If just reading the word “massage” sends you into a reverie of lavender-scented candles and a playlist of Yanni’s best, you probably know how wonderful it can be to receive a treatment from a professional body. But as you sit there in a blissful state, have you ever wondered what your therapist is noticing about your overall health, how you deal with stress, and maybe even what kind of job you’ve had?
We spoke to pros from across the country to find out what they notice during a session and why it matters.
What do they notice when you first arrive?
Before you even step on the table, your massage therapist is paying attention.
“My awareness of my client begins with the initial greeting,” said the massage therapist treat Kathryn (yes, that’s his real name). “The way they carry themselves says a lot about how they use their bodies and where there may be restrictions, limitations or dysfunctions.”
If your massage therapist walks behind you on the way to the treatment room, there may be a good professional reason for it.
“I ask clients to walk ahead of me down the aisle,” the massage therapist said Dolly Wallacewho is the president National Certification Body for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. “I watch their gait and look to see if their shoulders are up, if one shoulder or hip is higher than the other, if they tilt their head to the right or left, or if their feet are supinated or pronated.”
During the intake process, therapists look for clues.
“I notice things like range of motion, symmetry, breathing patterns and body language,” masseuse Cindy Williams said. “I also notice things like how fast or loud someone is talking, how they are gesturing, and if they look tired or depressed.”
What can I say when the massage starts
“As soon as I start working, I can tell which areas of the body need the most work by the way the muscles and soft tissues feel under my hands,” said the massage therapist. Kristin Coverleyalso director of vocational training for Associate Professionals in Bodywork and Massage. “I let my body speak to me, tell me not only what areas to work on, but also what techniques to use and what level of pressure to apply. What I feel and all this information my hands are getting helps me make decisions about how much time to spend in a certain area, what techniques to use and what level of pressure is appropriate and beneficial.
The way you move throughout the day will quickly become apparent to your massage therapist.
“The neck, shoulders and back are definitely the biggest source of complaints for my clients because many of them spend long periods of the day sitting in front of a computer, going to work or watching TV,” Treat said.
Plus, massage therapists often know if you’re a runner because runners often have weak glutes, which Treat says is commonly known as “runner’s butt.” And if you have small children at home, he can usually tell by the unilateral “hip excursion.”
“It’s mainly caused by carrying babies on one side and usually leads to back pain,” Treat said.
The work you do – and your stress level – shows up in your body
Our work can put a strain on our bodies, which massage therapists notice.
“Many times, I can guess a client’s occupation from their symptoms and results,” Wallace said. “Long-haul truck drivers will complain of back pain from constant seat bounce due to difficult road conditions. Athletes often experience groin pain from overstretching the adductors. Students have neck, shoulder and back pain from carrying heavy backpacks.”
Treat also noted, “My clients who work in industries such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and drywall contractors often come in with overdeveloped forearms, back pain, and neck pain.
At work or outside, we all experience stress. And because we are unique unicorns, we take our stress to different places.
“Every client has a sign of stress that they can feel and address during a session, whether it’s their shoulders, neck, back, buttocks or jaw,” Coverly said. “A big part of my job is educating my clients about the areas that shrink when they’re stressed and encouraging them to practice targeted self-care to alleviate pain and discomfort between massage sessions.”
Masseur Jeffrey Montoya agreed that stress patterns vary from person to person.
“They say ‘our problems are in our tissues and our biography becomes our biology,'” Montoya said. “I notice patterns, like how the tightness in the shoulder can be a sign that a person is burdened or feels very responsible. People with back pain often do not have a sense of support from family or work. And anxiety is often associated with stomach and intestinal health problems.
Professional bodywork can help identify more serious health problems
However, it is not just about relaxation, as there is significant importance involved health promotion component to a regular massage regimen. And some of that health-related help can be totally unexpected, thanks to an attentive therapist. Actually, research on body shop professionals has shown which can play a strategic role in helping to establish timely diagnoses for many patients.
The most common potential health problems are moles that look abnormal or change in appearance over time, especially if they are located on the back or another part of the body that is not usually seen. Many eagle-eyed massage therapists have referred a client to a dermatologist for a prompt diagnosis.
Other problems may arise. “If I notice lumps or adhesions that don’t have the same texture as a normal muscle knot, that’s a good reason to see a doctor,” Treat said. “I was regularly working with a client when a lump in my throat felt different from the others. We suggested we make a doctor’s appointment and it turned out they had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, luckily caught in the early stages.”
Their work goes beyond the purely physical. If you start to cry during your treatment, your massage therapist will understand.
“Touch can sometimes trigger a long-buried memory of abuse or hurt,” Wallace said. “When those memories are triggered, I’m ready to refer them to a mental health professional who can help.”
There is value in being “seen, heard and understood”
“People usually don’t have a lot of time with their primary care provider, but massage therapists spend an hour at a time with you,” she noted. Whitney Lowe, Director of Clinical Massage Academy. “Our clients often develop a strong sense of trust and end up telling us things they wouldn’t tell their GP. This can be a significant problem because it can convey important things that change our understanding of what is really going on with an underlying disease or disorder.”
And finally, here’s a parting thought from the massage therapist Angie Parris-RaneyDirector of Publicity for ABMP: “In my 20+ years of practice, I’ve come to understand that people just want to be heard, seen and understood and have their pain validated,” she said.
“Sometimes just having a safe and supportive place with someone who listens deeply can already change your biology. Masseurs have a unique opportunity because they work with the whole body and can help support the whole being: body, mind and spirit.”
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.