Whether you are new to massage or just new to us, your first massage therapy experience here should be a positive and empowering experience where you become more aware of your own body and begin to comprehend the significance of muscular health and how it impacts your life on a daily basis.

If you haven’t had much experience with massage therapy, you might be wondering what to expect. This article will give you some ideas about what takes place during a "typical" massage session.

 

If it’s your first time seeing a massage therapist, she will have you fill out an intake form and ask you some questions. The massage therapist will ask about the reasons you are getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, life style and stress level, experiences with specific areas of pain, and whether there is any specific need you want addressed during the massage.

 

First and foremost, the massage therapist needs to make sure there are not any conditions present that rule out having a massage due to any health risks. Second, the massage therapist needs to know what your needs are regarding the massage and be sure both of you are clear about what your expectations and goals for the session are. Third, the information you provide helps the massage therapist determine what techniques to use and how to structure the session.

 

Next, your therapist will leave the room while you get ready for your massage. Many people worry about modesty. You’ll undress only to your level of comfort and will be covered under a sheet or towel for the entire massage session except for the area being worked on. You’ll undress and dress in privacy. The draping along with an electric table heater helps keeps you warm. (Temperature can be controlled whether you prefer to be warm or cool.) You should also remove any jewelry that might interfere with the massage. Typically, rings and earrings can be worked around, but necklaces and bracelets tend to get in the way. You will lie down on a comfortable, padded massage table and cover yourself with a sheet. Depending upon your personal preference and upon the goals of the massage, you will either begin your massage lying face up, face down, or on your side. The table has some extra attachments or cushions, such as a face rest (which allows you to lie in a face down position without turning your head and neck) and an armrest. We also have extra pillows, bolsters, and blankets to help make you as comfortable as possible. Your therapist will knock before reentering to make sure you are all set on the table.

           

Your massage therapist can use either oil or lotion, which reduces drag on the skin, while performing the massage. Most massage oils have a nut base. If you are allergic to some oils, lotions, or essential oils, tell your massage therapist. We have both scented and unscented products.

 

Before the massage begins, the massage therapist may offer some advice that will improve the quality of your massage. A common one is to breathe deeply from your abdomen, especially if a sensitive area is being massaged. We will ask that you let us know if you are ever uncomfortable. We don’t know if you don’t like the music, temperature, etc. unless you let us know. Also, Pain is entirely subjective. If the pressure is too much for you, then it is too much for you. The statement “no pain = no gain” is a fallacy. The exact opposite is true. If your nervous system views me as a threat, it will tighten muscles and release endorphins that will compromise the effectiveness of your therapy.

 

Depending on your needs, the massage therapist will massage either the full body or only specific areas that need attention. For example, general relaxation or stress reduction sessions usually include all the major areas of the body: head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, feet, and back. The abdomen is included upon request. A session for a localized injury, pain, or tightness will be focused on a specific area. It is possible to spend most of an entire session on only one area. Remember that you are in control of your massage. If there is anything that feels uncomfortable or unpleasant, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to change their technique or end the session at any time. A typical massage session on a table ranges from 30 to 120 minutes. The usual length of a session is an hour.

 

An exception to the above description would be a seated massage. In this case, you sit in a specially designed massage chair. The chair supports the front of the body, which allows access to most of the body. You remain clothed and oil or lotion is not used. Seated massages are usually shorter sessions that typically run from 10 to 30 minutes. Since the chairs are highly portable, seated massages can take place in a variety of settings, including the workplace.

 

You can expect a peaceful and comfortable environment for the massage. The massage therapist will play music during the massage. Some people find music playing to be relaxing, some find it distracting. If you don’t like music playing, ask your therapist to change the music, adjust the volume, or turn it off.

 

After the massage is finished, you will once again be provided with privacy in order to get dressed. When you are ready, you will meet the massage therapist at the front desk where you may ask the massage therapist any questions you have, pay for your session, and reschedule as needed.

 

 

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Can massage be done with clothes on?

