All of Our Sessions are "Customized," but What Does that Mean?

What does tailored massage mean?

Every massage at Mantis is a tailored session, but what does that really mean? We’ve written a lot before about how customized deep tissue massage means learning more about your tension patterns and focusing the work where it will help you find the most relief. But did you know that there are even more ways to tailor the session to your preferences?

Temperature, Light, Sound

Some people hit the table, and they’re out… floating in a dream world, lightly snoring as their muscles relax one by one. Others need a little time and the right vibe to relax into their space. If you are sensitive to the lights, did you know that you can ask your therapist to adjust them or to provide you with something to cover your eyes? All the lights at Mantis are smart lights and are dimmable as well as color-adjustable.

Do you prefer spacey plunk-plunk sounds and slow, soothing tones, or do you like mellow music? Do you find lyrics distracting? Or do they help keep your mind occupied enough to tune out your day? We’ve got loads of playlists, and your therapist can help you find the one that gets you both in the flow for the session.

Hot? Cold? Hot then cold? Some people are part lizard and want to slide under two blankets with the table warmer cranked all the way up even in the middle of August. Others get hot even thinking about the table warmer. Did you know you can ask for your legs and arms to be covered or uncovered and get a nice cooling fan pointed your way? If you tend to cool off after a while, you can ask for the warmer in the middle of your session. There are so many ways to get cozy, and your massage therapist is a coziness expert!

Positioning and Bolstering

Sometimes, it feels like you really need a massage, but you may worry that lying on the table won’t work for you. Or maybe you love getting the massage, but you’ve accepted that lying on the table means some small discomfort for the sake of the treatment. But you have lots more options than you may realize. Your therapist can help you find the most comfortable position on the table.

If you have low back pain when lying on your back, an extra pillow (or two or three–we’ve got lots of them) under the knees can take the pressure off the sacrum and give you ideas for building your own nap fort at home. If you have low back pain when you’re lying face down, a pillow under the hips can help relieve pressure on the lumbar spine. If you struggle with sinus pressure or acid reflux, we have wedge pillows to elevate your head when you’re lying on your back. If you have larger breast tissue or breast tissue tenderness, we have breast pillows for when you’re lying face down. We can also bolster the shoulders to relieve pressure on the chest or help support those with frozen shoulder.

Just let your therapist know if you’ve got discomfort in any position. They may have a bolstering tip that will work for the session and maybe at home as well!

One unsung hero of massage positioning is side-lying massage. If you can’t lie on your stomach or your back for various reasons, side-lying massage is a super comfortable option that many don’t realize is open to them. It’s not just for pre-natal massage. Side-lying is super relaxing for the body; many of us sleep like that! With special pillows to support the legs and neck, you’d be surprised at how comfortable it can be. It also gives your massage therapist unique access to common areas of tension in the neck, shoulders, hips, and legs. And yes, you can get a great back massage this way as well.

Techniques and Modalities

Massage can be just as varied as the bodies it serves, and you may not realize all the ways you can receive work.

Have you had a session with assisted stretch? Stretches added to a massage are a great way to increase range of motion and get into ticklish muscles that are resistant to touch. It can also be a nice way to feel relaxed but energized after a massage rather than massage-drunk and drowsy.

How about active release? Active release is a technique where the therapist maintains pressure on an area of tension while you move through a series of guided motions. Active release is a common technique in sports massage and especially effective for athletes who know their bodies really well and enjoy being part of the recovery process. It’s also helpful for stubborn tension, range of motion, and increasing mobility in areas that tend to guard against guided movement. For those recovering from an injury or for those with anxiety, active release can give a feeling of safety and control, leading to more relaxation and relief.

What about cupping? Cupping is a unique therapeutic add-on that uses suction cups to lift fascia and muscles away from the body, creating tension release through a pulling sensation that feels different than the usual pressure of manual therapy. Static cupping leaves cups in a fixed spot while the therapist works other areas, making it a great way to receive effective work in a time efficient manner. Dynamic cupping is when the therapist moves the cup around the body similar to how they use their hands and forearms to provide gliding strokes. Dynamic cupping can provide a wonderful feeling of the tight fascia being lifted and pulled away from its stuck areas.

The massage therapists at Mantis have a wide array of special skills. If you get a chance, check out our staff page to learn more about their specialties or call for guidance on booking an appointment.