Do you accept credit cards? Yes - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and Debit cards, are accepted, as well as cash. Personal checks from repeat clients will be accepted. Where will my massage or bodywork session take place? Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room in your location of choice. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
What should I expect from my first session? The therapist will arrive ten to fifteen minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for equipment set up and paperwork.
We will discuss your health history, bodywork experience, preferences, and goals. Your posture may also be analyzed to identify structural imbalances contributing to your pain or tension. This information helps to design your treatment session to best address your needs. If there are any areas of your body that you would rather we avoid, please let me know. The therapist will leave the room and return once you are lying comfortably between the sheets on the table. Please undress to your level of comfort. During your massage, you will be draped to protect your privacy, so completely undressing is appropriate. If you feel more comfortable wearing undergarments, please feel free to do so.
Throughout your session please simply relax, breathe and allow us to move your limbs without assistance. I will check in with you periodically for feedback on pressure and your general comfort. Please let me know if you become uncomfortable for any reason. If you feel pain, if you need more pressure, if the room is too warm or too cool, if the music is too loud, if your sinuses become uncomfortably congested. Let me know and I can accommodate your needs. Massage therapy is most effective if you are comfortable and completely relaxed.
Must I be completely undressed? Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped during the entire session.
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe? I will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet. I will knock on the door or announce myself, prior to entering to make sure you are ready for me. When your session is over, I will leave you to rest for a few minutes. Take your time getting up, note any changes in your body, and let everything sink in. When you’re ready, you may dress and come and come out of room. The therapist will then pack-up the room and depart. Will I be covered during the session? You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.
What parts of my body will be massaged? A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, chest, gluteals, abdominals, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. You and I will discuss what areas will be addressed during your session. You may always inform your me of areas that you prefer to be avoided during treatment.
What will the massage or bodywork feel like? A relaxing Swedish Massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A light oil s used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting or experiencing pain.
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork? There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic strokes, rocking movement, extremity traction, posture and movement re-education, application of sustained pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods would be most appropriate for you and your current state of health.
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session? Prior to the massage, feel free to ask me any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. I will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask at any time before, during, or after treatment.
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session? Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days.
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork? Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.
How often should I get a massage? Massage has a cumulative effect. While a single massage as a treat to yourself is wonderful, regular massage – whatever the frequency – can lead to profound and long-lasting changes. Depending on your personal preference, your budget, and your needs, you may choose to come every week or just a few times a year. Everyone’s needs are different, but generally speaking, once a month provides “maintenance” of previous progress, while more frequent visits create more long-term change. For acute issues such as injury recovery or chronic pain, frequent visits are recommended initially.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable? Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform me of any health problems, skin conditions, or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.