If this is your first massage, you will want to arrive approximately 10-15 minutes early to complete a health history form and to discuss with your therapist what your goals for the session are.
Clients are usually asked to remove as much clothing as one is comfortable with and rest on a padded and warm massage table. To respect personal privacy and provide adequate warmth, the client is covered or draped with a sheet and blanket so that only the part of the body being worked on is exposed at any given time. The only body parts that are massaged during a session are the muscles of the: face, scalp, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet, back, stomach, and hip flexors and extensors.
Whether or not you would expect to talk during a session depends on your need at the time. Some clients need to talk, while some need silence. Massage therapists will accommodate to what the client needs. However, sometimes talking detracts from entering a state of relaxation or experiencing the physical or nonverbal dimensions of the massage. In any case, feel comfortable giving feedback about your needs and what you like or do not like during the session. Good communication enhances the massage session.
The massage therapist will use an oil or lotion designed for massage, but if you have an allergic response you should let the massage therapist know. Some massage therapists offer to play music during a session, others may feel it is distracting. Your massage therapist can answer many other questions you may have.
If for any reason you must miss a massage appointment, your massage therapist will surely appreciate being notified as soon as possible -- 24 hour advance notice is greatly appreciated. If the client is more than fifteen minutes late that time may be deducted from the scheduled session while being required to pay the full scheduled price. If the client is more than 25 minutes late it is suggested that the client reschedule the appointment.