out at the front desk. If you are beyond pleased with your service, of course, you can ask if it would be alright to tip. However, the best type of tip you can give is a referral to family or friends, or to post about your experience on social media, Angie’s List or Yelp.
The pressure is too deep/not deep enough, but I don’t want to insult the therapist’s technique. What do I do?
A good rule of thumb-on a scale from 1 to 10 with one being no pain to ten being extremely painful-the pressure should always be less than seven. In saying this, it should be known that some of the most effective types of massage therapy are gentle and don’t involve deep pressure or pain, and that not all massage must hurt in order to be effective (in fact, sometimes too much pressure in certain types of massage can cause muscles to seize up). It’s important to voice to your therapist when it starts to get uncomfortable. In the end, we want you to be satisfied.
Should I talk during the massage? Will the therapist think I’m rude if I don’t?
Talking or not talking is really your personal preference. Some people like to have conversations, but in order to have a truly effective massage, it’s best to relax and enjoy. You do want to speak up if you are uncomfortable for any reason, you have any massage related questions, or if you forgot to mention something during the consultation.
What if I fall asleep, I’m so relaxed!
Don’t worry; it’s not a bad thing to be so relaxed that you fall into a peaceful slumber! In fact, it’s quite common. Falling asleep is quite a compliment to your massage therapist; it means you are truly enjoying your massage. The therapeutic effect will still be there and may even be improved if you are that relaxed. . Enjoy the time you have; don’t stop yourself from falling asleep. It’s your time, take advantage of it!
Do I take off my underwear?
Many people prefer to keep on their underwear while undressing everywhere else. Many others like to go completely commando. I say this has a lot to do with the type of massage you have. If your problem areas are your lower back, hips, buttocks or groin, consider a thong if you don’t want to completely undress. Here are Medical Massage Specialties we simply ask that you undress to your comfort level. It is your massage and if you are not comfortable you will not be able to relax. Our therapists only uncover the area being massaged and keep the fullest discretion.
If you have any questions above and beyond the ones I mentioned, let us know your concerns before your appointment. We want you to be just as comfortable going into the massage as in the actual massage itself!
