FIRST TIME MASSAGE:
WHAT TO EXPECT
First time clients, please arrive no more than 10 minutes prior to your session. Although you will need to complete a “Client Intake Form”, this will not reduce your hands on session time.
At the start of your first session, We will review and discuss the information you provided on your Client Intake form. During this initial assessment, be sure that I am aware of any surgeries, illnesses or conditions you have listed to ensure you enjoy a safe & comfortable session.
Here are some other “Be sure to let me know…” items:
- Be sure to let me know if you are pregnant. Most likely it will not affect your ability to receive massage. It will simply give me the proper information to ensure you receive a safe & comfortable massage.
- Be sure to let me know if massage of the feet, hands, scalp, glutes (or any other specific area) will be a concern for you. For those areas, I can modify to meet your needs including skipping that area altogether.
I do not include massage of the abdominal area as part of a normal custom massage.
Let me know if you want me to include your abdominal region during your session. - Be sure to let me know if you have any heat sensitivity. Hot towels and table warmers are employed during most sessions. I take great care to ensure the temperature of any heated item(s) are not above a reasonably tolerable level. However, I am happy to “adjust the temperature” of the any heated item if you let me know.
- Be sure to let me know if you have any difficulty tolerating laying in a face down position. If you suffer from nasal congestion, I offer a eucalyptus/similar oil while face down. If you feel that is not satisfactory, or you simply prefer to minimize (or eliminate) time in a face down position, I am able to make modifications to address this issue for you.
Meaning, if necessary, I am capable of providing a full body massage while you lay face up. - Be sure to let me know if you cannot “roll over” from a face down to face up position. Almost all sessions require you to “roll over” in order to provide full body massage coverage. During this brief change in your position, I will verbally guide you while also holding all coverings in a way that you can turn with comfort & confidence knowing your modesty is never compromised.
Your Modesty
Breasts and genital tissue are never
massaged or exposed
under any circumstances.
After completion of the initial assessment, I will step out of the room. At that time, disrobe to your comfort level. Unless I specified otherwise, it is always acceptable to disrobe completely.
You will never be immodestly exposed or uncovered.
Women: I recommend you remove your bra so that I may have unblocked access to your back and shoulder tissues.
Both men and women: Should you choose to leave your underwear on; please understand that I may only be able to perform limited massage on those areas (glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and hip joints). With your permission, I will move undergarments temporarily, or I will work just beneath them.
Once you have disrobed to your comfort level, climb in between the sheets on the table and just relax. I will knock on the door to confirm you are ready. I will not enter the room until you invite me to do so.
At the time I enter the room, and lay my hands upon you; that is when your session begins. I am now your partner in a healing relationship. In this partnership, it is important that both client and therapist feel comfortable at all times.
If at any time, you are not comfortable
it is VERY IMPORTANT to communicate you need me to STOP.
Feedback to me regarding your comfort level, i.e.: pressure of strokes, lighting, music, warmth, area being massaged, etc., is very important. You should always feel comfortable expressing any changes you would like.
As stated previously, breasts and genital tissue are never massaged or exposed under any circumstances. However, normal bodywork and massage sessions routinely massage in proximity to these areas. I always maintain a professional contact distance from breasts and genital tissues. Certain specific types of bodywork can require an even closer proximity of contact. I will always ask for your permission before working in any area, or using any modality that will require either closer proximity, or adjustment of any clothing.
You always have the right to request that I not work any area for which you are not comfortable.
Regardless of prior permission, if at any time you feel any contact is making you uncomfortable, it is very important to ask me to stop working immediately.
Sexual interaction, discussions, suggestions or attempts at humor is not tolerated and grounds for immediate session termination.
Once your session has come to an end, I will step out of the room. At that time I invite you to simply relax and breathe for a while. Take time to think about the bodywork you just received. How are you feeling? Did you receive the bodywork you wanted? Are you feeling any pain or discomfort anywhere?
