Massage DO`s & DON`Ts

Before the massage

Don`t eat anything or at least refrain from a big meal for about one hour before your appointment. Try to arrive at least 10 minutes early. Take a few deep breaths and try to leave all your troubles outside the door of the Centre. If you feel thirsty, take a few sips of tea or water. However, be careful not to drink too much. The bladder and the organs of the digestive tract should not be overburdened. Make sure they are not. :)
Turn off your phone or put it on silent - it will be easier to focus on yourself, your body and the cooperation with the therapist. This is your time. Use it as fully as you can.

During the massage

Stay in touch with the masseuse: in a verbal or non-verbal way. If you feel discomfort or pain - express it. It`s okay to moan, hiss or groan. The masseuse feels when your muscles tense up, she can hear when your breath becomes shorter or faster. In spite of that, you can make her job easier. You can ask her to be more gentle or - if that`s what you need - ask her to work on your body harder. When she encounters an exceptionally painful spot or a tight cluster of muscles, tell her about it. Why pay for a session and afterwards regret communicating your needs to the therapist? It`s the worst feeling when you leave thinking ‘Oh, I wish that she had massaged me harder/more softly! That could have been the best massage of my life!’ :)

Remember to breathe. Thai massage is closely linked to yoga, and breathing is just as important here. Breathe consciously, try to take deep, steady breaths. This way your muscles will not tense up as much, thus diminishing any unpleasant experiences related to applied pressure.
Trust your masseuse. She has already given thousands of massages. She has massaged sturdy, muscular men and delicate women, elderly feeble persons and supple twenty year-olds, persons suffering from illnesses and professional sportsmen. She will not harm you. Thai massage, despite appearances, uses a full spectrum of natural and non-invasive techniques of working with the body.

After the massage

Put on your clothes slowly, avoiding any sudden moves. Do not worry about the massage stand - the therapist will come back to put it in order in a minute. Try not to run out the door and  immediately face your everyday issues, give yourself a moment. Sit down in the lobby and have some tea or water - it is important. When the weather is bad, close your jacket, wrap a scarf around your neck and put your hat on before you step outside. A sudden change in temperature may negatively affect your body.  Respect it - you came here to cherish it!

Contraindications – important information!

General recommendation is as follows: if you know of any illness, problems, or dysfunctions you may have and feel the massage may make the issue worse - communicate it to the masseuse or the person making your appointment. You do not need to provide a full medical diagnosis. It suffices to provide a simple example that goes like this: ‘My left knee hurts sometimes when I bend it, and my right wrist slightly swells when I work for a long time’, ‘I have a problem with a stiff shoulder’ or simply show ‘I can`t lift my arm any higher that this’. A therapist will more than likely see your issues herself, but there is no need in being additionally nervous and tense. When you tense up your muscles the massage becomes more painful.

However, there are certain situations when you should seriously think over the decision to make an appointment for a massage and, possibly, consult it with a doctor. There are circumstances in which a massage is contraindicated. These include:

• pregnancy (does not apply to relaxing facial and head treatment, which is safe during this period)
• infectious skin diseases, rashes, open lesions, unhealed postoperative wounds
• diseases and conditions of the circulatory system:
  • cardiac failure
  • during the period of up to 6 months post cardiac arrest in conservative treatment
  • during the period of up to 9 months post coronary artery stent placement
  • during the period of up to 12 months post ischemic brain stroke
  • atrial fibrillation without antithrombotic treatment or in the first month after commencement of antithrombotic treatment
  • atherosclerosis of lower limbs
  • aortic aneurysm
  • deep vein thrombosis during treatment
  • stenosis of cervical arteries ○ mechanical heart valve or cardiac pacemaker
• during the period of up to 2 weeks post injuries like: sprains, serious contusions, muscle and tendon tears
• during the period of up to 6 months post fractures
• brittle bones due to, e.g. neoplastic diseases or osteoporosis
• cases of acute inflammation and infectious diseases during treatment
• during the period of up to 6 months after traditional surgery, up to 3 months after cesarean section (after complete scar healing), up to 2 months after laparoscopic surgery
• directly post chemotherapy or radiotherapy and while going through them