What Should I Expect During a Mobile Massage?

What Is the Difference Between Massage on a Portable Table Versus Chair Massage ?

Firstly, remember that Mobile Massage can be further divided into Chair Massage and Table Massage. Why does it matter so much which equipment the therapist is using? The equipment the therapist brings means quite a bit, actually, and you can expect a different experience with each.

What is Table Massage?

Mobile Massage with a Portable Massage Table is usually performed with the client disrobed (to their level of personal comfort) under a sheet. The therapist uses oil or lotion during the session, and the sessions are usually sixty, ninety, or two-hours. Sometimes In-Home Mobile Massage is side-by-side massage for two, better known as Couples Massage.

Mobile Massage utilizing a portable massage table is often restricted to in-home sessions, massages in a hotel room, massage therapy for patients in hospice, or for Geriatric Massage for elders at a nursing home.

Infrequently, events or corporate clients may request table massage, with the difference being that the client doesn't disrobe and no oils are used, and the sessions are brief. In those ways, such sessions are more like Chair Massage than the customary Table Massage.

What is Chair Massage?

Chair Massage is most appropriate in the work setting, as well as events of all types, and provides relatively quick sessions of Mobile Massage to many people. Chair Massage is done without the person receiving the massage having to disrobe. You can wear anything, even a dress or skirt. No oils or lotions are ever used, as these can stain clothing. Chair Massage is brief; from five to perhaps fifteen minute sessions for per person.

What Should I Expect During a Chair Massage Session?

Chair Massage sessions do not require the completion of a full Health Intake form. The therapist will quickly ask you if you have any health conditions, surgeries, or anything else they should know about, as well as where you'd like the therapist to focus, and why. With Chair Massage, they don't have the time to get into complex issues, but are still concerned with contraindications, and where they need to focus their time and effort.

This is in sharp contrast to a table massage session, which involves filling out a lengthy health intake form that may take a half-hour or so, usually sent by the Mobile Massage company during the week before the session, time permitting, or in the hours before a session if it's a last-minute booking. With Chair Massage, once the LMT has cleaned off the surfaces after the last person, you can sit down.

It's quick and efficient; Chair Massage is fast-paced; helping the most people in he shortest time is the goal. The session is comparatively brief, but feedback is still important, so do speak up. The LMT does not have as much information to go on as with an hour-long in-home table massage, for instance.

What Should I Expect During an in-Home Massage?

Expect you in-Home Massage to be just like a massage at a Day Spa or doctor's office, except that that the massage is performed in your home. All the benefits conferred by massage at a location also apply when you receive mobile massage.

The difference is your comfort. There is no way even the coziest day spa can beat one's home for feeling safe and secure. There's also privacy. At a massage location, you must jockey for the restroom. Everyone has to go after a session, so there's usually a line. And, you save time driving to and from the spa.

You should expect a quality Therapeutic Massage when you book with a reputable Mobile Massage company; in fact, the caliber of mobile massage LMTs far outshines that at most day spas. Why? In a therapist's career, the day spa is where you begin. The better Mobile Massage companies hire therapists that are top caliber, in comparison, often with far many more years of experience.

What Should I Expect Prior to an In-Home Massage?

Your Massage Therapist should arrive about ten to fifteen minute before the time the Mobile Massage company's concierge arranged previously by phone or text. If you've booked a session of In-Home Massage for the later hours of the day, please leave a light on outside if it's after dusk, so the therapist knows which house is yours. Also give a brief description of your home's appearance when speaking with our concierge. This saves time. It's not always easy reading the house number after dark.

Where Will the Mobile Massage Therapist Park?

Let the Mobile Massage concierge know the parking situation. If you have a driveway that the therapist can park in, let the customer service associate know. If there's ample street parking, that's fine as well, but do give word so that the therapist knows' what's up. If there's a fee for parking, customarily the client will pick up the tab. More often than not, the therapist can be "comped" and park for free or at a reduced rate at a garage associated with the client's building or development. (This must be cleared beforehand, of course.)

The therapist has to unload their vehicle and haul their stuff into your space, whether it's your own house, a hotel room, a hospice room, or your retirement home apartment. You should have a cleared space that you prepared previously, so that the area is neat and free of tripping hazards. If you have a dog or cat, strongly consider letting them stay in a locked room. This is just more courteous to the therapist, as well as your canine or feline friend.

You may offer to help carry some of their equipment, but that isn't necessary. If you or your family member wants to help carry the therapist's equipment, I'm sure they'll be quite appreciative, as the weight of everything adds up. In any case, you are under no obligation to lift a finger; it's your choice to do so.

Direct the therapist to where they have to set up their massage table. Show them where any power outlets might be, as oftentimes they will need a power source for their accessories. Also, show them the way to the bathroom; don't wait for them to ask.

Give the therapist some time to set up. It's courteous to offer water, but food is not necessary. After the session, if you want to offer food, it's more appropriate, as prior to the session, the LMT will be performing heavy manual labor for the next 60 to 90 minutes, and having a full stomach may not be their favorite way to work. Don't offer alcohol or recreational drugs, before or after. They have to drive, and it's really not appropriate, as they're a health professional, first.

