From balms to oils, there are a number of mediums that can elevate the massage experience, and having multiple options gives you tactile versatility.
Which medium is best to use?
When it comes to mediums, there is no one correct answer. The optimal medium will depend on the type of massage, the ailment of the client/customer being treated and then there is the personal preferences of the therapist massaging - which can vary greatly. There are the all-rounder mediums which will be good for most clients and then there are some which are very specific to help with certain skin types, including dry skin, and for those that possess a particularly notable amount hand-eroding body hair!
Here are the pros and cons of the 'Big 5':
Oils:
✅ Good: Oils were the first and main medium I ever used during my initial training and getting my sports massage business off the ground. They glide extremely well, warm up quickly and, importantly, are fairly easy and cheap to acquire (Grapeseed is available in most supermarkets). Most oils, like grapeseed, are base oils which can be tweaked with various essential oils to give a desired scent.
❌ Bad: However. Oils are messy. Soooo messy! They will get everywhere unless you clean your hands immediately - which once you’ve got into the habit is fine. I had oil on clothes, the carpet and the walls. It can stain linen and, if the client isn’t wiped thoroughly, can mark clothes and leave the client feeling tacky and/or greasy. They are also not very good for hairier clients.
Lotions & Creams:
✅ Good: Considerably better for those hairier areas! It’s also soooo much tidier, easier to clean and more economical than oils as they don’t absorb quickly and can last a lot longer before needing to reapply more.
❌ Bad: But it comes at a cost - literally. Unless you are making your own, high quality, ready made lotions can be expensive, especially if you get through a lot. Also, most will come pre-scented, which may put off some clients. Also, due to the slow absorbing and thick nature, they can take effort to warm up and can be a tiring medium for massage therapists to use.
Baby Powder (formerly talcum):
✅ Good: A dark horse of the Sports massage world, we have baby powder! Depending on the formula of the baby powder, they can be especially good for soaking up excess mediums/oils to reduce glide. Due to the moisture absorption properties, it's hence brilliant for isolating muscles/areas of massage, particularly for techniques like Triggerpoint Therapy or to get better grip during STR movements/stretches. Also, it doesn’t stain, can have a pleasant/neutral smell and it’s good for the skin.
❌ Bad: But baby powder, like lotions, aren’t the cheapest and they provide little to no glide whatsoever, so useless for large areas. Plus it’s a massive no go for area with moderate-to-long body hair. It can also be quite a mess, so use with caution!
NOTE: Talcum powder is made from talc and is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancers in and around the lungs when inhaled. The biggest global producer of talc based baby powder (Johnson & Johnson) has discontinued the use of talc, opting to use a safer corn-starch based alternative.
Be aware and check the label to ensure you aren't using talc based baby powder. For more info check out:
Waxes:
✅ Good: A favourite at PowerKnapp. An excellent medium, usually pre-mixed with oils, are often the best of both worlds and bridge the gap between oils and lotions! They aren’t too messy, smell good, warm up quickly and provide a brilliant glide. They also have a long-expiry date if you only massage from time to time!
❌ Bad: The only real negative is the price. By far the most expensive medium to get hold of. They are often high quality though and, if you can find/source it, I would recommend to give it a go and see if you feel the price reflects its potential.
Balms
✅ Good: Balms are like the step-brother of waxes, but the parents are more like Lotions meet Talcum. They are tougher, provide greater control, aren’t messy and great for isolated areas of tension.
❌ Bad: BUUUT. They are expensive to use over large areas and realistically, other mediums can do what Balms do, but better. They serve a niche and are perfect to those with smooth skin and isolated pain. But realistically, other mediums out rank these guys.
Our Experience
I hope that provides some insight. I currently cycle through Waxes, Lotions and Oils, depending on the muscles I am targeting, and the clients skin/body hair. When I first set up in Portsmouth (UK) doing Sport Massage, I had just Oils but quickly added Lotions into the mix due to the tidier qualities. More recently, I now also use Waxes simply because I find that the Lotions are somewhat paste-y and tiring to work with! I've found myself using a mixing a combination of Oils and Lotions together too, which is a cheaper means than Waxes. You’ll no doubt go through most of them before you settle with a favourite to work with. All massage therapists will have different approaches depending on your discipline, education and the clients themselves - which vary hugely!
What mediums do you like to use? Do you use any of the above, or something entirely different?! Let us know in the comments below! 🙂
Comments