Frequently Asked Questions

General Massage | Pre/Post-natal Massage | Infant Massage

General Massage

What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?

You will be asked to fill out a confidential client intake form. This form includes information that will help the massage therapist better individualize your massage by having information regarding your medical history, and by knowing what you do for work and recreation or hobbies. This can give the massage therapist some indication of which muscles may be overworked due to work- and/or play-related activities. It also gives the massage therapist information on conditions for which massage may not be appropriate or that may require a physician’s release prior to receiving massage therapy. The massage therapist will also visit with you prior to the massage to see what specifically you want to address during your massage session and what your expectations from the session are. The massage therapist may make several inquiries during the first massage as to appropriateness of depth and pressure to ensure you are comfortable.

Where will I be receiving my massage?

The massage takes place in a private room. Usually there is quiet, calming music and the lights may be down low to help you relax. You will be covered by sheets on a cushioned table with a headrest to support the head for the portion of the massage when you are resting on your stomach.

How much do I undress?

The massage therapist leaves the room for you to undress to your comfort level. The massage therapist will knock before re-entering the room to make sure you are ready and under the sheets on the table. While it is best to undress completely, it is not necessary. Some people leave on their underwear. You will be covered by sheets at all times, except for the part of the body that is being massaged. If there is any part that you wish to remain covered (for example, the abdomen, or the gluteals), please let the therapist know.

What do I do during my massage?

Make yourself comfortable. If the massage therapist needs to reposition you, she will ask you to change your position or may be able to do so herself. Some people fall asleep during their session and some people talk. Please let the massage therapist know your preference.

What if I do not like the pressure of the massage?

How much touch pressure is enjoyable to each person is different. Please speak up if the pressure is too much or too little. The massage therapist will be happy to adjust the pressure so that you are comfortable.

Are there times I should not get a massage?

Yes. This is why it is important to fill out the client intake form and to keep the massage therapist updated if you have any changes in your medical condition. If you are under a doctor’s care, it is best to have a release from the doctor to receive massage.

How will I feel after my massage?

It depends on the type of work you had done. Generally you will feel more relaxed and calmed. You might feel more energetic. You might be sore if you received deep tissue work--the soreness disappears after a day or two. If pain prompted your visit to the massage therapist, you may feel pain-free or have improved range of motion. Nearly everyone leaves with a smile. Because massage therapy releases toxins from the soft tissues, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage.

How often should I get a massage?

It depends on your goals regarding massage. If you are seeking pain relief , you may need several sessions in a month until you reach your desired goal. After that, you may just need one massage a month to maintain a level of comfort. Others need two massages a month. Many people get a monthly massage to prevent or reduce stress-related injuries or illnesses. Massage packages are available for those seeking massage on a regular basis.

Pre/Post-natal Massage

Is it safe for me to have my feet massaged during pregnancy?

Yes. During pregnancy a foot massage feels absolutely wonderful because the feet are carrying around the extra weight of pregnancy and they may also be swollen. There are pressure points on the foot that can cause contractions, but a trained pregnancy therapist knows how to massage the feet properly without bringing on contractions.

Is it safe for me to get a massage during the first trimester?

Yes. However, the abdomen is not massaged during the first trimester. While it is safe to massage the abdomen, it can cause undue anxiety because this is the most likely time for miscarriage. Since the point of getting a massage is to reduce stress, abdominal massage is not done until the second trimester. A light abdominal massage feels wonderful at that point. Many women experience nausea during the first trimester. Massage techniques can be adjusted to minimize the feelings of nausea during a massage; for example, rocking motions may be eliminated and the pressure of the massage can be adjusted. Some women prefer not to be touched at all during the first trimester.

Do you have a table with the belly cut out?

No. My training stressed the possible complications created by massaging a woman who was on her belly (prone position), particularly the increased pressure put on the uterus when the back is massaged with enough pressure to address the muscular strain. The prone position further aggravates the muscular strain as the pregnancy progresses. For these reasons, I use cushions to support a side-lying position after the first trimester. Clients who have had massages with the cushions and the belly table have told me the cushions were more comfortable.

When do I quit having massage during my pregnancy?

You can receive massages throughout your entire pregnancy, during labor, and after giving birth as long as there are no complicating circumstances. The massage is adjusted to address your primary complaints as the body structure changes throughout pregnancy. Massage during labor can help facilitate labor by helping the body to be more relaxed and assist in labor rather than resist it. Massage after the baby is born is incredibly helpful as the body becomes overworked with “mommy duties” in ways it hasn’t had to work before—such as continual feeding and carrying. Massage can help with the neck strain and arm pain that is common in new mothers. Massage postpartum also helps the body recover as the body structure changes again. Massage may also help lessen the “baby blues.”

How often should I get a massage during my pregnancy?

It depends on how you are feeling and what your goals are. If you are including massage as part of your overall health care program, getting a massage monthly would be suggested. As the muscular strain increases, or there is more discomfort that isn’t addressed with monthly sessions, increase them to twice a month.

How soon after giving birth can I receive a massage?

