First Massage Flashback

As most of you know I was recently on a trip abroad with my husband for our Honeymoon. We travelled through England, into Amsterdam and Brussels and then made our way through France. If you have never been to Amsterdam or Southern France I suggest you add it to your bucket list! Our trip was pretty packed full of your typical tourist stuff for the first half, but for the second half we made a point of slowing down and relaxing to the max. The entire trip we kept saying we should get a massage, constantly on Trip Advisor to see if there were any good places near us. When we arrived in Nice we couldn't put it off any longer. We literally had no excuse; there was a spa right next to our hotel!

As a massage therapist, I walked in feeling pretty confident about the procedure and what to expect. I was wrong. Aside from the perceived language barrier there were many subtle and not so subtle differences that brought me back to my very first professional massage. A million things ran through my mind. What do I do? How did she say to lie down? Under or over the sheet? I have to wear what?! 

Let me start from the beginning. My expectations were shattered from the very start. Thinking that we were walking into a spa, it became clear after a few moments that we were in fact at a school. First of all, I think this is a brilliant idea! The classrooms were on one side and they had converted the other side into a beautiful, student-run spa. What an amazing way to get hands on experience while having the safety and comfort of supervision! So we walk in and get lucky, booking a couples massage immediately (this, by the way, is my very first couples massage). I prepare myself to begin translating the health history forms provided so that we can fill them out and was surprised to find that there weren't any! We simply had to sign a waiver disclosing what ours and the therapists responsibilities were. Where is the little man images that I need to draw circles all over?!

We then had to choose our treatments. I went with the "Massage of the Day" which is an Ayurvedic massage and my husband chose the Sports Massage. We are then led downstairs by our therapists and into our treatment room. This is where the feelings of uncertainty really started to creep in. We are in a big beautiful room, but right at the very front is a large window looking into the lounge area. There are blinds of course, but unfortunately they do not cover the entirety of the window. I automatically begin to wonder how I am going to get undressed and on the table without anyone seeing me. As this is running through my mind I am brought back to the present when our therapists place small packages on each of our tables. Disposable. Underwear. We are asked to strip down, put these flimsy, thin, uncomfortable "underwear" on and then lay on the table once they step out of the room. 

As soon as they leave, I burst out laughing. I mean I am not looking forward to these underwear but my husband is absolutely DREADING it. There was less material on his than on mine! The look on his face was absolutely priceless. Once I have myself uncomfortably covered to their standards, I realize that we weren't really given an option. No "undress to your comfort level". I mean, this is way beyond my comfort level. Then I start to get on the table. What did she say? On my stomach or back? On top of this paper sheet or underneath it? Thinking back it is pretty clear that I was meant to be on top of the paper (like at a doctors office) but when you are feeling vulnerable everything can become uncertain. I decide to lay on top of the paper, face down, mostly because this is how I start most of my clients. And then I notice that there is no face cradle...ok so maybe face up? Too late...our therapists are ready and enter the room. So here I am on my stomach propped up on my elbows until she clarifies what it is that I am supposed to be doing. She quickly creates a hole in the paper where the built in face cradle is hidden and encourages me to lie face down and get comfortable. I feel like a fool, like I should have figured that out on my own. That feeling is punctuated with every movement I make, accompanied by the clinical, crinkling sound of paper. 

I begin to relax as she works on my legs but I soon notice the differences in draping techniques. Up come the sheets all the way to the bottom of my bum, exposing both legs at once, and then a small flap of material to cover up where my underwear might not be doing such a good job. Panic starts to rise. Ok, don't move. One movement and everything will be visible to everyone! I begin to focus on my breathing and talk myself through the treatment. Then the sheet comes back down and covers my legs, only to be folded in the opposite direction exposing my whole right leg, right glutes and right side of my back. Then I feel again the subtle draping between my legs. Ok no worries. Its just a bum I tell myself. They see this over and over throughout their day. While I typically massage the glutes over the sheet, I will occasionally drape to expose the gluteal muscles in order to treat and do fascial work. Many therapists in fact, will massage directly on the gluteal tissue with every client. The difference? A warning and a tight drape. So by now I am beginning to feel totally embarrassed. 

I make it through the posterior massage which ended up being fantastically relaxing, and I am asked to turn over onto my back. Up comes the entire sheet, eye contact is made and my breasts are completely exposed. Whoah...ok that was weird. Then she begins to repeat the same technique that was used on my back body. Only this time it isn't my shoulder blade that everyone can see. I immediately begin to feel ashamed, my face goes red all the way to my ears, my heart begins pounding and I think to myself, oh my gosh everyone is looking at my chest; my therapist, my husbands therapist and my husband! Wait? My husband? Why am I even worried about that?! The treatment room to me has always been my private and personal space, like some people find at the gym or in yoga class. And that day there were two intruders. I resist the urge to yank the sheet back up over me as I realize that my husband is definitely sleeping, his therapist has her back to me and I'm in France, the land of the topless beach!  

