These are a few of the questions commonly asked about Massage Therapy – if you don’t find the answers you seek here, email us! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have.
Does massage hurt? Massage should never hurt. It’s possible to use too much force, or come across a surprisingly tender area inadvertently. Those are all opportunities to let me know your experience so I can more accurately get to know your body and preferences. A skilled massage practitioner can work very deeply without a lot of pressure, and can also use a lot of pressure intelligently so it it received by the body, instead of fought by it.
Do I have to get naked? No. There are more details in the ‘what to expect’ section, but know your modesty will always be respected. Besides Craniosacral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing (which are modalities where you stay fully clothed) there are ways to do massage fully dressed as well. Just let me know what you want and what you’re comfortable and I will tailor your session to you.
Does the massage therapist have to use oil? Because massage uses techniques that glide over the skin, the use of oil, lotion, or cream is expected in a session. If you have concerns about sensitivities, let me know. I can either accommodate you with a special product, allow you to bring your own, or find some other way to help you enjoy your massage with peace of mind about the product we use in your session.
What if I’m ticklish? Ticklishness is really stuck tension in the body. Massage can be remarkably useful medicine for ticklish people. Let me know where your sensitivities are and I will help you through the session. Over time you will be able to receive your massages without a ticklish reaction, and even more wonderful, without the fear of being tickled in your session. In some cases, massage has helped people stop being ticklish altogether.
What if I don’t want a full body massage? No problem. Let me know what you want / need and I’ll work with you to get you the session(s) that works for you.
How often should I get a massage? Ah, the eternal question…well, really, it would be ideal for all of us to get a massage a week. However, since I recognize that’s not realistic for most of people, I recommend somewhere in the neighborhood of 1-2 times per month as a regular practice. More often if you’re hurt or struggling through something. Once you start to space it out more than once per month you will tend to “start over” each time, and not get as many cumulative benefits. That said, one massage per quarter, or even once a year is so much better than never!
How do I know what kind of massage to get (deep tissue, swedish, etc.)? Over time the distinction between techniques gets blurry in preference to whatever your body is asking for. Just let me know what’s bothering you and wanting attention, and then during your massage let me know how much pressure you like. That will take the guesswork out of which technique to choose.
WHAT WE OFFER ¦ MASSAGE ¦ DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE & INJURY TREATMENT ¦ MASSAGE FOR WELLNESS & RELAXATION
