MASSAGE CONCERNS: HEAD & FACE
Massage therapy can bring up all kinds of anxiety and self-consciousness gremlins. And often they get in the way of receiving the pain and stress relief that massage therapy can provide.
First and foremost, you can always request that your massage therapist skips whatever area of your body you don't want them to massage. It's your time, your session, your body.
suffering scalps
Concerned about the condition of your scalp's skin due to dandruff, psoriasis, scabs, eczema?
Skin conditions on the scalp are incredibly common. Here's a few things to consider:
Sometimes the friction of massage or ingredients within the oil/lotion may be an unwelcome irritant. If you're actively receiving treatment or managing a condition, check with your dermatologist or other health care provider if massage should be avoided in general.
Or, if it may actually be useful to get some extra hydration and stimulation to that skin. But as with anywhere else, if there are open sores or broken skin, avoiding the area is going to be standard protocol.
Sheryl often apologized about her "snow globe" dandruff. I assured her it was fine and that she'd be surprised how many folks left a dusting behind. That got a smile, and she then shared how Head and Shoulders just never seemed to work. I suggested she check with her dermatologist. Turns out it was eczema, and she got the needed treatment to keep it at bay.
Some folks also just don't like the sensation of their scalp being massaged. One client told me he just can't stand the feeling of his scalp skin shifting around. Another told me it's the scratchy noise that gives her the heebie-jeebies. And that's okay. Some people's relaxation is another person's nails on a chalkboard. But if you've never had a scalp massage, give it a try. Many of the muscles around the temples, skull, and eyebrows can hold significant tension.
Or maybe your concerns are more about your scalp's topography - scars, indents, lumps?
No one has a perfectly round head. And even if we started out life with a pretty round noggin, life can happen. Cuts and bumps tend to leave a lasting impression in areas where there's not much else but skin and bone.
If there's an area that is tender or you'd prefer to be avoided, but don't want to miss out on the rest of your scalp massaged, make sure to say so before your massage - especially if it is hidden by hair or not visually apparent.
hair hesitation
Right along with the scalp comes the hair (or lack thereof). Sometimes hair is off limits for practical reasons - when someone has a meeting after a session and doesn't want to show up with "massage head." Or, they have hair extensions or treatments that would be negatively impacted by excessive friction or oil/lotion exposure (protection like a shower cap or cloth wrap can be super useful in these cases.) And just like with the scalp, the actual sensation of their hair being touched may be someone's favorite part of the session. To others, it's a hard pass.
Hair - its thickness, length, color, style, and texture - can also carry a lot of connotations and assumptions around health, culture, status, youth, and expression. It's natural for us be conscious of how others will interpret or judge our hair. If you're self-conscious about your hair, or lack of hair, consider what may make you more comfortable. Would it help to say something? Sometimes addressing the elephant in the room helps.
Greg, a first time client, came in with a ball cap on. Near the end of the intake process he took it off and stated: "So, my hair is thinning." I said, "Okay, do I need to modify anything for you?" He replied, "Yeah, let's skip my head for now." And I finished with, "No problem, can do."
Would you rather keep on a wig, wrap, hat, scarf, or cap? That's totally fine. Nearly all massage therapist's policy is something like: take off or leave on whatever is most comfortable for you. The key is "for you" - you define how you want to be presented, what you show or do not show.
After much searching, Alex finally found her Perfect Wig. It felt so right, she wanted to wear it all the time. We used a shower cap to protect it from any oils during her massage sessions, while also providing Alex circular pressure around her temples - her fav part of the massage.
Perhaps you would feel more comfortable taking off whatever is on your head. That's totally fine too.
Mary was undergoing chemotherapy. Since it was winter, she often wore hats and scarves to keep her newly hairless head warm. But during massage sessions, she preferred to take everything off. She said her hair not interfering with a deep and full scalp massage was the one and only silver lining of the cancer treatments.
face fright
Faces are literally our interface to the world, to each other. They are home of some of the densest collections of nerves. And we often feel very vulnerable about others touching or being near our face.
Massage therapy may be helpful in alleviating headache-causing tension, sinus pressure, or just promoting general relaxation. But to be effective, we've got to be comfortable. If you're feeling uncertain, but want to give it a go, try these things:
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Focus on another sense. Listen intently to the music playing in the room, or your own breath, or the feel of the fabric linens on your fingers.
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Skip or limit facial make-up. Massage therapy is not usually kind to facial make-up. It will definitely smudge or spread, often by accident. If you come to your session with make-up on, bring a remover wipe. If you prefer to leave with make-up on, bring your kit with you and reapply post-massage. Just be sure to leave it off or reduce during the massage.
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Relax your jaw. Place your tongue behind your two-front teeth to set the jaw in a neutral position. Often jaw muscles can be very tense. Be sure to communicate if massage pressure is too firm and causing any discomfort.