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TOP QUESTIONS

Holistic Care Questions

​Over the years I've had lots of questions regarding massage and bodywork.  The following are some of the most common questions clients have asked me.  If your question didn't show up in the list, please feel reach out and ask me.  I'm more than happy to help answer whatever questions you might have about the work that I do.

 

  1. What should I expect from my first massage?

  2. What are the benefits of massage?

  3. Can you massage me if I'm ticklish?

  4. What kind of massage is right for me?

  5. Is it painful?

  6. Do I have to take my clothes off?

  7. How much pressure is right for me?

  8. What if I fart during my massage?

  9. Is it ok to talk during my session?

  10. How often should I come back?

  11. What should I do after my massage?

Neck Massage

STARTING OUT

  • What should I expect from my first massage?​​

During the first session we will go over your health history and spend a little time getting to know each other.  A teacher and mentor once told me that massage and bodywork is about relationships.  I feel it best to get to know the person a little bit before working with them and vice versa.  We are both humans with a lifetime of experiences that have brought us to the very present moment, and I want to understand how I can best help you and what you wish to achieve from our time together.  This usually takes about 15 minutes.  Don't worry this won't take away from our hands-on time

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  • What are the benefits of massage?

So many to list, but a few of the most common include:

~ Release of muscle tension

~ Improved sleep

~ Improved blood circulation

~ Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system

~ Increased joint mobility and flexibility

~ Improved recovery from soft tissue injury

~ Stimulation of the lymphatic system 

~ Reduction of stress hormones 

~ Improved skin tone

~ Relaxation

~ Improved stamina and endurance for strenuous activities 

~ Heighten mental alertness and cognitive function

~ An overall sense of happiness

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  • Can you massage me if I'm ticklish?

Yes!  I've had many people in the past that have been ticklish and I've figured out a method to work in those areas without eliciting the tickle response.  In some cases releasing the muscle tension in these areas diminishes the response for future sessions.  Either way my goal is release muscle tension and not to tickle you, so we will work together to find the right pressure and touch to achieve the goal we've set.

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  • What kind of massage is right for me?

With countless different types of massage techniques and approaches ,it can be a little overwhelming to know what is the best think for you.  This is where getting to know each other comes into the picture.  During the intake or consultation we will chat to determine what outcome you hope for from working together.  I will then offer my professional opinion and direction for our session.  If during our time together the techniques don't feel as though they are working for you, just let me know and we can try a different style.  

Foot Massage

SOME MORE QUESTIONS

  • Is it painful?

In my opinion it should not be painful.  I work with what refer to as the Therapeutic Threshold.  This is the place where we gain the greatest benefit from the pressure and techniques.  In this zone a person may notice a sensation in the place that is being pressed or it may refer to another area of the body. 

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  • Do I have to take my clothes off?

This somewhat depends on the kind of session we plan for.  Sometimes wearing loose fitting close that allows for your body to move around easily (think workout or yoga outfits) is best if we are doing Shiatsu or more stretching during our session.  For other bodywork types removing ones garments to whatever level is comfort works better.  Some people remove all of their wardrobe.  This allows for the lotion or massage oil to be applied to the skin.  In either case you will be covered with a sheet and only the parts of the body that we are working will be uncovered. 

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  • How much pressure is right for me?

The perfect amount, of course! And that depends for each and every-body I've every touched.  So we'll  communicate and check-in to determine what the appropriate amount is for the area we are working.  It's common for some parts of the body to be able to handle more pressure than other areas. I will be check in with you about pressure at certain points, and that said, if at any point the pressure feels to be too much or you want more please let me know.  Sometimes more pressure is not better for the area getting worked on, and if your body is tensing in other areas that is a sign that it could be too much pressure. 

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  • What if I fart during my massage?

That's okay it happen to all of us myself included!  Massage relaxes the body and sometimes when we are relaxed our body is being pressed into it causes our body to pass that gas.  Many times it happens when someone is drifting in and out of Massage Happyland (a magical place somewhere between being awake and in deep meditation.  When we get there you might even snore or drool.  It's all ok and normal.  If it's something that you feel a certain way about you can certainly say "excuse me" or remain quiet.  It's happened before, it'll happen again, and I'm not offended by it. 

Acupressure Neck Massage

A FEW MORE 

  • ​Is it ok to talk during my session?

That is completely up to you and the type of session we plan for.  I definitely want you to share with me if the technique or amount of pressure isn't working for you, and please feel free to share that in the moment.  Waiting until the end and enduring something that doesn't feel good, or as though it's not moving us towards your session goal is not the type of bodywork that I like to offer.  We are both human being and as such, I think it's normal to be curious and when 2 people are together it just seems normal to chat.  It's totally ok to be chatty during one session and want to be quiet during the different one.  I promise it won't upset me if you ask for it to be a quiet session or if you what to chat me up.

 

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    How often should I come back?

This depends on a few different factors and this is what I share with my clients.  First we'll look at what we are trying to achieve in working together, what we accomplished during the session and how your body responded to the work, and how you are using your body.  An athlete that is training daily and exerting a lot of physical energy will likely need to be seen more regularly than someone that is less active.  Someone with chronic tension from an accident/injury 20 years ago may also need to be seen for a couple of sessions closer together and then come back late for more of a maintenance session.  We will work together to figure out what is the best frequency for you.

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  • What should I do after my massage?

Offer yourself some gratitude for doing a good thing for yourself and plan something easy and relaxing, because you deserve it!  You could pamper yourself a little, feed yourself with nourishing food, definitely drink plenty of water, get some electrolytes, take a nap, do some light stretching or move your body organically, go to the beach... I think you get the idea.  Aim to be gently with yourself.  Many times after a bodywork session the places in your body that were holding tension now have less tension.  It can take a little time for your body to reorient to it self.  Take some time to become present with your body before going to the next thing in your day.  If you are the type of person that needs to work out, practice, or things of this nature.  Scale down the intensity, still do the things you need to help you feel complete and be mindful of your physical body.  I like the analogy of baggage in the overhead compartment on a flight... sometimes relieving tension in the body changes the tension-patterns and our body will move and behave a little differently than before our session.

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