New to Massage?

AM I GOING TO A SPA?
No. We are a private practice of therapists and we work out of a private office. This allows us to control who we see and it also allows us to make you our absolute priority -- and we do.

AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE OFF MY UNDERWEAR WHEN I GET A MASSAGE?
Many people prefer to keep on their underwear during a massage, while others prefer to be completely nude. It's up to you. If your problem areas are your lower back, hips, buttocks or groin, tight-fitting underwear can sometimes get in the way of massage work, but a thong for women or briefs for men should do the trick.

In the U.S., if you do remove your underwear, licensed massage therapists must ensure that you are always properly draped, which means you will be appropriately covered by a sheet or towel. Only the area being massaged will be uncovered.

WILL THE MASSAGE THERAPIST BE PRESENT WHEN I UNDRESS?
In the U.S., the massage therapist will leave the room so that you can remove your clothing and lie on the massage table under the top sheet. Don't rush or worry that the massage therapist will walk in on you. We always knock and ask if you are ready before entering the massage room.

WHAT IF I GET AN ERECTION DURING THE MASSAGE?
Some men don't get massage therapy because they worry that they'll get an erection. Or they get the massage, but are unable to relax during the massage because of this fear. But there is no reason to be embarrassed. It's common for men to get an erection during a non-sexual, therapeutic massage.

Gentle touch administered to any area of the body can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and cause a partial or full erection. Massage therapists understand this and will ignore it. But let's make sure we're clear here: MASSAGE IS STRICTLY NON-SEXUAL. Any suggestive statements or actions will result in immediate termination of the session wherein the client pays the full cost of the session. Law enforcement will be notified if deemed appropriate.

I'M SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT CERTAIN PARTS OF MY BODY.
People are self-conscious for various reasons. Some of the common concerns are:

• I'm overweight.

• I have excessive hair growth on my body.

• I've got acne on my face or back.

• My feet are ugly.

• I have scars.

None of this matters to us. Being self-conscious should never keep you from seeking health care, whether it's visiting your doctor or seeing a massage therapist. Our tables can accommodate body weights of up to 350 pounds. If you're self-conscious about a certain part of your body, you can ask the massage therapist to avoid that area.

Just remember to provide complete and accurate information on your health history form, so that the massage therapist is aware of any precautions or contraindications.

DO I TIP?
Though up to your discretion, tipping is always appreciated but never expected. If you enjoyed your massage and want to give a tip, the general rule of thumb is 10-15% of the cost of the session, but remember it is ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY. And an even better way to show your appreciation is by referring friends, family and co-workers!

WHY IS OUR PRE-MASSAGE TALK (INTAKE) INCLUDED IN SESSION TIME?
We include our pre-massage talk, also referred to as an intake, in our allotted time. If you walk into one of our studios and we just tell you to lie on the table face up or down and get to work, we're not doing our job properly. We take our work VERY seriously and we need to know a little bit about you -- your health history, any injuries, how you're feeling today, etc. in order to tailor a session specifically for you. And we consider that to be a vital component of a session. We only get a few minutes to get to "know" you in a way that gives you enough trust in us to take care of you. It's what makes the session YOUR session. While it may seem like a social conversation, it's really a fact-gathering mission for us -- How you're feeling today, what activities you've been up to, and stressors, etc., which we then take into consideration during the hands-on portion of your session.

SHOULD I TALK DURING THE MASSAGE?
Although some people prefer to talk throughout the massage, don't feel like you have to make conversation. After all, you're having a massage, you're not at a cocktail party! Feel free to close your eyes and relax, which is what most people do.

Deep tissue massage and sports massage are just some of the types of massage that require more feedback. When we are working on deeper layers of muscle we want to ensure that the pressure is not uncomfortable.

BE SURE TO SPEAK UP IF:

• the room is too hot or too cold

• you experience pain or are uncomfortable (either physically or emotionally)

• you have any questions related to the massage

• there's anything you forgot to mention during the consultation

HOW DO I KNOW IF YOU'RE A LEGITIMATE MASSAGE THERAPIST?
If you're trying a new therapist, it's a good idea to call first and ask these questions:

• Is the massage therapist licensed?

• Can they provide a license number for verification?

• Do you require a health questionnaire of your clients?

THE PRESSURE ISN'T DEEP ENOUGH, BUT I DON'T WANT TO INSULT THE THERAPIST'S TECHNIQUE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Communicate openly with us. Keep in mind however that it's a myth that massage therapy has to hurt to be effective. Some of the most effective types of massage therapy are gentle and do not involve deep pressure or pain. In fact, too much pressure can cause muscles to seize up.