Why Getting a Massage is Like a Relationship

Ever wonder why getting a massage can feel so much like dating? Here are a few reasons:

1. The Initial Awkwardness

Just like the first date, there’s that awkward moment when you’re not sure if you should talk or just lie there in silence. Do you make small talk about the weather, or do you just grunt in approval when they hit the right spot?

2. The Build-Up

There’s a lot of anticipation leading up to a massage. You think about it all day, just like you would before meeting someone special. “Will they be good? Will they know all my pressure points? Will I leave feeling like a new person or just slightly less tense?”

3. The Unexpected Surprises

Massage feels much better than you expected it to feel! The eye pillow, hot towel on the feet, the tingles, loose shoulders, there is so many surprises that you don't expect.

4. The Post-Massage Glow

After a good massage, you feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world.

5. The Regret

And let’s not forget the regret. You know, that moment when you think, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?"

And then lastly, the next massage you have, just know you will feel so much more comfortable and relax so much more and get way more out of your massage.

So next time you book a massage, remember: it’s not just about relaxation; it's a journey of bonding with your therapist and telling them your likes and dislikes and after a few sessions your massage is perfect for you!

How to prepare for your first massage

Here are some tips for your next massage.

1. Stay Hydrated. Being well hydrated before your massage is very important for the elimination of toxins that are released into the body's circulation during treatment.

2. Arrive clean. You will feel ready for a massage if you've had a shower before your massage. This will warm your muscles. It also means after your massage you can just relax for the rest of the day.

3. I also recommend exfoliating everywhere including your back to allow the oil to sink in to the skin. And this also boosts circulation.

4. Dress Comfortably. It can be difficult to put jeans on after your massage.

5. Wear your hair down or in a high pony tail. If it's too low it gets in the way of the neck. If it's in the centre then when you turn over you may find it uncomfortable to lay on. I can cover it up with a towel if it needs to be out the way.

6. Arrive in Advance. If this is your first time with me allow enough time to park and find the place.

7. Communicate your Needs. Don't suffer in silence. If you would like it lighter or firmer please say. Everyone's preference is different. Those who have asked for a light massage have ended up having deep tissue and those who have asked for firm sometimes realise they'd prefer a lighter massage. Different body parts often require different pressure.

8. Relax during the massage. Practice deep breathing to calm the nervous system. Try not to talk so you can properly enjoy your massage. Often people like to begin with talking and slowly stop and drift off.

Remember:

1. It's normal to fall asleep

2. I don't mind if you haven't shaved your legs or anywhere!

3. I don't mind what underwear you are wearing. Thong or granny pants - no judgement! Your oldest boxers with holes in them.. It's fine too!

4. I don't mind if you have dirty feet- I'm sure lots of people would mind, but I honestly don't. I hot towel them before hand (for everyone, so this isn't because yours are particularly dirty)

5. I don't mind if you snore!

6. I don't mind if you have patchy fake tan marks!

7. I don't mind if you are wearing make up or not. Doesn't make a difference.

8. I don't mind if you arrive with greasy hair.

• I recommend booking an hour for your first treatment, this allows your muscles to fully warm up.

• I cannot guarantee hair won't get oily. However hard I try. I won't purposely use oil in your hair, but even if massaging face or neck some may go in. Also if you get a hand massage the first thing you'll probably do is touch your hair and put oil in yourself.

• Bring: Water, Phone on silent, money to pay, light snack incase you feel light headed after.

What will happen when you arrive:

• I Kindly ask that you take a seat in Ambers hair dressing salon when you arrive (not Belles room).

• When I am ready for you I will welcome you into my room.

• We will discuss any areas you'd like me to focus on and double check you're booking in for the right treatment. We will discuss pressure preference.

• I will step outside and allow you to get ready. This requires you to come down to your underwear and remove your bra if you are wearing one. Remove necklaces, bulky rings, bracelets and watches. Can leave some rings, anklets, toe rings.

• You will then face down if appropriate underneath the top towel only.

• Pregnancy clients will lie on their side and facial clients will be face up.

• I then usually begin massage on the back and work on other areas if you so wish.

