How to Choose the Right Massage Therapy (And What to Expect)

Woman on massage bed with white text: How to Choose the Right Massage Therapy (And What to Expect)

If you’re not sure what kind of massage to book, you’re not alone—but the good news is, you don’t really have to figure it out ahead of time.

If you’ve ever looked at a massage menu and thought, “I have no idea what I’m supposed to pick…”, we’ve got you covered!

A lot of people feel unsure, especially if they’re a first-time client or haven’t had many sessions before—and it can get even more confusing when spas use a lot of different wellness terms to describe their treatments.

👉 Side note: If you’re wondering about the difference between traditional massage and lymphatic drainage, you can read more here → Massage vs. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

At Mags Cathey Spa, we keep things simple.

You don’t have to choose between a long list of options or worry about booking the “right” thing. We offer our massage appointments based on desired time length and everything else is customized and included.

It Starts With a Conversation

When booking your appointment, we’ll send you a quick digital intake form to fill out. This helps us understand any medical history, injuries, or areas of concern so we can tailor your massage therapy safely and effectively.

We’ll then start with a quick conversation when you come in for your appointment.

We’ll talk about:

Where you’re feeling tension or discomfort
Whether you’re looking to relax, recover, or both
Any areas you want extra focus on (or want us to avoid)

From there, your massage therapist customizes the session to your body that day.

We use a Swedish-style foundation and can incorporate things like:

Aromatherapy
Cupping
Deep Tissue
Massage gun work
Targeted techniques
Pre-natal

There’s no upselling or add-ons to worry about—it’s all included and tailored to you.

👉 If you’re curious how massage therapy supports your body overall, you can read more here →How Massage Therapy Supports Your Health

What to Expect When You Arrive

When you arrive, you’ll check in at the front reception, and we’ll get you settled in.

If you’re a walk-in or didn’t have a chance to complete the health intake form ahead of time, no problem—you’ll just fill it out when you arrive.

Your massage therapist will then take a few minutes to review everything with you and ask any follow-up questions before your session begins.

Then you’ll be guided back to the room and given privacy to get comfortable on the table.

What Should You Wear (Or Not Wear)?

This is one of the most common questions—especially for first-timers.

You can undress to your level of comfort.

Some people prefer to fully undress, while others choose to leave on undergarments depending on which area is being worked on. Either is completely okay.

You’ll always be professionally draped during your session, so only the area being worked on is uncovered at any time.

The goal is for you to feel comfortable and relaxed.

During Your Massage

Once your session begins, this is your time to relax—but communication is always welcome.

If you ever need:

More or less pressure
A change in focus
Or anything adjusted

You can absolutely say something.

Massage therapy works best when it’s a collaboration, not something you have to sit through quietly.

We use professional massage lotion during your session to allow for smooth, comfortable movement as we work through areas of tension. It absorbs well into the skin, but you may still notice a light layer afterward.

Some clients like to leave it on for added hydration, while others prefer to shower later in the day—it’s completely up to you.

A Quick Note About Pressure

A lot of people assume deeper pressure = better results.

But when pressure is too intense, your body can actually tighten up instead of relaxing.

We’re always looking for that balance where your body can release tension without feeling overwhelmed. So again, if you need something adjusted during your massage please let your masseuse know!

After Your Massage

After your session, we recommend drinking plenty of water.

Massage therapy increases circulation and helps move fluids like blood and lymph through your muscles and tissues. As areas of tension are worked on, your body is also circulating normal metabolic byproducts that can build up in tight or overworked muscles.

Drinking water afterward supports your body as it continues to circulate these fluids, which can help reduce soreness and keep you feeling your best.

We’re happy to provide you with a glass of water after your session, but it’s a good idea to continue drinking water throughout the rest of the day as well.

If you can, give yourself a little time to take it easy—your body has just shifted into a more relaxed state.

👉 Want tips on how to extend the benefits of your massage? Read more here →How to Get the Most Out of Your Massage Therapy

Optional “Add-On”:

Red Light Therapy Before Your Massage!

We don’t have official “add-ons” for our massages like a lot of spas offer since we will always customize the treatment to you, but if you’re planning to pair your massage with red light therapy, we recommend doing the red light session first.

This allows you to fully relax during your massage afterward and keeps your experience smooth from start to finish.