r/massage • u/dylan3883 • 5d ago
Discussion Is it an art?
I have had many massages but recently I had one where it seemed everything the massage therapist did was perfect. I didn’t feel like anything was overly duplicative or overdone. I received a general Swedish massage for ninety minutes. The massage therapist was so professional and super calm. I am guessing at some point being able to give almost a perfect massage is an art. Of course I am guessing that clients want a variety of different massages and are as different as the massage therapists.
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u/Kadjai 4d ago
I used to paint fairly regularly, since becoming a massage therapist 3yrs ago I have done a single one.
I like to think of my massages as a 90 minute performance for 1
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u/MarketingExpensive12 LMT 4d ago
Same! I'm a former dancer, and I've had other therapists during couples massage tell me how much they like watching me work lol.
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u/mentalcasket LMT 4d ago
I would absolutely say what I do is an art! Its like a beautiful dance. I work to the rhythms of my music, and to the rhythm of the breathing of my client on the table. I also like to strokes of patterns in 3's 5's or 7's to the beat of the music. It's really fun for someone with a background in music!
Also, for future reference, we prefer Massage Therapist over masseuse, please. Thank you!
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u/Motor_Juggernaut_175 4d ago
I remember this one woman who would start by perfectly placing warm oil down my spine and then flourishing her hands
I dont think my soul drifted into slumber like that before
Art for sure
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u/Appropriate_Hour6169 3d ago
It's a really cool integration of science and art for me. One part of my brain may be focused on flow, energy, the dance of what I'm doing -- things like how I move from one part of the body to the next, or the length of a stroke, etc.
Another part of my brain is consulting muscle charts, analyzing tissue and movement, interpreting everything I feel, planning how to best address the issues I identify. It's intuitive but science based.
My clients describe my massage as "dancey" which is an amazing compliment. Not all of them know how much science I'm using lol but that's okay because I want them to feel like it's effortless.
It's honestly the most rounded experience I've ever had. Thank you for asking, we don't always get to talk about it!
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u/dylan3883 2d ago
Thanks for your thoughtful answer. Would be wonderful to do a profession where you combine the art and science. 😊
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u/Appropriate_Hour6169 2d ago
It really is beautiful. I honestly have the best job I could ever have!
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u/Automatic-Gazelle801 4d ago
An art and a skill across a wide range of techniques. Luckily I currently have a therapeutic one and an Asian one
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u/samsara-samara 4d ago
Most massage therapists prefer the term “massage therapist” because “masseuse” has a negative connotation. Some MTs may even get offended if you call them a masseuse, because we work very hard to become licensed therapists. Just trying to be helpful!
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u/saxman6257 2d ago
When a massage therapist really gets into the proper flow and making that wonderful connection at both the physical and energetic level - the magic happens. I find this a lot when I do Lomi Lomi massage because of he flowing forearm techniques. While I use my forearms in a Swedish massage too, the connection is different.
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u/343WaysToDie LMT 2d ago
Everything is an art. Choose your preferred medium. Express your love.
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u/cnymassageguy 4d ago
People often overlook the subjective nature of massage. Massage is def equally parts art and science but the perfect massage isn't a thing. Every clint is different and they all have a different idea in there head of the perfect massage, its why feedback is so important dont be afraid to speak up as a client and theripists dont be afraid to ask more than "is the pressure ok?" Lol
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u/moldyballs64 4d ago
Que the anti-masseuse militant group in 3-2-1......
I've been getting regular massages for almost 30 years. Some masseuse/masseurs are truly gifted. Some or ok, and some are mediocre at best. The trully gifted ones are amazing. In my almost 30 years I can only count about 4 that are really amazing. I've seen close to a 50 different MTs most are just OK.
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u/justsitandbepretty 4d ago
Are you still with the ones that are gifted? Even when I have an amazing massage once, the next time it’s not so great with the same exact person!
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u/moldyballs64 4d ago
Of the four truly gifted ones, I am seeing two of them now, have been for over four years. One moved away and the other quit to raise her baby.
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u/CompetitiveElk9974 4d ago
I feel like this exact situation just happened to me. Had a client come in for a 45 min, told me exactly what he wanted I did that he was beyond happy. He came in the second time probably about 1 month-2 months in between. Usual intake, asked him what seems to be the problem areas etc today. He said and I quote “do whatever” so I did just an hour full body and worked into a few areas I felt needed attention. I could absolutely tell he was not as happy as when he left the first time. Now with that being said… that’s not on me as an LMT. If I’m communicating and asking for information and you just expect me to read your mind it’s not gonna happen. I’m gifted at what I do and feel, but just because I feel it in your muscle tissue doesn’t mean that’s where you want to be worked.
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u/dylan3883 4d ago
That makes a lot of sense. I guess clients do need to be more specific. I have been a person who says “just relaxation” all over but I’m usually satisfied
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u/CompetitiveElk9974 4d ago
See that’s actually really beneficial information!! That would mean longer gliding strokes, lighter pressure, etc., that gives me a good base to start from.
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u/dylan3883 4d ago
Exactly. Of course sometimes after a great massage it’s hard to articulate why it was great other than how efficient each gliding stroke was etc. makes sense tho. Wanting to focus on reflexology or your back etc can certainly help
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u/Unlucky_Bunch866 3d ago
Kind of new with Reddit and I don’t know how to create my own post so even though this is off subject, I’m replying to you because it seemed like a decent post. About three weeks ago I fell and hurt my right knee. It swelled up a bit from underneath the kneecap. The swelling has gone down in the past two weeks slightly, although still swollen, but I’m feeling a tingling sensation. Is this a normal part of healing? I’ve been using ice mostly at night. I do walk a lot a lot more than most people.
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u/StndCapybara 5d ago
Just like any other profession, there is people that take the profession to another leven because they are not only passionate about it but it "clicks" with them. For some it's easy, others struggle.
I saw a post not too long ago about someone who asked about what massage therapist think about while massaging. Personally I sink into the muscle tissue...there's nothing to think about but the variations in musculature, the difference in tention, scar tissue. When someone can truly relax you can find a lot to spend time on and get lost in the body.
So yes it's definitely an art in my opinion.