The WORST Massage I Ever Received & The Red Flags You Need to Know

How can you avoid getting a terrible massage? Well this is the story of the worst massage I ever received and the warnings signs that it was NOT going to meet my needs. I hate for anyone to receive bad bodywork so I wanted to share my story and teach you how NOT to end up on the receiving end of a terrible massage.

Many moons ago when I was in college I decided to treat myself to a massage. I had just finished exams and I was exhausted in both body and mind so I saw a good deal at a local massage office and decided to try it out. I didn’t really know what to expect from a professional massage but now that I am a massage therapist and run a wellness business, I look back at the experience and cringe. There were so many red flags and here was the first:

red flag #1: no credentials on the walls

What I didn’t know in my youth was that most massage therapists display their credentials and if they don’t they are able to produce these for anyone who asks. If you don’t see someone’s license and diploma in their office, ask questions about where they went to school and to see their state license. There were none in the office I went to and I should have asked but I had no idea that was something I should be checking on. I just assumed that if I was paying as much as I was, they must be license professional but without the paperwork, you really don’t know. Unfortunately, many massage businesses in our country are still being run as illegal sex work sites and it’s vital to get proof of licence and schooling in order to avoid these types of businesses.

Red Flag #2: No Intake

So when I walked in to this joint, the therapist took me to a room and hardly asked me any questions. They just told me to go face down on the table and they’d return shortly. There was no real intake, no questions about what I wanted or needed and they did not ask for my consent. A good therapist will always check in with you, making sure they find out about any medical conditions that can affect massage and ask you what your goals and needs are. If you aren’t asked questions at the beginning of a session I would honestly walk out. The person treating you is not being professional and could actually be putting you at risk if you have a condition or injury that makes it unsafe for you to recieve certain types of bodywork.

Red Flag #3: Lack of Communication During the Session

Like the previous red flag, this one is all about communication. A therapist should check in with you about how your feeling and your comfort with the bolster and face cradle before they begin. There should also be check ins about the pressure they are using at some point during the session and they should encourage you to communicate in return if anything feel painful. This individual did not talk to me the whole time I was on that table except when it was time to turn over and they told me to flip. I remember feeling so awkward and uncomfortable. I didn’t feel like I could speak up and tell them to lighten the pressure and since I had no experience going getting a professional massage, I had no idea what I could and couldn’t do. I have known many people to share this same experience with their first professional massages and it really upsets me because I’d like to think this is a rare experience but unfortunately it’s not. It’s your body, your time and your money so you should feel empowered to speak up and get what you need and want from your session. Never hesitate to say something and speak up if anything makes you uncomfortable during a massage session.

Red Flag #4: Lack of respect for privacy

You should always feel comfortable and secure throughout your session and your therapist should drape you appropriately, ensuring your privacy and maintaining a professional atmosphere. I remember feeling more exposed than I wanted to be during my first massage experience. Being a young woman it is easy to be taken advantage of in these situations and more than one of my younger clients have called me after massage appointments at other offices asking if what they therapist did to them was ok and sadly I have to tell them it was not. Boundaries are crossed by massage professionals and often young women feel extremely uncomfortable and unsure of what to do. If you have a daughter make sure to explain to her that a massage should NEVER feel uncomfortable. Your body should always remained draped, especially breasts and pubic areas. A professional will always ask if you want glute work and if you are ok with having your glutes exposed. If they don’t ask these questions, they do not have consent to do so and you should speak up and stop them immediately. It angers and saddens me that this is still happening more than people realize and it’s vital that we educate young women as well as men, on what is appropriate during professional massage sessions.

red flag #5: Dirty office/Massage Room

This was the first thing I noticed about the place I went to. It looked dirty and it didn’t smell too fresh either. This is the moment I look back on and wonder why I didn’t turn tail and flee as soon as I walked in and noticed it was not as clean as I wanted it to be. It wasn’t a pig sty but it also didn’t feel like anyone had dusted or vacummed the floor in a few weeks. When you enter a massage office it might not be tidy, but it should smell and look clean. Massage therapists should be wiping down surfaces in between clients, dusting air vents, cleaning towels and sheets and making sure to disinfect the table, doorknobs, massage tools and oil bottle after each client. If the space doesn’t feel or look clean to you, then there is a chance they are not following other vital aspects of hygiene such as washing hands before AND after clients. If you notice that the office has a lot of stuff and is somewhat untidy, that is not so much a concern as many massage studios are small and therapists often have tools, extra sheets and books they have to cram into rooms that aren’t big enough. This is pretty common and as long as I can see that things are clean I don’t worry about an untidy massage studio. It just means they maybe should hire the home edit to help with organization needs but it doesn’t mean they are unsanitary.

Those are my top red flags to be on the lookout for when you are going to get a massage from a licensed professional. It’s vital to keep these in mind and to not hesitate to leave before you get started or to stop a massage and report to a manager if you felt unsafe during a massage. My hope is that you never have to have an experience like mine. It is completely avoidable and these tips will keep you from such a fate! What are some tips you have to avoid a terrible massage experience?