Massage Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions about massage therapy (and answers to questions that you are too uncomfortable to ask!!)

When deciding to go for a massage, there might be questions that you want answered prior to your appointment. We understand that those questions might be hard to ask! We tried to think of some of the common questions clients have…

Should I take my underwear off or leave them on?

This is left completely up to the client and their comfort level. Underwear can be easily worked around. In most cases, it is not necessary to remove them. If you are more comfortable removing them, that is okay too! Whether you take them off or leave them on, registered massage therapists in New Brunswick must adhere to strict guidelines for draping. These guidelines ensures that you are always covered with the sheet and the only part of the body that is uncovered is the area being treated. Your massage therapist will ensure that the sheet is tucked in appropriately, so you always feel covered and secure.

When obtaining consent for the treatment, your RMT should discuss the removal of clothing and allow you to decide what works best for you. This includes offering clients that may be uncomfortable undressing, an alternative of doing the massage over the clothing or through the sheet. Your treatment must be comfortable for you and how much of your clothing you remove is your decision.

What if I have a hairy back or haven’t shaved my legs lately?

It’s okay! There is no reason for you to be self conscious about hair on your body. It is normal and not a hinderance to massage. When using a massage oil, we don’t even feel the hair and it doesn’t interfere with the treatment in any way. It is more natural for people to have hair on their body than not, so why should you apologize or be self conscious in any way? Your massage therapist is a person too and all of our bodies grow hair as well so there is no judgement. Just come and relax!

What if I snore?

It happens and it’s a compliment! Your massage therapist has done their job and has given you the much needed rest that your body requires. If you are able to relax enough to get to the point of snoring, you must be comfortable and that is our goal!

I can’t shower before coming for my massage. Is that gross?

While we respect good hygiene habits, showering immediately prior to a treatment is unrealistic and not expected. We know that schedules are busy and sometimes you are fitting your treatment into the middle of your day. It is also common that clients prefer showering or bathing following the treatment since the warm water helps further the affects of the massage and washes away any massage oil that may remain on the skin.

I’d love to have my feet massaged but feel bad asking? What if they smell!

We want you to get the most out of your treatment and if you think having your feet massaged would be helpful, you need to ask! Our registered massage therapists are trained to treat several foot conditions and we would hate to think that our clients aren’t getting the relief they need because they are too shy to ask. There is no need to be self conscious about your feet, but if you prefer, we do keep hot towels in the room and can easily wash your feet prior to the treatment so you can feel more at ease.

I am too self conscious to get a massage.

We understand that having a massage puts people in a vulnerable position and our registered massage therapists will go out of their way to make sure you are as comfortable as possible during your treatment. Whether the issue is body image, acne, scars or simply feeling vulnerable, the treatment can be modified to a level that you are comfortable with. There is the option of doing the massage over the clothing or sheet. You can also avoid areas that you are self conscious about. You could book a massage and only have the massage therapist work on areas such as arms, hands, face and scalp. These areas would allow you to stay clothed and still enjoy the relaxing benefits. Chances are, after a few treatments you will be more comfortable to have other areas treated.

I’ve heard that massage therapy can hurt. Does it have to?

Not at all! Your massage therapist works within your comfort and tolerance level. When receiving therapeutic treatment for an injury or issue, there is a chance that the involved area may be sensitive to pressure. You can simply ask your massage therapist to lighten the pressure to a comfortable amoun

Is it appropriate to talk during a massage therapy treatment?

That is completely up to you. We understand that it is difficult to find an hour of quiet in your day and it can be a treat to relax and not feel like you must engage in conversation. Most registered massage therapists will let the client guide the conversation. If you talk and ask questions, we are happy to chat. If you wish to be quiet, that is okay too! At some points during the treatment, your massage therapist may have to ask you questions related to the area being treated. We will be checking in regarding pressure or may have questions that arise depending on what we observe as we work through certain areas. Other than that, we do not expect you to talk during your treatment unless you want to.

The comfort of our clients is our goal!

We want our clients to feel as comfortable as possible when they come to their treatment. By answering the difficult questions, we hope to alleviate some of the apprehension that may hold people back from booking an appointment. If you can think of any questions that we may have forgotten, please leave a comment or send us a private message through our social media channels and we will be happy to answer you.