Last week, I went for my first professional massage. My mom got me a gift card almost a whole year ago for my birthday so I could go, but I was so nervous about scheduling one that I didn't do it until now. I regret not going sooner.

The woman who did the massage was probably one of the kindest people I've ever met. I didn't expect anything less, but still, she was exceptionally friendly. My only conceptions of massage experiences were from the media-- TV shows and movies. Obviously, I know enough to realize it wouldn't be as dramatized, but I still felt anxious. Let me just say that the disastrous, sexualized, unpleasant experiences shown in the movies did not at all represent my experience. Instead, it was a chance for me to stop listening, stop perceiving, stop thinking. I rested. I lay silently on a heated bed with a perfectly weighted sheet and blanket draped over my body, my face concealed in the padding of the headrest. Yes, there was another person in the room and for a few moments, I felt vulnerable. But the calming music and soft scent of fresh linens that filled the air around me completely erased that feeling. I was made to feel comfortable, both physically and mentally.

The massage therapist asked me at the start if I had ever had a massage before, and I told her no. She probably sensed the skeptic in me and reassured me that I had control over the session. Too much or too little pressure? Too much heat from the bed? Music too loud? "Just let me know and I can adjust." Everything was in my control for those sixty minutes and I think that that frame of mind gave me more comfort than anything else. Except for the last thing she said to me before leaving the room to let me get undressed: "undress to your comfort level". There was really nothing she left for me to wonder or fear. After hearing that it was all my choice, I realized that really was the one in control of the session.

If you are hesitant to get a massage for reasons like these, my best recommendation is to research. Research the facility you're going to, the employees, and, as always, others' experiences. There is nothing more honest than the reviews of those who have been. If your massage therapist does not immediately ensure that your comfort is most important, you may want to consider looking for a different one next time. I firmly believe even after just one massage that if I had gone to someone who made me even the least bit uncomfortable, the quality of the whole session would be tarnished. I am so glad I finally went, and I can't wait to go back. I highly recommend trying massage therapy because it not only helps with physical ailments, but it can also have a profound effect on your mental and emotional health as well. I left the salon with a relaxed body and a clear mind. If I had to rate my experience on a scale from one to ten, I would undoubtedly give it a 10.