Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and relieve pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; helping to promote health and wellness 1. When should I get a massage?   Any time is a good time to get a massage. You don't need to wait until you're stressed or injured. Too often we see clients who wait until they reach this state to come in. Massage is very effective as preventative care for the wellbeing of a person's body and mind. You might need a massage if: You've seen many doctors about a nagging pain without relief. You know you have a soft tissue disorder like carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, thoracic outlet syndrome, headache/migraine, general body aches... You've found yourself dealing with a nagging minor injury, sore muscle, or are completely stressed out 2. What is the difference between medical massage and wellness massage?   Medical Massage is an outcome-based, physician-directed, and scientifically grounded healing modality. As with physical therapy sessions, medical massage sessions are prescribed by a physician for specific issues and are limited to a physician-designated course of treatment, and can be compensated through insurance. 3. When should I not get a massage?   There are several contraindications for receiving a massage. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not get a massage: Fever Any type of infectious disease Systemic infections Severe cold Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury Blood clot Pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxemia, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia Uncontroled high blood pressure Heart disease Cancer (unless prescribed or okay'd by doctor) Open skin lesions or sores (therapist may work around them if localized) Prohibited by a physician The guidelines here are pretty straightforward. You don't want the massage to make an underlying medical condition worse, and you don't want to pass anything contagious to the massage therapist. If you're unsure about whether a minor condition should prohibit you from getting a massage, call your therapist before your appointment. If you have a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before proceeding on a course of massage therapy. For some illnesses, other bodywork modalities may work well. 4. I've scheduled a massage, now what should I expect?   At your initial visit, you will be asked to fill out a client intake form. It has a place to list any underlying medical conditions. The therapist should be aware of any of these. Even if you have an allergy to something in the oil the therapist uses, you should list this. You should be asked at any subsequent visits about any new medical or physical conditions. If you're not asked, volunteer that information if there is anything the therapist should know. After the form is completed, you will be escorted to a private treatment room where your therapist will examine you for the root cause of your disorder by examining the tissues around the discomfort, and examining muscles nearby that might be implicated. Then, your therapist will look at your overall structure to see if other imbalances exist that contribute to your condition. Finally, your massage therapist will use myofascial release, trigger point therapy, muscle stripping, manual lymphatic drain, neuromuscular realignment and other techniques to address your condition.. 5. How much will a massage cost? Medical and wellness massage range from $60.00 - $100.00 per treatment. 6. Will the massage oils used make me break-out?   No, we use hypoallergenic massage oils or lotions. However, if you have sensitivity to certain types of oils or lotion please bring it to the massage therapists attention. 7. What do I wear during the massage?   Depending on the primary technique your therapist uses, you may or may not need to undress. For a full body massage, most people undress completely. However, you may choose to wear underwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on. 8. What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?   Make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she or he will either move you or will ask you to move what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It's up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time. 9. How will a massage feel?   It usually depends on the techniques used. Swedish massage, which is often a baseline for therapists. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes (effleurage) that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention if you feel any discomfort so that we can use another approach or technique. 10. Will the massage oils used make me break-out?   It should'nt, we use hypoallergenic massage oils or lotions. However, if you have sensitivity to certain types of oils or lotion please bring it to the massage therapist's attention as we have an assortment of oils and lotions on hand. 11. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?   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 slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. Massage therapists sometimes recommend a hot Epsom salt bath that encourages the release of toxins that may have been stirred up from the massage treatment. 12. Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference?   