Picture the perfect massage: Soothing music, a dimly lit room, yourstresses melting away under the pressure of the massage therapist’s hands.
Just what you need after the hectic holidays, right? Not always.
For massage newbies – and some not-so-newbies – who may not be familiarwith the proper pampering protocol, what should be a relaxing experiencequickly can become a nerve-wracking ordeal.
“You’re naked and it’s pretty up close and personal … it can getawkward,” said April Hong, 30, a veteran spagoer who lives in UkrainianVillage and gets spa treatments, including massages, about three times amonth.
Massages can be even more awkward for guys.
“I wouldn’t go by myself,” said Phil Jandora, 29, who got a massage withhis girlfriend last week at the Mario Tricoci Salon and Day Spa on MichiganAvenue using a gift certificate.
To strip or not to strip? What if your massage therapist is a guy? Shouldyour therapist be touching you there? These are a few of the concerns that canbe a source of tension, according to the Chicago spa owners, massagetherapists and frequent spagoers with whom RedEye spoke.
“I can always tell if someone is uncomfortable and it’s their firstmassage,” said Aslana Schils, a massage therapist at Wicker Park’s Ruby Room.Schils told RedEye that many first-timers are most nervous about disrobing.
But in her line of work, there’s not much Schils hasn’t seen. “Personally,I would never even know what color underwear they had on,” she said.
Good massage therapists understand most people don’t intuitively know therules and that they should try to help their clients through the process, saidJanna Childs, who co-owns Four Hands Massage in the Loop.
“A massage is supposed to relax you, and you can’t be relaxed if you don’tknow what’s going to happen,” Childs said.
With that in mind, RedEye turned to Childs, Schils and other spa experts toaddress the most common massage stress points.
Do I have to get naked?
“We always tell people to undress to their level of comfort,” said NatalieTessler, owner of Spa Space in the West Loop, which offers services frommassages to facials and waxing. Tessler said it’s most common for clients tocompletely disrobe – clients are covered by a sheet and massage therapistsuncover only the part of the body on which they’re working.
More bashful clients can keep on their underwear, Tessler said. (Womenusually remove their bras; the chest area remains covered by a sheet while theclient is lying on her back).
The same rule applies in the sauna or steam room. Though it’s appropriateto wear a towel, don’t be surprised if others go naked.
Is it OK to request a male or female massage therapist?
“It’s not only appropriate, but it’s a must,” said Carolyn Brundage, thefounder of prettycity.com, a site dedicated to reviews of salons and spas.
“You’re paying someone to help you be relaxed, and if you’re a guy andcan’t be relaxed if another guy gives you a massage, then request a female.Most spas will accommodate you.”
If the client doesn’t bring it up, the spa generally will not ask, so speakup. Johnnie Grozenski, founder and co-owner of Andersonville’s ContinuumStudio, a holistic spa that offers massages, facials and body treatment, saidhe gets such requests about 15 to 20 percent of the time.
Is it appropriate for a therapist to massage my butt region?
Yes – but with permission. Grozenski, who’s also a massage therapist, saidhe always asks clients if there are any areas they want him to avoid. He saidhe specifically asks about feet and glutes.
From a therapeutic standpoint, releasing tension in the gluteus maximus canhelp with lower back pain. The client should feel pressure and kneading – anysqueezing of butt cheeks would be inappropriate.
Grozenski said he takes his cue from the client as to whether to workdirectly on the client’s skin when massaging the glutes. If the client isfully undressed, he will fold the sheet back for the massage. “If someone haskept their underwear on, I know they might be a bit shy so I can still do [theglute massage from] the outside of the sheet,” he said.

