Requesting Pressure Change During a Massage Without Insulting the Therapist

Meredith M.
Elements Timonium

“The first thought that pops in my head is that the therapist should try not to feel insulted at all! Especially when therapists are supposed to check in with their clients periodically about pressure. Most importantly, we want our clients to feel safe and comfortable enough to speak up!”

Megan B.
Elements Carmel Mountain

“The therapist is there to give you the best massage possible. Be open and honest. They will not be offended and in fact appreciate the feedback to customize the massage to meet your needs.”

Danny P.
Elements Westford

“First and foremost, don’t procrastinate. It is your massage and you should be in agreement with your therapist about the level of pressure. If your therapist hasn’t ‘checked in’ with you or perhaps has just gotten off task, you can simply remind him or her that the pressure is too great or too light. Your therapist should be catering to your wishes. The therapist may suggest more or less pressure for an area, but you should be in agreement with the treatment.”
 
Donna C.
Elements Greenville

“As a therapist I try to give them the option before it comes to that.  I’ll tell them to wiggle their fingers if I am going to deep. As a client you could request the same: ‘If I wiggle my fingers, could you let up a little?’

“If you need deeper work, simply ask! ‘That feels great but would you mind trying a little more, please?'”

Gretchen T.
Elements Louisville East

“‘Could you lighten up on the pressure, please?’ or ‘Could I have more pressure, please?’  Remember, this is your session and your preference should be shared with the therapist.”

Brittany H.
Elements Glendale

“I don’t think the therapist would be offended, since we always ask our clients to let us know if pressure is too much or if they need a little more. But just say something like, ‘What you’re doing feels great, but I think a little more pressure would feel better or help release better.’

“The therapist is there to give you the massage you need. So if you’re not letting us know about pressure we can’t give you that massage; we can only do what we feel is best.”

Brittney
Elements Chandler/Ahwatukee

“Asking for a change in pressure is never insulting.  How can it be?  As a quality massage therapist, it should be second nature to check in with the client about pressure and to relay the understanding that the client should speak up when he or she wants something different. If your therapist gets offended, you should probably find a new one.”

Becci C.
Elements Costa Mesa

“You can say something like, ‘I found myself a bit sore after our last treatment.  I was thinking we could possibly do a Swedish massage.’  Or, ‘Your massage is great, thank you.  Now that I’m more relaxed I think I could take more pressure on my lower back.'”