Massage Therapy FAQs

Feel free to talk as much or as little as you like. Some refer silence wile others like the social interaction. Don't be afraid to interrupt the silence or talking to give the therapist any important feedback that might help make your experience more enjoyable or therapeutic. Your therapist may ask you to stop talking for a brief time only to enhance a particular technique.

Depending on the modality of therapy you will be best dressed in shorts, underwear/or sports bra for clinical work or to your comfort level and under a sheet for the relaxing massage. All treatments can be modified to accommodate any level of dress. Clinical work is best done with underwear because of the movement and different positions.

In clinical work, virtually no oil is used in order to facilitate the fascial stretching and deep pressure. In relaxing massage, olive oil is used. It is all natural and good for the skin. It is recommended to leave it on your body to absorb into the skin and make it healthier.

It doesn't have to if that is a concern. However, massage of the face, scalp or neck may result in disturbing your make-up or hairstyle.

It shouldn't. Please let your therapist know if something that they do hurts. You may be aware of the distinction between a 'good hurt' and 'bad hurt'. Don't let it be a 'bad hurt'! Relaxing massage should be purely relaxing whereas therapeutic and clinical bodywork may have times where it is uncomfortable or feel like a mild burning. Pure pain is never the goal.

Your massage will take place in a comfortable, quiet, private treatment room. Soft music may be played to help you relax if requested. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

No. The therapist will leave the room to give you a moment to undress and relax onto the table.

Make yourself comfortable. Relax and close your eyes. The therapist will either gently move you or tell you to move if needed. There is no need to feel like you should "help" in any way.

You and the therapist will discuss the desired outcome of your massage. This will determine which parts of your body require massage. A typical full body massage includes work on your head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet, and back. Clinical work will focus on specific regions and planes but not necessarily the whole body in one treatment. You may request or be asked if you would like your abdominal and chest areas worked on. Genitalia will never be exposed or touched.

It depends on the techniques used and the style of the therapist. It can be calming, relaxing, and/or tension busting with varied pressure. Some people find bodywork very energizing or rather sleep inducing. If you have a particular idea of how you would like to feel let your therapist know.

There are hundreds of different modalities of massage or bodywork. The word bodywork is a broader term that encompasses massage. Some would refer to the work done in a clinical massage as bodywork. Within the definition of massage there are various methods such as basic rubbing strokes, kneading, percussion, rocking, friction, pressure points, hot stone and ice massage. Within bodywork there is connective tissue massage and manual techniques used in clinical massage and by some physical therapists with specialized training.

You will fill out a health history form so that the therapist is fully aware of any serious conditions. Generally, contagious diseases, skin conditions, or serious circulatory problems would rule out massage or significantly alter the treatment. Contraindications and Precautions: Secondary Anemias Aneurysm Atherosclerosis Bronchitis Cirrhosis Colon Cancer Crohn's Disease Diverticulitis Embolism / Thrombus Encephalitis Erysipelas Fever Gastroenteritis (with impaction) Glomerulonephritis Gout (acute) (H) Secondary infection / CNS disturbance Heart Attack Hernia (infected) Shingles Hives Hypertension (not medicated) Impetigo Inflammation Influenza Jaundice Lice / mites / dermatophytes Hepatomegaly Lung Cancer Lupus Lyme Disease Lymphangitis Meningitis Paget's Disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Peritontis Pyelonephritis Renal failure Rheumatoid A. (acute) Compartment Syndrome Sinusitis (acute) Malignant Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Thrombophlebitis / Deep Vein Thrombosis Tuberculosis Urinary tract infection Whiplash (acute)