What To Expect When You Get a Massage

What Happens During a Massage?

Generally you start face down, your face in a cradle so you don't have to strain your neck.

The therapist should non-verbally "cue" you that the massage is about to begin, and the first touch should be gentle, not a surprise. Their hands should be warm. They use massage oil so that their hands glide smoothly over your bare skin.

Massage therapists use a combination of classic Swedish massage strokes to work the muscle tissue:

·Smooth, gliding strokes, called "effleurage," warm up the muscle tissue. It can be done slowly or quickly, depending on the therapist. In general, a slower pace is more relaxing and quicker is more invigorating.

·Kneading the muscle tissue by lifting and pulling the fleshy muscle away from the skeletal structure. This is called "petrissage." This starts to work the tissue a bit more deeply

·Cross-fiber friction is when the therapist targets a particular trouble spot (called an "adhesion") to separate the tissues, restore circulation and make the muscle softer and more pliable. They might use their thumb or fingers...or sometimes even an elbow (the most intense). Cross-fiber friction might feel uncomfortable or good, depending on how much pressure the therapist uses and how you interpret the sensation.

Some therapists also use passive stretching, such as moving your arm over your head to mobilize the joint. The stereotypical "karate chop" move from the movies, where the therapist quickly "chops" your muscles with the side of their hands, is not very common anymore.

The best way to figure out what a massage feels like, and what style you like, is to try different therapists. And go back to the ones you like. That way you enjoy the long-term health benefits of massage.