Let the therapist have at least ten to fifteen minutes to set up. You don't need to hover, but don't disappear into the recesses of your home, either. The LMT shouldn't have to roam your house looking for you! Once they say that they're ready, let them know you've heard and don't delay in replying, verbally. "OK, I'll be in in a second" is fine. The therapist likely has other appointments afterwards, and if they're scrupulous, they will only charge for time you're on the table. And so, don't take advantage or unwittingly cost them!

What Do I Wear For My In-Home Massage?

The therapist may say something like, "I'm going to leave the room while you disrobe." Don't begin undressing until the therapist is in the bathroom and you've heard the door close. Remember, they may also have to pee, as they were on the road before arriving at your door! And so, give them some time. (Do be certain that you have ample toilet paper beforehand! It's really the least you can do.) The therapist will wash their hands, and do whatever else they need to do to be ready for the session.

The therapist will have told you whether to begin face-up or face-down. When you lie on the table, be sure you have this right, otherwise you're going to have to adjust yourself once the therapist walks in the door.

As far as what's comfortable to wear during the session, if there's oil being used, you must disrobe, at least to some degree. If there's no oil, you can keep all your clothing on, even under the sheet. (In fact, you can dispense with the sheet if you've chosen to remain fully clothed!)

You can disrobe completely, or you can leave your underwear on. If you keep your bra on, you're going to have to undo it once you're on your back. Since the LMT covers everything with a sheet, it's not really an issue, either way. Your breast will only be exposed if you are having breast massage performed, and then, once the LMT is done, your breast will be covered again. That's proper draping technique.

Why Must I Fill Out a Session Intake Form?

The therapist will be done in the bathroom at some point, and you may hear water running as they wash their hands. If you hear toilet flush but no hand washing, do say something! All health care workers are instructed to wash their hands for at least twenty seconds. Most LMTs will knock or announce themselves before entering, out of respect for the client. Once you say it's okay, they will enter and the session has begin.

You should have completed a Health Intake Form prior to the session. Your therapist will have all the details of your situation, and such info is treated with great care as it's HIPPA-protected data. Your LMT should always verbally review what's in your intake with you. If they begin massaging without such a discussion, have them pause and be sure they know your health specifics, including what modality you're looking for. The therapist may discuss your relevant health issues, where you're hurting, and anything else that will help them provide a quality session. (Remember, a Mobile Massage therapist, even a specialist in some modality, can never diagnose a condition, under penalty of law. However, an LMT can assess, which is all they need to proceed.)

Why Is Feedback During Mobile Massage Essential?

The therapist should ask if you're comfortable, and then they will begin. A good communicator will ask you frequently how you're feeling and whether the pressure good. If this isn't happening, you have every right to speak out without being asked, letting the therapist know whether the pressure is good, or if they're using too little or too much. If they are stretching you and it's hurting, say something! It's your right as a massage client, and the therapist will be able to perform a better session. Hopefully, they will take the hint and begin asking without prompting.

If you have to go use the bathroom, let the LMT know. (Know that this may come off your time; ask before you go, if you're concerned.) If you need to call your husband, by all means, ask TO EXCUSE yourself and make the call, right from the table!

If their music is annoying you, ask them to shut it. If you're too cold or too hot, say something! It's your time; you've paid, after all. So, get the most out of your Mobile Massage session as you can. If you don't like their choice of aromatherapy oils, request that they turn it off and open a window. Of course, the LMT is not your slave, but you're on your back (or tummy) covered in oil, probably nude or close to it, and so you could use the help. They will certainly understand.

What Should I Expect After My In-Home Massage Session?

If the LMT is good, the time will fly by and the session will be over before you know it.

The therapist will probably do some winding down as the massage draws to a close, and then gently tell you that the session has ended. Wait for them to go back to the bathroom to wash up, and then get up very slowly. Take your time. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy so don't rush going vertical from a horizontal position. Get dressed. You can wait for the LMT to return to the room, but you don't have to. If you need to use the bathroom, by all means, go ahead. Like before the session, if there's a door, the LMT will again knock, before entering.

If you've already paid, you can tell the therapist they can let themselves out after the session. But if you disappear to take a quick shower, and the LMT hasn't been paid, or they don't know where you've gone, they may end up waiting around for you unnecessarily. Please, always remember to be considerate of the LMT's time. It's most polite to wait for them to leave and then show them to the door. Most good therapists will ask you how you're feeling, as they're truly concerned with making a positive change for clients.

You may be given suggestions for exercises to do on your own. If you split too soon, you miss all this. Sometimes, it's unavoidable. But at least be there to let the therapist out, if nothing else, if it's doable. (If you can't, do be sure to contact the concierge to provide feedback!) You can reschedule with the therapist on the spot, but most Mobile Massage companies have a concierge service, and that would be the more likely route to rescheduling, via phone, e-mail, text, or in-app.

Sending the therapist off with a freezer-chilled bottle of water is the way to go. Therapeutic Massage is hard work, and this shows your appreciation that they're a real person doing a difficult job helping others.