WHAT IS APPROPRIATE ETIQUETTE
DURING A MASSAGE?
Arrive on Time
Please arrive on time or a few minutes early for your
appointment. You will want to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first
appointment in order to fill out paperwork. If you arrive up to 15 minutes late
to an appointment, we will work within the remaining time. If you are more than
15 minutes late, the session will need to be rescheduled and 50% of the session
fee will be assessed.
Appropriate Behavior
Therapeutic massage is non-sexual contact. Although
relaxation and the intimate touch associated with massage can prompt a physical
response, this is not the intended outcome. No sexualized language or behavior
is appropriate either by the client or the therapist. Any breach of this will
cause the session to be terminated. The client will not be reimbursed.
Cleanliness
It is expected that clients will arrive clean to an
appointment. This doesn’t mean clients need to shower right before they come
(though a hot shower can really help to loosen muscles), but general
cleanliness is expected. Your therapist will respond in kind!
Talking
It is your decision whether to talk about other issues
during the massage. Some clients like to have a conversation. Others prefer a
quieter environment. Communication with your therapist is essential for optimal
results; however, chit chat can remove focus from your treatment. In any case,
it’s important to keep voices low so as not to disturb others.
Music
It is your choice whether or not to have music. Feel free to
let your therapist know your preference.
WHAT
IS MYOTHERAPY AND HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM MASSAGE?
Massage
is a collective term that includes many different types of treatment. However,
most people consider massage to be a relaxing experience with gliding strokes
to loosen muscles and improve circulation. Myotherapy is literally "muscle
therapy." It, too, has many different forms, but the focus is to treat and
rehabilitate injured muscle and connective tissue. This may include increasing
the range of motion in a joint, decreasing pain caused by tight muscles and
trigger points, relieving pain caused by poor posture, softening and realigning
scar tissue, and treating various conditions and injuries like whiplash, carpel
tunnel syndrome, and low back pain.
DOES MASSAGE THERAPY HURT?
A massage therapist should always work within your
tolerance, and massage therapy does not have to be painful. However, some types
of treatment, like trigger point therapy and friction used to realign scar
tissue, may be uncomfortable. But it is important to remember that “healthy
tissue doesn’t hurt.” If there’s pain, there’s a reason, and the therapy should
provide lasting relief in exchange for that temporary discomfort. Any
discomfort felt should be therapeutic, meaning that it is not unbearable and
that you can breathe through it without tensing up protectively. Sometimes this
takes some practice. Be sure to communicate with your therapist! He or she
should be glad to adjust the pressure for you.
DO YOU TREAT CHILDREN
AND YOUNG ADULTS?
As a former teacher, I enjoy working with children and young
adults, both of whom can benefit from massage therapy. Like adults, children
and young adults can find life stressful, have surgeries and injuries, and are
active and involved with sports. I am happy to provide massage therapy for
children and young adults, but only with a consent form signed by a parent for
those under 18. For those under the age of 14, a parent or legal guardian must
be in the room for the duration of the session. For those between 14 and 18, a
parent is welcome to remain quietly in the room.
WHEN SHOULDN’T I GET
A MASSAGE?
Certain conditions require you to delay getting a massage. Fever,
the onset of cold or flu (at the tale end, massage can be helpful), a fresh herpes
outbreak (even oral, as this form can spread through the air), rashes, and
other contagious conditions are contraindications for massage. Your massage therapist should not work on you at this point. You should
reschedule your appointment.
However, other conditions may simply be local
contraindications that your therapist can work around. For example, small wounds
that are covered but haven’t closed, bruises, and localized acne can be easily
avoided during a massage. Let your therapist know before the massage what you
have going on.
If you have questions about a specific condition and whether
massage is compatible, feel free to contact me.
WHY SHOULD I DRINK
WATER AFTER A MASSAGE?
Tight muscles and trigger points are constricted tissues and
have restricted circulation. This causes metabolic wastes produced by natural
cell function to build up. These substances can irritate surrounding tissues.
Massage helps to return circulation to these tight areas and to move these
irritating substances out of muscle tissue and into the urinary and lymph
systems so that they can be eliminated. Drinking water helps with this flushing
process. Additionally, 70% of our bodies is comprised of water, and proper
hydration is essential for our systems to function.
DO YOU TAKE
INSURANCE?
Yes. I take Uniform, Aetna,
and Cigna insurances. Please check to see whether your personal policy covers
massage. In most cases you will need a referral from your physician in order
for your insurance to cover massage therapy.