Feedback
Once awareness has returned and you are ready, you will redress in privacy. Once dressed, simply open the studio door and I will meet you in the room.
This is your opportunity to let me know “How I did for you”.
I like to think I am always improving.
Your feedback, especially critical feedback, will always be received by me in a most professional and thankful manner.
While you may think it can be difficult to tell me something was wrong, not good or could have been better; please believe me: I want your feedback! Don’t worry about my feelings: massage is my love and passion. I want to know!
Soreness/tenderness in areas where deeper therapy techniques are used, is a possible reaction for up to 48 hours after the session. If you are sore for longer than two days, the next massage needs to be adjusted to be gentler. Please let me know if this occurs!
FEES
Fees are due immediately upon completion of service. You are welcome to prepay. Please let me know if you would like to pay in advance of your session. Please give at least 24 hours notice of appointment cancellation.
If a client does not show for an appointment (no call, text, etc), they will be required to pre-pay their next session. There will not be a cancellation fee assessed in the event the client misses their appointment. Instead the client is simply required to pre-pay their next session.
DISCLOSURES
- I do not care if your legs are hairy.
- I do not care if your feet are stinky.
- If you are coming to see me straight from the gym, it would be nice if you could shower off prior to your session.
- If you feel your body odor easily offends, I invite you to bathe prior to your session.
There may be times when general discussions take place during the massage session. However, for me, it is my focus and intent to give to you all of my energy to enhance your experience. Therefore, concentration, focus, and centering is required on my part. If you are interested in having me explain the techniques used, please let me know and I will be happy to do so.
It is the clients’ responsibility to keep me informed of any current medical treatment, and to provide requested or required written permission from physician, chiropractor, physical therapist or other health care provider.
The client must also keep the massage therapist informed of any changes in his/her condition.
I am not a doctor.
I do not diagnose. I do not prescribe. Because I am legally not allowed to do so.
I can tell you what I know about a subject. Possibly dispel myths or disinformation. I can and do recommend self-help exercises which you may choose to do, to prolong the effect of massage and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But I can not make a diagnosis. And I can only prescribe healthy choices and behaviors.
All personal client information is confidential. Everything communicated during a session is held in complete confidence. Client’s records are available for their review upon request. However, I may be required to release a client’s records to approved parties with either your permission or under a court order.
Anyone under the age of 18 will not be seen without a parent or guardian present in the therapy room.
Contraindications
If you are currently under a physician’s care, please confirm first that you are eligible to receive massage. I can modify the session to accommodate most local massage contraindications. However, your physician will know if you simply should not receive massage at this time.
Due to massage’s effect on the lymphatic system, folks who have just received chemotherapy, dialysis and other circulatory/lymphatic affecting treatments should wait at least 48 hours before receiving massage unless indicated otherwise by a physician.
Persons with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, recent surgery or fractures, phlebitis, fever should consult their physicians before receiving a massage, and will need a written consent from the physician before the massage can take place. Inform me of any restrictions that may apply.
Please inform me if you currently have any of the following: bruised areas, open wounds, break in skin, or recent burn.
These items are not reasons to not receive massage, rather reasons to not massage a certain area.
Should I or the client contract a contagious disease that could be spread during the massage session (cold, flu, other droplet or airborne infections), each will inform the other. The decision to reschedule will be handled in a case by case fashion.
MUST LOVE DOGS
Since I essentially “work from home”, our cocker spaniel, Lily wants to be near me. In fact, trying to keep her out; is simply too stressful for both Lily and myself. She just has too much “Puppy Healing Energy” she wants to share. And during session, she will fall asleep under the table.
Cocker Spaniels are a hypoallergenic breed. Meaning normal dog allergies are not triggered by her. But, Lily is still a dog.
So, if you are uncomfortable with her being present during your massage: I invite you to find a different massage therapist.
Just to be clear: Do not schedule, if you are unable to tolerate Lily being present during your session. Thank you for your understanding.