FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hygiene is important to both parties during a massage. If your job or activities prior to your appointment result in dirt, excess perspiration or environmental pollutants to accumulate on your skin, it’s important to shower shortly before your massage if possible. You don’t want all that to be rubbed into your skin and trapped by oils or cremes. Plus it's easier to feel confident and relaxed about the massage when you know you're squeaky-clean!

First time clients should complete the online medical intake forms that are made available prior to their appointment. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment so that I can review the intake forms with you or you can fill them out if needed.

This is a common misconception about massage. Massage does not have to hurt to help. You can gain therapeutic benefits from a relaxing massage, which doesn’t hurt a bit, or you can seek out more aggressive treatment options, which can cause some discomfort. Trigger point therapy and friction are examples of techniques that are briefly uncomfortable, but very helpful for many conditions.

Deep Myofascial work can leave you a little sore as the depth of treatment progresses. However, you should only feel like you've had a hard workout at the gym and the discomfort should pass in a day or two. If you don’t want heavy pressure, say so. I want to help you. If you’re wincing under the pressure, tightening up and holding your breath, that will work against the goals of massage, which is to invite your body to relax, reduce pain, increase well-being.

Let me know what feels good and what doesn’t. And recognize that your needs and pain threshold might change with each visit as well.

There’s no definite answer to this question – clients vary with different ailments, some chronic, some intermittent. The therapies to alleviate these conditions vary as well.

Some people walk away from a single massage therapy session feeling immediate relief, others have felt a physical improvement the next day or a few days later, and some have required a series of regularly scheduled massage therapy sessions in order to notice significant improvements.

It’s important to speak with me about your ailments and your expectation, so I can help you understand the benefits I anticipate you’ll receive and how soon you can expect those benefits from your massage therapy treatments.

While it’s ultimately up to you to decide whether you want a single session or a series of sessions, be aware that more chronic conditions require a scheduled treatment plan to help your body and muscles accept a new "relaxed" state as "normal". A single session will only offer a very temporary relief.

If your goal is to relax and destress, a monthly massage will benefit you dramatically over time.

Although some people prefer to talk throughout the massage, don't feel like you have to make conversation with me. After all, you're having a treatment and want to relax; you're not at a cocktail party. Many people close their eyes and try to mentally escape. I will take the cue from you. If you want quiet, I will not be offended.

Deep tissue massage and sports massage are just some of the types of massage that require more feedback but we can keep it simple. Depending on the goal of your treatment, I may need to work on deeper layers of muscle and will want to ensure that the pressure is comfortable.

Be sure to speak up if you:

• Feel too hot or cold
• Are in pain
• Have any questions about the massage
• Forgot to mention a health issue during the consultation
• Think the music is too loud or soft
• Want to change the music to something more enjoyable to you

In massage therapy, contraindications are restrictions on what kind of massage treatments can be offered to a client based on medical factors. Generally, if you’re feeling sick or not well, massage therapy may actually make you feel worse than you already are; that’s why you should not book a session while sick.

If you have any sort of medical conditions, are taking medications, or have had recent surgery or invasive procedures, then there may be restrictions on your massage therapy treatments. That’s why it’s important for everyone to be honest about how your current health when asked before your massage. I want everyone to stay safe and healthy.

Some people go under the sheets without a stitch on, others wear underwear, and some people prefer to wear shorts, sweatpants, or even their regular street clothes. No, you don’t have to take off more clothes than you are comfortable with to receive massage. I will gladly adapt to your needs.

Be aware that wearing more clothes can interfere with the use of certain techniques, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy receiving massage in casual clothes. Keep in mind that I won’t be able to use lotion and may be unable to work as deeply or as focused, but I can adapt to your comfort level and still deliver a satisfying massage experience.

People who are self-conscious about their bodies might get massage more often, and with less apprehension, if they had the added underwear barrier. For some, it creates a psychological boundary that allows them to more fully relax during the massage, and that’s OK too. Rest assured, I work with all kinds of bodies (EveryBody Massage Therapy.. get it), from the very young to the very old and all shapes and sizes in between. My work is about the careful application of techniques to your muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue as a means to enhance your whole being—not to judge you.

During your massage, you will be draped with a sheet and blanket/top covering and I will only undrape the areas that are being worked on.

I accept cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express as well as payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Unfortunately, I am unable to bill insurance companies but I will happily provide receipts and any documentation needed for massage therapy sessions.

Established clients will qualify for online invoicing with 7 day terms.

This is an easy one although occasionally awkward so let's clear the air!

As a solo practitioner, I do not expect gratuities. I set my own rates commensurate with the needs of operating my business. If the spirit moves you, I will not insult you by refusing your extra generosity but honestly... it is not needed... I do not expect it... and you shouldn't either.

Here's the awkward part.
During checkout with credit cards, the screen will display an option to add a tip. Formerly, I had this option turned off during checkout. However some clients insisted I make it available to them. I do not present that option to pressure anyone to tip. Under most circumstances I will click the No Tip button myself.

People would rather talk about their most embarrassing moments than talk about money. But if you feel your financial situation won’t allow you to receive further treatment, make sure you’ve considered your options.

Rather than drop massage from your budget (and life) altogether, consider coming in for shorter sessions. Another possibility, if you have some flexibility with your schedule, is to ask for a spot on the standby list. If you can pop in for a last-minute appointment when another clients cancels I may want to fill the spot so I don’t have a hole in my schedule.

Established clients are eligible for payment plans and invoicing.