It depends on how your delivery went. If there were no complications, you can receive a massage as soon as you would like after delivery. Massage can help flush out the toxins like lactic acid from your body and help with the process of removing excess fluids from your body. If you had a cesarean section, a doctor’s release will be needed before receiving a massage.
 

Infant Massage

How old should my baby be before I begin massaging her/him?

You can start massaging your baby as soon as you are holding him after he is born. The massage can be as simple as stroking your baby’s face and hands while you are meeting each other for the first time. If for some reason you are unable to hold your baby but can still touch your baby right after he is born, the massage can be simply touching your baby on his feet, hands, or face. Nurturing touch is a good way to think about infant massage—it is more about touching your baby than doing a full blown body massage like you would think about getting for yourself.

Infant massage has been shown to be especially helpful with premature babies. Studies at the Touch Research Institutes in Miami showed that massaged preterm babies gained weight faster, were more social, slept better, and were released from the hospital sooner than preterm babies who were not massaged. Physiologically, food absorption was increased with massage.

What kind of oil or lotion do I use for massaging my baby?

It is best to consult with your physician before applying anything on your newborn.

For infants without any special needs, Infant Massage USA recommends you use a food-grade fruit or vegetable oil that is natural and edible. While organic and cold-pressed oils are preferred, anything in the baking/cooking section of the store would probably be suitable.

Suggested oils include:

Grapeseed
Apricot Kernel
Safflower
Sweet Almond (this is a tree nut, so use with care)

Keep in mind that babies put their hands, feet, legs, and arms in their mouth. Anything that is on the skin is going to be ingested, so whatever you put on the skin should be edible. Additionally, the oil is absorbed into the body through the skin. If it is not oil you would consider ingesting, then it would not be suitable for massaging your baby.

Babies have sensitive skin, so make sure they can tolerate the oil you choose before rubbing it all over their body. Rub a small area the baby cannot reach with the oil and wait to see if there is a reaction. This could be a local skin reaction, such as redness or bumps, or be a systemic reaction that would affect respiration and the skin or muscle tone. If there is no reaction after 30 minutes, then the oil is probably safe to use.

I received several baby lotions and oils as gifts. Can I use these for massaging my baby?

Check the ingredients of the lotions and oils. If they contain mineral oil, they are NOT suitable for massage. Ironically, baby oil is primarily mineral oil and should NOT be used. Mineral oil is a petroleum product and provides no nutritional value. It is believed to block the absorption of some vitamins and minerals that are needed by a rapidly growing baby. Mineral oil also blocks the pores on the skin. If inhaled, mineral oil can cause chemical pneumonia and can result in death.

As for lotions, even if they do not have mineral oil, they absorb quickly into the skin necessitating constant reapplication of lotion to keep your hands gliding smoothly across your baby’s skin. Food-grade oil is not absorbed as fast and results in a smoother massage.

Many “baby” lotions and oils are scented. Unscented oil is recommended during the first year of life. One of the benefits of infant massage is the enhanced bonding that occurs. The unique scent of the baby and the caregiver is part of the bonding process as the baby and caregiver recognize each other’s “scent signature.” The scented oils and lotions mask the individual scent and can overpower an infant’s sense of smell thereby blocking this powerful means of bonding.

As mentioned above, a good rule of thumb regarding oils is to think about whether or not you would use it to cook with. If not, then it is probably not suitable for massage.

What if I do not have time to give my baby a massage?

While you will be taught a series of strokes that can create a 20-minute massage session with your infant, this is by no means what is “required.” Some babies may not tolerate a 20-minute session and some caregivers may find it difficult to find a quiet 20 minutes to sit down and give a massage. Infant massage, or “nurturing touch,” can be done while feeding, changing, or holding the infant. A leg massage might be done while changing a diaper. A face massage might be done while holding her in your lap. An arm massage might be done while he is being fed. Throughout the day, there are many opportunities to give your infant nurturing touch, and on occasion you both might find the right time to have a longer focused massage session.

Why doesn’t my baby seem to enjoy his/her massage?

There could be many different reasons for this. Consider the baby’s comfort as far as temperature, surroundings, noise level, time of day, emotional and physical state. Is he/she hungry? Also consider your own emotional state—are you conveying relaxation and enjoyment? Try different times of day and fewer distractions. Did you ask the baby for “permission” to give him a massage? By asking for permission and looking for receptive cues and signals, a trusting and secure relationship is fostered. If the baby knows that her cues meaning “no” will be honored, she learns to expect that her rights about her body will be respected. This builds self-esteem and empowerment.

Is massage only for infants, or can I massage my older children?

Yes, you can massage your older children. Early practice of infant massage can critically influence a child’s healthy growth and development. The bonding an infant establishes with her primary caregivers will affect how she interacts with others throughout her life. Infant massage promotes nervous system development at a time when the nervous system is growing the fastest. Infant massage provides a foundation of communication between infant and caregiver that can extend into the years beyond infancy. While the style of massage changes as the child gets older, it helps maintain a strong bond and means of relaxed communication. This becomes especially important when other means of communication may become strained.