Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect when I arrive for my first session?
You will be greeted by your therapist, and then will fill out a health form, indicating your reason for the visit, and listing injuries, chronic health conditions, etc. This information is confidential.

What do I wear?
Your therapist will leave the room while you undress to your level of comfort and get on the table under the sheet. Only one area at a time will be uncovered to work on, and nothing private will be uncovered.

How often should I get a massage?
Your body knows when you need a boost. If you are injury-prone, and training for an Ironman, once a week is not too often. Once a month is a great maintenance schedule, in tandem with a healthy routine of self-care for most recreational athletes. Listen to your body.

Before a chronic condition is painful, the body sends many subtle signals that extra care is required. One benefit to regular sessions is that you catch trouble spots before they can become dibilitating. A massage is a complete body scan. Many clients say, "I didn't know I was sore there!"

An affordable peak performance package is twice within 10 days before an event, and once the week after. 

Having said that, the more you train, or travel to give presentations to board meetings, or take care of The Brady Bunch without Alice's help, the more you benefit from massage. During competition, Olympic swimmers might be on the massage table a lot.

"Dara Torres books a massage three times a week."

What are the benefits? How can it help?
Massage works by moving the blood to remove toxins and flush the tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Massage decreases stress, a leading cause of illness. You will enjoy better circulation, a more balanced energy, deeper muscle relaxation, and a reduced chance of injury.

Does massage hurt?
Massage should be an enjoyable experience. Most techniques are soothing, and all facilitate the goal of relaxation. For deep tissue work, we aim for a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is "ouch, please stop" and 1 is "I can hardly feel that." You are the best judge of the appropriate pressure, so we ask for feedback from first-time clients, or if we encounter soft tissue that feels stressed. We work with you - not on you.

How will I feel after the session?
Most people feel an increased sense of well-being and relaxation. Some experience release of long-term aches and pains caused by tension or repetitive motions. Some experience increased energy, some feel like taking a long nap. Most experience heightened awareness and a greater sense of productivity for days after a session. Since metabolic waste and toxins stored in body tissues are flushed from the body during a massage, it is helpful to drink more water in the days following your session.

Will my insurance cover massage sessions?
More and more insurance policies cover massage when prescribed by a physician or physical therapist. As the American medical industry validates the benefits of massage by incorporating it into standardized treatment, more people injured in car accidents, or in job-related activities are receiving the bodywork they need. If your insurance covers chiropractic or osteopathic services, the services of a bodywork professional may also be covered when prescribed by a chiropractor or osteopath.

Are there any conditions that would not be helped by massage?
Though massage is extremely safe, there are a few health issues to be aware of. Unmedicated high blood pressure and any vein conditions are contraindicated. If you are under a doctor's care, it is advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to your session.

If you feel as if you might be coming down with a cold, or feel flu-like symptoms, you will not want to receive a massage. Increasing blood and lymph circulation may spread the bacteria or virus more readily through the body, and may make you more ill. The best idea is to rest up, drink plenty of water, get your vital nutrients, and reschedule your massage for 5 - 7 days after your immune system has had a chance to do its job.

Also, if you have been recently injured, or have experienced extreme muscle trauma within the last 24 - 48 hours, deep tissue massage would be avoided in favor of a gentle session.

What are your rates?