Frequently Asked Questions
Must I be completely undressed?
Will the therapist be present when I disrobe?
Will I be covered during the session?
What parts of my body will be massaged?
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork? Are there any medical conditions
that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Must I be completely undressed?
It depends on what kind of session you get. Most of my massages are given with the client completely disrobed and covered by a sheet. You will be properly draped during the entire session.
Many clients ask if they should keep their underpants or not. My preference is to work on clients without underwear. There are several reasons for this.
Many clients complain about lower back pain. Muscle tension in the gluteal muscles (your butt muscles) is directly linked to lower back pain - so if you leave your underwear on, I will be unable to address the gluteal muscles properly and, most likely, your lower back pain will persist. Another reason is that the "glutes" are an important juction between the upper and lower body, which means they gather lots of tension easily. Massaging the glutes brings unity to the upper and lower body. The glutes are also put under strain by sitting and walking. This tension often spreads very quickly to other parts of the body, making a massage without glute work much less effective than a massage with glute work.
When I work on the glutes, I will put clear boundaries with the sheet and I never work underneath the sheet. No "crack" will be shown at anytime during the session. The most medial (inside) portion of the glutes will not be massaged.
Even though it is my preference to work with clients completely disrobed, my number one priority is client comfort. So, if you really don't feel comfortable without underwear, you may undress to your level of comfort. It would be my hope that in future sessions, you may like to try a session completely disrobed.
Will the therapist be present when I disrobe?
I will leave the room and wash my hands while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with the sheet. I will adjust anything that needs it and make you more comfortable if possible when I come back to the room.
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, legs, feet, hands, neck, and shoulders. Massage for the face, head and/or abdomen (abdominal work can help ease an upset stomach or help any scars on the abdomen) can be done on request. The genital area will not be included.
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. I use a special cream that melts into a lotion to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The cream also helps hydrate your skin.
Is massage supposed to hurt?
One of the biggest and most harmful misconceptions about massage is "no pain, no gain" or "if it doesn't hurt, it's not really doing anything". These myths are completely false. You feel pain because your body is trying to communicate that something is wrong. So if you feel pain during a massage it means that I'm doing more harm than good. If you ignore the pain, your body will not benefit from it. In fact, your body will probably be more tense than it was in the beginning of the massage. A massage session is an opportunity to get in touch with what your body is feeling, not to suppress feelings of pain.
A deep massage is not neccessarily better than a medium or light pressure massage. Some people respond better to a medium massage than they would a deeper massage. There's nothing wrong with this; that's just the way some people are.
So, you should always communicate during the session if you want the pressure any deeper or lighter. Never assume that "the pressure supposed to be uncomfortable" or that "the massage therapist knows better than I do". I will try to estimate how much pressure is best for your body based on the state of the tissue and how it responds, but I need your honest feedback to give the best session possible. Remember, if you don't say anything during the session, I'm going to assume that the pressure is fine and that you want to be left alone.
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork - please see the "Services" section of the website for more information.
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. When I return to the room, I will make sure that everything I comfortable (temperature, face cradle settings etc.) 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). If I lift up your arm for example, try not to "help" by lifting your arm for me. This is your time to relax and unless otherwise noted, you don't have to do anything during the session. Certain types of sessions may require more active client participation, but we'll thoroughly discuss that before the session. 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.
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 relaxed or sleepy, people often experience increased energy, heightened body awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. It is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage to prevent soreness.
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Please see the "Benefits of Massage" section of the website for more information.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Yes. That's why I will ask general health questions before you begin your session. It is very important that you inform me of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care for a serious or chronic health conditions, it is strongly advised that you check with your doctor for clearance to recieve massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required before recieveing a session.
Clients often neglect to tell me about past injuries. That broken leg that you had as a kid may not seem very important now, but neglecting to mention it leaves out a vital piece of the whole picture of your health. The broken leg often leaves compensation patterns that are present years later. Other important things to mention are any childhood injuries, sports injuries, extensive dental work, surgeries, or any injuries that have left scars.