Top 5 Things You Should Know Before Purchasing a Massage
If you are new to Massage Therapy and you are seeking information to help decide what is best, then you are in the right place. Technically, a "Massage" is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, which includes muscles, joints, ligaments, and connective tissues of the body. That's great to know, but what are the most important things to know when you're looking to try massage therapy yourself or purchase one for a loved one, friend, or associate?
1. Education, training, and qualifications of massage therapists
2. The problems and conditions that massage therapy helps
3. The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of massage therapy
4. What to expect, prior, during, and after your massage appointment
5. How to get the best results for your body from massage therapy
By knowing those five simple things, you will know the information you need to make the best possible buying decision when purchasing a massage for yourself or as gift for someone else.
Education, training, and qualifications of your massage therapist
You should look for a massage therapist that is qualified, educated, and well trained. This means that the therapist has completed a minimum of least 720 hours of education and training to receive a valid certification. The only way to accomplish that is to attend a reputable institution for massage therapy, such as The Atlanta School of Massage, Medix, or Georgia State University. Here at these schools, massage therapists learn human anatomy and physiology, inter-personal skills, various massage modalities for relaxation, stress reduction, treatment of physical conditions, and pain relief. These techniques include but are not limited to swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, couples massage, hot stone massage, neuromuscular massage techniques, deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage, tui na massage, thai massage, shiatsu, acupressure and reflexology.
If you are wondering about a massage therapists qualifications, just ask where they attended massage school, what massage techniques they are trained in, and how many hours of training they received. At Greenleaf Day Spa, our massage staff consists of only qualified, educated, and well trained massage therapists. We care a great deal about the pursuit of perfecting our skills as massage therapists. All of our therapists have gone to massage school and received certification in massage therapy. We proudly display our massage certification certificates in the treatment rooms. Our massage therapists continue to hone their skills by receiving ongoing in-house training, taking continuing education classes, and learning the newest and latest of techniques available by attending massage workshops and annual trade-shows.
The problems and conditions that massage therapy helps
Massage therapy fills a huge void in the health care industry. It would literally take thousands of words to list and describe each and every physical, mental, and emotional problem that can be treated. That being said, I am going to list the most common physical and psycho-emotional problems that are treated. In future blogs we will discuss the many other conditions massage therapy helps and in great detail.
12 common physical conditions that massage therapy helps:
1. General Stress
2. Fatigue
3. Neuromuscular Pain
4. Muscle Injuries
5. Chronic Muscular Pain
6. Muscular Tension/Aches/Pains
7. Hypertension(High Blood Pressure)
8. Headaches and Migraines
9. Fibromyalgia
10. TMJ
11. Pregnancy Discomfort
12. Arthritis
7 common psycho-emotional conditions that massage therapy helps:
1. Anxiety
2. Nervousness
3. Irritablility
4. Frusration
5. Anger
6. Memory
7. Concentation
The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of massage therapy
Having a basic understanding of the benefits of massage therapy and even some knowledge about specific massage techniques is important when you are trying to decide what type of massage bodywork is best.
Do you suffer from high stress, tense or tight muscles, headaches, chronic pain, poor circulation, insomnia, fatigue, or depression? If you answered, “yes”, to any of those conditions, getting a massage will benefit you. Massage helps to reduce stress and increase relaxation, relaxes tense muscles, increases blood and lymph circulation, decreases pain, strengthens the immune system, improves nerve function, helps you sleep better, and even improves skin tone.
What kind of massage should you get? It depends on what your problem or problems are and the results you are looking for from the massage. Some people are seeking pain relief, some are seeking to relax and take a break from the stresses of daily living, and some are seeking both of these things. You decide what results you are seeking and then communicate that to your therapist.
We provide custom bodywork to help you relax, reduce pain, or both. In general, our Essential Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Couples Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, and Hot Stone Massage are for relaxation, stress reduction, and minor pain relief. For specific bodywork designed to relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and increase range of motion, our Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular/Sports Massage is most appropriate. No matter what your needs are, we take the time to find them out before starting your bodywork and customize your session as needed.
