Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where Will My Massage or Bodywork Session Take Place?

Your massage/bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, private, quiet room that is specifically used for massage therapy.  Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

Who Will Perform The Massage/Bodywork?

I am your massage therapist.  I have received more than 550 hours of training as required by the current Texas state laws, and I am licensed by Texas Department of State Health Services (Lic # MT101955). 

You may request a certain technique or modality, such as Swedish, Sports, Deep, etc.  Please click HERE for more details on each modality that I can offer. 

Must I Be Completely Undressed?

Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, you may decide what amount of clothing
you prefer to wear for your own comfort.  

All female clients will be properly draped with a clean sheet during the session for your comfort.  Male clients can choose whether to be draped with a sheet/towel, or not.*  

* Currently, the Texas laws do not require draping during a massage session. 

Will The Therapist Be Present When I Disrobe?

I will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet or towel  (if being draped).  I will also leave the room while you dress after the session, even if you choose not to be draped.

Will I Be Covered During The Session?

If you are female, or if you are a male client who requests to be draped, you will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

What Parts Of My Body Will Be Massaged?

A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, gluteals, legs, feet, hands, neck, shoulders, and head & face. 

You and I will discuss the desired outcome of your session.  Based on the discussion, we will decide if we need a full-body massage session, or just certain specific areas of your body require massage. 

In any case, your genital area (male or female) or breasts (female) will not be massaged. 

Will Lubricant Be Used?

For Swedish and Sport Massage strokes, I usually use a light oil (Biotone Clear Results Massage Oil) to permit your muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin.  Lotions (Biotone Advanced Therapy Lotion / Deep-Tissue Massage Lotion) are available upon request. The lubricants used should hydrate the skin and be readily absorbed.

For Deep Massage, I do not use oil or lotion most of the times, but to avoid some irritation on your skin and/or pulling your body hair, I may use a small amount of oil, lotion or cream.

Can I take a shower before or after the session?

Yes. You are more than welcome to use my shower before or after the session. Depending on my schedule, however, the time you take shower may shorten your massage session.

What Will the Massage Or Bodywork Feel Like?

It depends on the techniques used.  In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help to calm your nervous system and ease exterior muscle tension. 

As your body unwinds, pressure will gradually be increased to relax and relieve specific areas of muscular tension.  I always do my best to be senstive, but you should communicate with me immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. 

Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.

Are There Different Kinds Of Massage And Bodywork?

There are numerous types of massage and bodywork.  Various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement reeducation, application of pressure to specific points, and more.

For more details on each modality and technique that I offer, please click HERE.

How Long Will The Session Last?

You can choose the duration/length of your session.  A 90-minute session is recommended, and many people prefer a sixty- to ninty-minute session for optimal relaxation. You can also choose a 120-minute session.  Shorter sessions (20 minutes and 30 minutes) are also available for partial body massage. 

Please allow some pre-session interview time and post-session relaxing time, besides the session time you select (usually 15-25 minutes in total). 

The interview is important for me to get to know you better every session.

What Should I Do During The Massage Or Bodywork Session?

Make yourself comfortable. I will either gently move you or tell you what is
needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). 

Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during their session.

Feel free to ask me questions about massage and bodywork in general or about the particular technique you are receiving.

How Will I Feel After The Massage Or Bodywork Session?

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 slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity, which can last for days.

Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water afterward.  You will be provided with a chilled bottle of water after your session.

What Are The Benefits Of Massage And Bodywork?

Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. 

Massage and bodywork are also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety, and create an overall sense of well-being.

Are There Any Medical Conditions That Would Make Massage or Bodywork Inadvisable?

Yes.  You will be asked to fill out a Client Intake Form before your first session with me begins.  It is very important that you inform me of any health problems or medications you are taking in the form and during the pre-session interview. 

If you are under a doctor’s care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session.

What should I do when I feel ticklish on the massage table?

Some people are sensitive to particular techniques, which make them feel uncomfortable and want to giggle.  If that happens, I may use a broader stroke or deeper pressure so it doesn't tickle.  In the unlikley event you're still way too ticklish with those variations, I can skip that part of the body and concentrate on less sensitive areas.

It is your massage, so you can withhold your consent for a particular area to be treated at any time and still receive a massage. 

Please be sure to tell me beforehand about your any sensitive or particularly ticklish areas of your body so I can accomodate you more effectively.

Massage has to hurt to do any good, right?

This is a common misconception about massage.  Delivering an effective massage is about technique over muscle.  If it were all about muscle, masage therapists everywhere would be exhausted by noon, and wouldn't come back to work tomorrow.

Even during a Deep Massage session, no technique should be unbearably painful.  I try to check with you about my pressure throughout the session, but please let me know if at any time during the session you feel uncomfortably painful.

What if I get an erection during a massage?

It rarely occurs, but if it does, don't panic.  It is a physiological reaction, and there is nothing wrong about it.

Sometimes as a result of your nervous system going into relaxation mode (or because of certain medications) erections happen.  I am aware that this is a physiological reaction and will treat the situation accordingly.  I will try to re-direct your attention with a shift in the focus of my work, maybe by altering pressure or moving to a different area of your body.  Your unintended erection, and any embarrassment, will soon pass. 

It may be rude or offensive to ask, but does a massage session include a "release"?

It is not rude or offensive to ask, though my short answer to this question is "no."  My experience is that more than several people have asked me the same question.  It seems for some people to receive a massage is sexually stimulating.

Besides the fact that I have not professionally been trained in such a field, the Texas State laws and Code of Ethics for Licensed Massage Therapists explicitly prohibit LMTs to conduct any sexual activities with clients during a session.  To keep my relationship with you professional, I would like to stick to the rules. 

After your session, I will leave the massage room so that you can have your own private space and time, basically for you to relax, reflect the session, and put back on your clothes.  As your time and mine allow, it can be more than a few minutes; and it is up to you how you use this time.  As you are ready (or the time comes), I will meet you outside the massage room.

 

Many of the questions and answers above were adapted from ABMP brochure, What To Expect during a massage or bodywork session.

Some of the questions and answers above were adapted from ABMP magazine,
Body Sense (Spring/Summer 2008).

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