FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT SHOULD I NOT WEAR?

You will be properly covered with a sheet and blanket. As each part of your body is being massaged, it is uncovered. The therapist will leave the room while you undress and redress. You may undress to your comfort level, by choosing to be unclothed, or to wear your underclothes. You must feel comfortable.

SHOULD I BE SILENT DURING MY MASSAGE?

Some people prefer silence and may close their eyes to help themselves relax. Some people like to talk during their massage. Please feel free to ask questions about massage. It is essential that you give your therapist feedback about any discomfort that may arise.

WILL I FEEL GREASY AFTER MY MASSAGE?

Oil, lotion, or cream may be used. All of the products used at Bodywork Kneaded are Hypo Allergenic. Different mediums (oil, lotion, cream) allow different ‘drag’ (speed and depth of the massage therapist’s stroke) over the skin. All of these mediums are mostly absorbed into the skin by the end of the session.

WILL I BE SORE DURING OR AFTER THE MASSAGE?

Whether you will feel any pain during a massage depends on many factors: physical condition, reason for massage, pain tolerance, and technique used. Tense and over worked muscles are often sore and may be tender when massaged. On occasion, there is soreness after a massage. Follow your therapist’s instructions for aftercare (i.e. ice therapy, drink plenty of water) to help remove waste products flush out during the massage. This will help minimize and/or eliminate soreness.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:

If you are under medical care please bring clearance for your massage, from your health-care provider.Treatment is a collaboration. Therapist and patient must work together for optimum results. Communication between the patient and the Therapist is key. Communication starts with an accurate medical history, continues during the massage, and is expected with all follow-up visits. Informing your therapist of how you feel during certain techniques and how you felt after the treatment will help the patient receive care that is most effective. The Therapist will clearly communicate follow-up self-care instructions and recommendations of follow-up visits.

It is important the patient follow through with the Therapist’s recommendations. Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better one will feel, and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension,  more than one session is usually needed to recover from a soft tissue injury. So be prepared to schedule several sessions. Remember your therapist only has you for one hour, maybe an hour and half. You are ultimately responsible for your health. Below are things you may want to keep in mind for your massage:

· Be receptive.

· Don’t eat just before a massage session.

· Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

· If you don’t want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist. Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

· Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

· Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

· Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

· If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more “body-centered”,  quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist, and focus on how the touch feels.

· If anything happens during the massage that you dislike, seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

· If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

· Drink extra water after a massage.

· Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate, absorb the results of the massage session, or needs some “re-entry” time.