What to expect prior, during, and after your massage appointment
Many people who have never had a massage don’t know that a complete massage therapy session should always be a three-step process. The first step is the pre-appointment consultation. The second step is the actual massage session itself. The third step is your post-appointment recommendations.
Unfortunately, many places skip the first and third steps. This is truly inadequate and is doing you, as the recipient of the massage, a great disservice. Described below are each of these three steps in detail to inform you of their importance.
Prior to your massage appointment:
Your pre-appointment consultation involves collecting information about your problems, concerns, and frustrations with your body and the reasons why you are seeking massage therapy. In addition, this is a very important step in determining whether or not you should be receiving a massage. For instance, a woman who is less than 12 weeks pregnant should never get a massage until she is through her first trimester. If you’ve just had a bodily injury, have body implants, surgery, or health problems that are contraindicative for receieving massage, then it is important to find this out before you receive any bodywork.
We always have a pre-appointment consultation with you prior to your massage. We do this by having you complete our online consultation form on this website or you can fill one out at our facility just minutes prior to your session.
During your massage appointment:
The second step in the massage therapy session is the massage session itself. You should expect to be asked to arrive about 15 minutes early prior to your appointment. This is to ensure that you have enough time to complete your consultation form, if you didn’t complete one from our website. You will discuss your bodywork needs with your therapist, visit the restroom, get a drink of water, etc. This helps to ensure that your treatment expectations are met and that you start and end on time.
You will be asked to remove your clothing for your massage. People always ask, “How far do I get undressed?” The answer is that some people prefer to get completely undressed and some people prefer to leave on their panties/briefs. Your therapist leaves that preference up to you. Either way you choose, you will always be appropriately covered because we use a technique called "draping". Draping is a technique that uses a sheet, which initially covers your entire body, to tastefully expose an area of the body being massaged, while at the same time leaving the rest of the body covered by that sheet.
Our therapists assume you are here to relax and as a rule, refrain from talking or chitchatting during your massage. However, your therapist may ask you how the pressure feels in an area or remind you to breathe. Generally speaking, we make it a point not to talk during the massage, but if you feel you must communicate something, then please do.
After your massage appointment:
The third and final step in your massage therapy session is your post-appointment recommendations. This is something we always do. After your massage session, your therapist will greet you with a refreshment. If you have any questions or concerns at this time, you can discuss them with your therapist and they will provide you with answers, suggestions, and recommendations for future treatment and home care.
How to get the best results for your body from massage therapy
The question: “How often should I be coming in for a massage?” is often asked of massage therapists.
Typically, once a month is good for general maintenance and stress reduction. However, if you have chronic pain or certain specific physical conditions then you may need to come in as often as once a week for optimal results.
There are 6 major causes of muscular pain. They are: ischemia (poor circulation), trigger points, nerve entrapment and/or compression, postural problems, poor nutrition, and general stress.
You could be suffering from any one of those, or several of those factors all at the same time. The good news is that massage therapy directly helps 5 out of the 6. We have no influence on your nutritional needs or the ability to remove all the stress from your life, but regular massage therapy does help decrease ischemia, relieve trigger points, free nerve entrapments/compressions, decreases the negative impact of postural problems, and increases relaxation and reduces stress at the same time.
Some other things to consider that aren’t as critical as the top five things you should know, but are still important, are discussed below:
The atmosphere for receiving a massage is critical for relaxation
The atmosphere that you receive your massage in should be a relaxing one. The atmosphere includes: the general environment in which you receive your massage and the treatment table you are lying on. Overall, these are very important factors to consider before getting your massage. There is a big difference between the atmosphere and ambiance in a noisy hair salon, gym, or medical office versus a day spa designed for serene quiet sessions. Where would you rather have your massage?
