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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Topics (click on a topic below to go directly to that section) How can I pay? What if I need to cancel my appointment? Are gift certificates available? What is the definition of massage? Why is it sometimes called bodywork?
How
will massage benefit me? Why should I get massage? How often should I receive massage?
How
should I prepare for my massage or bodywork session? What should I do or
bring?
What
does my therapist need to know about me?
What
can I expect to happen during my session?
Tell
me every possible physical, mental and emotional effect of massage,
please!
Please note: All services are strictly non-sexual, therapeutic touch.
Payment may be made by cash, check or gift certificate. Gratuities are appreciated, but certainly not required. All payments should be made directly to your individual therapist. (Do not make checks out to Open Heart, Quiet Mind.) A minimum 24-hour notice is required for non-emergency cancellations. A cancellation fee equal to 50% of the schedule service is due otherwise.
Are gift certificates available? Gift certificates are a wonderful way to show someone you care. Check with your therapist about availability.
What
is the definition of massage? Why
is it sometimes called bodywork? Professional
massage can be formally defined as “the application of informed,
educated, non-sexual touch in order to facilitate or promote positive
change in the receiver’s physical and/or energetic state.”
Massage does not involve spinal adjustments (chiropracty), medical
diagnosis, counseling, or any other practice requiring separate
certification or license. “Bodywork”
is used as more of an umbrella term which places massage on an equal
footing with other techniques that can also have a positive effect on a
person’s health and well-being. In this context, massage might be
defined as having a relatively or even particularly “mechanical”
focus, primarily concerned with the condition and function of muscles,
tendons, ligaments, fascia, etc., while other techniques in bodywork, such
as acupressure, reiki, reflexology, etc., include more “energetic”
work to varying degrees and may not actually involve physical touch at
all. A
session may incorporate at least some aspect of both approaches, depending
on your condition, goals and interests.
How will massage benefit me? Why should I get massage? Here
are just a few of the many situations where massage is an appropriate and
effective treatment. Exact benefits will vary depending on the
techniques used. ·
Relaxation
and stress relief
For many people, professional massage is a synonym for relaxation
and stress relief, both of which have the clear and immediate benefits of
improving your mood and your ability to rest and sleep well, all without
the use of over-the-counter or prescription drugs.
·
Health
maintenance
Massage directly promotes blood, lymph, and energy circulation, the
primary vehicles for your body’s own healing and maintenance routines.
Your therapist can also alert you to any changes (such as in the
appearance of a mole) or possible edema (swelling) that may warrant a
doctor’s attention. ·
Reduce
recovery time between training sessions for athletes (or anyone who
exercises) Massage helps flush the metabolic wastes out of your muscles, reducing
achiness and promoting natural healing.
Stretching during the session can help “reset” your
proprioceptors and return muscles to their optimal length. ·
Speed
healing and reduce pain for acute or chronic soft-tissue injuries. Your body
reflexively sends fluid to acute injury sites, but is not as efficient
getting the fluid out of that site once it is painfully swollen.
72 hours after the initial injury, gentle massage is usually
appropriate to encourage circulation (key to healing) and break up
newly-formed adhesions which might later restrict range of motion. Massage
also has an analgesic effect, so you can reduce any pain medication at
least temporarily. ·
Injury
Prevention Regular massage helps your muscles maintain tone,
flexibility, and function, all of which support your ability to maintain
strength and balance, avoiding falls.
How
often should I receive massage? Time
and money can be important factors in this decision; here are some other
things to consider for different schedules: Daily: Just
kidding! The average person could
receive a light massage every day, but the best kind of daily
“massage” is actually the kind you can give yourself through good diet
and regular exercise!
·
For optimal
maintenance and quick response to developing situations; ·
if you are
going through a particularly stressful or physically challenging
situation; ·
if you are
in a critical period of trying to change physical or mental habits; ·
If you are
training for an event You
might schedule a series of 4 to 8 short (30-minute) sessions over a period
of a few weeks for site-specific therapeutic massage. Allowing a few
days between sessions strikes a balance between keeping up the momentum of
healing change and allowing the body to rest and fully integrate the
changes made..