• I don't usually check pressure during a massage, so I don't disturb, but let me know if its too much or not enough. I start soft but will talk about this more below.

• After completing massage I will turn the light back on and discuss how you're feeling. I will offer you a class of water.

• I will then step outside and wait for you to come out once you're changed.

• We will then exchange payment at the reception desk.

• You can find any aftercare on my other page.

Pressure preference

Massage needs to start with a softer pressure to prepare the muscles to avoid causing injury. I will then do a range of pressure during your treatment. If you prefer a deeper pressure the majority will be firm but I will still need to start with a warm up pressure. If you prefer a lighter pressure then I will keep the moves thorough but less firm.

Please note when finding me: I work on a back to back basis, so I'm unable to reply to messages or answer phone calls. I may be able to answer 5-10 mins before your treatment so feel free to text or call 07715962738.

How to find me:

Unit 2 Imberhorne Business Centre, Imberhorne Way, Felbridge, RH19 1RL

Typing this address in should take you to this exact location. Some sat nav's may take you to the school so read instructions fully.

Drive down Imberhorne Way and keep going and look for O'grady.

On the door outside the unit you'll see a small pink sign saying "Hair by Ambs Curl". There's no unit 2 sign. Go through the door and up the stairs, then you'll find the hairdressing salon straight ahead. Within this room you will see my room on the left with my door sign "Big Feet Little Feet".

Take a seat on the chairs and I'll come collect you when I am ready as I may be with a client or cleaning or preparing my room.

Parking: There is limited parking outside the unit. There's also parking along the road nearby on the pavement. If you can't find a spot then there is parking by the car park nearby by the roundabout nearby pets at home which is a few minute.

The Benefits of Massage

Everyone who has had a massage knows the obvious benefit; relaxation. What if I told you there was many more reasons (or should I say 'excuses') as to why you should book a massage now!

Over the years massage is getting more and more popular in both men and women. Men are now realising why us women are so addicted to treating ourselves to a massage. Which is great when it means they want to take you on a spa day so they can benefit too!

So why is massage so beneficial? Well as stated before the main benefit is relaxation. When the body is tense and under stress, it produces unhealthy levels of the well-known stress hormone, cortisol. Massage therapy has been shown to decrease cortisol levels in the body, which helps the body to recover. This also helps to relax the muscles and reduces stress levels, even after the massage. Massage therapy reduces stress over a prolonged period of time. Especially with the use of essential oils, such as lavender. So the more you have- the better! We don't need to argue with that.

It relaxes the muscles- The purpose of massage, including deep tissue, is to target your aches and pains by increasing flexibility and helping to relax the muscles. This type of therapy helps to release endorphins (pain-killing hormones), which boost the dopamine and serotonin levels in the body. promoting healing and pain management. You'll walk out of your treatment feeling like a new person.

Posture! I think everybody's job affects their posture in some way. Chronic back pain is often the result of incorrect or poor posture while standing and/or sitting. Being hunched over all day can take a serious strain on your body. The more tired you get then the harder it is to maintain a good posture. But although massage can improve your posture it is important to try and train your body to keep aligned. Being overweight, poor posture, and repetitive or overuse of muscles can also contribute to the strain on the body. As a result, the added strain often causes spasms, pain, and tense muscles. Having a course of massage treatments allows the body to relax and loosen muscles made tense and sore via bad posture, this allows the body to position itself in a pain-free posture.

Massage also promotes circulation to the muscles, which increases nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues. This moves the blood through the damaged and congested areas of the body and pressure causes new blood to flow into tissues. This brings stiff and tense muscles the blood supply they need to promote healing which also helps to reduce pain and relax the muscles. Certain massage movements removes lactic acid from the muscle tissues. As a result, this action improves the lymph fluid circulation, which carries metabolic waste products away from internal organs and muscles. In turn, this results in lower blood pressure levels and improved overall body function.

Overall, massage makes you happy and can benefit people in different ways. Not had a massage before? Let the therapist know and they can explain the process and help make your first experience stress free. Book now to improve your overall wellbeing!

Thank you for reading- if you have any questions feel free to ask.