FAQ
Your massage questions, answered.
We make it easier to understand what you should expect from massage, and how you can be a part of your wellness.
Do I need to tip my therapist?
At our practice, we take pride in offering exceptional service that is reflected in our pricing. As a service-based industry, tipping is a common way clients express their satisfaction and gratitude. While the cost of your session fully covers our time, expertise, and commitment to quality care, tips are graciously appreciated as a personal acknowledgment of a job well done.
Please note that tipping is entirely voluntary and not expected. We view any tip as a kind gesture that tells us your experience was outstanding and made a positive impact on your wellness journey.
Is massage therapy safe for everyone?
Massage therapy is generally safe for everyone. However, in certain circumstances we may postpone or modify a session, or request additional medical input. For example, if you have a history of bleeding disorders, unexplained blood clots, circulatory or heart conditions, severe osteoporosis, or thinning skin, we may recommend that you consult with your doctor to obtain their approval before proceeding with treatment.
When can I NOT receive massage?
You should not receive massage at all if you are experiencing any of the following:
- infectious skin condition
- fever/contagious illness
- actute injury/surgical recovery
You can still attend your session, but it may be modified if you are experiencing any of these issues:
- healing wound or injury
- herniated/bulging disc
- vertigo
- lasting symptoms from virus/cold
- new tattoo
- new medication
What should I tell my massage therapist?
When starting your session, it's important to share both physical and emotional details so your therapist can tailor the treatment to your needs. Here are some key points to discuss:
- Any injuries, pain, or areas of discomfort
- Past surgeries, chronic conditions, or recent treatments
- Specific areas you’d like to target or avoid
- Stressors or emotional challenges that might be affecting your physical tension
- Any significant changes in your emotional state
- How your daily activities or mood might be impacting your muscle tension
Discussing these factors helps ensure your massage experience is both safe and truly beneficial, addressing your overall well-being.
What should I wear for a massage?
For the most comprehensive treatment, it's best if you feel comfortable removing undergarments during your session. This allows us to access all your muscle tissue thoroughly while ensuring that any personal areas remain discreetly covered by a draping sheet at all times.
However, your comfort and trust are our top priorities. If you prefer to keep wearing underwear or a bra, please feel free to do so—we can adjust our techniques to work around any articles of clothing you choose to keep on. If we need to work on an area that is covered by clothing, we will always discuss it with you beforehand.
Additionally, we recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to and from your appointment. This not only helps with the transition into relaxation but also makes it easier for you to change before and after the session.
Remember, your comfort is paramount, and our team is here to ensure you have a safe and relaxing experience tailored to your needs.
Are there any side effects to massage therapy?
While most of our clients leave feeling blissfully relaxed and euphorically uplifted — a state often fondly referred to as "massage brain" — there are additional side effects you might experience:
- Muscle soreness or fatigue similar to that felt after an intense workout, typically occurring 24-48 hours after your session.
- Stiffness in areas that received extended treatment.
- Emotional releases, which can occur during or following the massage.
- Headaches, particularly if deep work was performed around the neck area.
On rare occasions, you may notice bruising. This can be related to a specific diagnosis, a side effect of medication, or the intensity of the pressure applied during treatment. If you observe bruising or have any other concerns, please inform your therapist so that adjustments can be made to your treatment.
What should I do if I feel uncomfortable?
At our practice, your experience is our top priority. We are dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of your treatment is conducted with the utmost respect and care. Our process, including the undraping of specific areas, is carried out mindfully and with full consent, strictly adhering to our established scope of practice.
We encourage you to speak up at any point during your session. If you ever feel exposed, have concerns about your privacy, or experience any discomfort, please let us know immediately. Your feedback allows us to make real-time adjustments and maintain a secure, supportive environment.
Additionally, our team engages in ongoing training to uphold the highest standards of professional care. This commitment ensures that every client enjoys a personalized, respectful, and safe experience. Your comfort and trust are fundamental to us.
Essential Massage Styles
Massage Therapy: a manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body- muscles, tendons, and ligaments- to promote relaxation, relieve pain, and improve physical function
Swedish
Swedish massage uses long, flowing strokes, kneading, and circular movements to relax muscles and improve circulation. It can also include compression, gentle stretching and joint movement. Swedish style strokes are used during every session to warm up the muscles, open up the soft tissues and increase blood flow prior to concentrated work. This style's purpose is to promote overall relaxation and awareness, while still spending a little extra time on your preferred pain areas. While pressure can range from light-deep, its overall design does not include "digging in", and its mission is to not cause discomfort.
Deep Tissue
Targeting deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, this style focuses on releasing chronic muscle tension and adhesions, and "knots", which can contribute to persistent pain, reduced mobility, headaches and more. Therapists often use fingers, knuckles, elbows, or other tools to apply direct pressure in specific areas, adapting the intensity based on client feedback. This massage style not only aims to reduce pain and inflammation but also enhance overall muscular function. Although more intense than Swedish or myofascial, regular sessions can help manage chronic pain and improve muscle recovery, making it well-suited for those with sports injuries or repetitive strain issues. Post-session, you may experience soreness in your problematic areas. This is normal, however if your pain is severe or lasts for several days without diminishing, please tell your therapist so that pressure can be adjusted.
Sports Massage
Sports massage techniques, which incorporate dynamic and stretching movements to enhance mobility and flexibility, are critical for the healing process. Your therapist may ask you to resist a movement, relax while they manipulate your joint, or even ask you to move it while they apply direct pressure on a trigger point. Swedish and deep tissue techniques are interwoven, focusing on breaking down stubborn adhesions and reducing chronic muscle tension. The integration of these modalities not only accelerates recovery from injuries but also helps prevent future issues by restoring balance and optimal muscle function. Intensity of this modality can vary depending on many factors. Overall, this comprehensive approach caters to anyone recovering from an injury, offering both relaxation and rehabilitative benefits.
Myofascial Release
Our most gentle tool- it focuses on loosening the fascia-the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs. It is performed by applying gentle, sustained pressure to the affected areas, allowing the tissue to relax gradually and release tension. The therapist uses their hands—often incorporating slow, deliberate movements—to assess areas where adhesions or restrictions have formed. Once located, these tight spots are gently stretched and massaged, helping to improve the elasticity and mobility of the fascia over time. The process often combines static stretching with pressure to encourage the gradual breaking down of scar tissue and adhesions. Overall, myofascial release can help to reduce pain, enhance range of motion, and promote better overall musculoskeletal balance.