A: Yes. Craniosacral therapy and reflexology are easily done without removing your clothes (except socks and shoes for reflexology), but most massage can work around clothing. If you are receiving a Swedish relaxation massage, you will get the best results with undressing because your therapist will want to work with lotion or oil to provide gliding massage strokes. Obviously, that wouldn’t work over clothing. What is most important is that you are comfortable. Some people take off everything, but you should only take off what you are comfortable with. You will undress and dress in complete privacy, you will be given a sheet to cover up with, and your modesty will be respected at all times. If you are coming in for neuromuscular therapy, it is not necessary to undress, but you should wear clothing that can move, like a sports bra, or any stretchable material.

 

Q. Do I need to talk?

A. Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. Sometimes talking can be a way of unburdening oneself or opening up. Just remember the focus is on you, and it’s perfectly polite to be quiet. Sometimes being silent can be a way of concentrating or letting go of thoughts, and most people find quiet is conducive to relaxation. Always feel free to ask questions or let us know if you experience pain or discomfort in certain areas, including amount of pressure, or speed of movement, or any distractions related to the environment like room temperature, music volume, or lighting. Throughout your massage, your therapist will occasionally ask for feedback that will only make your massage therapy better.

 

Q: Why do I feel pain in some areas during my massage?

A: Let your therapist know. Massage should not be painful. Massage is generally safe.  However, it can sometimes exacerbate pain temporarily, even when properly performed. In addition, if massage is performed too forcefully on fragile people, bone fractures and other internal injuries are possible. However, certified massage therapists have been trained in ways to avoid causing these problems. (Machines designed to perform elements of massage are less safe.) Sometimes, your therapist may be working on an area that is tender but was not sore before the massage. When you are in a sustained position for a long period of time like sitting at your computer, your muscles are under a constant, low level of stress. At the time, your brain has more important things to worry about, like that computer project, so it shuts off the pain signal to your neck muscles. Later when you have finished the task, you might assume that the pain signal would return. What actually happens is a process called habituation. The pain signal does not return, and your body actually compensates for what it considers to be your new “normal”. When your massage therapist touches this area, the muscle which is still under stress is reconnected with your brain at which time positive change can be made and your body can establish a new, healthier “normal”.

Q. What if I'm ticklish?

A. If you know you are ticklish, please let the therapist know up front. The massage therapist can then either avoid sensitive areas or adjust by massaging a little deeper, checking back with you to see if the pressure is adequate.

Q. So what makes a "good" massage "great"?

A. A "great" massage starts with choosing the right therapist, someone whom you can trust who is sensitive to your needs and has the skills to meet them. A great massage is also the result of good communication between you and your therapist. And of course a comfortable relaxing environment makes it all the better.

 

Q. What's the difference between a massage at a spa and a massage at your clinic?

A. Typically, though not always, spa massage is done in a general manner, with standard movements that are done the same way on every person. Many spas have strict guidelines that massage therapists must follow, and often they have tight schedules that keep them moving like on a conveyor belt. In our clinic, your therapist controls her own schedule and can perform more 'person specific sessions'. This usually ensures a "better" massage. Why? Because each persons needs are so specific, we look at and access each person as the unique individual they are.

 

Q. How is it even possible that massage is useful for so many different medical conditions?

A. In as few words as possible... no matter what disease or symptom you are suffering from, be it pain, muscle aches, gastric problems, immune disorders, heart disease, or cancer, there is most certainly an accumulation of toxicity, cellular oxygen depletion, cellular malnutrition, lymphatic congestion and often a general systemic hormonal, chemical, and even an emotional imbalance that causes suppression of the "normal" healthy dynamic state of your body. Current research shows that stress is a contributing factor in most unhealthy conditions and illnesses.  Massage reduces stress, cleanses tissue at the cellular level, circulates nutrition to healthy cells, and provides relaxation. It is that simple.

Q. What if I fall asleep?

A. Some people do fall asleep. If you do, your massage therapist will wake you at the end of your session.

Q. Do I need to leave immediately when my massage is done?

A. It is important to get up slowly after a massage. However, your therapist will need the massage room for the next scheduled appointment. If you need more than five minutes to compose yourself after your massage, you will need to let your therapist know in advance.

