If you’ve never had a professional massage, here are some frequently asked questions.
Q - What do I do before the massage?
A - An intake questionaire helps the massage therapist learn about medical conditions, client concerns, types of work that may involve and stress particular parts of the body, levels of physical activity and exercise. Then the client and therapist can create an appropriate treatment plan together. [Click here for downloadable questionnaire].
Q - What should I wear?
A - It is preferable, though not essential, to wear clothes that can be easily removed. Jewelry should be removed during the session to keep it from getting oily.
Q - Do I need to be naked?
A - Clients undress to their level of comfort and are draped, covering all but the parts of the body being worked upon. When each body part is finished, it is re-draped for the clients’ comfort, warmth and to maintain professional boundaries.
Q - Does body type matter?
A - Anybody with a body can be massaged. Valerie has worked with persons of all shapes and sizes, and bodies in all conditions of sickness or wellness. There is no judgement about how your body should be. Valerie’s job is focus on you as a whole, perfect being.
Q - What are the “tools” of a massage therapist?
A - The hands, forearms, elbows, knees and feet all can be used for various pressure, surface area and precision. Some practioners use plastic knobs to assist in providing pressure. Valerie uses her body weight and positioning to assist her in going to the appropriate depth.
Q - What does a full-body massage involve?
A - All parts of the body—the head, neck, face, arms, upper chest, abdomen, legs (both sides), feet, gluteus and back—except for the genitals, are included in a full body session. It is recommended that first time clients receive a full body to understand how all parts of ourselves are connected. However, Valerie will work with as much or as little of your body as you are comfortable receiving.
Q - Are there times when it is not advisable to have a massage?
A - It is not advisable to get a massage at the beginning of a cold or other viral infection because the massage can propel the infection more extensively through the body. However, at the middle or end of a cold, massage can push the sickness out of the system, by removing the toxins from the muscles and speeding the healing process. It is also not advisable to receive bodywork if you have been drinking or using any pain medication. This can prevent your pain receptors from firing during deep tissue work and cause injury. If you are taking pain medication on a daily basis as the result of an injury, your tolerance level to pain has adjusted with this medicaton and massage may be fine. Please advise your therapist of anything you have taken in the past 24 hours.
Q - What do I do following a massage?
1. Drink plenty of water – Water helps to flush toxins out of your system that have been released from the muscle tissue through to prevent stiffness or soreness.
2. Rest – It is helpful to plan to give yourself as much time as possible after a massage with no plans to get the full benefit of the massage. Taking a hot bath (especially with Epsom salts or essential oils), taking a walk, gentle stretching, a nap, or anything relaxing for you all make the benefits last longer.