As the massage continues up my sternum and around my breast tissue I once again remind myself that to any professional I am just a body. Just like I see all my clients on the table as bodies. As professionals, we do not see hair, or cellulite or sagging skin. All my imperfections that were banging around in my head were not even a passing thought to my therapist. Focusing on my breathing I was able to calm myself down and enjoy the rest of the massage. I was not expecting the overwhelming feeling of liberation once I accepted my body and all its imperfections. 

The lesson here? I went in confident and ready to pick up some awesome new techniques. Nothing could shake me. It was my domain. But thats not at all how it went down. Sometimes life throws you curveballs in order to bring back some perspective. Those feelings of insecurity and uncertainty reminded me that everyone feels that way the first time they have to strip down and be touched by a stranger. Just because as therapists we see beautiful, functioning, incredible bodies, doesn't mean a client automatically understands that. Everyone has their insecurities. Whether it be their feet, their thighs or their breasts, it is my job to make sure that they feel safe, informed and in control during their treatment. I am so grateful that we chose a hotel with a spa beside it. Grateful for the reminder I clearly needed after my job had become routine, and I neglected to put myself in my clients shoes. This will be a constant reminder to never get too comfortable in my practice.  A reminder to strive for the best client experience possible, every time.

Kristy

What to expect for your first massage

Never had a massage before? The first time you get a massage can be quite intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Since I would LOVE to see you in our treatment room experiencing the many benefits of massage therapy I decided to give you a breakdown on what happens the first day you walk into our studio! 

So, here we are, you have found Bloom Therapy above the Barber shop on First Ave. Up the stairs you go and right into our studio at the top.

1. Arrive early. Decompress. There is nothing worse than running late into a massage, the very place where you are supposed to slow down and relax. If this is your first visit, you are required to fill out some paperwork. This takes about 10 minutes depending on your health history. We want to make sure you get as much time on the table as possible each and every visit, so arriving early will ensure that you don't loose any treatment time and you are fully present and relaxed for the duration of your massage.

2. Say Hi to your amazing therapist! Your therapist will introduce themselves and give you the option to use the washroom before you get started. If you think you may have to use it, go for it. Nobody needs a full bladder distracting them from their massage. If you do have to use the washroom during your treatment we do have a robe that you can slip on. Simply let your therapist know and you can take a break.

3. Interview. Once you have been welcomed by your therapist, you will be guided to the treatment room. Here your therapist will look over your paperwork and in the privacy of the treatment room, you will discuss your treatment goals. This can vary from a general full body relaxation massage to a very specific therapeutic treatment. It can also vary from day to day. Each time you come back for a massage we will re-evaluate your treatment for that day. It is also during this time that you want to be very honest with your therapist and tell them about any conditions, injuries, allergies etc. that may affect your treatment.

4. Get comfortable. After the interview, your therapist will leave the room and give you some time to get undressed and onto the table underneath the top sheet. Your level of undress is based completely on your comfort level. Most therapist will advise that you get undressed to your underwear. Some will want you completely undressed. Ladies, taking your bra off will allow for a more complete and fluid back and shoulder massage. If you are not comfortable with this then you can leave on whatever clothing you feel necessary. Just be aware that your treatment will be adjusted accordingly.

5. Draping. You will always be completely covered by the sheet other than the specific area your therapist is working on. You will never be exposed unnecessarily and again, if you are uncomfortable with the draping please let your therapist know.

6. Pressure. Throughout your massage there will be areas that are really sensitive and others where you feel like you could take a sledgehammer to it and still wouldn’t feel anything. Your therapist should check in with you throughout the massage to see if the pressure is within your pain tolerance. Appropriate pressure is where you feel the sensation of work being done but it is not painful. One thing I always tell my clients is if you feel yourself catching or holding your breath then we have gone too far with the pressure. As I said, this can change throughout the body so don’t be afraid to speak up and let your therapist know if you need more or less. I promise you, we won’t be offended and we definitely don’t want you going home with bruises!

7. Music. At Bloom Therapy the therapist is given the option of using their own music. I often use calming music with some lyrics. That being said, if you aren’t feeling it that day let your therapist know and we can find some other options for you. There is always some spa music on our iPod if that is more your style. I would even suggest asking your therapist if you can bring your own music in if thats your jam!

8. Body Temperature. During a massage your body temperature can fluctuate. If you become cold during your massage we have both blankets and a heating pad that you can request. It is also a good idea to bring a sweater with you to put on following the massage in case you have the chills.

9. Hydrate. Make sure to hydrate before and after your massage treatment. If you are dehydrated you may feel nauseous following your massage and nobody wants that!

As you can see, you have a lot of control over your massage treatment and like any good relationship, communication is key.  Your therapist wants you to have the best experience possible so never be afraid to speak up. Now that we have walked you through the process and you are feeling ready to take control of your treatment we can't wait to see you at the studio!

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