How to get the most out of your massage
I personally know that I spend so long thinking about getting a massage, that when I actually get one, I forget to prepare for it. You can just turn up to a massage of course, but there are also a few things you can do to make your relaxation and relief go the extra way. Here’s how to get the most out of your massage:
Pick a massage therapist you connect with
There are so many types of massage out there, and most therapists will use a blend of techniques. So simply searching for “Fascial Release massage therapist London” won’t be a helpful way to find a massage that works for you. Consider if you want …
- your massage in a quiet area or a busy location?
- a studio that is by itself, or part of a bigger building?
- someone who is chatty, or quiet?
- someone who is purely focused on the physical, or mostly foucsed on the mental? Or someone who balances both?
- someone who is “purely” a massage therapist, or someone who incorporates other parts of their personality, values and practices into their work as well?
Once you’ve found a therapist you like, you should look at how they talk about massage, and their clients. You want to put yourself in the hands of someone who values your massage the same way you do. If you want to know about my values, I’ve written more about my beliefs on what makes a good massage.
Think about your massage goal
Our bodies’ problems are all connected, and tension in the body can densitise us from knowing what hurts. So its hard to know what to say to a massage therapist! It can feel easier to list lots of issues. But focusing on one issue per session will be more effective. It will mean your therapist can spend longer on certain problems for a deeper healing overall. This tends to have a surprising effect on connected areas, too. Its okay if you don’t know how to pick. A good massage therapist will help you choose in your pre massage consultation.
Ultimately just picking one area for one treatment will feel good, but it may not help with everything. Massage is a progressive treatment – the best way to deal with multiple issues is to get multiple massages. These cumulatively build up to deeper work over time. To get exclusive offers on future bookings, sign up to my newsletter.
Don’t be afraid to say what you need
A good massage therapist will intuit the client’s needs, moving to an area of the mind and body before the client is aware that it needs work. One of my goals with massage is that my clients can switch off, and stop thinking so hard about staying alert and safe. At the same time, a good massage therapist will make space for the client to input into the massage, for everything from temperature, thirst, pressure, pain, and sound.
Ie, a great massage is a co-creation between massage therapist and client. I’ve seen how this impacts the body too; when the body is able to feel safe and in control, it can relax, mentally and physically. So, if there’s something that you need, don’t be afraid to let me know. It makes the massage experience better for everyone. I love it when my clients advocate for themselves.
Prepare for afterwards
Water, rest, and don’t rush anywhere. A massage is like a workout; the more you take it easy to recover, the greater your benefit will be.
I would love to arrange our massage, so we can shift the tension you’ve been feeling. And I have a special offer at the moment, just for you! My appointments are limited, so make sure you don’t miss out. I look forward to hearing from you. – Cat
- Taro
As a trans person who is also autistic and has ADHD, I often struggle with the logistics of making/attending appointments, however, Massage Cat Therapy made the process of booking in for a massage extremely pleasant and comfortable. Prior to booking, I emailed Massage Cat to communicate my access needs - they... read more
- Roxanne
I've had several appointments with Cat now and I always leave feeling relaxed, looked after and very glad I booked. Cat is an excellent massage therapist, I highly recommend booking
- Nadia
I had a lovely massage I had with MCT. I expected a painful massage as I carry a lot of tension but it was calming and pleasant for my body and when Cat had finished I left feeling quite energised!
- Derick
To be honest, growing I've never thought massages were for me, even though I've also had a tense back. But MCT made me feel comfortable. And the massage was good! She's strong and firm, with gentle hands, and you can really tell she knows a lot of muscle anatomy. Also,... read more
- Oluwatosin
Even before I had my massage, I was anticipating good things based on Cat's clear communication, which continued throughout the session. I had an incredible massage - firm without being painful, relaxing and effective. Cat checked in, listened and responded to any request for change (there was only one - to... read more
- Giott
I had a wonderful massage experience with Massage Cat Therapy. They have a lot of knowledge about body anatomy and at the same time a lot of passion about it through which they made me understand what is going on in my body and what they were doing to relieve... read more
- Gemma
I have a great massage with Massage Cat. They made sure to find a time that suited both of us, and gave very clear instructions as to how to get to what could have been a hard to find location. Time was taken to get to know the individual issues... read more
- Angelica
If you’re considering booking, just do it. I’ve had 3 massages with MCT and each one was somehow better than the last. I always feel comfortable and in professional hands. Thank you for creating such an inclusive environment where my needs feel listened to and taken care of. The stiffness... read more
- Marcus
As a deaf man who relies on lipreading as well as being able to converse through writing things down, I appreciated not only having an amazing massage but also the fact that they took the time and patience to understand my communication needs and to communicate well with me throughout the session, which is... read more
- Conor
