In a professional massage, the therapist sets up, asks a few short health questions and checks the pressure with you throughout. You stay covered with professional sheets the whole time. And you can ask to change or stop at any moment, with no explanation needed.
Key takeaways
- Three signs of a professional session: health questions, professional sheets and pressure checked with you.
- The opening questions help adapt the technique and, sometimes, suggest seeing a doctor first.
- You stay covered with professional sheets from start to finish.
- Warm muscles, drowsiness and slower breathing are normal signs of rest.
- You can ask to adjust the pressure, skip an area or stop, with no explanation needed.
If you have never had a professional massage, or it has been a while, it is natural to have questions. What happens when the therapist arrives? What do I need to prepare? And what if the pressure is not right?
Knowing how the session runs takes away nearly all the uncertainty. It leaves you free for what matters: resting. In this guide we walk you through what is normal in a massage at home, step by step.
What makes a massage professional
A good massage is not only about the therapist's hands. It is also about how the session is run. There are clear standards, and they exist to look after you.
In practice, there are three signs you will notice straight away:
- Questions before you start. The therapist wants to know how you are, so they can adapt the session.
- Professional sheets. You stay covered, comfortable and warm.
- Pressure checked with you. Pace and intensity are agreed from start to finish.
Everything else follows from these three points. The session is yours, and the therapist adapts to you.
Before you start: a few short questions
Getting your home ready is simple. You need a clear space for the table, with room for the therapist to move around it. A comfortable temperature helps, and comfortable clothes are all you need to wear.
A light meal is better than a heavy lunch just before. Our guide on how to prepare your home for a massage covers the rest.
Before starting, the therapist asks a few quick questions. They want to know about recent injuries or pain, any surgery and whether you are pregnant. They ask about circulation, skin or blood pressure issues, and any allergy to oils.
They also ask which areas need more attention and which you would rather avoid. And what pressure you usually like. It takes a few minutes.
These questions have a practical purpose. A recent injury or a circulation problem can change the technique, the position or the areas to avoid. Some situations call for a word with your doctor first. Massage is a moment of wellbeing and does not replace medical care.
Arrival, without rush
The therapist arrives at the agreed time and introduces themselves. They ask where you would like the massage. A living room or a bedroom usually works well.
We bring everything: the professional table, sheets, hot towels, hypoallergenic oils and ambient music. There is nothing to buy and no need to have towels at home.
Setting up takes a few minutes. The therapist adjusts the table to their own height. That way they work with their body weight and more control, rather than arm strength alone.
Then they lay out the sheets and start the music at a low volume. Would you rather have silence? Just say so.
During the massage: what is normal
This is the part people wonder about most. It is also where professional standards show most clearly.
Throughout the session, you stay covered with professional sheets. Your body stays warm and comfortable. Many sessions begin with you lying face down, so the therapist can work on your back, shoulders and legs.
Halfway through, the therapist may ask you to turn over. They always tell you first and hold the sheet in place while you move. If a position feels awkward, because of your neck or lower back, they adjust it with cushions.
Pressure is checked with you, especially at the start and when the therapist moves to a new area. One word is enough. A relaxing massage should not hurt.
In deep tissue there may be some discomfort in tight areas, but never sharp pain. Our article should a massage hurt? explains the difference calmly.
Talking is optional. Many people stay quiet from start to finish, and that is perfectly fine.
Remember: the session is yours. You can ask to skip an area, change position, turn the music down, adjust the temperature, take a break or finish early. You do not need to explain. A professional therapist takes these requests in their stride.
What your body feels
During the massage, it is normal to feel warmth in your muscles. It is also normal to feel sleepy, to breathe more slowly or to hear your stomach rumble.
These are signs that your body is slowing down. Slow pressure helps your heart rate settle and your digestion wake up. It is the resting mode, the same one your body uses to sleep.
A tighter area may feel tender to the touch. It happens a lot in the shoulders of anyone who spends the day at a desk. That is normal.
What is not normal is sharp pain, tingling or an electric feeling running down an arm or a leg. If anything feels odd, say so straight away. The therapist will adjust or stop.
At the end, slowly
When the massage is over, the therapist lets you know and gives you a few minutes. There is no hurry at all.
After lying down for so long, your body needs a moment to adjust. Getting up suddenly can make you a little light-headed. Sit up first, take a few breaths and only then stand.
Meanwhile, the therapist packs away the table and equipment and leaves the space as they found it. They may suggest drinking water or stretching one area. For the rest of the day, keep the pace gentle. Our guide on what to do after a massage has more ideas.
At home or anywhere else, a professional massage always shows the same signs:
- there are health questions before you start;
- you stay covered with professional sheets throughout;
- pressure is checked with you and adjusted when you ask;
- your requests are respected, including the request to stop;
- communication is clear, calm and professional from start to finish.
If any of these signs is missing, you are fully entitled to end the session.
How it works with RHEA
RHEA brings professional massage to your home in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. You can choose Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports, pre-natal or couples massage, in sessions of 60, 75 or 90 minutes.
Our therapists are certified. RHEA assigns the therapist based on your area and time, so it is not possible to choose the therapist or their gender.
- Hours: every day, 7am to 10pm. The session must finish by 10pm.
- Prices: 85, 99 or 115 € for 60, 75 or 90 minutes. The price you see is the price you pay, travel included.
- Included: professional table, hot towels, linens, hypoallergenic oils and ambient music. Aromatherapy is a paid extra.
- Same day: with 4 hours' notice.
- Plans change: cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before.
Book at www.rhea.pt/booking/en or message us on WhatsApp at +351 920 540 239. We reply within minutes. For a first time, Swedish massage is a lovely place to start, and our article on what to expect from a Swedish massage explains it in detail.
Book your home massage
Book a Massage →Frequently Asked Questions
Comfortable clothes that are easy to adjust. Throughout the session, you stay covered with professional sheets. If you are unsure what is most practical for the massage you booked, just ask the therapist when they arrive.
To adapt the session and keep it safe for you. A recent injury, a pregnancy or a circulation problem can change the technique, the position or the areas to avoid. Some situations call for speaking to a doctor first. The information is only used for the session.
No. RHEA assigns the therapist based on the area and time you booked. All our therapists are certified and follow the same professional standards, including professional sheets throughout the session and pressure checked with you.
Tell the therapist. You can ask to change the pressure, skip an area, adjust the temperature, take a break or finish early, with no explanation needed. A professional therapist takes these requests in their stride, because they are part of the job.
A few minutes each. The therapist arrives at the booked time, sets up the table, sheets and music and, at the end, packs everything away and leaves the space as they found it. You only need a room with clear space around the table.
No. You can stay quiet from start to finish, and many people prefer it because it helps the mind switch off. The therapist only speaks to check the pressure or to say they are moving to a new area. If you enjoy a little conversation, that is fine too.
