Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Must I be completely undressed?
Will the practitioners 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?
Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music is played to help you deeply relax your body and mind. You will lie on a massage table especially designed for comfort.
Must I be completely undressed?
No. Although most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed and fully draped with a clean sheet, blanket, and pillows while laying on a massage table; it is entirely up to you as to what you want to wear during your session and to undress only to your level of comfort.
Will the practitioners be present when I disrobe?
No. We will leave the room while you undress to your comfort level, relax onto the massage table face up with your head on a pillow, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket. After you've had time to get yourself situated on the massage table and when you are ready for us to re-enter the room, you will have a remote control available to let us know when you are ready to begin your session.
Will I be covered during the session?
Yes. 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?
Each session is custom designed to fit your needs. After assessing what your needs are for that session, you choose whether to receive a full-body massage or a massage that is focused on a certain group of muscles needing specific treatment. A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, hips, glutes, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. We will, however, only treat the areas that you want us to focus on for your massage. If you have any areas of pain that are therapeutically appropriate to treat with massage and/or bodywork, we will also treat the muscles that refer pain to those areas and address the trigger points and shortened muscle fibers.
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
Our massage is customized for each client and often includes using slow, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased at your level of comfort to relieve areas of muscular tension. When there are specific pain patterns, a greater release of muscle tension can be facilitated by integrating a variety of techniques to address trigger points that are shortening the muscles contributing to the areas of pain. Some of these techniques include compression, slow friction, and myofascial release. By skillfully blending these techniques along with the more traditional strokes, we are able to maximize your level of comfort for a deeply relaxing and restorative session. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that we may adjust our pressure, technique, and/or reposition your body so as to make you as comfortable as possible during your session. It is normal to hold tension in some areas of your body due to demands from work, driving, holding certain postures for long periods, and from previous injuries. For the best results, massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is relaxed during your session.
What kind of oil or lotion do you use?
We only use organic massage lotion that is made from a rich and highly therapeutic blend of organic and natural seed oils, organic botanical extracts and essential fatty acids for optimal skin nutrition, hydration, and moisturizing of your skin. The use of this specially formulated massage lotion that also allows your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin.
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
Yes. There are numerous types of massage and bodywork and various techniques utilize different strokes, including smooth gliding strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you.
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask us any questions about the techniques or the upcoming session. During the massage, we will check in with you to help you be as comfortable as possible. We will begin by asking that you inform us at any time if you need us to adjust our pressure, help you reposition yourself, or provide more or less pillows, for example. We may gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm) to better access muscles that need more focused attention. 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 your session or about the particular technique you are receiving, please feel free to ask us.
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 very relaxed, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since massage assists your body's natural process of eliminating toxins, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. We also will encourage you to use any number of self-treatment techniques to further extend your results.
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
The benefits of massage and bodywork are numerous. Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that before you begin your session, we will ask general health questions about your medical history and current health condition. It is very important that you inform us of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.