Are you worried about the duration of the massage and any negative impact that it could cause? Or do you feel concerned about taking off your clothes before a stranger? Do you have doubts about the effectiveness of the massage on some chronic ailments?

In case you are considering a professional massage for the first time, there are a few questions that you might want to pause and ask yourself and the service provider too. Given below is a list of things you might want to know before making that appointment for a massage over the weekend:

1) Massages are of many types though the most common is the Swedish massage where the whole body is given a rub-down to relax the muscles and the joints. Other common massages include sports massage, pregnancy massage, deep tissue, hot stone and reflexology massages. Decide the massage type before selecting the service provider.

2) The choice of massage practitioner is quite easy once you know what type of massage you are looking for. If you only want a relaxing massage, check out therapists in your locality from the website of the American Massage Therapy Association. Always prefer a therapist who is certified by the authority.

3) Scheduling of the massage is important because there are a few dos and don'ts that you need to follow diligently before getting that rub down. Do not eat or exercise prior to the massage and ensure that you do not go to work or indulge in other strenuous activity after the massage.

4) Massages do have several health benefits from reducing blood pressure to easing migraine, cutting down stress and even curing a person of flatulence. It also relieves pain in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, cancer and HIV. Some forms of Ayurveda massages are also known to fix pains in the lower back, knees and other joints.

5) Since massages can be performed through clothing, it is not at all compulsory to go naked. Additionally, most therapists prefer the patient to have the undergarments on during a massage while in some cases they use a sheet or towel to drape the parts of your body that is not getting massaged.

6) Massages do not routinely hurt, but in case you have a raw nerve or muscle that aches to the pressure from the therapist, it is good to shout out and let them know. You must always help the masseur apply the right kind of pressure on your body by telling them when it hurts and when it feels good.

7) After the massage, a person could feel drowsy but it would be ideal for you to have a hot water shower before getting into bed. There is also a relaxed feel brought about by the changes in the neurochemicals like serotonin and endorphins that takes place while the masseur is giving you a rub down.