What types of massage do you offer?
I practice several types of massage often mixing techniques during one session. The modalities I practice include: swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, neuromuscular therapies & pregnancy massage.
Where will my massage session take place?
Your massage session will take place in my massage studio, a separate building next to my private residence. I have a massage table with a warm table heater if you run cold. Additionally, my studio also has air conditioning for the hot summer days.
Will I have privacy when I undress?
I will give you privacy and will leave the room while you undress. From there get comfortable on the table between the sheets, snuggly under the blanket. I will knock before I enter the room.
Will I be covered during the massage?
Please rest assured that I will only uncover the area I am working on during the massage.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. Depending on your unique situation that day, the massage may or may not include all fore-mentioned areas. Please communicate your expectations for the session.
What is a massage like?
I start my massages with general sweeping strokes, in a Swedish fashion. As the massage progresses I will get deeper and address the areas of complaint. I will check in with you on how much pressure is enough. I use a light coconut oil and sometimes a massage cream, both products prevent excessive friction on your skin. If you have skin allergies please let me know before the session begins.
What is expected of me during the session?
Please let me know if you have any questions any time before or during the massage. I enjoy educating my clients about massage. Please make yourself comfortable, if any adjustments to temperature or positioning need to be made I will do my best to accommodate. Sometimes during a massage the technique will require some movement, I will communicate what will be helpful (such as moving your arm). Most clients like to relax and enjoy their massage while others like to chat, both are welcome.
Are there any benefits besides relaxation with massage?
There have been several studies that have shown that besides relaxation massage offers relief from chronic pain, decreases insomnia, aids in digestion, helps support your immune system, and relieves muscle tension, as well as effecting the cardiovascular system, simulating the same effect as walking a few miles without the calorie expenditure.
Are there any health conditions that make massage inadvisable?
Yes, that is why your session will begin with a health history intake. It is important to include as much current health history as possible for your safety and benefit.
I might be sick, can I still get a massage?
If you have a fever or an infectious sickness, even a common cold, that is good reason to postpone your massage appointment. For one thing, touch may not feel good. For another thing, you may be contagious, especially in the first stages of a cold or flu. This is usually when you are feeling the worst, when you are coughing and sneezing frequently. The more you limit your contact with others, including your massage therapist, the less you will spread it around.
Studies show that you can transmit a cold or flu to others one or two days before your symptoms appear, and up to five days after first being exposed to the virus. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), colds are most contagious two to four days after original exposure, when there is plenty of the virus present in nasal secretions.