Gas & stomach noise
Massage, and not just abdominal massage, will have an impact on your digestive system and this is largely due to the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. That is as you relax your body utilises the parasympathetic nervous system also often referred to as the rest and digest mode. When you are stressed (in any sense of the word) your body will be functioning in fight or flight mode, which most have probably heard of, or the sympathetic nervous system. Many of us are functioning on the sympathetic nervous system most of the time and that is enough of an excuse to have more massages. When you are in the rest and digest your digestive system just does its thing, and that’s good, but that also means there will be noises and occasionally flatulence. So should you be embarrassed if you can’t hold it in? NO, in fact don’t hold it in! as soon as you start trying to contain it you will tense up, and we will notice and already know why you have tensed up, and you wont get the most out of your treatment. Have we seen, heard and smelt it before? YOU BET! I could not even count how many times it has happened over my career. We are taught it WILL happen and expect it. Do you need to apologise if it happens? Well that one comes down to you, its polite to say something but like I said we expect it and to be honest don’t care ( in the nicest way I can say that). Emotions It is completely normal to be emotional though a treatment or after a treatment. Massage therapists are good listeners if you want to talk and we can also give you space if you don’t. But also there is sometimes no reason you can think of for it happening, it could simply be due to the shift occurring within you to normalise your internal state, or a hormonal influence, as there is often a rush of feel good hormones released during a massage. Snoring & drooling I have joked with many clients about the level of compliment based on sleeping/snoring/drooling. And YES they have all happened in my treatments over the years, but in all seriousness it is completely normal and fine to sleep, snore and/or drool through your treatment and not something to be embarrassed about. Moaning & swearing Some people are more vocal than others and that’s fine, again it is a compliment, most of the time, I have had the odd treatment where the moaning was similar to that of Monica off friends, if you don’t know the reference she has a massage off her friend Phoebe and is EXTREMLY vocal, and of course that level can be a little over the top and disconcerting. But most importantly I’m not here to judge and am not easily offended so if you naturally respond that way or with the use of very colourful language that’s totally fine too. Erections Now there is a good thing about studying the body, in that I have a good understanding of it and know that a 100% NON sexual massage can give men an erection, and while I wouldn’t say it is necessarily a common occurrence it certainly happens. And again I don’t judge, unless there is an ulterior motive to it! For far too long massage has had an unfair reputation and unfortunately there are those who are using this to their advantage, but if you think having a massage with me means anything more you are sorely mistaken and there will be repercussions. Innocent actions are not something to be concerned about or embarrassed about. Body Hair & Appearance. Unfortunately not everyone is comfortable in their own skin, and this can obviously influence how you feel about getting a massage, but I’m here to tell you I’m not looking and judging, I’m to busy thinking about what I need to do and assessing what I am feeling. I have massaged all body types, shapes and sizes and to me a body is just a body to be massaged and its just that simple. When you are hoping on and off the table I will not be in the room with you, unless you are one of those super comfortable people who start undressing before I get the chance to leave, and you will be completely covered except where I am working. Women’s body hair really is a non-issue, we often feel the need to say something to help ourselves feel better, but you really don’t need to apologise simply because you haven’t shaved, how many of my male client do you think have apologised for not shaving? 1 in almost 12 years (he was a competitive cyclist). Health history At your first appointment you will complete an in-depth consultation form, and for some this may seem excessive, but what you may not know is that there are times were we need to know so that we can take the correct actions to ensure safety. I have over the years treated clients with serious diseases and the only time I would ever refuse service for health reasons, is when it is not safe to do so. My aim is to make you feel better not worse so all I can do is ask for honesty, and if you are unlucky enough to be living with one of these serious conditions know safety is paramount and you are welcome at Oriana Wellness any time, without judgment.
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AuthorI'm Sarah, Remedial Massage Therapist and owner of Oriana Wellness. Archives
April 2020
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