Let Go of Expectations: How to Get the Most Out of Your Massage Experience
When it comes to self-care, massage therapy is one of the most powerful tools we have for restoring balance physically, mentally, and emotionally. But one common pitfall can seriously undermine the benefits, coming in with rigid expectations, especially when working with a new therapist.
Why Expectations Can Be Counterproductive
We all have preferences. You might like firm pressure, Swedish strokes, or a certain sequence you're used to from your last therapist. That’s normal. But turning those preferences into fixed expectations assuming your new therapist will replicate your past experiences exactly can set you up for disappointment.
Every therapist has their own training, techniques, and intuitive style. What one therapist does during a session might differ greatly from another, and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s part of what makes massage therapy so dynamic and individualized.
The Expectation Trap
Here's how expectations can get in the way:
You miss out on what you actually need. A therapist might feel that your muscles need myofascial release, but if you're only expecting deep tissue massage, you might resist or feel dissatisfied.
You may misjudge the therapist’s skill. Just because someone doesn’t follow the same routine you’re used to doesn’t mean they’re doing something “wrong.”
You rob yourself of presence. If you’re constantly comparing the session to a past experience, you’re not relaxing, you're analyzing!
What You Can Do Instead
Be open. Instead of expecting a carbon copy of your last massage, enter the session with curiosity. Think of it as an opportunity to experience something new and possibly even better suited to your needs.
Communicate needs, not scripts. It’s helpful to tell your therapist what you’re hoping to address (e.g., tight shoulders, stress relief) but let them decide how to approach it. Trust their training and judgment.
Give it time. Relationships with bodyworkers, like any professional, can take a few sessions to really gel. Don’t write off a therapist after one session just because it didn’t match an expectation you brought in.
The Best Massage is One You Let Happen
The most profound healing often occurs when we surrender when we stop trying to control every element and allow ourselves to simply receive. Letting go of expectations creates space for your therapist to work intuitively and with their full skillset, which ultimately leads to a more effective and nourishing session for you.
So next time you walk into a massage room, take a deep breath, let go of what you think should happen, and embrace the experience for what it is. You might be surprised by how much better it feels. Come to A Better Body and lets us help you, book HERE
