Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I get a massage?
2. When should I not get a massage?
3. What can massage help me with?
4. How often should I get a massage?
5. How long should my appointment last?
6. How does massage work?
7. Should I get a Swedish massage or myofascial/deep tissue?
8. Why do you call it myofascial/deep tissue?
9. Does myofasical or deep tissue work hurt?
10. What differentiates you from other massage therapists?
11. Why do you take such a detailed health history?
12. What should I wear during the massage?
13. What if the massage wasn't quite what I expected?
14. Is tipping expected?
15. What does LMBT mean?

When should I get a massage?

The shortest and most honest answer is whenever you want one. When your body needs nurturing touch, you will feel it. You may be tired, anxious, sore, depressed, tense, stressed, in pain. The longer you deny your body the work it is calling for, the harder it will be to undo.

When should I not get a massage?

If you have any of these conditions, you should not come in for a massage:

• fever
• uncontrolled high blood pressure
• blood clots
• infectious/contagious diseases
• burns, sunburns, or open sores (area may be avoided)
• vertigo
• phlebitis or lymphangitis
• uncontrolled diabetes
• acute infection of joint or skin (area may be avoided)

Many other conditions require caution by your massage therapist. Please be thorough when filling out your health history!

What can massage help me with?

Just a few of the conditions I am accustomed to treating with massage:

• anxiety
• back pain
• bloating
• chronic tension
• decreased joint mobility
• depression
• fatigue
• gastro-intestinal problems
• headaches
• irritability
• joint pain
• low body awareness
• menstrual cramps
• muscular soreness and pain
• neck pain
• poor circulation
• poor posture
• sleep problems
• stress
• sub acute and chronic injuries

How often should I get a massage?

Session Focus	Suggested Frequency	Why?
Pain management	Every 1-2 weeks or more often, increasing the interval as the source of the pain is addressed	When you're in pain, your muscles tend to tense up even more, which prolongs the pain you are feeling. Then you develop patterns of movement to mitigate pain which may instead cause pain in another area. Massage helps to break this cycle.
Relaxation/Stress Reduction	Every 2-4 weeks or more often, depending on stress level	The direct relaxational effects of massage last only a day or two at most. However, with the right session frequency, your body will be able to remember how it feels to be relaxed and stress-free for longer periods.
Improving posture	Once a week	Improving posture is as much about releasing chronic tension patterns as it is relearning how to stand and walk. You wouldn't go to a dance class once a month and expect to retain much. The same is true here.
Reducing muscle soreness	As needed	Massage helps remove metabolic wastes from the muscle tissue, while lengthening and reconditioning it to be able to handle the excercises you are doing.
General health maintenance	Every 4-6 weeks	At this frequency, most people will still be able to notice the cumulative benefits of massage. Any longer than 6 week intervals is just an occasional treat for your body.

How long should my appointment last?

I can give a great full body massage in 60 minutes. However, I prefer to move through the body more slowly and with greater attention to detail--I recommend at least 75 minutes for a full body treatment. I find that my clients get the greatest relaxational benefit from sessions of about 90 minutes--imagine escaping the world for a full hour and a half! This also allows me to do a detailed assessment of your muscular tissue and fascia.

For those on a tighter schedule or budget, a 30- or 45-minute session is the answer.

How does massage work?

There are two main effects: reflexive and mechanical. Massage stimulates a chain of events which tells the body to relax. For example, nerves in the skin and muscles send impulses to the brain, and the brain in turn tells the muscles to release. These reflexive effects are known as the relaxation response, or "rest and digest": the heart and breath rate slows, stress hormone production slows, blood pressure goes down. It allows your body necessary time for recuperation a busy life often does not afford.

Massage strokes also move blood and lymph, as well as mechanically lengthening, stretching, spreading, separating, and releasing muscle and connective tissue.

Should I get a Swedish massage or myofascial/deep tissue?

I often use a combination of techniques with my clients. Every session is customized based on your needs; you don't need to know what kind of massage you want before you get here.

Why do you call it myofascial/deep tissue?

Most people have heard of deep tissue massage. Myofascial is a more specific form of deep tissue, one I consider more beneficial to the client. Myofascia is the connective tissue which covers all of the muscles and is continuous throughout the body. Constriction in one area can cause pain in another.

Does myofascial or deep tissue work hurt?

If it does, you're probably tensing up and thus negating many of the therpeutic effects of the deeper work, and you're certainly not relaxing. My myofascial/deep tissue work may be uncomfortable at times, but I do not want to work past your pain threshhold. In fact, many clients find my myofascial work more relaxing than my Swedish work.

What differentiates you from other massage therapists?

I had extremely good initial training at the Body Therapy Institute in Silk Hope, NC. My passion is for the human body as a whole, and I remain comitted to continued study to improve my understanding and ability to help you, without judgement or an agenda. I also strive to live what I preach: healthy diet, excercise, self-care, and getting my own massage therapy.

Why do you take such a detailed health history?

Many conditions require caution when treating a client, even with Swedish massage. Some are contraindicated entirely. Also, since massage treats the whole person, I like to get a well-rounded picture of what may be contributing to your current condition.

What should I wear during the massage?

Whatever you feel comfortable in. A lot of good work can be done right through clothing (like in chair massage). However, even more good work can be done without a layer cloth between my hands and the muscle tissue. Only the part of the body I am working on will be undraped.

What if the massage wasn't quite what I wanted?

I love hearing feedback from my clients about pressure, pacing, or other particulars. I like to hear this during the massage so that treatment can be adjusted on-the-spot, and the client can get the greatest enjoyment out of the experience. If, for whatever reason, you did not make your needs known during the treatment, I very much appreciate hearing afterwards what will improve your next session.

Is tipping expected?

I accept tips graciously in my private practice, but it is not necessary. Tipping is customary when you receive work at a spa.

What does LMBT mean?

LMBT is the abbreviation for "Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist," North Carolina's state certification. LMBTs have taken at least 500 classroom hours and passed a national certification exam. For more information or to look up a licensee, see www.bmbt.org.