Congrats – you’ve booked your very first massage! You may be wondering if there is anything you should do beforehand to get the most out of your session. We have compiled a handful of recommendations below to make the experience a positive one.

Take a shower or bath. While good personal hygiene is a courtesy to your practitioner, the warm water can physically benefit you, too. Moist heat helps to bring circulation to tense muscles and change the consistency of connective tissue from a solid state to a gel-like state. If you opt for a soak, add two cups of Epsom salts to your bath water to reduce muscle soreness and boost your magnesium levels. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral. Side note: we don’t care if you shave your legs!

Skip the moisturizer, perfumes and makeup. Sometimes certain body products can interfere with how the lubricant we use on your skin glides, so it is best to skip it before your session. Your face will likely be in a face cradle for a period of time, so you may want to wait and apply any makeup after your session, as well.   

Avoid eating a heavy meal prior to your massage. Give yourself one to two hours to digest any food. There is nothing more uncomfortable than laying on a very full stomach!

Drink plenty of water the day of your session. Hydrating your cells and connective tissue is important when receiving bodywork. You may want to reduce your intake just prior to your appointment to avoid having to use the restroom during the session, but make sure to bring a bottle of water with you to drink afterwards. You will be thirsty! We will have water available for you, too.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol before your appointment. Both caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, meaning they can increase your need to urinate and leave you feeling dehydrated. While caffeine can leave you jittery, alcohol can alter your perception of pain. We want for you to be relaxed and naturally alert for your session so you can effectively respond about the pressure we’re using.

Exercise beforehand. Often, clients feel so good after a massage session that they will want to go out and exercise! A light walk or bike ride is fine, but more vigorous physical activity should be done before your appointment. A deep tissue massage can be enough of a workout for the body.

Dress in loose, comfortable clothing. You’ll be asked to undress to your comfort level for most massage sessions and wearing comfortable clothing will help expedite the process. Bring a change of clothes if you’re coming from work!

Fill out any intake and consent forms. We have recently gone paperless, so please fill out your intake forms online before arriving to the office and be prepared to discuss the areas you would like us to focus on, if any. If you are unsure about any recent injuries or illness, please contact us beforehand so we can determine if massage is indicated at the time of your appointment.

Leave ample time to get to the office. Your session will be more enjoyable if you are able to avoid feeling rushed upon arrival! We will greet you with a quiet reception area where you can comfortably wait for your session to begin.

Most importantly, enjoy your session! We look forward to welcoming you.