Your Personal Hygiene and Massage

Good personal hygiene is a key factor when keeping your body healthy. Avoiding bacteria, viruses and any other pathogens that may easily make you ill may all be avoided with the discipline and care of your body through routine personal hygiene.

Much like visiting your doctor or any other professional that will be examining and treating your body, having a clean and fresh appearance is crucial to a comfortable experience for both you and the health provider. This includes massage therapists.

Bad Breathe

Deep breathing is a tool that many massage therapists use during a session to promote relaxation. Bad breathe may be a symptom of a deeper illness such as certain cancers, gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic disorders. But in the majority of people, it is the cause of poor dental hygiene. Good routine care of your mouth makes a difference in preventing disease in your health overall. Most likely you’ll be talking with your massage therapist at close range and they may be guiding you through some breathing to prepare your for your session. Pack a portable toothbrush and mouthwash in your belongings. Arrive a few minutes before your session, visit the bathroom and clean your mouth for at least a minute or two before you begin.

Body Hair

” My hair is dirty, you can do whatever you want”. This phrase is code for a scalp massage. Personally, the idea of running my fingers through hair you’ve just labeled as dirty makes me feel highly uncomfortable. Instead, ask your massage therapist specifically for a scalp massage if this is your request. Most massage therapist will advise people to avoid coming into a massage if they’ve just spent money in a salon. We enjoy giving a good scalp massage and understand the benefits of it. Wash your hair the day before the massage if possible. Hair that smells bad or hasn’t been cleaned well is a distraction for many therapists.

Underarms, arms and legs

Whether your a man or a woman, the way you choose to grow the hair on your body is a personal decision. Some people believe that hairless means clean and others find freedom in being able to grow out their body hair. There is no judgement either way. Hair does attract scent and bacteria, be mindful of this and clean it before a massage session. If the facility you’re visiting doesn’t have a shower, bring body wipes for yourself.

Nails

Avoid having a manicure and pedicure (with paint) just before your massage. As beautiful and clean as your nails are ,the paint is wet and will most likely get ruined by the sheets.

Nail care is crucial to good health and poor hygiene can trap orders within a nail. Long toe nails have been known to cut massage therapists and are unappealing to work on. There are cases where some people are unable to reach their feet such as with pregnancy. Getting frequent pedicures in a clean and sanitary environment is important. Keep your toe nails short and brush underneath the nail before your massage session.

Bathroom

A massage normally takes anywhere between an hour to an hour an a half. During that time you may feel the need to use the toilet. After every toilet use be certain to wash your hands. If your hands are suffering from repetitive use then your therapist will need to work on them. If there is a hand sanitizer in the treatment room use one pump on your hands before you get on the therapy table.

Sickness

If you are ill with a contagious virus or bacteria, especially one that can be spread air borne please do not keep your massage appointment. Enclosed areas are the common workspace of many therapists. By keeping your session you’re placing your therapist and others that follow you at risk. Wearing a mask will reduce but not eliminate this threat. Children, pregnant women and those with weaker immune systems may suffer due to your decision. Also, your massage therapist cannot work if they are sick, removing their ability to earn an income. I once had a woman arrive to her appointment with the sniffles. Against by better judgement I chose to massage her. Two weeks feeling miserable, fighting a fever and on bed rest and a long list of lost appointments is the price I had to pay for that decision. Check with the front desk on cancellation policies regarding illnesses. No one wants to be ill and canceling your appointment will be the safest option for all.

Depression

A state of declining mental health can leave a person in a place where good personal hygiene may not be a priority. This is a sensitive topic but if poor hygiene continues to be an issue, your massage therapist may ask about your emotional well being.

Our mental state, the way we value ourselves and our self esteem is often manifested in our personal hygiene and overall cleanliness of our living and work space. If you’re depressed, please speak with some one or ask your massage therapists for a good referral.

Injuries

If you’re living alone and physically injured, it’s understandable that cleaning your body may be a chore. Allow me to encourage you to do as much as you can or seek professional help from a nursing aid or family or friend. This advise is less about the comfort of your massage therapist and more for your overall health. Even when nursing an injury you can lessen the frustration by planning as much personal hygiene care for your healthiest state of mind and emotion.