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It is natural to feel intimidated when you first walk into a massage parlor or a spa. If you have never been to a masseuse, then the experience of being half naked can be a bit overwhelming. Especially if you are the type not casual about shedding your clothing. But the massage therapist performs an important duty. He or she gives massages to help the body recover from injury, stress or tension. It is a natural motion that you yourself have probably copied whenever you pulled a muscle. However, it always helps to know what is in store.

The first thing that will happen once you reach your massage room is that you will get undressed. The masseuse will instruct you to either lay face up or face down on the table. He or she will then cover your body with drapes. At this point in the appointment you will probably be advised about the different types of massages that you can choose from and asked what type of essential oil would work best for your particular needs. The easy part is picking the scent. The hard part is trying to decide on what type of massage to choose. Will it be a Thai massage, a Swedish massage or perhaps a stone massage.

There are a few massage techniques that seem to be more popular than others. These techniques are: Shiatsu, Swedish, Stone, and a sports massage. Each technique employs different hand pressure, working the muscle differently and may use different types of hand movements. The first three types can be found in most spas and resorts, whereas the sports one is generally used by physical therapists and massage therapists working with athletes who have strained their muscles during their sport or have become injured.

A stone one is very interesting in that hot rocks, not hot enough to burn the skin, are placed in different areas along your body. The heat and pressure from the stones seep into the muscles causing them to relax. This type, combined with other techniques, can give you a total bodywork massage that will leave you very relaxed and ready to tackle any other challenges that may come your way.

Massages and the essential oils used during the session can sometimes have a side effect. During a massage, toxins are released from the tense muscles. As well, sometimes the massage can do more harm than good if you are not use to a certain pressure and massage technique. You need to be aware of both issues and of the potential problems. Do not have the therapist press too hard during the massage. Drink plenty of water afterwards to help flush the toxins from your system. If you follow these two steps, then you can help head off any unwanted side effects.

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