Friday confessional. It’s been a while.
I love getting a massage. I talk about it on here, a lot. I would rather give up going out to eat, new shoes and a hair cut, just to get a massage. But, there’s a lot of mental prep before I get one.
When I get a massage, I really have to trust the person. Not because I want them to be good (although yes, I do want them to be good at their job) but because I’m going to be with them for the next hour or so, in my most vulnerable way. Naked. Exposed. No hiding and no returning.
Yes I know, I can wear clothes, and I can keep different pieces on. I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t make for the same experience. Whenever I go they always tell me to get undressed with as much as I am comfortable. I know the drill. And my fear of laying there naked isn’t because I ever fear something awful would happen or something inappropriate. That’s never been my fear, so that’s not where this is going. If that’s not it, then of course the next concern is body image.
I’m terrified of laying there with my untoned back/legs/arms exposed. This is a panic I go through before each massage. It doesn’t matter who the therapist is. It’s the same recurring thoughts that race through my mind. I recently was lucky enough to find two massage therapists that I feel less self conscious with, but it’s not entirely gone.
I dont’ want to say I’m confident all other times of my day, but I can’t think of one other situation where I’m that nervous and that self-conscious. It’s something I thought I’d get over by now, but I haven’t. It doesn’t stop me entirely, but it does stop me from possibly having as many as I’d like.
Have you ever had that OH NO moment before a massage? Any other activities suddenly remind you how self conscious you are?
I'm a 30-something yoga-lovin', tea-drinkin' high school teacher struggling to find my place in this crazy world. My blog focuses on my journey to lose weight, get healthy, and our attempts to become a family of three. I spend a lot of time exploring and embracing Akron, often photo-documenting my trips. Everything else is just the glitter in my life that adds to who I am.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As a massage therapist, thanks for this reminder Susan. I sometimes wonder why some people don’t come in more often when I know they enjoy massage.
When I first started getting massages, then when I was learning, I was nervous. I quickly learned a few things though. I found that the people working on my less than perfect body really didn’t care that it wasn’t perfect; they just wanted to make me feel better. I found myself feeling the same way. I’m interested in helping a person with their current problem (like back or neck pain), regardless of how they look.
Second, MT’s make observations about bodies, but not judgments. I can observe that a person’s neck is stiff but have no idea the cause of it, other than what I have been told.
Third, everything about a session is confidential. Trust is crucial in my business, so I won’t be talking about anything concerning a client to another client.
One of the things I like a lot about massage is that it helps people with body image issues. It helps people accept their body as it is today; and if they have a goal to change something, they seem to be better able to accomplish it. It helps you to be yourself – with yourself.
Twitter: acurls
July 20, 2012 at 11:51 am
my oh-no moments about massage now are…. “i hope i don’t have gas. is my stomach too rumbly? i hope i won’t have to go to the bathroom.”
i used to be self-conscious about my body image, and sometimes i will catch myself thinking, “are these the widest thighs they’ve ever seen”? but i have to remind myself that these folks are professionals who entered into a career to nourish and take care of the body. that responsibility comes in all shapes and sizes, and i’m highly doubtful there is judgement in the room. the massage therapists responsibility is to address OUR body concerns and they are there to serve US. i just try to keep that in mind. same thing goes with pedicures – i also worry that my feet are too gross, but think of all the things those pedicurists have seen! i’m sure massage therapists have seen it all too, and it’s their job to treat all of us
speaking of massage – i have one in 9 minutes! i better hop to it
Yes! I feel like this sometimes too. Once, I had my BUTT MASSAGED. Like, full on cheek. It was terrifying and I think that was the last time I had one. LOL.
Alicia, those “oh no” issues are no surprise to a mt and are not a big deal. Actually a rumbly stomach is a sign you are really relaxed, so it’s a good thing. You are correct, massage is about YOU. If you are not taken care of, you will find somewhere else to go.
Julie, since it’s your time, speak up at any point about what you want or don’t want with your therapist. Nothing should come as a big surprise.
Sounds like you are overdue – I’ll offer you a deal if you want to give me a try.
These comments are all very informative to help me understand better what people think when they think of massage.