At Greenleaf Day Spa, we strive to provide a relaxing atmosphere for your massage therapy sessions. Our treatment rooms are larger than most, about the size of a guest bedroom in a modern home to ensure our clients feel like they have plenty of room to move about. They are dimly lit by candle light, and the smell of pure aromatherapy oils always fill the air which enhance your sensory journey, and hypnotic tones of relaxing music are sure to help soothe and calm you throughout your stay with us. The treatment table, which is where you receive your massage, is extremely comfortable because, in addition to the standard cushioning it already has, we have added egg-crate cushions and memory foam toppers for extra body support. Your body will gently sink into the treatment table when you lie down. We know you will agree that atmosphere is important. Most of our guests tell us they were about to fall asleep before we even start the massage!
Consider the quality of massage cream/oil used on your body
The quality of massage cream or oil used on your body should be something you consider before receiving bodywork. Your skin is an organ, the body's largest organ in fact, and it is very important that you take care of it. At the very least, when you receive a massage, you should be receiving a product that is good for the skin that nourishes, hydrates, and feeds it.
Ufortunately, many places don’t use high quality products. Some places use products that contain mineral oil. In case you didn’t know, mineral oil offers absolutely no benefit to your skin at all. Your skin absorbs most anything you put on it if the molecules in the product are small enough. The molecules in mineral oil are too big to be absorbed into the skin. This means that when mineral oil is applied on your skin, your skin will not absorb it and it just sits on the surface of your skin, clogging it. Not only does this not benefit your skin, it leaves you feeling oily and greasy afterwards.
We always use high quality massage creams and oils during your massage sessions. Our Pevonia Botanica massage cream is a micro-emulsified massage oil. "Micro-Emulsified" means that the product has been produced using a process that breaks down the molecules of the product so that they are small enough to be absorbed into the skin. This means that your skin will absorb the nourishing botanical ingredients contained in our products, your skin will be moisturized, and you won’t feel overwhelmingly greasy or oily after it is applied. You will love the way our Pevonia Botanica products smell and feel.
I hope this information has been helpful, educational, and informative. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments concerning massage therapy. We are here to serve you!
If you are new to Massage Therapy and you are seeking information to help decide what is best, then you are in the right place. Technically, a "Massage" is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, which includes muscles, joints, ligaments, and connective tissues of the body. That's great to know, but what are the most important things to know when you're looking to try massage therapy yourself or purchase one for a loved one, friend, or associate?
1. Education, training, and qualifications of massage therapists
2. The problems and conditions that massage therapy helps
3. The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of massage therapy
4. What to expect, prior, during, and after your massage appointment
5. How to get the best results for your body from massage therapy
By knowing those five simple things, you will know the information you need to make the best possible buying decision when purchasing a massage for yourself or as gift for someone else.
Education, training, and qualifications of your massage therapist
You should look for a massage therapist that is qualified, educated, and well trained. This means that the therapist has completed a minimum of least 720 hours of education and training to receive a valid certification. The only way to accomplish that is to attend a reputable institution for massage therapy, such as The Atlanta School of Massage, Medix, or Georgia State University. Here at these schools, massage therapists learn human anatomy and physiology, inter-personal skills, various massage modalities for relaxation, stress reduction, treatment of physical conditions, and pain relief. These techniques include but are not limited to swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, couples massage, hot stone massage, neuromuscular massage techniques, deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage, tui na massage, thai massage, shiatsu, acupressure and reflexology.
If you are wondering about a massage therapists qualifications, just ask where they attended massage school, what massage techniques they are trained in, and how many hours of training they received. At Greenleaf Day Spa, our massage staff consists of only qualified, educated, and well trained massage therapists. We care a great deal about the pursuit of perfecting our skills as massage therapists. All of our therapists have gone to massage school and received certification in massage therapy. We proudly display our massage certification certificates in the treatment rooms. Our massage therapists continue to hone their skills by receiving ongoing in-house training, taking continuing education classes, and learning the newest and latest of techniques available by attending massage workshops and annual trade-shows.
