Salon, Spa & Style
Amy George
Richmond.com
A massage is a great way to pamper yourself, but it can also be a healthy treat for your body. However, many people hesitate to schedule a massage because they are insecure with their body. Others have heard jokes about "happy endings" or worry about massage etiquette. Finding a skilled massage practitioner that you can trust is not always simple. For this month's "Salon, Spa, and Style," I visited Blades Day Spa for a massage.
Technically, a massage is the therapeutic application of pressure to body tissues. This is most often the muscles, but it also includes the tendons, ligaments and the lymphatic system. The Virginia Department of Health Professions requires anyone who provides professional massage services to become a Certified Massage Therapist. This requires 500 hours of training as well as successful completion of an examination administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
There are literally hundreds of styles of massage. One of the most commonly practiced and popular styles is Swedish Massage. Unless you specifically visit a practitioner of another style like Shiatsu, Thai Massage or Rolfing, most aspects of the massage will reflect the Swedish style. Light oils are used to reduce friction on the skin. While the client typically disrobes as much as he or she is comfortable, only the body part being worked on is exposed.
Massage therapists work in several different settings, including medical facilities, sports rehabilitation clinics, salons and spas. You can locate a massage therapist in your area at massagetherapy.com. A competent massage therapist will not be offended if you ask about certification or the styles that he or she practices.
Once you have found a massage therapist and scheduled an appointment, there are several more things to keep in mind. Before you go:
DO: Drink lots of water, both before and after the massage. Stimulating your lymphatic system and circulation is said to cause the body to shed toxins. Dehydrated muscles also can't respond as well to the therapeutic benefits.
DO: Shower and shave. I like to use an exfoliating glove instead of a sugar scrub because it doesn't leave any residue on my skin.
DON'T: Eat a big meal, or anything that might not agree with your stomach. Once, I scheduled a massage for the week before a friend's wedding. I hadn't eaten meat in several months, but enjoyed the prime rib at the rehearsal dinner without a thought. This was very bad timing for my massage the next morning.
DON'T: Apply scented lotions, perfume or spend a lot of time doing your hair. Let the oils and aromatherapy do their work. Likewise, your hair will probably be a bit rumpled and may have gotten a bit of oil in it, depending on the style and length.
DO: Be ready to communicate with the massage therapist. This includes not only your health history and general fitness level, but also any specific issues like aches and pains, lingering injuries or disabilities.
DO: Allow a bit of time before and after your massage. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment. Give yourself a window of at least an hour to enjoy the after-effects of a wonderful, relaxing experience.
I scheduled my massage at Blades Day Spa, a Willow Lawn destination since 1997. The spa has been recently remodeled and now includes salon, spa and laser skincare medi-spa services. It was a Saturday afternoon and the waiting area was populated by many women trying to schedule a walk-in appointment. Surprisingly, the person who welcomed me at the reception area, Angie, turned out to be my massage therapist. She offered me a glass of water, and I began to fill out the information form. This was my chance to communicate with the massage therapist about my preferences and health. I was offered a chance to use the restroom before I was shown to the room where I would receive my massage.
Technically, a massage is the therapeutic application of pressure to body tissues. This is most often the muscles, but it also includes the tendons, ligaments and the lymphatic system. The Virginia Department of Health Professions requires anyone who provides professional massage services to become a Certified Massage Therapist. This requires 500 hours of training as well as successful completion of an examination administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
There are literally hundreds of styles of massage. One of the most commonly practiced and popular styles is Swedish Massage. Unless you specifically visit a practitioner of another style like Shiatsu, Thai Massage or Rolfing, most aspects of the massage will reflect the Swedish style. Light oils are used to reduce friction on the skin. While the client typically disrobes as much as he or she is comfortable, only the body part being worked on is exposed.
Massage therapists work in several different settings, including medical facilities, sports rehabilitation clinics, salons and spas. You can locate a massage therapist in your area at massagetherapy.com. A competent massage therapist will not be offended if you ask about certification or the styles that he or she practices.
Once you have found a massage therapist and scheduled an appointment, there are several more things to keep in mind. Before you go:
DO: Drink lots of water, both before and after the massage. Stimulating your lymphatic system and circulation is said to cause the body to shed toxins. Dehydrated muscles also can't respond as well to the therapeutic benefits.
DO: Shower and shave. I like to use an exfoliating glove instead of a sugar scrub because it doesn't leave any residue on my skin.
DON'T: Eat a big meal, or anything that might not agree with your stomach. Once, I scheduled a massage for the week before a friend's wedding. I hadn't eaten meat in several months, but enjoyed the prime rib at the rehearsal dinner without a thought. This was very bad timing for my massage the next morning.
DON'T: Apply scented lotions, perfume or spend a lot of time doing your hair. Let the oils and aromatherapy do their work. Likewise, your hair will probably be a bit rumpled and may have gotten a bit of oil in it, depending on the style and length.
DO: Be ready to communicate with the massage therapist. This includes not only your health history and general fitness level, but also any specific issues like aches and pains, lingering injuries or disabilities.
DO: Allow a bit of time before and after your massage. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment. Give yourself a window of at least an hour to enjoy the after-effects of a wonderful, relaxing experience.
I scheduled my massage at Blades Day Spa, a Willow Lawn destination since 1997. The spa has been recently remodeled and now includes salon, spa and laser skincare medi-spa services. It was a Saturday afternoon and the waiting area was populated by many women trying to schedule a walk-in appointment. Surprisingly, the person who welcomed me at the reception area, Angie, turned out to be my massage therapist. She offered me a glass of water, and I began to fill out the information form. This was my chance to communicate with the massage therapist about my preferences and health. I was offered a chance to use the restroom before I was shown to the room where I would receive my massage.
Labels: body lotion, lotions, massage oil, oil, Salon, Spa, Style
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