Frequently Asked Questions

More coming soon!

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.

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, such as a major accident very recently. If you are unsure if your condition is an "absolute contraindication" please send a message to 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!
I can treat clients ages 5 and up.
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. Please advise me of any allergies/aversion before your appointment.

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.

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.

What is Client-Therapist Confidentiality?

Short Answer: This is an ethical agreement between me (the therapist) and you (the client). Anything that you say in the room with me is kept between us and my files. 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: 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.

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.

Do I have to take ALL my clothes off?

Nope! 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.

What is the difference between relaxation and therapeutic?

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

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 relaxing, and a relaxation can be therapeutic. We'll find the right balance for your body.

Is it normal to fall asleep?

Yes! 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.) 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!