Frequently Asked Questions

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Whether you haven't had a massage before, it's been a long time since your last, or you've always had a question but never dared to ask, here are some answers to frequently asked questions that may help you with your next (or first!) visit.

I have never had a massage in someone's home before, what is it like?

My studio is in the basement and takes up most of the basement space. As of now, half of the basement is still being renovated, but the construction mess should be relatively contained to non-client spaces. I try to keep the client spaces as clean and safe as possible, so it should feel just like the clinics, except a lot quieter. (My partner does walk around upstairs sometimes, and the floorboards will creak, but he is trying to be quiet! He is not allowed in the client spaces when I am working.

We have no pets, and we do not smoke. There is plenty of street parking right outside.

I do have a security system in place, but it will only record you if you're being sketchy.

Who can get a massage? Is your business accessible to me?

Almost anybody can have a massage! There are some conditions that are called "absolute contraindications" which means that you cannot get a massage until you are cleared by a physician. If you are unsure if your condition is an "absolute contraindication" please ask.

ACCESSABILITY:

- My table is is hydraulic and can support up to 500 lbs. I have extra wide sheets and can add table extenders!
- My table is heated! Extra heating pads can also be placed on you. I'm still working on keeping some of you cool but let me know if you run hot and need the heat turned off.

- I can treat clients ages 5 and up.

- There are stairs down into the business space and up to the house as well. I do not have a lift. The stairs are from the 1960s. I'm trying to figure out how to make them better (rise over run was not a thing then, I guess), but they are stable and secure.
- My oil is a sunflower/jojoba/shea butter base, and I use unscented laundry detergents but do use a citrus based degreasing agent in the laundry. I do have Lubriderm lotion and plain grapeseed oil as well for people prone to breakouts, or those who do not want any coconut or beeswax products in the gel (most gels/lotions do contain coconut oil and/or beeswax ingredients).

Please advise me of any allergies/aversion before your appointment as I do often use mint or lavender essential oils, and sometimes other scents for funsies.

If certain music really bothers you, we can change it. I prefer to work without lyrics in the music, and often use lo-fi playlists, or yoga flow music. Sometimes I try something new and it really doesn't work out, don't be shy about telling me if you're not feeling it.

If your legal paperwork has a name that you don't identify with, let me know what your name is and I will use your legal name of all paperwork, but I will call you by the name that you choose for yourself.

BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly. My business has space for ALL kinds of people. I do not discriminate based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, ability, class, personal circumstances.

I am working (very slowly and terribly) on my French, Spanish, and ASL skills.

I will draw you stick people diagrams. They will probably be missing limbs that are not relative to the exercises.

If there is anything else that I can do to help make your session more comfortable, please don't hesitate to ask! If I don't have it now, maybe I will put it on my list for the future.

I am sometimes awkward in person when meeting people for the first time. It's not you, it's anxiety. It has been a problem on occasion when I start losing words. I'm working on it.

What is Client-Therapist Confidentiality?

Short Answer: This is an ethical agreement between me (the therapist) and you (the client). I will not share your personal or medical information with any third party for entertainment or profit. This means that I won't be telling your story at any birthday parties!

Long Answer: Anything that you say in the room with me is kept between us and my files. Sometimes RMTs like to swap stories about challenging issues we have worked on. Your name and identifying information will never be revealed, only the physical complaint and the treatment that was provided, whether successfully or not, to help others with their clients. If I plan to discuss anything in further detail to get more advice on how to proceed with your treatment, I will ask for your permission first.

Client-Therapist Confidentiality also covers the fact that you are my client at all! I cannot tell anybody that you are even seeing me, or have seen me. So while you might want to ask about friend that you referred, I cannot confirm or deny that any such person etc, etc. If you would like to talk about our sessions, you are completely free! Tell all your friends! If you would like to say "hi" in public, that is up to you. I will not approach you in front of groups of people and ask you how your back/leg/etc is feeling today.

If your insurance company requests my notes for a pending claim, I do not have to provide them if you do not want me to for any reason. Often times, when settling injury claims, companies ask all healthcare providers to write a letter of progress, which can include notes or be a stand alone. If you have disclosed personal information that may be in my notes, I will let you know and we can opt to leave that out. The only exceptions to this may be if I am subpoena'd by law, or where your information may prevent you or another person from coming to harm.

Occasionally, insurance companies do audit checks. This is typically a phone call where they will ask me to verify information that would be on your receipt - date/time/length/rate of service. No medical information is gathered during these calls unless you are under a legal contract receiving services for a specific issue only - then I will confirm that we worked on that specific issue/body part (i.e. "Yes, the focus of that session was primarily the left side arm/elbow").