The short answer is no. There is a perception that male therapists can give a deeper massage, and in many cases this is true. I've had massages from petite women, however, that have been deeper than massages I've received from some men. In general, nothing about a therapist's gender will give you a clue about the style or quality of the massage they give. In reality, many people are nervous about receiving a massage from one gender or the other. Most women prefer a massage from a woman, and most men prefer a massage from a woman. Some people are more comfortable receiving a massage from a person of the same gender, some from a person of the opposite gender. While no professional wants their services refused based upon their gender, they also realize that if you're too nervous about who is giving you the massage, then you won't be able to relax and enjoy it. One result from the constant linking of touch or massage with sex, is a thought that hangs in the back of many people's minds that female massage therapists are there to service men's sexual needs, and that male massage therapists are on the prowl trying to bed their female clients. Fortunately this mindset appears on the wane as legitimate massage therapy takes hold and becomes more widespread and accepted. 13. What if I'm overweight or embarrassed about my body?   You wouldn't believe how many times people have said they'd get a massage if they lost weight first or didn't have that cellulite on the back of their thighs. Don't let this stop you! You're denying yourself quite a pleasurable experience. Massage therapists have seen bodies in every imaginable shape and size, from young to old, and they're not there trying to judge your physique or ogle your body. They're professionals who have found massage to be a wonderful gift to give to men and women alike, regardless of age and weight, and are proud of what they can offer to people in need of help. 14. Can I talk during a massage?   The key to a massage is relaxation and allowing yourself to enjoy the experience. Many therapists will discourage you from talking during the massage. They want you to relax, to just let your mind float free, and let the massage transport you to an almost subconscious bliss. It's not uncommon for many people to be more relaxed talking. After all, they're lying undressed on a table with a stranger touching their skin. Talking makes the therapist become more human and personal to them, and having this interaction makes it easier for them to place their trust in the therapist, and therefore make it easier for them to relax. Many clients talk in the initial stages of a massage, and as the massage progresses, they slip farther into a state of total relaxation and become quiet. There are times when you should speak up during a massage. If anything makes you uncomfortable, bring it to the therapist's attention. If you're too cold or too hot, the room is too bright and hard on your eyes, or if you prefer the strokes to be deeper or lighter, mention it to the therapist. Bear in mind that some therapists only do a light massage, so they may not go deeper even if you request it. It is just not their style of massage. Feel free to speak up, if something about the massage isn't working for you. 15. Do you offer "Sensuous Massage" or something along those lines?   A. NO! We do not offer any types of massage that would even remotely be considered sexual in nature. Asking, or for that matter, even hinting to the therapist that such services would be welcomed will be grounds to end the massage immediately. 16. How could someone know that needs this kind of therapy? what are the symptoms?   A. Basically pain, muscle tension and stress are all signs that you may need a massage. Even if a person doesn't have these symptoms, massage is an intricate part of preventive medicine. Most of us don't value our health until we get sick and then its too late. Why not start taking care of your body now? 17. Why you? what do you bring to the client's experience that sets you apart from other massage therapists?   A. First, we don't massage mechanically following the same routine to every client. Each session is tailored to the client’s specific needs on that day. Every session is unique. Second, we offer our clients a free postural analysis on the first visit, and we can check if the cause of their problem and pain might be by a postural misalignment. Third, We offer medical insurance billing, so if you have been injured in a car accident, we can help to get the reimbursement from their car insurance for the massage therapy sessions. 18. What causes a poor posture or misalignment?   A. Their are several causes of postural misalignment: Repetitive Activities such as Stylists, Painters, golfers, tennis players, computer typing, etc. Trauma: Such as slips, falls, car accidents and contact sports. Genetics: Bone or muscle abnormalities passed on from generation to generation Surgeries: that cut bone and muscle tissues creating bone length differences asymmetrically. In general, poor posture ends up weakening your supportive muscles. The most common factors that contribute to poor posture are stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak muscles and high-heeled shoes. 19. What are the consequences of having a postural distortion?   A. The feeling of pain over several areas of the body, such as your head, neck, back, legs, feet, numbness, tingling, cramping, tiredness, stiffness, decreased flexibility, diminished breathing, or constipation are just a few of the signs. 20. So what is exactly Neuromuscular therapy?   A. Neuromuscular therapy is the treatment of trigger points: areas that are tender to pressure that refer pain or other symptoms to another part of the body. That’s why is also known as Trigger Point therapy. This modality specializes in softening the muscles, correcting postural distortions and biomechanical dysfunctions. 21. Why should I go to a massage therapist and not the chiropractor?   A. Actually, you should go to both. A chiropractors adjustment will not correct a bad alignment caused by muscles. With an adjustment, if the muscles are tense, the bones won't stay aligned. If the muscles are soft and relaxed, the bone will not be pulled out of alignment, correcting the bad posture. Most often after you receive an adjustment, your body will return to your pre-adjustment position within hours of treatment. So for the best possible results, come and see us before before you get an adjustment from your chiropractor.