Tag Archives: FAQ

How Often Should I Get a Massage?

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For most people, three things factor into planning how often you get a massage: your life, your goals for massage, and your budget.

What’s My Life Schedule Like?

massage schedule

Your life schedule is a pretty big planning factor. How easy is it for you to take time out of your life to schedule an appointment? I try to provide a variety of times of day for appointment availability to help with that. This includes Sunday afternoons, and a bit later in the evening on Monday and Tuesday.

Many people find planning ahead helpful. If we know you want to try bi-weekly appointments, we can schedule several out ahead of time. This makes it easier to get the time slot you want. Then, you can put it into your planner and schedule the rest of your life around it!

Why Am I Getting a Massage?

massage benefits

On average, most people seem to find monthly sessions great for maintenance and stress relief. If you’re dealing with significant physical issues, it’s not a bad idea to try coming in more frequently. This helps get things settled into more of a maintenance level.

Weekly sessions are fantastic for really working at problem areas. With therapeutic massage, we’re trying get your body out of the holding pattern creating the muscle pain. Coming in weekly helps us catch that holding pattern before it starts to seize up again. Eventually, we remind your muscles of what it feels like to be neutral and relaxed.

Can’t decide how long of an appointment to schedule? See the post “How Long of a Massage Appointment Should I Schedule?” for some insight on the various appointment lengths.

Bi-weekly and monthly appointments for managing muscle pain and tension work fairly well, too. This is especially true if you’re willing to work on whatever is causing the problem at home between appointments. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Notice how you sit at your computer
  • Pay attention to how you walk or stand
  • Incorporate stretching or range of motion exercises into your day

What’s My Budget Like?

massage budget

Budget is probably the biggest factor in the frequency of massage appointments. Weekly sounds great, but I totally understand if buying gas for your car or feeding your kids takes precedence. Here are some ideas for budgeting for massage:

  • Schedule 30 minute weekly or bi-weekly appointments.
  • Prepay for a series of massages when you have extra money.
  • Put $5, $10, or $20 into your account at my office every payday.

Feel free to contact me to discuss your massage needs, or talk to me at your next appointment. We can work out a plan that fits your life and your budget.

When Is Massage NOT a Good Idea?

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There is no doubt that massage is wonderful. It has many positive health and wellness benefits. It’s relaxing, it feels great when you’re feeling not so great. There is also no doubt that people sometimes overlook/underestimate the risks of massage in certain situations.

What Makes A Massage Risky?

The main culprit that can make massage a contraindication is its effects on the circulatory system. Pick a spot on your arm or hand where you can maybe see some good veins. Rub your hand down your arm towards that vein with about the pressure your massage therapist does. You’ll probably notice that it stands out more as you push; this is because you’re pushing the blood through that vein at a higher rate than normal.

During a massage, muscle is not the only thing getting pushed around. Massage includes moving the blood around in your veins, the fluids in your lymphatic system, and the other various hormones and chemicals floating around in your body.

What does this all mean?

It means that if a person’s veins or circulatory system are compromised, massage may be a bad idea. We need to know if your bones are brittle or you have joint replacements. Tell us if you have immune system problems, or you have herniated discs or spinal issues. Illness such as the flu, infections, and disease with serious complications are a red flag when it comes to massage.

But My Health Issues Are Private!

I realize that it can feel awkward to share your health information with someone other than your doctor. Especially if it’s someone you don’t know very well. It’s important to realize that while massage may seem like a pretty safe therapy, there really are cases where it can do more harm than good. Rest assured that I follow health information privacy guidance, and do not share your health information with anyone. The online form is HIPAA compliant, and I keep your paper intake forms locked up when unattended.

Get Your Doc Involved

If you are under a doctor’s care, I will likely ask that you receive a written recommendation for massage. I like to make sure that they understand that massage is increasing circulation and lymph flow. Doctors don’t always remember that massage is not purely about relaxation. I may ask you to talk to your cardiologist, endocrinologist, obstetrician, or other specialist you may be working with.

It’s All About You

It may seem awkward or annoying to have to answer these questions and communicate between your various health care providers. However, it’s ultimately all about keeping you safe and healthy, as well as relaxed and pain free. If your doctor does not recommend massage, there are other options that may help you. This includes Reiki therapy, which does not physically manipulate the muscles or circulatory system

As with any wellness regimen, it’s important that all of your healthcare providers work together to ensure that you are receiving safe, effective care. If you have any concerns about privacy or your health issues related to massage, you can always contact me to discuss them! 

Be Well,
Tricia 

Should I Talk During a Massage?

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Your time in my office is all about you, so if you’d like to talk go right ahead. It’s important to remember, however, that this is a time for you to relax and enjoy the experience. While I don’t discourage talking, I do encourage you to relax. Just let your mind float free and enter a state of massage bliss.

In many instances, people who are nervous  may start off talking to ease their anxiety, and as the massage progresses, enter quiet states of relaxation. For others, it may be the only time you feel you have to get things off your mind, and if you need to vent, I’m okay with that!

The important thing to know is that there are times when you need to speak up. If I’m doing anything to make you uncomfortable or painful, you should let me know immediately. You should also let me know if you get too warm or too cold, if the room is too bright, or if I need to change the pressure (lighter or deeper). If something is not working for you during your massage – speak up! It’s all about you!
Be Well,
Tricia

Should I Cancel My Massage If I’m Sick?

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massage germs

I have a Cold/the Flu, Should I Cancel My Appointment?

Short answer: Yes, please.
Long Answer: Yes, please.

