Below are some frequently asked questions for people who have little or no experience receiving massages. This is intended to dispel some of the uncertainty and anxiety some may feel when they are first seeking out massage therapy. If you have a question that is not addressed here feel free to send me a message (413-240-4260) so I can answer it for you.
Will my body be completely exposed during a massage? Does my whole body get massaged?
A massage can be as customized as you want it to be based on what you are looking to get out of it and how comfortable you are with areas of your body being exposed. Generally speaking your back, limbs, a portion of your glutes, your hips, and upper chest area (just below the collar bone) will be exposed (not all at once but in sequence) if you are seeking a full body massage. However, any of those areas can be excluded from the massage if you feel like you don't need work on those areas or aren't comfortable having me work on them.
What should I wear to a massage? What do I wear during the massage?
Wear whatever you would like when arriving for your massage but just keep in mind that you will be getting undressed and redressed and will likely be very relaxed at the end of your massage. During the massage most people either disrobe completely or leave their underwear on. But if you feel like you need to leave an additional article of clothing on during the massage to feel comfortable, you can do that of course.
Should I remove my jewelry for a massage?
Ideally, yes. Necklaces, bracelets/watches, and earrings can be especially difficult to work around effectively.
What should I do with my phone during a massage?
It is best to be free from distractions during your massage so you can relax. Silencing your phone and keeping it away from you is best but if you need to be reachable (for instance if you have a child and need their babysitter or school to be able to contact you) just let me know and I can help you access your phone if it rings.
Will the massage be painful? Will I be sore after?
While some clients do prefer very deep tissue work and almost desire some pain in order to feel as though the massage is "working" I feel as though any extreme pain is unhelpful and will likely produce more tension and inflammation in your soft tissues (muscle, connective tissue, etc.). I am happy to adjust my massage at any point if a client needs more or less pressure. It is common to feel some soreness following a massage even if the massage itself wasn't painful. This is especially common for people who have never had a massage or haven't had one in a while. This soreness usually only lasts a day or two.
Should I ask my doctor whether or not I should have a massage?
Just about anyone can benefit from massage if performed correctly but if you have recently had a surgery or significant injury or have a physical condition it might be best to run it by your doctor first.
Can I talk during my massage?
It's best to relax and focus on deep breathing during your session but if you feel most comfortable engaging in some conversation that is of course alright. It is your time and you can spend it as you would like. Just know that sometimes I might be trying to focus on how I am performing the massage and may seem a bit distracted if I am also trying to carry on a conversation.
Will a massage fix my pain/tension issues?
It is very uncommon for a single massage to completely fix all pain and tension you are experiencing, especially if it is chronic and significant (more than just a bit of soreness in your neck that you woke up with). It is my goal to alleviate some pain and tension with each session and hopefully work toward my clients feeling much better in their bodies in the long run. There is a bit of a learning curve for each client and each body. Everyone is a bit different and different types of techniques/pressures work better for different people. It can take a couple visits to start to figure that out.
How often should I get a massage?
As often as you would like to and can comfortably afford (don't put yourself into financial stress by coming too frequently). Once a month or 6 weeks seems to work well for many people. Realize that it is something you might need to make space for in your schedule and finances if you want to give it a fair shot at helping you. That being said, if you can only get a massage once a year that's great too. Just because you aren't getting it as frequently as is recommended don't think you need to go without it entirely.
I had a bad massage experience before, will it be the same if I try again?
If you have had a bad massage experience and would like to try again, definitely let me know what was bad about it. Every massage therapist is different and some are more or less willing and able to adjust their style to help their clients. I try to be as flexible as possible to provide a positive and helpful experience. It is very rare that someone truly doesn't enjoy a massage regardless of the massage therapist, usually it was just a bad fit or the massage therapist didn't do a good job of adjusting to your preferences.
Do you have to use oil/lotion during a massage? Do you have to work on bare skin to get a massage?
I typically use a massage cream that doesn't leave much of an oily feeling after, but I could also use oil or nothing at all during your massage, although not using a massage medium such as cream or oil will have an effect on what types of techniques I can provide. It is most effective for me to work on bare skin but I can work over clothes or the sheet if the client requires that.