Your Massage Questions Answered

via BHG.com

After Wednesday's post that focused on what to expect when you get a professional massage, a few readers had massage related questions. Rather than try to answer the questions in the comments section, I thought it would be best to do a separate post.


Q: Karen, My husband recently gave me a certificate for a one hour Swedish stone massage. Is one hour necessary? What is the deal with the stones? How does a stone help your muscles or is that all a gimmick? I've had massages before and I love them. They help me relax and de-stress, but have never noticed any effects other than that -- perhaps because they have been 30 min. massages? Your input will be appreciated!

A: In most stone massages the therapist will use both hot and cold stones. Some stones will be placed on the body in areas like the belly, low back and sternum. The heat from the stones increases circulation to the area where it’s placed and relaxes and soothes the muscles, much like a heating pad. Tiny cooled stones are sometimes placed on the clients eyelids. Cool stones will cause the blood vessels to constrict and help reduce puffiness in the eyes. In addition, hot stones in a range of sizes will be used to work various areas of the body, including arms, legs, neck and back. These stones are prepared in a hot water bath then coated in massage oil to allow the stones to slide over the surface of the body.

If you are going to have a stone massage, ask how long the therapist has been practicing this modality. It takes practice to give a stone massage. The stones must be kept at the proper temperature to avoid burns and also switched out often so that they remain warm to the touch. As well, the therapist must be mindful of bony areas of the body, such as the shins, and reduce the pressure applied.

Personally, I prefer a Swedish massage to a stone massage. With a stone massage the therapist must walk away from the client numerous times to refresh the stones. In my experience, this was not quite as relaxing.

To answer your second question regarding the benefits of massage, one post would only skim the surface. The main benefit of massage is that it increases circulation to all the organs of the body. For those who are inactive, the benefits are similar to exercise in that the therapist is essentially assisting the return of blood to the heart where it can be pumped throughout the body to bring a fresh supply of oxygen to the cells. Increased circulation aids in digestion and kidney activity, promoting the natural removal of toxins from the body. Increasing circulation to the body helps decrease swelling and inflammation as well. For instance, people, like me, who suffer from arthritis, may feel some relief in the joints following a massage.

Generally, consider how you feel after exercise and compare that to massage. You have increased circulation to your body and once your heart rate returns to normal, you feel relaxed and renewed. In many cases, the benefits of massage aren’t fully realized until a day or two after the massage. This is particularly true when someone has sought massage therapy for achy muscles.




Q: My biggest concern, besides the whole take off your clothes thing, is that I will be so relaxed that I will let out some weird moan or something. Are moaning (in a totally non-sexual way) sounds normal?

Letting out a moan is not only normal, it would let the therapist know that he or she is doing a great job.




Q: Erica from Certifiably Fit mentioned that she would love to get massages more frequently, but cost is an issue. (Erica, recently certified in personal training, just launched her new website. Check it out here.)

Prices for massage vary depending on where you reside. In my area of the country, spas charge anywhere from $50-$100 depending on the type of massage requested. (Higher rates are usually charged for deep tissue, sports massage and stone massage.) You may find better rates by contacting a therapist with a private practice.

Another option would be to contact a massage school and ask if they have a clinic where current students provide massage to the public for a reduced fee. The school I attended charged just $25 for a one hour massage from a current student. Be forewarned though, students are still honing their skills and the massage may not be as fluid as one you’d receive in a professional office, wellness center or spa.

A second option is to barter services with a massage therapist. When I practiced massage I routinely traded massages for haircuts, pedicures and facials. If you possess a skill that could be of value to the therapist, he or she may be willing to trade services. Perhaps the therapist needs help with her website or has a leaky faucet that needs repair. It never hurts to ask.




Q: I'd love to hear about tipping etiquette please.

A: When in doubt, you can ask the receptionist when you are making the appointment. As a rule of thumb, consider the setting. If you are visiting a day spa, generally people tip much as they would for a haircut or manicure. Generally, the therapists working in spas receive an hourly or per massage salary, but rely on tips to fill out their wages. However, if you are getting a massage in a medical setting, tipping may not be accepted. For instance, many chiropractors hire massage therapists to work on clients prior to adjustments. These therapists would likely be compensated at a higher rate and tips would not be expected.