Is it poor etiquette to talk during a massage?
No. “If you are the client and you want to talk, that’s perfectly fine, buta massage therapist shouldn’t chat you up unless you engage them first, andshouldn’t continue if you are unresponsive,” Brundage said.
Grozenski said his therapists take their cue from the clients. “I havepeople on the table who love to talk the entire time, and that’s fine. It’stheir time, and they can use it however they want,” he said.
What is the best way to communicate with the therapist during the massage?
A good massage therapist should check in during the course of the massageabout the level of pressure, the temperature of the room, and periodically askabout pain. “They should ask, ‘Are you warm? Are you comfortable? Am I hurtingyou?’ ” Brundage said.
Can I talk in the quiet room?
Yes, but keep it down. “Whispered tones are all that is appropriate,”Brundage said. “The most common abuse is with a group of girlfriends. Thereare places you can go for drinks and manicures where you can be rowdy, butthat’s not what a spa is for.”
How do I tip?
Ask about gratuities because every spa has its own guidelines. Tips of 10to 20 percent are customary for massages.
“If you want to go back and see that person, tip 20 percent,” Brundagesaid. “It lets them know you loved the service and you want to continue to getthat kind of treatment.”
Should I look for certification or licensing?
In addition to their school certification, individual professional massagetherapists receive licenses through the Illinois Department of Financial andProfessional Regulation, the same agency that licenses physicians, nurses, andother health-care professionals. All licensed massage therapists must completea 500-hour practical training program and pass a competency exam as well as acriminal background check. Spas with Web sites list the licensing with thebios of their massage therapists, and many have the licenses posted intreatment rooms or main areas. The Chicago Department of Revenue licensesmassage establishments; owners also must undergo criminal background checks.
Why do I need to drink lots of water afterward?
“You drink water after a massage to re-hydrate your muscles,” Schils said”Even though you’re laying on a table and asleep, I’m working your muscles.You wouldn’t work out without drinking water, and this is the same premise.”
Which is better, a boutique or mega spa?
It’s a matter of personal preference. Smaller establishments may offerclients more personal attention, but larger spas may have a wider variety ofservices from which to choose. “It really depends on what you want,” saidveteran spagoer Hong. “It’s wherever is easier for you to relax.”
- - -
Knead to know
One massage does not fit all. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect fromsome of the most popular massage therapies offered at city spas. The priceranges are based on a one-hour massage at establishments all over Chicago.

Swedish
What it does for you: Releases muscle
tension. Ideal for first-timers.
What to expect: Long strokes, kneading and some friction.
Feels like: Relaxing, gentle massage that puts many people to sleep.
Price: $70 to $155

Deep tissue
What it does for you: Loosens tight muscles, particularly good for chronictension or pain.
What to expect: Deep pressure and slow strokes across muscles; expect somesoreness and possibly red marks.
Feels like: More vigorous and with more pressure than a Swedish massage;can be uncomfortable at times but has lasting relaxing and energizing effects.
Price: $80 to $165

Hot stone
What it does for you: Releases tension in tight muscles.
What to expect: Heated smooth stones are placed on the body; therapistsalso may use the stone to perform Swedish massage techniques on your face andbody.
Feels like: Similar relaxation effect as a Swedish massage or a heatingpad.
Price: $90 to $145 (for 90 minutes; hot stone massages typically runlonger)

Thai
What it does for you: Relaxation, improved circulation and energy, improvedflexibility.
What to expect: The therapist uses his or her knees, hands and feet to moveyour body into stretches. This form of massage generally is done with theclient fully clothed; wear workout wear.
Feels like: Yoga, except someone else does the hard work.
Price: $80 to $175

Shiatsu
What it does for you: Balances the body’s energy by releasing blockages.
What to expect: Localized pressure along acupuncture points as well as fullbody stretching. This form of massage generally is performed with the clientfully clothed.
Feels like: Similar to acupuncture without the needles.
Price: $75 to $110

Reflexology
What it does for you: Ancient Chinese techniques relieve stress andincrease energy flow.
What to expect: The therapist massages and applies acupressure (gentlepressure applied with fingers – no needles) to points in the ears, hands andfeet that relate to other areas of the body.
Feels like: A relaxing, concentrated massage.
Price: $50 to $155

Dual (a.k.a. tandem) massage
What it does for you: Soothes and relaxes tight muscles.
What to expect: Two therapists work on the body at once.
Feels like: Whole body relaxation. One therapist works on one area whilethe second therapist focuses on another, balancing relaxation with tensionrelease.
Price: $90 to $200
- - -
Do’s
Talk to the therapist ahead of time. Are you comfortable with that person?Can you relax in his or her presence?
Look around. Make sure the place is clean and the atmosphere iscomfortable.
Ask around. Do some research; find out which massage therapists yourfriends have been to and get recommendations.
Clear your schedule. If you’re phoning the office between treatments orwatching the clock from the massage table, you’re not getting your money’sworth.

Don’t’s
Don’t shave the day of a treatment. Shaving – legs, face, other – makesskin more sensitive.
Don’t be afraid to tell the therapist if you have a circulatory or muscularproblem that would affect your treatment.
Don’t yap on your cell phone. Though cell phone use is permissible in thefront or reception areas of most spas, it’s best to leave it in the locker, orbetter yet, in your car.
Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine before a treatment.
Don’t wear jewelry.
Don’t be late – massage therapists charge for their time and are unlikelyto push back other appointments to accommodate you.