When the Massage Playlist Takes an Unexpected Turn

After 24 years as a massage therapist, I have learned that every client has unique preferences when it comes to relaxation. Most people are comfortable with the spa's ambient music, but occasionally, someone requests a different soundtrack for their treatment. Today, I had an experience that reminded me just how personal the massage experience can be.

My client asked me to turn off the spa music and then played her own music from her cellphone. For the first time in my 24 years as a massage therapist, I found myself performing a massage to a playlist featuring pop, R&B, and hip hop artists, including Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Doja Cat, Post Malone, and Olivia Rodrigo.

It was an unexpected change of pace. Instead of the soothing instrumental music typically associated with a spa environment, I was working to familiar songs with distinct rhythms and beats. Before I knew it, my hands seemed to move differently as I followed the music. It was an unusual experience, but one that made an otherwise ordinary workday memorable.

Of course, this was not my first experience with unconventional massage music. Years ago, a male client brought his own CD and requested a massage to Megadeth. Another client preferred to listen to a baseball game on AM radio during his session. Both experiences were a departure from the traditional spa atmosphere, but they reinforced the same lesson: relaxation does not sound the same to everyone.

As massage therapists, we often associate a calming environment with soft instrumental music, gentle melodies, and nature sounds. However, clients may find comfort in music that reflects their own personalities, memories, and preferences. For some, that means peaceful piano music. For others, it might mean heavy metal, a favorite pop playlist, or even a live baseball broadcast.

After more than two decades in the profession, I still encounter experiences that make me smile and remind me that no two massage sessions are exactly alike. Sometimes, adapting to a client's preferences means changing the atmosphere entirely, and occasionally, it means finding yourself massaging to a beat you never expected to hear in a spa.