Every
other week: This
is generally considered a good frequency for “maintenance” when you
are active and healthy, or perhaps working on sustaining and building on
the positive changes you achieve at each session.
Monthly: Scheduling
a full-body massage once a month ensures you get essential therapeutic
“down time” and provides a good baseline for noting changes in your
muscle tone, flexibility, range of motion,
and skin condition, Whenever: We
believe that massage and bodywork will be helpful almost anytime you have
a “soft-tissue issue” like a stiff neck or tired feet, trouble getting
a good night’s sleep, or just need a break!
How should I prepare for my massage or bodywork session? What should I do or bring? ·
Make sure
your therapist knows the best way to get in touch with you in case of
emergency or in order to give you a reminder of your appointment; ·
Make sure
you know where to go for your appointment and how to contact your
therapist if you have an emergency or need to confirm details; ·
Please
bathe or shower before your appointment (sometime during the same day or
after a workout if applicable) as a courtesy to your therapist; ·
If you will
be receiving Zen Shiatsu or Thai Massage, please bring or wear loose
comfortable clothing (such as you might wear to an exercise class, not
shiny or with prominent seams) that easily allows your full range of
motion; ·
Review
your goals and health history to ensure your therapist knows all of the
factors which may affect your session. ·
You may
wish to bring an extra layer of clothing to wear after your session, as
relaxation can lower your body temperature. ·
Please
bring sufficient cash or a check to pay your therapist; checks should be
made out in the name of the therapist rather than the studio.
We do not accept credit cards or debit cards at this time, and
regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please
note that anyone
deemed to be under the influence of alcohol or otherwise behaving
in an inappropriate manner at the time of their appointment must be
refused service, and that this will be considered a “No-Show” and
therefore subject to full payment on the part of the client. The potential for re-scheduling will be entirely at the
discretion of the therapist.
What
does my therapist need to know about me? Your
therapist needs to know about certain aspects of your medical/health
history including some or all of the following in order to avoid
techniques which might be contra-indicated.
This information is solely for the purpose of your session and is
completely confidential. Any
other personal information such as contact information will only be used
in connection with scheduling, reminders, notices about changes in offered
services, etc.
·
Are you
currently pregnant? Thai massage and
stone massage would be completely contra-indicated; in Swedish and
Shiatsu, some resting positions and deep
pressure in certain areas would be contra-indicated at different stages. ·
Are you
currently taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications?
Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, anti-coagulants, stimulants, etc. all
affect your body’s responses. ·
Do you have
any conditions such as fibromyalgia, diabetes, uncontrolled high blood
pressure, cancer…? There are very few conditions which are absolute contraindications for
massage, but sometimes advanced training is either helpful or required to
safely choose or adapt techniques. In some cases a physician’s clearance
is necessary. ·
Do you have
any contagious or infectious conditions?
Localized conditions such as
warts and open wounds should be thoroughly covered; symptoms of flu,
fever, rashes, ringworm, etc., and exposure to these or similarly
contagious conditions warrant postponing a session until symptoms resolve.
What
can I expect to happen during my session? Professional
massage and bodywork applies non-sexual, informed therapeutic touch to
face (around eyes, nose and mouth), scalp, ears, neck (not throat), front
and back of shoulders, arms, hands and fingers, upper chest, rib cage,
abdomen, legs (front, back,
inner and outer thigh and calves), feet and toes, buttocks, lower and
upper back. Specific areas
that will not be included are genital areas, breast area, and the
front of the throat. Depending
on your chosen length of session and preferences, each of these areas may
receive different degrees of attention, including no touch at all if you
choose. All
sessions will begin with your therapist welcoming you to the studio at
your appointed time. If you
are new to the studio, your therapist will orient you to the location of
drinking water, the bathrooms, where the massage will take place, and
where to put your personal belongings.
