Never received a massage before? Visiting a new therapist and not sure what to expect? Ask questions beforehand to lesson your anxiety!
FAQs |
Here are some questions I am frequently asked. Many answers are general, but some are specific to what you can expect as you receive a massage from me.
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WHO
What are the benefits of massage? Are there any medical conditions that are contraindicated for massage? How soon after an injury can I receive a massage? |
WHAT TO WEAR
Must I be completely undressed? Will the massage therapist be present if I undress? Will I be covered during the massage? |
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EXPECTATIONS
Where will my massage take place? What parts of my body will be massaged? What will the massage feel like? Are there different kinds of massages? What type of oil or lotion will be used? What if I am ticklish? Will the massage hurt? What should I do during the massage? |
AFTERWARDS
How will I feel after the massage? What should I do after the massage? If I came in with a problem, will I feel better after the massage? How soon after an injury can I receive a massage? When should I return? How often should I receive massages? |
Questions About Who Can Receive a Massage
What are the benefits of massage?
Massage can help release chronic tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. Refer to the "Benefits" page for even more reasons to receive a massage.
Are there any medical conditions that are contraindicated for massage?
Yes there are contraindications like a fever, contagious disease, or a cardiovascular condition. Massage can be adapted for most medical problems, and in fact help with healing. Inform your therapist of any health problems or medications which you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, consult with him/her prior to receiving a massage. You should fill out a client intake form before your first session. Include any health concerns and discuss them with your therapist. If something changes between subsequent visits, let your therapist know.
How soon after an injury can I receive a massage?
If the injury is soft-tissue related, with a skilled massage therapist, you can receive treatment immediately. Depending on the injury, the massage may be brief and light touch. Often return visits will be beneficial and the massage may change in length and depth. Read more about this.
Massage can help release chronic tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. Refer to the "Benefits" page for even more reasons to receive a massage.
Are there any medical conditions that are contraindicated for massage?
Yes there are contraindications like a fever, contagious disease, or a cardiovascular condition. Massage can be adapted for most medical problems, and in fact help with healing. Inform your therapist of any health problems or medications which you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, consult with him/her prior to receiving a massage. You should fill out a client intake form before your first session. Include any health concerns and discuss them with your therapist. If something changes between subsequent visits, let your therapist know.
How soon after an injury can I receive a massage?
If the injury is soft-tissue related, with a skilled massage therapist, you can receive treatment immediately. Depending on the injury, the massage may be brief and light touch. Often return visits will be beneficial and the massage may change in length and depth. Read more about this.
Questions About What to Wear
Must I be completely undressed?
No, not necessarily. Many massages can be performed with clothing on, but some techniques are more effective if the massage therapist can work directly on the skin, which is easier if the client is undressed. You should undress to your comfort level. If that means keeping some of your clothing on, the therapist will work around it. But if you undress, know that you will always be properly covered during the entire massage session.
Will the massage therapist be present if I undress?
No. The therapist will leave the room while you undress. You will then lay on the table under a sheet and blanket.
Will I be covered during the massage?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you covered, warm, and comfortable. Only the part of your body being worked on will be exposed.
No, not necessarily. Many massages can be performed with clothing on, but some techniques are more effective if the massage therapist can work directly on the skin, which is easier if the client is undressed. You should undress to your comfort level. If that means keeping some of your clothing on, the therapist will work around it. But if you undress, know that you will always be properly covered during the entire massage session.
Will the massage therapist be present if I undress?
No. The therapist will leave the room while you undress. You will then lay on the table under a sheet and blanket.
Will I be covered during the massage?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you covered, warm, and comfortable. Only the part of your body being worked on will be exposed.
Questions About What to Expect During a Massage
Where will my massage take place?
In a warm, comfortable, and quiet room.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
It depends on your needs and comfort level. If your visit is for therapeutic purposes, your massage may be focused on only the area needing attention. If your visit is for a full-body session, the therapist will include work on your back, arms, hands, legs, feet, abdomen, shoulders, neck, and head. If there is a part of the body you do not want massaged, let the therapist know. Your private areas will never be touched.
What will the massage feel like?
It depends on the reason you are receiving a massage. Some massages are very light-touch and others are deeper. When people think of a massage, they often think of a relaxing Swedish massage. 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. If you are receiving a different type of massage, ask your therapist what to expect. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken.
Are there different kinds of massages?
Yes! There are hundreds of different types of massages. Refer to the"Techniques" page to better understand the modalities in which I am trained. You can request a specific massage, but usually I will blend the different types of massages to fit your needs and comfort level.
What type of oil or lotion will be used?
It depends on the type of massage you are receiving and on your needs. In fact, with some types of massage no oil or lotion is required. I make my own lotion with the highest quality ingredients. Lotion or oil is used to allow the therapist to glide over your skin without friction. It also helps to hydrate your skin
What if I am ticklish?
