Deep breathing helps facilitate relaxation. People often hold their breath when they feel anxious or when a sensitive area is being massaged. If this happens, let yourself breathe.	Feel free to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. Its important that you be as comfortable as possible during your massage. Your Massage Therapist is a professional dedicated to do their best to help you feel at ease.	Avoid a eating heavy meal or drinking alcohol before a massage session.
Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general your Massage Therapist will follow your lead, to help facilitate what you are most comfortable with.	Good communication is important. Before the session, let your Massage Therapist know what your needs are, and give accurate health information. During the massage session, report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage or anything else -- room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc. Feel free to give feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, etc.	Arrive just a few minutes before your scheduled appointment. Arriving late can lead to a frenzied, rushed state, it may take longer to relax.
Most massage treatments takes place nude but you are fully draped at all times. If you do not want to remove all your clothing, wear clothing that you will be comfortable wearing during the massage and will allow your Massage Therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be worked on.	Relax your muscles and your mind. Tightening up by contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. Let your Massage Therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique they use and may also be able to help you relax the affected area.	Be prepared to schedule several massage sessions. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you're getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed.
Arrive clean and showered. Its also very beneficial to exfoliate prior to a massage treatment if you have dry skin.	Taking a hot bath in Epsom salt for 15-20 minutes after your massage is recommended. It will help flush out the toxins that are in your body that have been moved around by the Massage Therapist.	It is recommended to drink extra water before and after a massage, this helps flush your system of toxins and keeps you hydrated.
Avoid getting up too quickly, and do allow for some quiet time after your massage session. If you're dizzy or light headed after the massage, try not to get off the table too fast. It also may take a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session.	If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more body-centered and to quiet your mind is to follow the hands of the Massage Therapist and focus on how the touch feels.	If you are feeling ill or 'under the weather' cancel your massage session as soon possible, at least 24-hours prior to your appointment. Everyone gets sick, and it is best for everyone involved to cancel the appointment to prevent the spread of germs and illness. You can always reschedule when you are feeling better.
Be receptive and open to the experience and trust in the professionalism of the Massage Therapist. Healing is a reciprocal process.