If you have never received a professional massage, it is natural to have questions.
What should you wear? How much clothing should you remove? Are you supposed to talk? What happens if the pressure is uncomfortable, or if you simply do not know what kind of massage to ask for?
The reassuring answer is that there is nothing you need to “get right.” A first massage is a collaborative experience. Your comfort, preferences, and boundaries help guide the session from beginning to end.
Here is what you can expect when you book a massage at Grace and Wonder.
Before Your Appointment
Before your first session, you will receive an intake form asking about your health history, medications, areas of discomfort, and what you hope to receive from massage.
Some questions may seem detailed, but the information helps me plan a session that is appropriate for you. Medical conditions, recent procedures, injuries, skin sensitivities, allergies, medications, and changes in sensation can all affect how massage is approached.
Please complete the form before your appointment, ideally at least 48 hours in advance, so I have time to review it thoughtfully. Your information is kept private and is used to support your safety and care.
You do not need to prepare your body in any special way. Simply arrive as you are.
Comfortable clothing is helpful, especially if there are movements or areas you would like to discuss before the massage.
When You Arrive
Grace and Wonder is a private massage studio in North Raleigh. I work alone, which allows the space to remain quiet and unhurried.
We will begin with a brief conversation about how you are feeling that day. We may discuss:
What you would most like from the session, such as relief in a particular area, general relaxation, or a combination of both
Areas of tension, discomfort, or sensitivity
Activities or positions that affect how your body feels
Your preferences regarding pressure
Areas you would like me to focus on or avoid
Any questions or concerns you may have
Your needs may be different from one appointment to the next. Even if you completed a detailed intake form, you are always welcome to update or change your preferences.
You also do not have to identify the source of your discomfort or know which muscles are involved. Describing what you notice in your own words is enough.
Do I Have to Remove All My Clothing?
No. You decide how much clothing you feel comfortable removing.
Massage is often performed directly on the skin using a small amount of lotion or cream, but that does not mean you must be completely undressed. Some clients leave their underwear on, and others prefer to receive certain parts of the session through clothing or the sheet.
I will leave the room while you undress and get onto the massage table. You will position yourself under the sheet and blanket before I return.
Your level of undress should always reflect your comfort, not what you think is expected.
Will I Be Covered During the Massage?
Yes. You will remain covered by a sheet and blanket throughout the session. Only the area currently being massaged will be uncovered, and it will be covered again before I move to another area.
This practice is called draping. It provides warmth, privacy, and clear boundaries during the massage.
You can ask me to avoid any area, or to pause or stop the massage at any time.
What Will the Massage Feel Like?
Massage at Grace and Wonder may combine flowing techniques with more focused muscular work, depending on your goals and how your body responds.
Some parts of the session may feel deeply calming. Other areas may feel sensitive when we work with muscular tension. Focused work can feel noticeable, but it should not feel like something you have to endure.
More pressure is not always more effective. When pressure causes you to tense, hold your breath, or brace against the touch, it may be a sign that the approach needs to be adjusted.
Throughout the session, you can ask for:
More or less pressure
A change in technique or position
An extra blanket or a cooler room
Additional support under your knees, ankles, shoulders, or neck
An area to be avoided
The massage to pause or stop
I may also check in with you, particularly when we begin working in a new area or use a more focused technique. Your feedback helps me adapt the session to you.
What Position Will I Be In?
Many massages include time lying face down and face up, but the session can be modified if either position is uncomfortable.
Pillows and bolsters can be used to support your knees, ankles, or other areas. Side-lying or semi-reclined positions may also be used when appropriate.
Please let me know if you experience discomfort, dizziness, numbness, difficulty breathing, or strain in any position. Small adjustments can make a significant difference, and there is no benefit in remaining uncomfortable.
Am I Supposed to Talk?
You are welcome to talk, but you do not need to make conversation or respond beyond what is necessary for your comfort and the session.
You are welcome to close your eyes, let your attention settle, or simply notice the sensations of the massage. You may fall asleep, remain fully alert, or move in and out of deep relaxation. All of these responses are normal.
There is no correct way to relax.
What If I Feel Uncomfortable?
Please say something.
You will not offend me by asking for a change. Clear feedback is helpful, whether you want less pressure, a different position, more warmth, less conversation, or an area left untouched.
You can also ask questions at any time. If you are unsure why I am using a particular technique or working in a certain area, I am happy to explain.
Professional massage should feel respectful and collaborative. You remain in control of what happens to your body throughout the session.
What Happens at the End?
At the end of the massage, I will let you know that the session is complete and leave the room so you can get up and dress in privacy.
Take your time as you sit up. After lying still, particularly following a relaxing session, you may feel a little slower or less oriented for a moment.
Once you are dressed, we can briefly discuss how the session felt and anything you noticed. I may suggest simple ways to support your comfort afterward, but you will not be given a long list of things you must do.
Some people feel very relaxed after a massage. Others notice less tension, easier movement, sleepiness, or simply a sense of having slowed down. Occasionally, an area that received focused work may feel temporarily tender.
Responses vary, and a dramatic change is not required for a massage to have been worthwhile.
The Session Can Be Adjusted as You Go
It can take time to learn what kinds of touch, pressure, pacing, and communication feel best to you. My role is to listen and adjust the session as we go. You do not need to be a “good” massage client or stay quiet when something does not feel right.
If you are considering your first massage and still have questions, you are welcome to contact me before booking.
Related reading: How Massage Can Help You Relax
By Alice Grasset, Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist — NC LMBT #23475
