Should I Talk During My Massage?

This is one of the most common questions clients have. “Am I supposed to talk during my massage?” “Can I talk during my massage?

As a massage therapist, I can tell you honestly that there is no rule.

Some people talk the entire session.

Some people fall asleep within minutes.

Some start chatty and slowly drift into quiet.

All of it is perfectly normal!

Here’s the Truth:

This is YOUR session.

You don’t have to entertain your massage therapist, fill silence, or even pretend to be relaxed if you’re not.

When you’re on our table, the session is for you.

Some people find that chatting helps them to unwind, and if that’s the case for you, chat away! If silence helps you relax, all you need to do is breathe. If talking for the first 15 minutes helps clear your mind before you settle into relaxation and stillness, that’s welcome too.

There is no “right way” to receive a massage.

From a Therapist’s Perspective

Even when the room is quiet, we’re not just going through the motions.

We’re paying attention to your breathing.

We’re noticing muscle tone and areas of guarding.

We’re feeling where your body softens and where it resists.

That said, communication about comfort is always important.

Please tell us if:

• The pressure is too much or not enough

• You’re too warm or too cold

• A position feels uncomfortable

• You need an adjustment or extra support

That kind of talking is helpful and encouraged!

Why Silence Can Be Powerful

Many of us spend our days responding to emails, clients, family, and responsibilities.

Massage can be one of the only spaces where you don’t have to produce anything. You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to be “on.”

When the room is quiet, your nervous system often shifts. Breathing deepens. Muscles soften. Your body moves from “doing” into “being.”

That shift is part of the therapeutic effect.

But again, silence is an option, not a requirement. Relaxation is different for every person.

If You’re Unsure

If you’re not sure what to do, follow your body!

If you feel like chatting, chat.

If you feel yourself drifting, let yourself drift.

A good massage therapist will follow your lead and hold space either way.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t quiet.

The goal is relief, regulation, and feeling more at home in your body.

And there’s more than one way to get there.