Our signature Neu Release® service is a fully clothed massage. So, you may be wondering…

How do I dress for a Clothes-On massage?

1. Lean towards comfortable and stretchy clothing. This can be yoga or athletic wear, or even pajamas.

2. Avoid unforgiving fabrics, like denim or khaki.

3. Avoid hardware, like metal buttons and zippers around the waistband, pockets, or elsewhere, as well as hard pieces in bra straps and closures.

 

Essentially the goal is to keep you comfortable and to ensure a good quality of massage. Thick or hard clothing will create a stiff barrier, preventing the best feeling during your session.
In addition to the fundamentals listed above, there are a couple more points that can help you stay even more comfortable:

4. Add layers! A comfy hoodie or sweatshirt will help you stay warm. Avoid a thick knit, because the heavy texture will be distracting.

5. Keep your toes warm with clean socks. If you prefer, they can be removed during the foot massage, but left on otherwise for comfortability.

6. Avoid many straps. If you are wearing a bra, please reduce the amount of straps and lean away from the hardware, like plastic length adjusters or metal closures. Soft support is ideal.

7. Consider skipping make-up and jewelry, if you can. These will either have to be avoided or removed for your massage.

By following the principles of comfort and softness, you can be ready for you next clothes-on massage.

 

But to get ready for specifically a Neu Release Massage, here are some additional tips about what’s best put on your body before your session:

8. Generally there is less skin contact in Neu Release massage. If you like more skin contact, we can touch on the arms, neck and shoulders, lower legs, and feet. Wear clothing that can reveal more skin.

9. Be cautious with your application of oils and lotions.

If your body is covered with a lotion, cream, or oil, it will be more slippery for our style of massage. This reduces the myofascial intensity of the work, and may decrease the beneficial results of your session.  Try to use a light amount of oils and creams, just enough to make your skin feel comfortable and hydrated, but not quite fully coated.

Follow the 9 principles above, you will be well dressed for your session. If you want more details, explanations, and examples, let’s break it down. I will continue to go through this list point by point with more elaboration.

Fitness clothing

Lean towards comfortable and stretchy clothing. This can be yoga or athletic wear, or even pajamas.

Comfortable and stretchy clothing allows for freedom of movement and enhances relaxation during the massage. This clothing is more flexible. It will be easier to perform stretches and move around as needed.

You can avoid uncomfortable distractions restrictive, stiff fabrics. The clothing should not get in the way of the massage. Comfortable and stretchy clothing will feel almost invisible.

Examples of What to Wear
Examples of What Not to Wear

 

Avoid unforgiving fabrics, like denim or khaki.

Unforgiving fabrics such as denim or khaki will feel rigid and uncomfortable during a massage. The stiffness will limit the therapist’s ability to perform certain techniques and hinder your relaxation.

Examples of What to Wear:
Examples of What Not to Wear:

Avoid hardware, like metal buttons and zippers around the waistband, pockets, or elsewhere, as well as hard pieces in bra straps and closures.

Hardware like metal buttons, zippers, and stiff closures will interfere with the therapist’s technique, and block their access from important areas, especially around the hips, and lower back. If the therapist were to work over metal hardware, it will cause pain, hurting both you and the therapist.

Examples of What to Wear
Examples of What Not to Wear
Add layers! A comfy hoodie or sweatshirt will help you stay warm. Avoid a thick knit, because the heavy texture will be distracting.

Adding layers can help regulate body temperature and keep you cozy. It is natural for your body temperature to drop lightly during the massage, similar to sleep. We highly recommend wearing an extra top layer, especially if you get chilly. However, you should be cautious about your choice of sweatshirt, hoodie, or sweater.

Sweashirts and Sweaters

A simple and untextured fabric, like a thick cotton, is ideal. It will not get in the way of your massage.  A more textured fabric or a thick knit will be a distraction and interference with your massage.

The fabric may be pushed and pulled around during the massage. A thick cotton or stretch fabrics can withstand this type of tension. Clothes-on massage will not damage regular clothing.

Special fabrics, such as cashmere or light wools, can be stretched and potentially damaged by the stretching and tension during a massage. Do not wear special fabrics for your massage.

Hoodies

Hoodies are actually a great idea. The therapist can use the hoodie to tuck away long hair while working on the upper back. The hood will keep your head, and therefore your body, more warm.

Keep your toes warm with clean socks. If you prefer, they can be removed during the foot massage, but left on otherwise for comfortability.

Warm feet help regulate your body temperature. It’s all too easy for your toes to get cold. Keeping your toes warm with socks will keep you more comfortable for the massage, especially if you run cold.

