Before and after a massage: how to prepare and what to do afterwards

Most questions before a first massage are not about the massage itself but about everything around it: what to wear, when to arrive, what to say and what to do afterwards. Here are the answers, the way we do it at the studio.

Before the massage

Book in advance - online or by phone. That way we know a therapist is free for you. You pay at the studio or online when you book.

You need to bring nothing. Dress comfortably - you undress to the degree you feel comfortable with, your body stays covered with a towel and only the area being worked on is exposed.

Do not arrive out of breath. The studio is in Hotel Forum and there is parking in front of the building, so there is no circling around. A few minutes before your time is enough - the conversation at the start is part of the session.

What to say at the start

The session begins with a short conversation: what is weighing on you today, where you feel the tension, whether there is an area to avoid. This is the moment to say if you dislike strong pressure - that does not spoil the massage, it makes it yours. Say too if you have a health condition, so we can adapt the massage to it, and if you have an allergy or a preference about the oils - we use oils that nourish the skin.

If you are pregnant, say which month you are in when you book, so we can prepare the room. We have a separate Mum-to-be Massage for that.

If anything feels unpleasant during the massage, say so straight away. If you fall asleep - that is normal, it means you have relaxed.

After the massage

Drink water and do not plan anything strenuous right afterwards. Part of the effect arrives in the following hours, not on the table.

Do not get off the table and rush out. Especially after a longer massage such as the 120 minute Mieli Massage, give yourself half an hour afterwards - rushing wastes half of the effect.

Face treatments are different. Ultrasonic Facial Cleansing involves no squeezing and no redness for days, so it can be done before work. With Glow & Lightness - Face & Body before an event, leave a day between the session and the occasion.

When to see a doctor first

If the pain is sharp, recent or follows an injury - diagnosis first, massage after. We will wait. If you are early in pregnancy or it is considered high-risk, that is a question for your doctor, not for us. A massage is not treatment and does not replace an examination.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to bring anything to a massage?

No. You need to bring nothing - dress comfortably and arrive a few minutes before your time.

Do I have to undress completely?

Not necessarily. You undress to the degree you feel comfortable with. Your body is covered with a towel and only the area being worked on is exposed.

What should I do after a massage?

Drink water, do not plan anything strenuous right afterwards and, if you can, give yourself half an hour before going back to your day.

Can I say the pressure is too strong?

Yes, and it is good to say it straight away. It does not spoil the massage - it makes it yours.

Where

The studio is in Hotel Forum, 2 Sofiyski Geroy St, Sofia. Open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. English spoken.