Massage Etiquette

Most massage therapists will greet a new client and do their best to make them feel welcome.  We will introduce ourselves, review the intake form, and ask questions that help us formulate a treatment plan.  Then we do our level best to give a great massage that will leave the client wanting more.  But what can the client and therapist collectively do to make the massage more harmonious?   I have made a list of things that I feel are both common courtesy and proper massage etiquette.

1.  Cleanliness.  Of course that is a dual standard.  Both client and therapist should be free of body funk.  Take a shower.  Use deodorant.  Brush your teeth.  Wear shirts that cover your armpits--nobody wants a therapist to lean over them and have their sweaty, smelly pits flood their noses with body odor.

2.  Diet.  If you are going to be receiving a massage, it is better on an empty stomach.  Why?  Too much water and coffee can necessitate a bathroom break in the middle of your massage.  Heavy meals can make the stomach gurgle loudly and while this does not bother a massage therapist, it might be a source of embarrassment for the client.  If you eat lots of garlic and onions you can expect these scents to ooze out of your pores during the massage.  LMT's are not vampires so please feel free to leave your garlic at home.

3.  Punctuality.  If  you schedule an appointment at 1:00 pm, show up at this time or a few minutes before.  Therapists should arrive at the clinic a minimum of 15 minutes prior to their first appointment so they can turn on the table warmer, adjust the table, turn on music, etc.   We value your time, please value ours.

4.  Noise.  Chances are more than one massage is going on in a busy clinic so please use your "massage voice" when you enter the clinic.  Clients walking in and yelling "HOLY SHIT I AM GLAD TO BE HERE!" is entertaining to your therapist, but not so much to other clients who are still on the massage table.  Turn your cell phone off or conduct your calls outside so other clients are not bothered by your ringtones or conversations.  How would you feel if the therapist answered a call or text while they were working on you?  Therapists should leave their phones outside the treatment room so they can focus on the client and not disturb the bliss zone.

5. Conversation.  Feel free to chat your massage therapist up if you like.  Therapists should communicate about pressure, pain and movements unless the client indicates they enjoy talking during their massage.  Don't be afraid to mix it up--some massages you might feel chatty and others you might prefer silence, so make your desires known.

6.  Tips.  While we do not expect tips, they are always welcome.  Some people view the massage session as health maintenance and they would never consider tipping their physician so they assume the same position with their massage therapist.  This is okay!  Some view LMT's like their hairstylists and tip us accordingly.  This is okay too!  In other words, don't sweat the little stuff.

7.  Input.  If your massage was everything that you hoped it would be, please feel free to let your therapist know your thoughts.  We welcome your input as to what you thought worked well and what you felt was not effective.  If something hurts please speak up so that we can adjust and give you the massage you imagined.  If the spot we are working feels particularly good, tell us so we can spend a little more time in that area.
Communication is key and that works for both therapist and client.

8.  Scheduling Appointments.  When you schedule your appointment please be mindful that this time is reserved just for you.  Massage therapists are only paid when they are working, so please do not call at the last minute to cancel your appointment UNLESS you have an emergency that requires your attention.  More often than not a last minute cancellation cannot be filled so the therapist loses income.  What is worse than a last minute cancellation?  A person that no-shows.   Not calling and not showing up for your scheduled appointment is a really big no-no.

This is not a complete list, but it hits most of the high points.  If you have other items to add to this list, please leave your comments.  Thanks in advance for your consideration.