The Importance of Communication

Most everyone I know enjoys a nice relaxing massage. These sessions can be soothing, relieving, healing and even educational. When we enter into a treatment our therapist typically asks us if we have any problem areas or past injuries. After the initial communication process however, some of us prefer to remain silent for the duration of the massage. The lack of communication can lead to a misunderstanding of what is wrong and what areas need more self-care. Most therapists ask about pressure 5-10 minutes into the session but this tends to be where the talking ends. I myself enjoy asking people if tender spots are areas of typical irritation or whether these are new found trigger points. I also encourage the client to tell me if discomfort radiates down a limb because that often signals a bit of nerve damage or at least constriction. As a massage therapist my goal is to help others become aware of how important stretching, meditating, hydrating and the like can be in the overall healing process. I am only a conduit for a much larger transformation and I would like my clients to lengthen the benefits of a session as far into the future as possible. Simple steps like drinking extra filtered water and taking the day off to gently unwind with some yoga can benefit the body and mind immensely after an hour of bodywork. When I am able to communicate effectively with clients during their treatment they are more likely to remember the feel of the problem areas or perhaps the name of the muscle groups involved so they can later apply those tips to their stretching routine. When we pile on a bunch of information at the end of the massage people are not as likely to remember all that was said and suggested. In my opinion it is beneficial to both the practitioner as well as the client to develop a nice flow of communication during the treatment. This isn’t meant to be a distraction but rather an open-ended dialogue that allows questions to be answered and knowledge to be learned. Next time your therapist rolls over a tender spot be sure to speak up and ask what muscle or region was involved. Another wrinkle in the brain may mean one less kink in your body.


by Sarah McCallum
Massage Therapist