Please wear clean socks. If your socks or feet are not clean, your therapist may avoid your feet.

Examples of What to Wear
Examples of What Not to Wear
Avoid many straps. If you are wearing a bra, please reduce the amount of straps and lean away from the hardware, like plastic length adjusters or metal closures. Soft support is ideal.

The massage therapist needs to feel through your clothing, to understand your tension and how to massage you best. If you have many straps, it will create a block in the process.

Avoid hardware

Limit or avoid entirely any plastic or metal hardware pieces. If you wear these pieces during the massage, the area beneath hardware will have to be avoided. If the therapist applied pressure on top of the hardware, it would press into the skin, hurting both you and the therapist.

Many strap designs

Some sports bras have lovely multi-strap designs. These are fun, but not great for massage. This will add way too much texture to your upper back, and make it difficult for your therapist to find the knots. For best access, limit straps to the bare minimum, or opt for a tank top with built in cups.

Consider doing without

You don’t need to worry about how you look when you come in for a massage. Do what is most comfortable for your body, whether that is soft support or none.

If you have larger breasts, you need enough support to keep you comfortable while laying face up during your session. Stick to the principles of soft support of minimal hardware.

Consider skipping make-up and jewelry, if you can. These will either have to be avoided or removed for your massage.

Both make-up and jewelry will block massage in that area of the body. They should be removed before the session if you want work on any of those areas, including: wrist, hands, neck, ears, and face.

Jewelry

Generally, jewelry is the most likely thing you will forget. Our massage therapists keep an eye out, but still jewelry is often forgotten behind. It’s easier if you don’t wear it and don’t risk losing it. It will also cut down on one more thing to have to remember before and after your massage, letting you focus on just being relaxed.

Make-up

If you don’t care about receiving face massage, then make-up does not have to be removed. However your make-up will likely get smudged from the different positions laying face up or down. So if you have somewhere to go after your massage, you may want to wait to do make up after your session or bring tools for some serious touch-ups.

Generally there is less skin contact in Neu Release massage. If you like more skin contact, we can touch on the arms, neck and shoulders, lower legs, and feet. Wear clothing that can reveal more skin.

 

Skin contact can be beneficial for massage. Working directly on the skin allows the massage therapist more direct myofascial access, instead of indirectly through fabrics. Direct myofascial can help the work to be deeper and more intense.

 

Be cautious with your application of oils and lotions.

If your body is covered with a lotion, cream, or oil, it will be more slippery for the massage, and can get in the way of our work together. Excess oils and creams reduce the myofascial intensity of the work, and may decrease the beneficial results of your session.

Oils and creams can hinder the Neu Release massage technique. The slickness will make stretching more difficult, if not impossible. The massage therapist is supposed to stretch using your hands, arms, feet and ankles, neck, shoulders, and head all as levers. If these areas are slippery, the therapist will not be able to solidly hold and traction for a deep, effective stretch. With oils and creams, the stretches will likely be more superficial.

If there is a solid layer of oil or cream, the massage therapist will glide more easily, instead of working slowly and deep. Ultimately it wouldn’t ruin your massage entirely, but it’s not what a Neu Release is really about. Myofascial is an important part of our healing recipe, and it won’t be quite the same without it. If you want the full benefits of your session, consider adjusting your use of oils and creams before your session.

Just the morning of your session, try to use a light amount of extra lubrication. Aim for enough to make your skin feel comfortable and hydrated, but not quite fully coated.

Ready for your Clothed Massage

 

Preparing for a clothes-on massage, especially a Neu Release Massage, involves thoughtful consideration of your attire and skincare routine. Despite the effort, it truly is worth it, so that you can get the most out of your massage experience.

By taking these steps, you’ll be well-prepared for your clothes-on massage, allowing for deeper work, more stretching movement, and improved access to muscles. Embrace the relaxation and therapeutic benefits of your session, knowing that your clothing choice supports your comfort.

Clothes-on massage offers exceptional benefits by providing better access for more profound results. Remaining fully clothed during the session allows therapists to target specific areas with focused techniques like stretching and myofascial release, leading to a deeper sense of relaxation and relief. This approach not only ensures your comfort but also promotes a more efficient and effective massage experience, uncovering tight muscles and tension you may not have realized were there.

Maia Spertus LMT

Maia Spertus is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Austin Texas, with a background of experience in Medical Massage, Sports Recovery, Trigger Point release, as well as the traditional practices of Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage. Through her experience working with people suffering from chronic pain, active athletes, as well as desk jockeys, she is an expert in helping people feel the best in their bodies. She is also a trained yoga teacher, and avid fitness enthusiast herself.