Questions about your massage service? This massage therapy FAQ discusses
before, during, and after your massage! If you still have questions, please contact me!
Before Your Massage
Even if you don’t have a specific health issue, massage is greatly beneficial for your mind and body. For example, some of the benefits include:
- Promoting relaxation and stress relief which leads to better sleep.
- Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.
- Alleviating muscle tension and pain, especially common areas like lower back and neck.
- Managing fibromyalgia and chronic pain.
- Enhancing exercise performance and post-workout recovery.
- Relieving tension headaches and reducing migraine frequency.
- Improving cardiovascular health and lowering blood pressure.
- Alleviating the pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Increased range of motion and reduced knee and hip replacement pain.
- Improved quality of life in hospice care, better balance and reduced effects of dementia for geriatric patients, and
- Alleviating symptoms of Post-Partum Depression (PPD) and pregnancy pain.
I can give recommendations based on my evaluation of your body’s needs and problem areas. Additionally, I can work with your doctor on a massage treatment plan that is right for you. You can always try any modality that you’re curious about. I meet you at your level – even if it’s your first time, and it’s great to switch things up every now and again if you want to try something new!
Firstly, before your massage make sure to hydrate well. Hydrated muscles are flexible, so you will get the most benefit from your treatment. Above all, keep drinking water after your massage to flush out toxins and reduce soreness.
Secondly, do some gentle stretching afterwards. Pay special attention to your trouble spots that received the most attention during your massage.
Thirdly, take a warm bath. Ideally, add Epsom salts (1/2 cup to 1 cup for adults), and soak for 20-40 minutes. Epsom salts are an inexpensive and effective way to further help your body rid itself of toxins and reduce muscle inflammation. You also get the added bonus of absorbing the beneficial magnesium found in Epsom salts through your skin.
Absolutely. Above all, please consult with your doctor about whether massage is right for you. Certainly, always let your therapist know of any health problems, sensitive areas, recent surgeries, and medications you are taking that may affect your treatment. For example, heart medication, blood thinners, pain killers, etc.
It means you are welcome and safe to be your authentic self. My massage practice is body-positive, inclusive, queer-friendly, trans-affirming, and trauma-informed.
At your first appointment, I do a short verbal intake and ask you basic, non-invasive questions like: Have you had a massage before? Are there areas of your body you want me to focus on or stay away from? Do you have any recent injuries or acute health conditions I need to know about? Some massage therapists ask you to fill out forms that include highly-personal (and frankly, irrelevant) questions about gender and medications. I don’t need to know the specific medications you’re on unless it affects how your body will respond to massage (like heart medications, blood thinners, or pain meds). I don’t need to know details about surgeries or treatments unless they are relevant to your session (if, for example, there is post-operative pain or swelling, or the operation was very recent). I will ask you about your pronouns (I use she/her), and I encourage you to let me know if your pronouns have changed since I saw you last.
Traditional draping methods force therapists to make inappropriate decisions based on assumptions about bodies, and not taking into account someone’s identity.
To combat this, I use gender-neutral draping methods for all clients. You are welcome to adjust the draping to your comfort level and undress to your comfort level. Please let me know of any areas you would like avoided.
Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a holistic and collaborative approach to your treatment – taking into account the potential of existing traumas.
TIC shifts the focus of your session to acknowledging that you are the expert on your body. Most importantly, TIC ensures that you feel empowered, safe, and relaxed during your treatment.
I’m here to listen, validate, and facilitate relief via my knowledge and expertise of anatomy and methods of relaxation. I follow your guidance and feedback on what is and is not comfortable for you. In addition to clothing – pressure, temperature, draping and positioning can be easily adjusted to fit your needs. You may ask to stop any treatment at any time.
Even if you don’t have a history of trauma, you can greatly benefit from this approach by trusting that safety, communication and transparency will always be there.
No! Traditionally, massage clients disrobe completely. However, please undress (or not!) to your comfort level. For instance, this can mean anything from fully disrobing to wearing a chest binder, to remaining fully clothed. Your massage will still be just as therapeutic and relaxing!
I am trauma-informed and experienced with working with clients of all genders, identities, and body types. Whatever you need to feel safe and relax you during your treatment, I am happy to accommodate!
I leave the room until you are under the sheets and ready for your treatment. And, when your treatment is over and you are getting dressed.
I drape your body and tuck the edges of the sheets at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. I only expose the area I’m working on.
Your session includes our consultation about your problem areas and what you hope to get out of the massage, time to disrobe and get dressed,. And, your massage, of course!
Due to medical reasons, I am unable to continue doing mobile massage therapy, unless you have your own table. Please contact me for further questions.
During Your Massage
I evaluate your needs, and discuss your outcome and goals. This often determines which parts of the body we’ll treat.
A typical full-body massage includes work on your back, abdomen, glutes, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. You will not be touched on or near your genitals or breasts. Most importantly, please let me know if there are parts of your body that you would like for me to avoid.
Make yourself comfortable, relax, and breathe deeply. I will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Feel free to let me know if you would like deeper or lighter pressure.
Do whatever relaxes you. Some clients are chatty, and some prefer quiet. I’m happy to accommodate what makes you comfortable.
This depends on the type of massage and the depth of the strokes. For instance, a light, relaxing massage that does not probe very deep into the muscles, should not hurt. With that being said, there is a ‘feels good’ hurt and an ‘ouch, stop it’ hurt. A good massage, even a really deep tissue massage, should always stay in the ‘feels good’ hurt range.
Pain can be an indication that the muscle is possibly injured or inflamed and pressure should be adjusted. Also, pain can cause you to tighten up and negate the relaxing effects of the massage.
Moreover, the most effective and deepest massage always works with your body’s natural response, not against it.
If you want to, but we don’t have to! Certainly, many therapists play slower, quieter, ‘new age’ type of music. However, you can choose to have different music or no music at all. Studies have shown that music at under 60 beats-per-minute has a calming, relaxing effect on the body – enhancing your experience.
Most importantly, we can play any music that relaxes you. We can rock out, Zen out, or you can listen to and focus on your breathing.
After Your Massage
You will feel relaxed, likely less stress, and your chronic aches and pains alleviated! After an initial period of feeling a bit drowsy immediately after your treatment, people often experience energy increases and greater productivity that can last for days.
I give custom recommendations based on your body’s needs. But, it is entirely up to you how often you get a massage.
Typically, for those who use massage as preventative care or to manage daily stress, one massage a month is common. Most people opt for at least twice a month for optimal therapeutic relief. Weekly sessions may be desirable if you are receiving massage for injury relief, or to relieve chronic tightness that is interfering with your daily life.
A little bit of soreness is totally normal after a massage; you’ve had muscles and trouble spots stimulated. Lactic acid (the same stuff that makes you sore after a workout) builds and can also contribute to soreness. Drink lots of water, do gentle stretching, and take an Epsom salt bath to help alleviate your soreness. As your body becomes accustomed to regular massages, you’ll experience the next-day soreness less frequently, making the experience that much more pleasurable.
Many clients are unsure of how much or if they should tip massage therapists. For instance, think of us as waiters in a restaurant; the industry standard is at least 15% of the price of your service. However, please tip at your discretion. I love what I do and tipping is always appreciated. It shows me that you really enjoy and appreciate my service.
Missed or cancelled appointments with less than 24-hours notice will be charged 50% of the service fee.