Massage and music

Listening to the blues down in Austin!

There are many elements that make up a perfect massage session and one of the most important besides technique is the music! I think most people will agree that if the music is distracting or unpleasant  it can really put a damper on the relaxation experience. 

In the past, I've tried different types of music. Classical, New Age (which includes....Enya-I know...), Mellow indie rock, you name it.
I first noticed a problem with it when a client came and a pleaded with me NOT to play enya. He said "Everyone plays enya these days and I'm sick of it." 

In the beginning, I only thought of it as background noise but music is a type of therapy all on it's own. With a little research, I found out that music can stimulate brain wave activity- intense beats can help you stay focused ( so THAT'S why I can take longer walks or stay focused on my work out!). Slower music, like the kind used in a massage session, can create a calm or meditative way of thinking and also help slow heart rate which means slower/deeper breathing!


Other benefits from listening to "massage" music are:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Alleviating depression
• Inspiring creativity and optimism
• Relaxing muscle tension

I've stopped exploring different types of music and have stuck with the genre that I KNOW works. My favorite artists to play during a session are Deuter, Dean Evenson, and Liquid mind.


I did a recent poll on a massage therapy group in Facebook and asked other therapists what kind of music they like to play during a session and got a very eclectic mix. Everything from from Bon Iver to classical music to Hawaiian key slack guitar.


Now it's YOUR turn!
What kind of music do you like to relax to?
tell me in the comments section!

---