How do I best prepare for a massage?
Come hydrated and ready to relax. Check in with your body, see what needs attention, and don’t be afraid to ask for focus on that "achy shoulder,' or whatever it might be! If it’s your first appointment, be prepared for a 15 minute chat about your health history while we fill out paper work together and a 10 minute chat afterward about how to best care for your body going forward.
All appointments include about 15 minutes to talk about how you're feeling that day and wrap up with customized recommendations.
What Do I Wear to a Massage?
You are welcome to arrive in whatever the day required you wear! Often I'll show you stretches or exercises as homework post-session, so wearing clothing you can move in is helpful but not necessary.
Most people find fully undressing before getting on the table most comfortable. Everyone stays modest once on the table, but you’re always welcome to stay as dressed as needed for your personal comfort.
What Are Your Credentials?
Licensed Massage Therapist since 2006
Exercise Physiologist since 2014
CPR certified
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (pending 2023)
For more about me, see this blog post!
What Are Your Specialties?
Deep tissue, Jaw Massage Therapy (The Balanced Singer, Sky Dental), plantar fasciitis recovery, Ayurvedic massage, low back issues, hip flexor release, pre and post-natal massage, and hot stone, to name a few.
In addition to focused education and experience in these body issues, I’ve also worked with the following special populations: trauma and abuse survivors, genderqueer and trans clients, those with neurological damage, those with lymph system damage, and post-surgical patients in and out of the hospital setting.
I also work with people who come purely to develop a more kind and loving relationship to their body through safe, nurturing touch.
Do you Have a Space for Me to Wait or Bring Someone Along?
If the appointment will take place in my home studio, please know I am only able to accommodate one client session at a time. For that reason, I kindly ask that you arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your appointment and be mindful of lingering afterward.
If you wish you bring along a guest to wait outside the treatment room, please let me know in advance.
How Can I Make the Benefits of Massage Last?
Read this blog post!
I'm Injured. Can I Still Get a Massage?
Email or call me and we’ll counsel together. It’s split about 50/50 and very case-by-case, so I don’t have a general answer for you. Start with clearance from your doctor if it’s a fresh injury and we’ll go from there!
How Can I Pay?
Deposits are taken at the time of booking to hold the appointment. After a session you will receive an invoice delivered to your email via PayPal for the remainder owed.
Cash is always welcome for the remainder but the deposit is required to hold the appointment. If you need to pay another way, feel free to reach out to discuss!
Gift certificate holders (ONLY) can bypass the deposit by selecting the "cash" option at checkout.
Am I Expected to Tip?
No. I am the business owner and tipping was established for those who do not own the business. I set my prices such that tipping is unnecessary. The full fee allows me to live comfortably and when I'm regularly booked solid it also allows me to take clients who require sponsorship.
If you have a great experience and would like to let me know - let your friends know! Post about me on social media, drop my info into your group chat. I'll be more honored by that than any tip.
Thank you so much for engaging in a generous manner in our economy - it means the world.
Do You Take Insurance?
I do not. However, if your insurance does cover massage or you have an FSA and a prescription from your doctor for massage, you may be able to get reimbursed. Contact me
for detailed invoices/receipts and session notes if necessary.
Do You Offer Discounts?
Or rare occasions you may find a discount code available. If they apply to you, you'll know about it!
How Often Should I Get a Massage?
The best answer for you will depend entirely on your goals. For maintenance, 4-6 weeks is perfect. If you are actively trying to unwind long-standing issues and establish new healthy habits in your body, that answer may be as frequent as twice a week! We’ll decide together after your first session what will work best for you.
I Have An Awkward Question...
Good. Let’s talk about it!
What if I cry? Or get really angry? Or get a fit of giggles? Good. Great! Bring it on. So many of us are constantly “holding it together” and you absolutely do not have to do that here. I’m not a talk therapist and won’t pretend to be, but I am trained in somatic experiencing and helping you learn how to regulate your nervous system. This is a space to heal your whole body. Sometimes that means you need to cry it out, swear it out, or laugh it out. All of your messy emotions are welcome here. I have so many tissues! And amazing therapists to refer to you if you feel it’s needed.
Gas? Totally normal to pass gas while on the massage table. I probably won’t acknowledge it unless you do. If you giggle, I will giggle too. And there is usually incense burning anyway, so really - don’t worry about it.
Breast leakage. You want a massage but you’re breastfeeding and the thought of lying on your stomach sounds like torture. GREAT news – my table has breast recesses so you won’t be squished, and if you leak, it’s no problem at all.
Erections. Yep, I said it. Please don’t refrain from getting a massage because you’re worried about what your body will do when relaxed. Please DO be respectful and clear in your own thoughts that you’re not getting a massage for any sexual purpose. Bodies respond to touch in a myriad of ways and it is normal. You’re normal.
If you are still concerned about this happening, let me offer a suggestion as someone who has been in the industry for many years; ask to start the massage face up even if your back is what you want the focus on. It generally takes time for people to relax when they first get on the massage table, so starting face up can allow you privacy when you turn onto your stomach later.
You can also ask for a weighted blanket which I always have in the room and provides additional privacy.
I still have a question...
I like that about you. Let me know what it is here.