Massage is great, I’m not going to argue with you there. But it’s not always a great idea. As cold and flu season hits, it’s important that you know when it may be necessary to cancel your appointment.

Why Should I Cancel?

When you are sick, your body needs rest.

It’s strange to think about it this way, but receiving massage is an active task, it is not entirely rest. Massage causes change in the body, and your body has to work to maintain stability. Getting a massage when you are sick takes attention away from infection-fighting. That’s no good.

You’re not going to be cozy on the massage table.

Sure, it sounds like a warm squishy massage table would be fantastic. But the moment you put your already-stuffy head into that face cradle, you’ll realize the error of your ways. Gravity and pressure are not your friend here. Even if I do a great face massage to drain your sinuses, you’ll likely feel worse when you get off the table.

You could get me sick.

Since most of the common winter viruses are contagious even before symptoms show up, I could pass the cooties along to more clients before I even know it’s happening. Further, when I get sick, I have to cancel clients and take a few days off work. I work for myself, with no paid sick days to compensate for lost wages.

Sure, as a growing small business, I am building a fund for these situations. However, I would much rather use that fund for a vacation or a fancy new massage table. So, I’m gonna try to stay germ-free.

So it’s a deal. You’ll cancel so as not to infect me and my massage room, and I’ll do the same for you. We’ll keep each other safe.

When Should I Cancel?

should I cancel my massage if I'm sick?
  • If you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or are still feeling icky from a recent bout of such things.
  • If you’ve had a fever in the past 24 hours, or fever-related symptoms. This includes chills, aches, and fatigue. Even if you’re keeping the fever down with medicine, you’re still sick. The fever counts.
  • If you are itchy, runny, and/or sneezy, and you’re not 100% certain it’s seasonal allergies. And even then, allergies may leave you so miserable that the hour on my table would be wasted time and money for you.
  • If you are coughing constantly, or just a lot.
  • If someone in your household is ill and you are feeling at all funky, please cancel.

There is often some gray area here, especially if you are in the recovery phase of a virus or bacterial infection.  If you’re unsure about your situation, please call me before your appointment and we can make a decision together. For more information about the life cycle of a cold, check out this article.

Also, if you’re sick don’t worry about a cancellation fee, I won’t charge you for helping keep germs at bay!

Be Well, Stay Well!
Tricia

What Do I Wear (or Not Wear) in a Massage?

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I just scheduled a massage, do I need to get naked?

wear in massage

Short answer:
No. Absolutely not.
Long answer:
What do you wear in a massage? What massage therapists (myself included) often say to a client is, “Undress to your level of comfort.” Maybe that’s a little bit too vague. Plus, if you’ve never had a massage before, you probably have no idea what that even means. Do I even know what that means? Maybe?! Anyway, here’s what you need to know about clothing during your massage:

I’ve Got You Covered

wear in massage massage draping

I like to tell people, I rarely will see any more of you than if you were wearing a swim suit. I keep you covered with a sheet and a blanket throughout your massage. When I work on your arm, I hold the sheet in place and pull your arm carefully out from underneath, resting it on top of the blanket. When I do arm stretches, I tuck the covers in tight under your armpit. This makes it so that I can pull your arm over your head without them slipping and exposing your chest.

wear in massage massage draping

For your legs, there are a couple of ways I drape. For the most part, I will pull sheet under one leg and up along your hip, tucking you in tightly so that we can do leg or hip stretches without you feeling exposed or drafty. Occasionally, I will uncover one leg and tuck the sheet under your other leg.

wear in massage massage draping

When I work on your full back, I fold the sheet and blanket down to your hips. If you’re wearing underwear or pants, I may tuck the sheet under the waistband. This helps protect your clothes from the lotion or oil and keeps the covers from slipping.

If at any time you’re cold or uncomfortable, just let me know. I have extra sheets and blankets available! If you’d like to read a little more about draping and how you can help your massage go smoother, check out this post.

Where Does This Whole “Your Level of Comfort” Come In?

It means that if you do not feel comfortable removing a particular article of clothing, that is perfectly fine. If you’re wearing a bra, I’ll work around it. Wearing a tank top or shorts or long johns? I’ll work through them. If your feet get cold and you want to leave your socks on, no worries! Want to keep all of your clothes on? That’s okay, too!

hand massage wear in massage massage draping

If the texture or bulkiness of your clothes makes massage a challenge, I may use a sheet or cloth over them to smooth out the process. In the event that we reach a point where I feel I can’t effectively treat your issue through the clothing you’ve chosen to wear, I’ll let you know and we’ll figure out another approach.

I Prefer to Wear Clothes for My Massage, What are Some Good Choices?

If you’re not quite ready to undress for a massage, but you’re worried about what will be most comfortable or make my job easier, here are a few suggestions:

  • A bra that hooks in the back can be unhooked while you’re laying face down for a nice full back massage. I hook it again when I am done.
  • Soft materials for shirts and pants are nice. Sweaters and things with a lot of texture can make my skin feel chafed after a while.
  • Snug but comfy clothes like yoga pants, sweat pants, tighter tees, etc, will move around less and make those nice long flowing strokes easier.
  • You’re going to get more of the sensation of the massage through thinner clothes. With something like thick jeans and a chunky wool sweater, you’re likely to feel pressure just fine, but maybe not the lighter touches as well.
wear in massage

The most important thing to remember is, whatever you choose to wear (or not wear) during your massage, it’s okay with me, and I’m not judging you. Your massage is all about you and it’s important that you feel comfortable and relaxed. For some people that means leaving some clothing on. For others, it means taking it all off. There is no right or wrong,

Enjoy your next massage!