Are you still taking COVID seriously?

Short Answer: Yes. Please see the COVID19 Info page for more information.

How can I pay for my massage?

I can direct bill for most major insurance companies (see the Services page for more information), and I can take debit, credit or cash. I can issue receipts electronically or on paper.

PLEASE NOTE: I do not keep credit cards on file and I may not be able to break large bills as cash on site is limited. Ngl I am still locked out of the cashbox, I'll have to break it open eventually...)

Do I have to take ALL my clothes off?

Short Answer: Nope!

Long Answer: Many of my clients do get down to underwear or less, but some will bring shorts and a sports bra, or leave on gym style clothing. I may have a personal preference depending on what we are treating (i.e. if we are working on the lower body, I would really prefer no jeans!) and I may discuss the options, but it is always up to you, so only undress to your level of comfort.

Whatever you leave on will probably get a bit oily/rumpled, so don't wear any clothing or jewellery that you really care about, unless you're certain it will hold up.

While I don't demand people remove jewellery that has an emotional significance to it (wedding rings, religious necklaces), it is recommended so that the jewellery does not get damaged, or your hair won't get caught, or I won't choke you with your necklace. I might adjust massage around the jewellery in some cases.

What is the difference between relaxation and therapeutic?

Short Answer: A therapeutic massage uses more pressure and techniques that will address specific issues, where a relaxation is more gentle and broad.

Long Answer: I like to say that a relaxation is for the mind - the goal is to relax you on the table, using long, gentle strokes, and often includes head and foot massage.
A therapeutic massage is for the body - it aims to work out knots and pains, and you may experience discomfort or pain during the treatment for a long term effect on conditions such as headaches or chronic back pain. Therapeutic massage is a more broad umbrella term that encompasses many modalities such as cupping, sports massage, and even acupressure!

A therapeutic massage can be light and relaxing, and a relaxation can be therapeutic or have deeper pressure to it. The techniques can be similar and I can switch it up until we find the right balance for your body.

Is it normal to fall asleep?

Short Answer: Yes!

Long Answer: Lots of people relax and snooze during their massages. (If you are getting deep tissue or sports massage, it's unlikely but not unheard of, as the decrease in tension just makes some people zonk out.) Some people also burp, snore, drool, or pass some gas while they are sleeping. Please don't be embarrassed - it just means I'm doing a good job. :)

Will I be sore the next day? Will I bruise?

Often you will feel sore after a therapeutic massage as the muscles adjust for a few days. This soreness might feel tender to touch or to stretch, and you are more likely to feel sore after deeper work for painful conditions (i.e. tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and scar tissue treatments tend to be quite painful during and after).

With very deep work such as adhesion removal (i.e. when treating carpal tunnel syndrome) or cupping, bruises or cupping "kisses" mean that a release has occurred - with cupping in particular, we are drawing up the tissues to release any stagnant fluids that have been stuck between the layers. They should fade within a few days, and the area should be less painful to work on the next time.

IF A BRUISE OCCURS AND DOES NOT FADE, RESULTS IN LOSS OF FUNCTION, OR CONTINUES TO SPREAD, CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is the practice of channeling the greater universal life energy to guide a person's body to heal from within, whether it has been harmed from physical, spiritual, mental, or emotional means. It works to restore the body's natural flow of energy by reducing blockages and stabilizing erratic energy circulation. Reiki is a safe method that can be used on any condition and in conjunction with any medication. I have studied primarily Usui Reiki over ten years from a line of practitioners reaching back to Master Usui, who rediscovered this ancient practice in Japan in the late 1800s. However, I do not practice in the same way you might be used to, as I often combine Reiki with massage and have figured out a lot of my own techniques.

A Reiki session may be done at the same time as a massage or as a separate service. When separate, it is unnecessary to remove any clothing, though my hands may come into contact with your body, as no oils will be used. The only thing you need to do during a Reiki session is set an intention, and then let it go! When your mind is open and free, we can do our best healing work.

What do I do after a massage? Can I go to the gym?

I don't recommend planning intense physical activity after a massage, like lifting weights or cleaning the bathroom if you can help it. Typical after-massage care involves going through your assigned stretches, staying hydrated (that means water, not beer!), and a nice hot shower or epsom salt bath. You can engage in a light yoga routine or go for a walk. If you don't get massages often and aren't used to training after, plan to spend the rest of your day relaxing and going to bed early!