First time massage at home: what to expect

Key takeaways

• You need a clear space of about two by two metres. The therapist brings everything else.
• Undress to the level you are comfortable with. Many people keep their underwear on.
• You stay covered with linens except the area being massaged.
• Shower before, eat lightly, and be ready a few minutes early.
• Speak up about pressure, temperature or anything else at any time.

Before the therapist arrives

Choose a room where you can relax: a living room, a bedroom or a hotel room all work. Clear a space of about two by two metres so the table fits with room to walk around it.

Take a warm shower beforehand, and eat a light meal an hour or two before rather than a heavy one right before. Set the air conditioning a little warmer than usual. Lying still, you will feel cooler than you expect.

Put your phone on silent, and let anyone else at home know you will be busy for the next hour or so.

• A clear space of about two by two metres.
• A comfortable room temperature.
• A shower and a light meal beforehand.
• Phone on silent.

What to wear

Wear something comfortable that is easy to take off. Before the massage starts, your therapist will step out or turn away while you undress and lie under the linens.

How much you take off is your choice. Many people keep their underwear on, and that is completely normal. If you would rather keep more on, say so. Your therapist will adapt.

Take off watches, rings and necklaces before you start, and tie back long hair if you can. Put them somewhere safe, away from the table, so you do not have to think about them during the session.

How draping works

Draping simply means you stay covered with linens throughout the session. Only the area being massaged is uncovered, for example your back or one leg, and it is covered again before your therapist moves on.

When it is time to turn over, your therapist holds the linen in place so you stay covered. You do not need to manage anything yourself. You can read more about our standards.

If anything about the draping does not feel right, say so straight away. You can ask for an area to be covered again, or to be left out of the session completely. Feeling at ease matters more than covering every muscle.

Timing on the day

Be ready a few minutes before the start time. Your therapist sets up the table and linens, then you have a short chat about what you want from the session.

Your massage time is hands-on time. A 60-minute session suits most first timers. If you already know you want more time on your back and shoulders, 90 minutes gives a calmer pace.

After the massage, the table is packed away and the room is left as it was.

Talking to your therapist

Before you start, mention any areas you want more focus on, and any you would like left alone. If you are pregnant, tell us when you book so we can arrange a pregnancy massage.

During the session, speak up if the pressure is too firm or too light, if you feel cold, or if anything is uncomfortable. It is your session. Some people like to chat, others prefer silence, and both are fine.

Which massage to start with

For a first massage, a Swedish massage is the usual choice. It uses long, flowing strokes with light to medium pressure and may help you feel relaxed.

If you train often or prefer firmer pressure, a deep tissue or sports massage may suit you better. You can always start lighter and ask for more pressure as the session goes on.

Not sure which to pick? Choose Swedish, and tell your therapist at the start that it is your first massage. Ask them to check the pressure with you in the first few minutes, and adjust from there.

After the massage

Get up slowly. Sit on the edge of the table for a moment before you stand. Drink a glass of water and take it easy for the rest of the day or evening.

Many people prefer not to shower straight away, so the oil can stay on the skin a little longer. If you book in the evening, you may find you sleep well that night.

Notice how you feel the next day. Did you like the pressure? Was 60 minutes enough? Those small notes make your second booking easier, and help you ask for exactly what you want.

Small worries everyone has

Most first timers worry about the same few things, and therapists have seen all of them many times. Falling asleep is common, and so is a stomach that rumbles halfway through. Neither needs an apology.

You do not need to shave, wear make-up or tidy the whole flat before the therapist arrives. A clear space and a calm room are enough. If your feet are ticklish, or you would rather not have your face or scalp touched, say so at the start and that area will be left out.

• Falling asleep: completely fine, your therapist simply carries on.
• Ticklish spots: mention them, and the pressure or the area changes.
• Feeling chilly: ask for an extra linen or a warmer room.
• Needing the bathroom: ask for a short pause. It is your session.

What you might feel later

Right after a massage, many people feel slow, warm and a little sleepy, as if they have just woken from a nap. Some feel a brief light-headed moment when they stand, which is one more reason to sit for a minute first.

If you chose firmer pressure, an area that was worked on may feel a little tender the next day, a bit like after a new workout. For most people that fades within a day. If something feels sharp or unusual, or does not settle, check with your doctor and mention it before your next booking.

Some people also find that a massage brings up feelings they did not expect, especially after a stressful few weeks. That is normal too. Give yourself a quiet evening if you can.