Chiropractors frequently suggest massage therapy to their patients who are experiencing neck, back, limb, or general body pain. If you have never had a professional massage, you may feel nervous and vulnerable. The apprehension some people feel is quickly changed to joy after the massage is complete, as people find the session relaxing and effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
Preparing For Your First Massage Therapy Appointment
Going to your first massage therapy appointment is very much like going to a doctor’s appointment with a new provider. Before the treatment begins, the therapist will take a thorough health history. He or she may have the advantage of seeing records from the doctor, but will still ask you questions about any stress, discomfort, numbness or tingling, or pain you’re feeling. She may then assess your standing posture, gait, and range of motion.
Because a massage involves skin contact, you should make the therapist aware of conditions such as sunburn, infectious skin diseases such as poison ivy, fever, dizziness, or nausea, or bruises on your body. Any of these conditions could cause a therapist to reschedule the appointment until your body is stable. In addition, if you take medication or are diabetic, have circulatory problems, immune disorders, musculo-skeletal conditions, etc., you should tell the therapist, who might modify the plan regimen to work around your conditions. Massage can affect multiple body systems and enhance or reduce the effects of drugs, so complete honesty is necessary to prevent any complications.
Once the therapist is up to speed about your medical conditions, it is almost time for the process to begin. The therapist will tell you in advance what they will be doing during the session. They will then leave the room while you remove your clothes and wrap yourself in a sheet. In working on you, the therapist will undrape part of the body where they are working, but if you are uncomfortable with the skin-to-skin contact, it is best to be upfront with the practitioner.Massage therapists are trained to avoid the breast and genital areas, but you can also tell them if there are specific areas of the body you want them to avoid.
What To Expect In The Massage Session
The goal of massage therapy is to relieve tightness in your muscles by reducing scar tissue, trigger points, adhesion, and common strain patterns so muscles can properly heal. To meet these goals, the therapist uses different techniques such as basic rubbing strokes, rocking movements, kneading, skin rolling, application of pressure to particular points, and more, to do the job.
During the massage, the therapist might play music and will engage in light conversation with you if this makes you feel more comfortable. It is very important for you to tell the therapist your pain levels and indicate what seems to offer relief vs. what increases pain. Because the therapist needs this feedback, they may keep talking to prevent you from falling asleep and stop communicating about the effects of the massage.
Once the massage is complete, the therapist will leave the room while you get dressed. Before you leave the office, they will usually offer water to help you flush waste products from your system. As you prepare to leave the session, you may feel fatigued or sore in the areas where the therapist worked on you. However, most people feel relaxed, renewed and centered, or invigorated and full of energy.
Massage Services At Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center
Whether your chiropractor recommends massage therapy or whether you want to try it on your own, we offer this service at Raintree Medical and Chiropractic Center. For more information about chiropractic treatment and massage therapy, us today at 816-623-3020 to request an appointment.