The
therapist may ask you about your medical/health history if you were
previously unable to convey this information, possibly having you fill out
a form, and confirm or consult with you further about any concerns, goals,
or preferences you might have for your session.
Feel free at this time to tell your therapist if there are any
specific areas you do not wish to be worked on. For
“table massages” such as Swedish or Stone Massage, or if you will be
changing clothes for your Thai or Shiatsu work, the therapist will then
leave the room so you can undress in privacy to your level of comfort, get
on the table and cover yourself with the linens provided.
You’ll notify the therapist by pressing the button for the door
chime or calling out “Ready!” or “OK!” when you’re ready for him
or her to return and begin the hands-on part of your session. The
therapist will check in with you as the session progresses, asking you for
feedback about the depth of pressure and to clarify or confirm their
perception of your condition, and so on.
Please respond truthfully so that your therapist can adjust as
necessary and provide you the optimal experience.
Be aware that though healthy tissue should register a pleasurable
sensation when appropriately manipulated, tissue that is stressed or
injured will certainly register some level of discomfort even with the
lightest touch. Discomfort
and pain are the flags that indicate problems, so if you encounter these
signals, your therapist will ask you to work with it by trying to relax,
breathe deeply, and let him or her know how you’re doing.
Please also feel free to tell your therapist whenever something
feels good! This feedback is essential to getting the most out of your
current session and shaping your next. When
your therapist has completed the hands-on part of your session, he or she
will let you know verbally, probably also asking whether you would like
some water to drink before you get up and change.
There should be some time left in your appointment when you are
dressed for you to give more feedback to your therapist, and for your
therapist to tell you what they observed and offer suggestions for
maintaining any positive change you achieved today. Finally, please pay your therapist, tipping as you feel appropriate, and schedule your next appointment.
Tell
me every possible physical, mental and emotional effect of massage,
please! Please
note that because of the connection between body and mind, emotions such
as sadness, anger, and joy sometimes spontaneously surface during
bodywork. This can be disorienting if you haven't experienced it
before, but it is usually not a cause for concern. Don't worry about
what your therapist will think. Feel free to cry or talk; to stop or
continue the session according to your needs. All
things being equal, there are so many techniques your therapist can choose
from that it would be impossible to use them all in one session. Sometimes
hard choices must be made! However,
you may find the following lists of physical, mental, and emotional
benefits helpful as you think about what you want to communicate to your
therapist. Please also note
that all of these are temporary to some extent, and making lasting changes
may require follow-up and/or additional work on your part! Physical
benefits: ·
relaxes the
body as a whole ·
calms the
sympathetic nervous system (governing your “fight or flight” response) ·
stimulates
the parasympathetic nervous system (your “rest and digest” response) ·
calms tight
muscles ·
stimulates
underused muscles ·
Relieves
pain and achiness in muscles and soft tissues, acute or chronic ·
stretches
connective tissue ·
improves
flexibility ·
improves
range of motion ·
improves
function and posture ·
Shortens
recovery time from injury or overuse ·
Reduces
swelling ·
Reduces
scarring ·
Helps
prevent injuries to soft tissues ·
Promotes
blood and lymph circulation ·
Supports
the immune system ·
Lowers
blood pressure ·
Reduces
heart rate ·
Increases
red blood cell production ·
Slows
respiration rate ·
Improves
pulmonary function ·
Improves
skin tone ·
Provides an
opportunity to notice possible health concerns (please remember, massage
therapists are not competent to diagnose) Mental
benefits:
·
Reduces
mental stress ·
Enhances
concentration and creativity ·
Improves
ability to rest and sleep well ·
Improves
temper Emotional
benefits: ·
Reduces
anxiety and negative outlook ·
Reduces any
sense of isolation ·
Enhances
self-image and positive outlook ·
Reminds you
how good you can feel ·
Promotes
positive mind/body/spirit integration ·
Supports
intentions for positive change or action
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