Do you have a Code of Ethics?
Yes, they are as follows:
- I aim to provide the best quality massage treatment to clients seeking my professional help.
- I accept all clients without discrimination.
- I acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with a client and respect each client’s right to privacy.
- I do not diagnose medical conditions and practice only within the protocols in which I have been professionally trained and certified
- I maintain a safe, clean and professional environment.
- Under no circumstances do I participate or engage in any type of sexual activities with my client.
What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
Your massage therapist will expect you to fill out a health history form and ask you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your massage therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition, and to see if you have any presenting complaints.
Why does a massage therapist ask about my medical history and medications?
A responsible massage therapist asks about your medical history and will complete an intake form. Although massage has many wonderful benefits, it is not appropriate for people with some medical conditions and sometimes must be used cautiously. For example, massage is not recommended if you have a condition involving infection (including cold or flu) because massage might help the infection spread through your body. Other conditions that affect circulation, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, require caution, depending on your overall physical condition.
Obviously, you should not receive massage if you have a contagious condition. If you have a skin rash, know what it is before your massage, because some skin conditions are contagious.
Medications, particularly pain-killers and muscle relaxants (including aspirin), dull your perception of pain and pressure—your massage therapist needs to know your perception may not be accurate to avoid inadvertently using too much pressure.
Your therapist will ask about injuries, traumas, surgeries, and physical activities as this will provide information about where or how you hold tension in your body. Also, specific massage techniques can help the body heal soft-tissue injuries. If you have back pain or certain digestive problems, abdominal massage can be helpful, but it is not appropriate for some medical conditions. Your massage therapist needs to know your complete and up-to-date medical picture to provide an informed and safe massage. Be assured that all medical information is confidential.
Is a massage always appropriate?
No, there are several medical conditions that would make massage inappropriate. That’s why it is necessary that you fill out the health history forms and before you begin your session. The massage therapist will ask general health questions to rule out if you have any contraindications to massage. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor’s care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to any session. Your massage therapist may require a recommendation of approval from your doctor
What if I am unsuitable for a massage?
If the therapist believes that you have a contraindication then you will be given advice dependent upon the contraindication. This may mean a referral to another healthcare professional for further treatment or advice before re-presenting for a massage. The therapist reserves the right to refuse massage if they believe it is unsafe to do so.
What do I need to wear?
With some exceptions , we generally ask you to remove all clothing except underwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress and any areas that are not being massaged at any time will be carefully draped with towels to maintain modesty and warmth. It goes without saying that we never expose the breast area on women or the genital areas of either sex. However, if you feel more comfortable keeping on more clothing, we can certainly work with you to accommodate that.
Postural analysis is undertaken with the client wearing underwear.
Will the Therapist be present when I undress?
The massage therapist will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean towel. Your massage therapist will give you a few minutes for this process and will knock on the door to ask if you are ready before entering your room.
Once your massage therapy session is completed, your therapist will leave the room so you may re-dress. Your therapist will wait outside the room until you advise you are fully dressed.
Where will my massage session take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?
Make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position they will either move you or will ask you to move. Otherwise, you may change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable.
Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It’s up to you. It is your massage and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time.
Is it OK to talk during my session?
Some people relax by talking and others prefer to have their massage in silence. Many people will start out talking and then “drift away” as the massage goes on. It’s your massage – you decide if you want to talk to not.
However, your massage therapist will occasionally ask you a question pertaining to your comfort level and how you are feeling.
How long will a massage treatment last?
The average full-body massage treatment lasts approximately one hour including time to get on and off the massage couch. For total relaxation many people prefer a 90-minute session.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
That depends on several factors, including the length of the session, the specific need for treatment, the techniques used, and the client’s comfort level with touch.
When there is an injury or condition to be addressed, the entire session may focus on a single area. There may also be a need for treatment of other body areas that are affected by an injury, such as when a sprained ankle forces the opposite leg to bear all the stress of walking and weight-bearing.
When a massage is sought for relaxation, you and your massage therapist will discuss the desired outcome of your session. This will determine which parts of your body will be massaged. A typical full body session will include work on your back, arms, buttocks, abdomen, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. However, any of these areas can be omitted.
You will not be touched on or near your genitals (male or female) or breasts (male or female). If you are uncomfortable with being massaged in any area, just inform the therapist of your wishes and the therapist will adjust the massage accordingly.
What will the massage feel like?
It depends on the techniques used. In a general massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes which will help to calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage is the most effective when your body is not resisting.
How will I feel after the massage treatment?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling relaxed people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days.
Occasionally the treatment may produce symptoms that mimic the original condition. For example, you may develop a headache because the points that trigger the headache have themselves been worked on in order to de-activate them. This feeling will lessen with each treatment.
At the same time as the spasms or sore points are being dealt with, all the accumulated waste products which may have built up in your tight tissue are released into the circulation. This may give you an initial fuzzy or washed out feeling. It may take a little time for the body to adjust to its new state. The massage may unsettle your emotions too, which may make you feel different.
Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you relax and drink plenty of water following your massage.
Why do I need to drink plenty of water?
Your massage will release metabolic wastes that were caught in the constricted tissues. Drinking water straight after the session and hourly through the rest of the day will flush out these wastes, keep you fully hydrated and help prevent after-effects such as headaches and slight nausea that are possible. It is important that you drink water on its own, not in tea or coffee.
Will I feel sore after treatment?
If you have had a deep massage then you may experience some tenderness in the areas focused on. This is just like the discomfort that may be felt after exercising.
Once you are hydrated after your massage, it may help to relax in a warm (not hot) bath with Epsom salts in it. Just add 2 cup fulls of the Epsom salts to your bath water.
How long do the effects of massage last and how regularly should I have one?
The duration of the effects of a massage vary greatly from person to person depending on their physical and mental condition, activities, ability to relax, and ability to heal.
If you are receiving massage to help heal injury or to get rid of chronic pain, you usually need to receive weekly massage until you reach that goal. We aim to help you out of pain in 1 – 6 sessions but your involvement in the healing process is central to the successful outcome of the treatment. This may involve stretching and some lifestyle modifications.
If you are receiving massage for prevention, health maintenance, or just to feel better, you have more leeway in how often you receive massage.
The effects of regular massage are cumulative. A massage every week or two can make a big difference in your overall health and tension levels. Even a monthly massage is beneficial. Make regular massage part of your health maintenance program (along with good nutrition and exercise), and you’ll feel better.
What if I need to cancel or change an appointment time?
Please note there is a 24 Hour Cancellation Policy. Clients that wish to cancel or change an appointment are kindly requested to provide 24 hours notice or full payment for the treatment will be charged.