Q. Can I eat before my massage?

A. Because the digestive system needs blood to digest food, and massage draws more blood to your extremities, for optimum digestion, it is best to wait until after your massage to eat.

Q. Can I workout before my massage?

A. Yes, but please allow 30 minutes for your body to relax and get back to normal blood pressure and pulse. Please shower before your massage, if you do workout. Not only for sanitary reasons, but also our lotion will not allow a smooth glide with certain techniques.

Q. Can I workout after my massage?

A. Yes and no, depending on the type of massage you received and the length of the massage. If you had a long, relaxing session, your body will feel like relaxing. If you want to feel invigorated after your massage, your therapist can provide faster strokes or tapotement to provide that result.

Q. Should I keep my appointment if I start feeling sick?

A. NO. If you start feeling sick, please call the office at (262) 268-0900 to cancel/reschedule your appointment. Massage will increase your symptoms and you will feel worse after your session. However some people choose to receive lymphatic massage, which will increase the symptoms but decrease the duration of a cold or flu illness.

Q. How often should I receive massage?

A. Most people who are in reasonable good health receive massage once every 1-6 weeks. However the frequency of massage should be determined by your goals and needs. Massage for a specific condition or injury is often preformed in shorter sessions, and more frequently for a shorter span of time. For relaxation, we have clients that come weekly, and others we see once a year. Keep in mind that the cumulative effect of massage is greater than the benefit of any one treatment session. You and your therapist should discuss your long term goals to establish a clear direction and protocol. Massage Therapy should not be perceived as a luxury but as a fundamental element to maintaining pain free unrestricted movement and achieving balance between mind and body.

 

Q. What improvements can I expect to see after my massage?

A. Remember that your therapist is working with you to meet your goals. If you come in for a relaxation massage, we may not fix your shoulder pain. And if you come in to fix your shoulder pain, you may not leave in the same state of euphoric bliss that can accompany a full body Swedish massage. With chronic muscle spasm, soft tissue inflammation, or any other soft tissue injury, improvement is dependent upon the therapist using the right technique on the right muscles. She will be doing regular assessments, and your feedback is valuable and necessary as it validates that we are on the right path. If your condition has not improved after four sessions, massage may not be the answer, or your therapist needs to reassess your treatment plan. Often clients don’t completely recover from a condition or the condition returns in two months simply because they did not return after the pain went away.  Just because there are not noticeable symptoms does not mean the condition is resolved. In the long term, it is better for your body and your finances to resolve a condition by continuing to see your therapist on a more frequent basis for a shorter period of time, than to see them once a month indefinitely. If your therapist does not think she can help your condition, she will give you a qualified referral for someone who can better address your concerns.

 

Q. Why should I drink water after a massage?

A. You should always drink plenty of water. Massage will increase the circulation of blood and lymph while hastening the removal of cellular debris. Water will give your body the hydration it needs to sustain this cleansing process. Moreover, H2O is the vital super-substance from which all life is sustained, so drink your water. Consuming ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day is ideal. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you would want to consume80 ounces or 10, 8 ounce glasses of water daily.

 

Q. What qualifications does a massage therapist have?

A. When choosing a therapist, look for one who has attained both national and state certification. It is also important to seek a referral from a respected source. Note that massage, like other hands-on therapies, involves personal talents that go beyond specific training or certification; some people are simply gifted with their hands. Furthermore, what works for one person may not work for another. For these reasons, some trial and error is often necessary to find the best massage therapist for you. Having trust and confidence in your massage therapist is essential to achieving the most benefit from massage therapy.

Q. Will my insurance pay for my massage session?

A. We do not offer insurance billing. Some health insurance and most auto insurance and workers compensation insurance does cover massage therapy. You will need to submit your own claim to your insurance company. We will provide you with a receipt and any necessary chart notes that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Q. Can I tip my massage therapist after the massage?

A. Monetary tipping is optional and ranges from 10-20%. The best "tip" you can give us is referrals to our clinic and making massage therapy part of your healthy lifestyle.