Face Up Or Down?: Your Survival Guide on How to Start a Massage
Through my experience as a massage therapist, I’ve learned that whether to start face up or down at the beginning of the massage can cause some anxiety for my clients.
Whether it's a newbie who just doesn’t know how a massage starts, to a client who secretly prefers to start face up, or the veteran massage client who is just really indecisive, here is your guide on whether you should start your massage face up or face down.
Did the therapist specify?
There usually is a method to our madness.
Sometimes we might need to start with working pecs if we have any hope of shoulder relief. Or maybe we want your quads warmed up by the table warmer for a little bit before we throw an elbow into them.
Depending on your needs, massage therapists typically ask you to start face up or face down for a reason.
*** Did you forget already? No problem. Just pick a side and get on the table and the therapist will either adjust or ask you to flip over. Easy peasy! ***
Do you have a preference?
So this typically trumps whatever the therapist suggests.
Maybe you know that your neck is a train wreck so you want to start with that to get it out of the way. Or maybe your favorite part of the massage is getting your back worked and you want to save that for the end.
Whatever the reason, don’t be afraid to communicate those wants or needs to your therapist. A good therapist will adjust accordingly!
Did the therapist just leave the room and they didn’t specify!?!?!?
Step 1: Remain calm!
Step 2: Commit to a side. Seriously, don’t overthink it! Just pick a side. The therapist probably didn’t have a preference, so go by whatever you prefer.
Step 3: Still need some help? See below:
Pros of Starting Face Up:
Typically start with your neck and end with your back.
Able to see the therapist come into the room and more easily ask questions at the beginning of the massage.
If you are getting any psoas or abdominal work done, you can get it out of the way first!
Pros of Starting Face Down:
Typically will start with your back and end with your neck.
Usually leave the studio without face rest lines.
Laying on your back last allows for your sinuses to drain, so you aren’t leaving the studio with a stuffy nose. (Gross but something to consider nonetheless).
So there you have it! I hope you are able to walk into your next massage with confidence! (Or at least this lessens the chance of me walking in on you fully clothed and staring at the table in confusion!)