In massage therapy clinics, proper protocols are being observed just like in any health and wellness facility. Your massage therapist may require you to fill out a form regarding your health history. This form would serve to document your pre-existing condition and health baseline data, such as health status, lifestyle habits and other relevant information.

After which, the therapist will conduct an interview in order to determine what areas you would like to work on, if there are any conditions that needs to be addressed, and to determine if massage therapy would be the appropriate treatment. The therapist may perform some procedures to evaluate your condition and to see whether you have any presenting complaints.

It is highly important that health concerns and medications are declared so that the intended massage session will be tailored to your specific needs without doing any harm. Equally important is to note if there are any allergies so that specific massage oils or lotion may be used during the session.

You should undress to your desired level of comfort. For a full body massage, most get completely undressed. Others prefer to have their undergarments. The therapist will work around the clothes you left on. If completely undressed makes you nervous and unable to relax, then the purpose of relaxation is defeated.

If the reason why you are getting a massage is because of problems in areas like your lower back, buttocks, hips, or groin, wearing underware can sometimes hinder massage work, and you might have to remove your clothing.

You will undress and dress in the privacy of your massage room and will be securely covered by a blanket and a sheet during your massage session.

If you prefer to be fully clothed, then other massage procedure will be considered that are performed clothed.

This procedure is known as draping. This may also be the applicable law or ethical standard in massage therapy. No areas will be exposed without your consent. You will be properly covered or draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. You should always let your therapist know if you are uncomfortable for any reason during your massage session.

Once you are undressed and on the massage table, the therapist will only uncover the body part being worked on. The genitals (women and men) and breasts (women) are remain covered. If the woman’s abdomen is to be worked on, a second towel or sheet will be used to cover the breasts so the main sheet or towel can be moved to expose the abdomen.

All you have to do is just be comfortable. Your therapist will adjust your position by either moving you or requests you to move what is only needed. Otherwise, you can change position anytime as whatever pleases you.

Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session, others even fall to sleep. You may do whatever you please and to your comfort is the best way to relax.

It is very common for clients to fall asleep on the table, so not to worry at all. On the contrary, it can even be considered as a compliment since it is understood as an act of trust on your part.

By falling asleep, you are essentially trusting your therapist to provide you with a complete healing process. Besides, a massage is meant to make you relax.

A full-body massage treatment lasts approximately one hour. Some people prefer partial massage session on certain body parts only such as the neck and shoulders, head and face, back and legs or any combination of those. Others opt for a 90-minute session for optimal relaxation.

Make time to rest before and after each massage session. You should not be in a hurry to start nor to end a session. This defeats the essence of your massage treatement. Upon arrival at the clinic, take time to rest at the reception area or the lounge. This also holds the same after your session. You should not be in a hurry to leave the massage table.

While not every massage is painless, not everything that hurts can also be considered therapeutic. Getting a painful massage would be counterproductive to your massage goals.

If the pressure feels wrong for you, such that it feels like an ugly type of pain, be assertive to tell your therapist to stop.

Take only as much pressure as you can stand. Ugly pain might even result in either a direct injury or a sensory injury.

Each individual has varying tolerance to massage pressure. Therefore, it is important that your massage therapist should know your pressure preferences and gives careful attention to the right amount of intensity that should be applied in different areas of your body.

This is a matter of personal preference and lifestyle. For those who use massage as preventive care to manage daily stress, one session a month is sufficient. For occasional relaxation, 3-6 weeks time interval would be acceptable. However, for massage treatments intended to address a specific condition, more frequent sessions are recommended until a maintenance schedule is determined at a later time. Weekly sessions may be desirable if it is a relief from injury or to relieve chronic tightness of muscles that interfere with your normal body movements. Many people schedule massage therapy at least twice a month for optimal therapeutic relief.

Frequency of massage session should be discussed with your massage therapist who has the expertise and hands-on understanding of your health condition.

No. This is a perception that men give deeper massages than women. This is a myth. While it is true that male therapists have basically more strength than female therapists and therefore, more capable to give deeper massage pressure. Some would prefer though not to work so deep. The same holds true for women. This is a matter of personal style and preference, and also past trainings attended. Some prefer not to give deep sessions while others do specialize in this area. It would be better to clarify to the therapist prior the session.

If you really intend to have a deep massage, upon arriving at the wellness facility, it is best to inquire from the receptionist or triage on the availability of therapists capable to do the requested service. Some clients, though, book an appointment for this specialized service. There are also clients, specially those who undergo regular massage sessions for a long time, who have already their preferred massage therapists in the facility. They do give special requests during their own massage sessions. And also, in the course of your massage session, it is perfectly ok to give the therapist feedback if you would like to increase or decrease the pressure. This is a matter of personalized service. And remember, massage does not have to be hard or deep in order to be effective.

There is no absolute rule that you cannot talk during your massage session. The important thing is that the treatment is all about relaxing and enjoying the experience. Talking, however, is discouraged in the hope that you will relax, let your mind be free and enter into a state of massage bliss. In most cases, as the massage progresses, you enter into quiet state of relaxation.

One important issue is that there are instances when you need to speak up. Get the attention of the therapist at once if you feel anything uncomfortable. You may feel too cold or too warm, if the room is too bright, or if the pressure needs to be adjusted and if just anything not working for your comfort.

There is no absolute rule that prohibits bringing of mobile phones inside the treatment rooms. However, it is highly important that all mobile phones should be switched off to vibrate or silent mode. Ringing of phones can cause some level of stress to the users and all the other people within the hearing vicinity. It is therefore mandatory that silence is maintained to promote full relaxation among all the clients.

Sometimes it happens. Most men avoid massage for fear this will happen to them. Or, they get a massage but cant fully relax due to this fear. This is no reason to be embarrassed.

Whether it is during a deep tissue therapy or relaxation massage, men get an erection during a non-sexual, therapeutic, full body massage. Gentle touches administered to any part of the body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and this leads to a partial or complete erection.

A professional massage therapist should understand and know how to handle this kind of situation. For men, it is recommended to wear a more fitted underwear (briefs or boxer briefs) which can provide more support than traditional boxers if uncontrolled erection is the issue.

If the therapist feels that the session has turned sexual for the client, male or female, he/she may stop the session and may have the right to terminate the session immediately.

You are never required to give a tip for any massage session since gratuity is more of an act of gratitude. But if you were pleased and satisfied with the service, 15%-20% is the standard percentage.

Make sure to place the money inside the envelope that the massage clinic provides and write your therapist’s full name on the face of the envelope in order to avoid confusion.

If no envelope is provided, either add the tip when you go to the counter to pay or give the cash directly to your therapist.

The tip you give reflect your appreciation for the good service they have done to you. It is recommended that tipping percentages be based on the full price of a regular massage, rather than discounted or promo prices.

A license means that a massage therapist has met the requirements to legally practice massage in your city, country and/or state. To obtain a license, a massage therapist will usually have to complete a minimum number of training hours at an accredited school or traiining center.

It is business ethics that certificates or licenses of all massage therapists onboard should be conspiciously displayed at the lobby of the wellness facility. This adds authenticity and legitimacy of the therapists to practise massage treatement as their expertise.