The problems and conditions that massage therapy helps
Massage therapy fills a huge void in the health care industry. It would literally take thousands of words to list and describe each and every physical, mental, and emotional problem that can be treated. That being said, I am going to list the most common physical and psycho-emotional problems that are treated. In future blogs we will discuss the many other conditions massage therapy helps and in great detail.
12 common physical conditions that massage therapy helps:
1. General Stress
2. Fatigue
3. Neuromuscular Pain
4. Muscle Injuries
5. Chronic Muscular Pain
6. Muscular Tension/Aches/Pains
7. Hypertension(High Blood Pressure)
8. Headaches and Migraines
9. Fibromyalgia
10. TMJ
11. Pregnancy Discomfort
12. Arthritis
7 common psycho-emotional conditions that massage therapy helps:
1. Anxiety
2. Nervousness
3. Irritablility
4. Frusration
5. Anger
6. Memory
7. Concentation
The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of massage therapy
Having a basic understanding of the benefits of massage therapy and even some knowledge about specific massage techniques is important when you are trying to decide what type of massage bodywork is best.
Do you suffer from high stress, tense or tight muscles, headaches, chronic pain, poor circulation, insomnia, fatigue, or depression? If you answered, “yes”, to any of those conditions, getting a massage will benefit you. Massage helps to reduce stress and increase relaxation, relaxes tense muscles, increases blood and lymph circulation, decreases pain, strengthens the immune system, improves nerve function, helps you sleep better, and even improves skin tone.
What kind of massage should you get? It depends on what your problem or problems are and the results you are looking for from the massage. Some people are seeking pain relief, some are seeking to relax and take a break from the stresses of daily living, and some are seeking both of these things. You decide what results you are seeking and then communicate that to your therapist.
We provide custom bodywork to help you relax, reduce pain, or both. In general, our Essential Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Couples Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Reflexology, and Hot Stone Massage are for relaxation, stress reduction, and minor pain relief. For specific bodywork designed to relieve pain, reduce stiffness, and increase range of motion, our Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular/Sports Massage is most appropriate. No matter what your needs are, we take the time to find them out before starting your bodywork and customize your session as needed.
What to expect prior, during, and after your massage appointment
Many people who have never had a massage don’t know that a complete massage therapy session should always be a three-step process. The first step is the pre-appointment consultation. The second step is the actual massage session itself. The third step is your post-appointment recommendations.
Unfortunately, many places skip the first and third steps. This is truly inadequate and is doing you, as the recipient of the massage, a great disservice. Described below are each of these three steps in detail to inform you of their importance.
Prior to your massage appointment:
Your pre-appointment consultation involves collecting information about your problems, concerns, and frustrations with your body and the reasons why you are seeking massage therapy. In addition, this is a very important step in determining whether or not you should be receiving a massage. For instance, a woman who is less than 12 weeks pregnant should never get a massage until she is through her first trimester. If you’ve just had a bodily injury, have body implants, surgery, or health problems that are contraindicative for receieving massage, then it is important to find this out before you receive any bodywork.
We always have a pre-appointment consultation with you prior to your massage. We do this by having you complete our online consultation form on this website or you can fill one out at our facility just minutes prior to your session.
During your massage appointment:
The second step in the massage therapy session is the massage session itself. You should expect to be asked to arrive about 15 minutes early prior to your appointment. This is to ensure that you have enough time to complete your consultation form, if you didn’t complete one from our website. You will discuss your bodywork needs with your therapist, visit the restroom, get a drink of water, etc. This helps to ensure that your treatment expectations are met and that you start and end on time.
You will be asked to remove your clothing for your massage. People always ask, “How far do I get undressed?” The answer is that some people prefer to get completely undressed and some people prefer to leave on their panties/briefs. Your therapist leaves that preference up to you. Either way you choose, you will always be appropriately covered because we use a technique called "draping". Draping is a technique that uses a sheet, which initially covers your entire body, to tastefully expose an area of the body being massaged, while at the same time leaving the rest of the body covered by that sheet.
