What should I do before a massage?

Every massage experience is different but I can tell you that when you enter into a session with us whether in a NYC at home session massage or you come to our Bronx massage office -- we always start the same way.

With a good massage therapist you'll be asked what your focus areas are. This can sound like "My shoulders are really stiff" "My neck has been hurting" or "I don't have any focus areas today"

Depending on where your focus area is we'll ask you if you want to spend majority of the session on that body part.

Answer honestly, there isn't a right or wrong answer.

Some therapist would rather do 60 minutes full body massages and others would thrive at doing only a neck, back, and shoulder massage.

So answering based on what you think they want to hear isn't the best way to start the session.

Disclaimer -- Not all massage therapist will ask about your focus areas. When this happens, you can volunteer it.

Afterward if necessary we'll tell you to undress to your comfort level. When you get a stretch only session or massage session with us this will either look like undressing down to your underwear or remaining in your shirt and shorts.

For stretch only sessions you need stretchy clothing. Can it be done in jeans? Yes.

But why would you want to have the restrictions of denim when you can have the full experience?

Healed by Paris is built on a foundation of stretching followed by massages. So EVERY session in some way has at least one stretch. The MORE clothing you have on the more stretches we can do.

If you undress to nothing, it is not practical to put your toe by your head. It leaves a lot of room for error with the draping, and sometimes the body guards more.

Instead of relaxing into a deep stretch you're subconsciously wondering if the breeze you feel is through the sheet or without one.

Also note especially when you visit our NYS massage practice --undressing in front of us as we hold a conversation is not necessary. We'll always allow you a moment of privacy no matter what time you arrive.

After you undress or remove your shoes (depending on the session) you'll follow table instructions.

Ie: Get under the sheet. Get on top of the sheet.

Depending on the service you'll be told where to lay down.

In NYS it is illegal to give no drape massages if you are undressed. Meaning that if you are told to hop on a table after all your clothing is off... you're already off to a sketchy start. Be weary.

At this point your session has begun. The length of the massage will vary depending on where you go.

For example: Some 60 minute massages are actually 50 minutes because they include 10 minutes for you to undress and get ready.

At an old job a 60 minute massage was more like 55 minutes because the time you spent getting undressed was deducted from your hands on time. The room had to be clean and swapped for the next client coming in 15 minutes.

Some 60 minute sessions are actually 60 minutes.

Also note your massage therapist is not always being stingy when you arrive late and they can't still give you your full time. We run on schedules.

Especially with HBP doing both in house massages and in office, it's important that we end on time. Sometimes right after your session we're running to another client.

IN CONCLUSION:

That is a short look into what to expect BEFORE your massage session.

Until next time, keep asking us questions in our DMs, comments, and emails so that we can write a post on them! And don't forget to book a session before your bones start aching.