FAQ's
How long do the effects of massage last? How often should I receive massage?
The duration of the effects of a massage vary greatly from person to person depending on your physical and mental condition, activities, ability to relax, and ability to heal. If you are receiving massage to help heal injury or to get rid of chronic pain, you usually need to receive weekly massage until you reach that goal.
If you are receiving massage for prevention, health maintenance, or just to feel better, you have more leeway in how often you receive massage. The effects of regular massage are cumulative. A massage every week or two can make a big difference in your overall health and tension levels. Even a monthly massage is beneficial. Make regular massage part of your health maintenance program (along with good nutrition).
How does a massage feel?
Massage on healthy tissue usually
feels good. Massage around injured, painful, or tense areas can cause
discomfort. Tell your massage therapist how much discomfort you are
willing to tolerate. NEVER let a massage therapist work deeper than you
are comfortable with.
Deep tissue or injury treatment massage may
leave you feeling sore for a day or two. Always let your massage
therapist know how you felt, so he or she can adjust the massage as
needed.
During a massage, you may notice that your muscles are
sore, even though you had not noticed soreness before the massage.
Here's why: Each cell in your body, including muscle cells, is a tiny
factory that takes in nutrition, produces energy, and outputs waste
products. For example, contracting muscle cells require an energy source
called ATP, which produces lactic acid. Muscles also burn oxygen, which
produces carbonic acid, and protein, which produces uric acid.
If your body and circulatory system are working at peak efficiency, these
waste products are flushed out of your body. However, often things
aren’t working as well as they could because of stress, tension, too
little exercise, too much exercise, medical conditions, and other
factors. Then waste products (all that acid!) build up in your muscles,
creating congestion that causes pain on touch. Massage, of course, helps
clear out that congestion.
Why does a massage therapist ask about my medical history and medications?
A responsible massage therapist asks about your medical history (most massage therapists have you fill out a form). Although massage has many wonderful benefits, it is not appropriate for people with some medical conditions and sometimes must be used cautiously.
For example, massage is not recommended if you have a condition involving infection (including cold or flu) because massage might help the infection spread through your body. Massage is also generally not recommended for people with advanced heart, kidney, or liver problems. Other conditions that affect circulation, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, require caution, depending on your overall physical condition.
Obviously, you should not receive massage if you have a contagious condition. If you have a skin rash, know what it is before your massage, because some skin conditions are contagious.
Medications, particularly pain-killers and muscle relaxants (including aspirin), dull your perception of pain and pressure—your massage therapist needs to know your perception may not be accurate to avoid inadvertently using too much pressure.
Information about injuries, traumas, surgeries, and physical activities provide information about where or how you hold tension in your body. Also, specific massage techniques can help the body heal soft-tissue injuries. If you have back pain or certain digestive problems, abdominal massage can be helpful, but it is not appropriate for some medical conditions. Your massage therapist needs to know your complete and up-to-date medical picture to provide informed and safe massage. Be assured that all medical information is confidential.
Must I remove my clothes?
You do not have to do anything that you do not want to do. Usually, Swedish, aromatherapy and deep tissue massage are done with all clothes removed except for pants and you are covered with a sheet or towel. However, only the part of the body being worked on at the time will be exposed and your massage therapist will work with you. Some styles of massage are performed fully clothed (for example, Indian Head, Reiki and onsite chair massage).
Do we have a Code of Ethics?
Yes, they are as follows;
- We provide the best quality care to anyone that seeks our professional help.
- We accept all clients without discrimination.
- We acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with a client and respect each client's right to privacy.
- We practice only the modalities in which we have been professionally trained and certified.
- We in no way participate or engage in any type of sexual activities with clients.
- We maintain a safe, clean and professional environment.