Our therapists assume you are here to relax and as a rule, refrain from talking or chitchatting during your massage. However, your therapist may ask you how the pressure feels in an area or remind you to breathe. Generally speaking, we make it a point not to talk during the massage, but if you feel you must communicate something, then please do.
After your massage appointment:
The third and final step in your massage therapy session is your post-appointment recommendations. This is something we always do. After your massage session, your therapist will greet you with a refreshment. If you have any questions or concerns at this time, you can discuss them with your therapist and they will provide you with answers, suggestions, and recommendations for future treatment and home care.
How to get the best results for your body from massage therapy
The question: “How often should I be coming in for a massage?” is often asked of massage therapists.
Typically, once a month is good for general maintenance and stress reduction. However, if you have chronic pain or certain specific physical conditions then you may need to come in as often as once a week for optimal results.
There are 6 major causes of muscular pain. They are: ischemia (poor circulation), trigger points, nerve entrapment and/or compression, postural problems, poor nutrition, and general stress.
You could be suffering from any one of those, or several of those factors all at the same time. The good news is that massage therapy directly helps 5 out of the 6. We have no influence on your nutritional needs or the ability to remove all the stress from your life, but regular massage therapy does help decrease ischemia, relieve trigger points, free nerve entrapments/compressions, decreases the negative impact of postural problems, and increases relaxation and reduces stress at the same time.
Some other things to consider that aren’t as critical as the top five things you should know, but are still important, are discussed below:
The atmosphere for receiving a massage is critical for relaxation
The atmosphere that you receive your massage in should be a relaxing one. The atmosphere includes: the general environment in which you receive your massage and the treatment table you are lying on. Overall, these are very important factors to consider before getting your massage. There is a big difference between the atmosphere and ambiance in a noisy hair salon, gym, or medical office versus a day spa designed for serene quiet sessions. Where would you rather have your massage?
At Greenleaf Day Spa, we strive to provide a relaxing atmosphere for your massage therapy sessions. Our treatment rooms are larger than most, about the size of a guest bedroom in a modern home to ensure our clients feel like they have plenty of room to move about. They are dimly lit by candle light, and the smell of pure aromatherapy oils always fill the air which enhance your sensory journey, and hypnotic tones of relaxing music are sure to help soothe and calm you throughout your stay with us. The treatment table, which is where you receive your massage, is extremely comfortable because, in addition to the standard cushioning it already has, we have added egg-crate cushions and memory foam toppers for extra body support. Your body will gently sink into the treatment table when you lie down. We know you will agree that atmosphere is important. Most of our guests tell us they were about to fall asleep before we even start the massage!
Consider the quality of massage cream/oil used on your body
The quality of massage cream or oil used on your body should be something you consider before receiving bodywork. Your skin is an organ, the body's largest organ in fact, and it is very important that you take care of it. At the very least, when you receive a massage, you should be receiving a product that is good for the skin that nourishes, hydrates, and feeds it.
Ufortunately, many places don’t use high quality products. Some places use products that contain mineral oil. In case you didn’t know, mineral oil offers absolutely no benefit to your skin at all. Your skin absorbs most anything you put on it if the molecules in the product are small enough. The molecules in mineral oil are too big to be absorbed into the skin. This means that when mineral oil is applied on your skin, your skin will not absorb it and it just sits on the surface of your skin, clogging it. Not only does this not benefit your skin, it leaves you feeling oily and greasy afterwards.
We always use high quality massage creams and oils during your massage sessions. Our Pevonia Botanica massage cream is a micro-emulsified massage oil. "Micro-Emulsified" means that the product has been produced using a process that breaks down the molecules of the product so that they are small enough to be absorbed into the skin. This means that your skin will absorb the nourishing botanical ingredients contained in our products, your skin will be moisturized, and you won’t feel overwhelmingly greasy or oily after it is applied. You will love the way our Pevonia Botanica products smell and feel.
I hope this information has been helpful, educational, and informative. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments concerning massage therapy. We are here to serve you!
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