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What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Are you thinking about getting your first ever massage? Or have you had a massage before but not from a Registered Massage Therapist?
You might be wondering what it will be like and maybe you're a little bit worried about it. Pre Massage anxiety is normal but it's not necessary. Here's how it will go:
Before your first appointment, you will be asked to fill in a health history questionnaire. This information is important for your therapist to know of any previous or current injuries, or medications that you are taking that may have an affect on the massage. Any systemic conditions like diabetes or heart issues are important to know in case any modifications are needed.
When you arrive for your appointment, I will greet you and show you to the treatment room. We will then have a quick conversation about how the appointment will proceed. After obtaining informed consent for the interview and assessment, I will ask you some detailed questions about the reason you came in today and your goals for our time together.
Depending on your condition or concern, I might want to do some palpation (feeling the tissues), movement assessments and special tests, to figure out the best treatment plan. The procedures will be fully explained to you to make sure you understand before they start.
It is a good idea to wear comfortable loose clothing so that you are able to move easily.
My Approach
Next, I will explain how you will be positioned on the table (I usually start with you face down), under the sheet. We will have a discussion about how you will undress, (always to your own comfort) whatever you choose, you will be securely draped and I will only uncover the areas that I'll be working on.
I will leave the room while you get undressed and once you're on the table, you basically have one job: if something hurts or if you're uncomfortable, please let me know. Don’t assume anything is “supposed to hurt”, please speak up.
I will explain a pressure/tenderness scale 1-5 and periodically I will ask what number it is for you.
1. Light pressure - just the pressure of my hand,
2. A Comfortable pressure
3. Moderate, joyful discomfort
4. Considerable pressure, but you can breathe through it
5.STOP the pressure is too much! And causing pain.
Generally it should be between 2-3 throughout the treatment and only sometimes getting to a 4 within your comfort level.
You are the expert of your own body and have control of the pressure at all times.
Other than that, feel free to relax, you don’t need to help me when I move one of your limbs - try to melt into the table and let me do the work. I might ask you to do a particular movement to help me out with an active technique, I will explain everything as we go along. Don’t forget to ask any questions you may have throughout the treatment and anything you would like to discuss feel free to ask. Or if you would prefer to stay quiet to allow yourself to take in the experience that is perfectly ok too.
At the end of the treatment, I will step out to let you get dressed and then we will reassess to measure the outcome of the treatment. We will go through a couple of home care exercises (don’t worry they won’t be hard!) or advice for you to help prolong the treatment benefits until your next appointment. Which you can schedule on your way out.
Thanks for reading, and feel free to share with any friends who might be thinking about their first massage!
