What to Expect at Your Massage

I will greet you at the door and ask you to complete a health questionnaire before any  treatment starts, or if you have completed one previously, I will ask for any changes in your  health history (injuries, new medications, etc.) 

Before the session, we will discuss the goals of your massage session to determine which areas of  your body require focused attention. 

A typical full-body massage may include work on your back, legs, feet, arms, hands, upper chest, abdomen, head, neck, shoulders, and face.
Of course, if there is an area you prefer not to have touched (such as your head or abdomen), please tell me during our pre-treatment discussion. 

After our discussion, I will leave the room to allow you to disrobe to your level of comfort. Soft  music will be playing to help create a relaxing environment.

You will be under a sheet and blanket during the massage for warmth and comfort, and only  the part of the body being worked at the time will be uncovered. Some massage styles  require me to move you around (such as your arm or leg) – to the extent it’s possible for you to ‘let go’, allow me to do the ‘work’ of moving you.

Many people find it helpful to close their eyes and concentrate on breathing deeply and  evenly during the session to help increase their state of relaxation. It is not necessary to chat  with the therapist during the session – it’s your time and you should enjoy it!

Feel free to ask questions during the massage, and certainly tell your practitioner if you are  experiencing pain or discomfort. In fact, pain triggers muscle tissue to contract, not relax, so it is counterproductive to push into muscle tissue to the point of pain. Massage is most  effective when your body is relaxed and not resisting or bracing.