5 Questions You Might Be Afraid to Ask About Massage Therapy

Are you considering massage therapy, but have a few questions that are holding you back? You're not alone! Many people are hesitant to ask about massage therapy because they're afraid of looking uninformed. In this article, we'll answer five common questions about massage therapy and dispel any myths you may have heard. Once you understand the benefits of massage therapy, we hope you'll be inspired to visit our clinic in Jacksonville, Florida!

1. Do I need to take off all of my clothing (Including my underwear)?

The short answer is that it's ultimately up to you and how comfortable you feel. Some prefer to keep their underwear on and some are comfortable being completely nude.

Underwear can get in the way of your lower back, hips, glutes, or groin from getting the most out of a massage in that area, but a good alternative is thongs for women or briefs for men.

Licensed massage therapists are required to ensure that you are properly covered with a towel or sheet if you do decide to remove your underwear.

Ultimately it is up to you and what you feel most comfortable with.

2. Will the massage therapist be there when I undress?

In the United States, the massage therapist will not be present in the room when you are removing your clothing. You will be able to comfortably remove your clothes and lie face down under the top sheet of the massage table.

Take your time and don't feel like you need to rush or worry that you will be walked in on because the massage therapist will always knock and ask if you are ready.

3. Should I talk during the massage?

There are some people that choose to speak through their treatment but, don't feel like you need to if you don't want to. There are no expectations to holding a conversation with your massage therapist and they don't expect it either. Most people generally close their eyes and relax.

There are some massage therapies that require feedback to ensure that you're not uncomfortable but those tend to be deep tissue or sports massages.

Always be sure to inform your massage therapist if the room temperature is uncomfortable or if you're in pain. As well as if you have any massage-related questions or if you forgot to mention anything during the consultation.

4. What if I get an erection?

A lot of men have this fear, so they tend to avoid getting treatment or if they do, they don't relax during it. But don't fear because it is normal for men to get an erection during non-sexual massage therapy.

Being touched in certain areas can cause your body to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can cause either a full or partial erection. Your massage therapist is aware of this and will ignore it, but if you're still worried then you can wear a men's bikini, which will give more support than boxers.

5. I’m self-conscious about a certain part of my body and don’t want the therapist to see me. What can I do?

There are a lot of different reasons people may feel self-conscious. The most common reasons are:

• I'm overweight.

• I have excessive hair growth on my body.

• I’ve got acne on my face or back.

• My feet are ugly.

Having these thoughts or feelings should not stop you from getting the help you need. If you're not comfortable with a certain area of your body, you can ask the massage therapist to avoid that area, or you can request massage therapies that are done over clothes, like a Thai massage or shiatsu.

The bottom line is that you should not feel self-conscious or ashamed about any part of your body. Your massage therapist has seen it all before and is there to help you, not judge you.

We hope this article has helped answer some of the questions you may have been afraid to ask about massage therapy. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help!

North Florida Medical Center of Jacksonville is here to provide you with the answers to any questions you might have about massage therapy. If we didn't answer your specific question above, feel free to contact us and we'll be more than happy to chat with you about it.