Clueless as to how to choose the right massage for you? Have you chosen the wrong massage in the past and been sorely disappointed? We get it! It has happened to us, too, and we are massage therapists (ugh). So, let’s look at how to fix that so it never happens again.
Your First Decision
First, choose the right massage by asking WHY you want one. Check out this list and narrow your reason(s) first:
- Pain.
- Stress and I need to disappear.
- Improve my ability to move or exercise.
- Immune or lymphatic deficiency.
- My friends say massage is fantastic, and I’m just curious.
- I need to use my gift certificate.
- Other
Your Second Decision
Well, it’s like anything else in life, you gotta get your priorities straight. Accordingly, no matter how many of the above six problems you choose, you surely have one issue that is the most important to you. Once you’ve determined that, you must then tell your therapist before you get on the table. Chances are, they will be asking you questions to lead you to that from the initial “hello.”
I know some of you think a massage therapist can solve every problem in a single massage. We appreciate your confidence. However, that is unrealistic. Please prioritize your issues in order of importance. A massage therapist needs to manage their time to address your top issue. Therefore, that conversation needs to happen before you get on the table. Once the therapist starts and the clock starts ticking down, they have mentally set their routine. Giving them a surprise redirection mid-massage can be frustrating. They may be unable to adjust and deliver the results you were looking for. No one wants to walk away unhappy.
Simple Switcharoo
Now that you know why you want a massage, your therapist will either tell you that the massage you signed up for is the right one or help you choose another one—remember, this conversation happens before you get on the table. So, let’s say you signed up for a 60-minute Relaxing Warm Himalayan Salt Stone Massage, but you say that “pain in your left calf” is what you really need work on. The therapist will then inform you that the massage you chose allows only about 10 minutes of light pressure on any one area of focus. This time and pressure will not be enough for them to discover what is wrong, let alone treat the problem. They will then give you options. Example:
- You can stick with the 60-minute salt stone massage, add 15 minutes of target-area work
- change the service entirely to a 45-minute Just FIX Me™ (just target-area work).
In other words, don’t worry about booking the wrong massage. Your therapist will ensure you get the right one with a simple conversation before your massage starts.
Simple Menu Guide
Here is a simple guide to finding the right massage for pain. Tools may be used depending on the therapist. The amount of pressure from any therapist is at their discretion. Sometimes they know “less is more” based on things you might not consider, like medicines, exposed blood vessels/nerves. IF YOU PREFER HEAVY PRESSURE, please ask for a therapist who does deep work.
- 70-minute NY Style Signature (full body): 10-15 minutes on one small area of focus. 50-55 minutes of this service will be spent on completing a full body.
- 90-minute NY Style Signature (full body): 15-20 minutes on one small area of focus. 70 minutes of this service will be spent on completing a full body.
- 45-minute Just FIX Me™ or Crick FIX™ (not a full body): 45 min very focused work on one area
- 60-minute Just FIX Me™ (not a full body): 60 min very focused work on one to two areas
- 90-minute Muscle Meltdown™ (full body): 90 min specific heavy pressure over your whole body
Best of All Worlds
If you chose stress or any other initial reason for massage, you can’t go wrong with selecting our most popular 70—or 90-minute New York Style Signature Massage. It addresses stress, lymphatic, immune, flexibility, and many other issues, and you can choose the pressure and a small area of focus (approx. 15 min). This massage is perfect for non-specific or mild aches. This massage is also great for first-timers because it allows us to evaluate your whole body and provide real-time feedback on issues you may not be aware of or that are contributing to your complaints. If this happens, we can make a plan with you to address all the problems going forward and provide you with current self-help recommendations! Look at it like doing a 100,000-mile maintenance check-up on your car.
Free Consultations
If you are still unsure which massage to book and want to speak with someone about your specific issues, we always offer free phone consultations. Call our front desk (270-904-3474), and the receptionist will have a therapist call you back. Lastly, we have a complete list of tips to improve your massage experience.