Yes! I’ve found the culprit is usually the tilt and height of the face cradle. Work with your practitioner to adjust it so your head and neck are in line with your body—when lying prone, your forehead is at the same height as the table and isn’t tilted too far downward toward the floor. Picture your head and neck position in relation to your shoulders while you’re standing up and try to replicate that on the table. Also, be sure your forehead is resting on the correct area of the cradle—toward the outer edge. This will help alleviate some pressure on your sinuses. If you still can’t find any relief, ask your therapist to work in side-lying position and skip the prone position altogether.

Kristin Coverly, LMT, is a massage therapist and educator for Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals. 

“I’m in my early 20s and am curious about getting an early start on preventing signs of premature aging. Do you have any suggestions?” 

A typical home-care program for a 20-something client should include a rinsable, light-foaming cleanser for morning use; a thorough, nonoily makeup remover; a nonalcoholic toner to complete cleansing; an alpha/beta hydroxyl serum to help with both potential pore impactions and cell renewal; a noncomedogenic sunscreen for day use; a noncomedogenic hydrator for night hydration; a benzoyl peroxide gel if the skin is acne-prone; and a preventive antioxidant serum and eye cream. 

Skin Care Educator/Product Developer/Therapist/Author, Mark Lees, PhD, MS, CIDESCO