Stiff muscles. Tension. Low back pain. Arthritis pain. Or maybe you just need to feel a soothing touch. Whatever your reason, massage can be helpful.
In fact, while we often see images of full body massage, there are many different kinds of massage, from hand massage to chair massage.
When you make an appointment with a massage therapist, be sure to have an idea of the kind of massage you want. You won't necessarily have to disrobe, for example. But you'll want to wear soft clothing and no jewelry for your appointment.
For a one-hour massage, the massage therapist typically takes you to a private room, gives you a covering and leaves while you undress. You lie down and cover yourself. The therapist comes back when you are ready and begins the massage by uncovering the part (such as your foot) to be worked on first. A professional massage therapist will only uncover the part of your body they're working on, and will recover it before they move on to another area.
But a full-body massage while you lie down isn't your only option. You can get a massage while seated, for example. This might be useful for a person with atrial fibrillation, since completely reclining can sometimes disrupt their heart rhythm. You also don't have to completely undress for many types of massage. A back massage, for example, can be very helpful for tension and pain and it doesn't require disrobing. Simply tell the therapist what you want to do.
If you are a caregiver for an elderly loved one or someone with dementia, ask the massage therapist if they offer geriatric massage. This specialty service involves specific techniques to build trust with the client and uses gentle techniques.
You can also book shorter 30-minute massage appointments if you don't have time for a full hour or don't want to spend that much.
According to the Mayo Clinic, massage can improve circulation, relieve pain, and help with anxiety, depression, and even insomnia.
