When the Massage Is Over

It is really helpful to let me know what you liked and what I could have done. If it wasn't something you would like to talk about in person, you can always call me or send me an email. I won't be offended and if I'm not able to help you, I can always recommend you to another therapist who probably can.

This is the part I hate discussing, but clients do ask sometimes about what is appropriate to tip or how do I prefer my gratuity. I am an independent contractor and do not receive promotions or pay raises. If you are pleased with the massage, a tip is always appreciated (20% is considered standard). If you pay with credit card, a gratuity can be written into the cost on our copy of the receipt, but because they don't charge you a credit card fee, they charge the therapists a credit card fee. I do prefer cash or check gratuities if you do want to tip, but the BEST tip of all is telling all your friends and family about me and also becoming a repeat client of mine. I love that!

Please remember to drink a lot of water after your massage. In fact I will give you a cup of water to drink before you leave. This will help relieve any soreness and assist in flushing metabolic toxins out of the muscles. You do not NEED to drink it, but it is really encouraged. Massage is basically a mild exercise that gets your muscles moving and what is taught as early as PE in grade school is that you should keep hydrated, and as early as a pediatric visit, that water is IMPORTANT to keep your excretory system healthy as well as the rest of your body.

Most importantly, people should drink water after a massage because massage can be dehydrating. The manipulation of the muscles depletes them of water, and also moves the fluid in the interstitial spaces between the muscles around. By drinking water, people can rehydrate their muscles, reducing the potential for pain and soreness in the days following a massage. For the same reason, people drink water after exercise and other forms of exertion, because when the muscles are worked, they lose water and electrolytes.

Water also helps bring you "back to earth." Sometimes after a massage people can become disoriented or off-balance. Water will help set them back to normal again.

Experience