General considerations for massage:

• Inappropriate touching and unnecessary exposure of the body are to avoided at all times • Therapist should be relaxed in his/her manner, clean of person, free of jewelry that could scratch a patient (patient may also need to remove jewelry that could potentially be problematic • Therapist should provide a clear explanation of pending intervention and the need for exposure of a body part. • Hands should be clean and well groomed but strong and flexible; nails should be cut short and rounded or filed. • "hands should be well padded, warm, supple, and dry – they should express sensitivity and gentleness, but yet have firmness and strength.” • Start in slow and start to grow – also don't just end abruptly. Once you have begun, always have at least one hand on the patient performing a massage technique. • Make a smooth transition from one technique to the next