The Newbie’s Guide to Massage

Quite often I work with clients who have no previous experience of massage therapy.

Picture the scene: you booked your appointment online and having searched every building for the number 34 (EHHH, is it not at the other side of town? How long has this place been here? Oh they have a lift THANK GOODNESS!). Now you’re sitting in the waiting room filling out a consultation form and waiting on yours truly to show her face…

…and then the thoughts pop into your head:

Is massage for me? Am I going to enjoy it? What’s actually going to happen when I get in there? WHAT AM I DOING HERE?!

You might be that person. Or perhaps you’re reading this as a newbie, venturing into the world of massage for the first time; wanting to try it out but not sure if it’s really for you.

Press the buzzer and grab a seat!

Fear not chaps and chapesses! Jane is here to talk you through the most common queries I hear from first time clients and concerned emailers.

Let’s talk…

Is massage for me?

Generally speaking – YES ABSOLUTELY! Here at the Glasgow Treatment Rooms we welcome people from all walks of life. We always conduct a consultation prior to starting your massage to ensure we cover any health issues or queries you may have about the session.

Your session is your opportunity to ask questions and talk over any issues you may have. If something doesn’t make sense, it’s never a stupid question! Always seek clarification on anything that sounds remotely alien to you.

Am I going to enjoy it?

Hopefully yes! Depending on the nature of your visit depends on the pressure applied and the type of massage we do on the day.

Are you stressed? Run down? Feeling a bit frazzled? Doing the work of ten people on your lonesome? Then a slow, deep tissue massage will leave you feeling calmer, lighter, looser and ultimately feeling fabulous. This form of targeted therapeutic work aims to reduce your levels of stress and anxiety and have you floating out the room at the end of the session.

Or perhaps you’re a keen runner, desk jockey or gym goer with a niggling muscle ache that just will not budge. While you can still feel great at the end of your session, we may decide to focus on more targeted areas of the body with greater pressure as opposed to the slow, flowing style of massage above. Certain areas may feel ‘tighter’ than expected; if at any point you’re feeling severe discomfort do let me know and we can ease off a little.

Super important point here: massage doesn’t have to be painful to be beneficial!

What’s actually going to happen when I get in there?

If you’ve never visited the Glasgow Treatment Rooms, the first thing you’ll experience is a spacious calm you never knew existed in the buildings of the city centre! Our therapy rooms feel like home: cosy and relaxing with a smattering of character.

As previously mentioned, the session begins with a consultation and I’ll tell you my aims of the massage based on the information you’ve given me. All information given is strictly confidential and we respect your privacy at all times. Depending on the nature of the massage will determine the level of undress required. Most sessions require undressing to boxer shorts or pants; we only ever expose the area being worked on at any given time. All other areas are covered.

This can often feel daunting to newcomers so if at any point you are not happy about undressing a particular area, please do tell me!

It is important that you feel comfortable and relaxed during your session. And don’t feel embarrassed if you nod off at any point. The massage magic is at work!

What am I doing here?

That all depends on your personal reasons. Maybe you have an injury that you feel massage can help with. Perhaps you need an hour to chill out and escape from the confines of your office. Maybe your work has healthcare cover and you’d like to give this massage stuff a go. Or maybe there is no reason. Maybe you’ve had that massage is beneficial and you’d like to make it part of your life.

Whatever your reasons, you will always be welcome.

I hope that answers some of your questions – now come in and say hi!