Whether it's a back rub from your partner or a hand massage during a manicure, a good rubdown can be a total godsend. So why would you have any hesitation in having one?

So why would you have any hesitation in having one? Well, these three questions are what I get asked the most.

Question - Do I have to remove my clothing? Answer - So you never have to take your clothes off to receive a massage. Obviously, skin on skin is better for certain types of treatment, especially working trigger points or tissue flushing, but even those things can be done over the sheets or clothes. You may eventually be able to work up to skin to skin contact, but only once you are comfortable. And always remember when you're getting a massage, only the area that is being treated will be uncovered.

Question - Do massages have to hurt to be effective? Answer - You may have had an experience in the past with a deep tissue massage that caused you pain or discomfort. Not all massage therapists treat deeply. We might have some who prefer to be treated that way, and they have found their results effective. But many massage therapists will tailor the pressure to what the client can tolerate. So, for example, if you're working on an injury site, or if you have a lot of trigger points, sometimes those can feel a little bit more painful. But it should be productive pain. So say on your scale of one to 10,10 being the most painful, your pain scale and having those things worked on should be about five or six. And that might be different for everyone as far as the amount of pressure applied. So you just need to communicate with your massage therapist. Always let them know if the pressure is too much, or if you'd like a little bit more, and it should be able to be tailored to your preference.

Question - Do I have to lie in a certain position even if I am uncomfortable? Answer - The great thing about massage tables and pillowing is that there are a lot of different ways you can receive a massage. So for example, you can be face down, face up, you can lay on your side, which is really common with women later in their pregnancies. You can even do a seated massage where you sit on a chair or even semi seated. There's a lot of different options. So you just again need to communicate with your massage therapist and between the two of you, figure out what will work best for you and what they're actually able to in different positions, and go from there.

Massage for many people is part of their health and fitness regimen. It can ease stress, improve circulation and flexibility, reduce pain and tension and even help to improve immune function. Beyond that, it can also aid in digestion and help improve sleep! ⁠ ⁠

Consider making massage a part of your health routine.

Christy Goodwin

Registered Massage Therapist

Why wouldn't you want to get a massage?

Whether it's a back rub from your partner or a hand massage during a manicure, a good rubdown can be a total godsend. So why would you have any hesitation in having one?

Massage for many people is part of their health and fitness regimen. It can ease stress, improve circulation and flexibility, reduce pain and tension and even help to improve immune function. Beyond that, it can also aid in digestion and help improve sleep! ⁠ ⁠

Consider making massage a part of your health routine.