Some people are ticklish to touch, but I will work with you to lessen the sensation and probably even avoid it. I utilize several techniques that have been successful in helping you to relax and enjoy your massage.
Will the massage hurt?
No, it should not. If you are receiving a therapeutic massage, there may be some discomfort, but if you are ever in pain, communicate that with the therapist. If your muscles are tightening up because of pain, it lessens the effect of the massage. If the therapist is working deeply, she should ease into the muscle and not force her way in.
What should I do during the massage?
Be comfortable. If you are receiving a therapeutic massage, communicate a lot with your therapist. If you are receiving a relaxing massage, the therapist 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.
In a warm, comfortable, and quiet room.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
It depends on your needs and comfort level. If your visit is for therapeutic purposes, your massage may be focused on only the area needing attention. If your visit is for a full-body session, the therapist will include work on your back, arms, hands, legs, feet, abdomen, shoulders, neck, and head. If there is a part of the body you do not want massaged, let the therapist know. Your private areas will never be touched.
What will the massage feel like?
It depends on the reason you are receiving a massage. Some massages are very light-touch and others are deeper. When people think of a massage, they often think of a relaxing Swedish massage. 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. If you are receiving a different type of massage, ask your therapist what to expect. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken.
Are there different kinds of massages?
Yes! There are hundreds of different types of massages. Refer to the"Techniques" page to better understand the modalities in which I am trained. You can request a specific massage, but usually I will blend the different types of massages to fit your needs and comfort level.
What type of oil or lotion will be used?
It depends on the type of massage you are receiving and on your needs. In fact, with some types of massage no oil or lotion is required. I make my own lotion with the highest quality ingredients. Lotion or oil is used to allow the therapist to glide over your skin without friction. It also helps to hydrate your skin
What if I am ticklish?
Some people are ticklish to touch, but I will work with you to lessen the sensation and probably even avoid it. I utilize several techniques that have been successful in helping you to relax and enjoy your massage.
Will the massage hurt?
No, it should not. If you are receiving a therapeutic massage, there may be some discomfort, but if you are ever in pain, communicate that with the therapist. If your muscles are tightening up because of pain, it lessens the effect of the massage. If the therapist is working deeply, she should ease into the muscle and not force her way in.
What should I do during the massage?
Be comfortable. If you are receiving a therapeutic massage, communicate a lot with your therapist. If you are receiving a relaxing massage, the therapist 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.
Questions About After a Massage
How will I feel after the massage?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. Occasionally your muscles may be a little sore for a few days afterwards, especially if your body has greater range of motion and muscles are being used in new ways. It should be the "good" kind of sore muscle from being used! After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Most people report that they sleep better after receiving a massage.
What should I do after a massage?
Drink water. If you were given stretches by your therapist, physical therapist, or doctor, continue to do them. That will help reinforce the benefits of your massage. You can prolong the benefits by doing self-massage with a foam roller. Don't bruise or hurt yourself, but be gentle.
If I came in with a problem, will I feel better after the massage?
I hope so! But I don't know. Massage helps some problems immediately. Other problems require several visits with incremental improvement each time. Each person's body responds differently, so even if you have the same problem as someone else, I cannot say if you will respond in the same way. If nothing else, you should be relaxed, and it is in the relaxed parasympathetic mode which your body can heal itself.
When should I return? How often should I receive massages?
This depends on YOU - your needs, your time, your finances. Discuss with your therapist what they suggest, but know that you decide how frequently to receive a massage. I never know how a body will respond to a therapeutic massage, so I leave the decision of when to return up to the patient. Pay attention to your body and how it responds to massage.
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. Occasionally your muscles may be a little sore for a few days afterwards, especially if your body has greater range of motion and muscles are being used in new ways. It should be the "good" kind of sore muscle from being used! After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Most people report that they sleep better after receiving a massage.
What should I do after a massage?
Drink water. If you were given stretches by your therapist, physical therapist, or doctor, continue to do them. That will help reinforce the benefits of your massage. You can prolong the benefits by doing self-massage with a foam roller. Don't bruise or hurt yourself, but be gentle.
If I came in with a problem, will I feel better after the massage?
I hope so! But I don't know. Massage helps some problems immediately. Other problems require several visits with incremental improvement each time. Each person's body responds differently, so even if you have the same problem as someone else, I cannot say if you will respond in the same way. If nothing else, you should be relaxed, and it is in the relaxed parasympathetic mode which your body can heal itself.
When should I return? How often should I receive massages?
This depends on YOU - your needs, your time, your finances. Discuss with your therapist what they suggest, but know that you decide how frequently to receive a massage. I never know how a body will respond to a therapeutic massage, so I leave the decision of when to return up to the patient. Pay attention to your body and how it responds to massage.
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