TRADITIONAL MASSAGE

BAREFOOT MASSAGE

TRADITIONAL MASSAGE

What is massage therapy?
Therapeutic massage is a systematic manual approach to releasing tension and waste products from the soft tissues of the human body, which include the muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue and joints. Massage benefits include relief from muscular pain, increased range of motion and flexibility, improved circulation, and psychological stress reduction. All of these elements combined help to achieve an overall feeling of well-being.

I’ve never had a massage. What should I expect?
Once you arrive at my office, your first step is to take a really deep breath and relax – life just seems easier here. After spending a few minutes providing me with some details of your health history and preferences for the massage, I will customize the session for you and to your specific needs. Techniques and methods will be determined as to what kind of session you would most benefit from based on your objectives. I will then leave you in privacy to disrobe to your level of comfort and to get onto the massage table. From there, you can completely relax and enjoy the calming music, the flickering of the candle and therapeutic benefits of the massage.

Will I be covered up?
Yes, regardless of whether you choose to completely disrobe or leave some clothing on, you will always be professionally draped, except the area that I am working on. You are only asked to disrobe to your level of comfort.

What should I wear?
Most people prefer to receive massage therapy either wearing their bottom underwear or unclothed, as you are covered the entire session. Some clients also find that dressing in comfy clothes before and/or after their session helps them ease into and out of their treatment.

Does massage therapy hurt?
Typically, massage does not produce pain. If you are treating yourself to a deeper form of massage that focuses on specific areas of discomfort in your body, you may feel a sensation that many clients describe as "hurts so good." Another way to describe this is “good pain”. This sensation happens when I locate a tender or tight area within your muscle. Otherwise, your massage will feel very comforting and relaxing if you are here to simply unwind.

Will I be sore after my massage?
If you are receiving a deeper form of massage therapy, there may be a form of mild residual soreness after your treatment depending upon the current state of your muscle tissue. This sensation feels similar to post-workout soreness, and usually lasts about a day. If this occurs, it means that your body and muscles responded to the techniques performed during the session. To minimize this effect, drink a lot of water after your massage, take a hot bath with Epsom salts, and do some gentle stretching.

How does massage therapy work?
Massage therapy affects the body as a whole, primarily your soft tissues, nervous system and circulation. Massage helps to loosen contracted, shortened muscles and stimulate weak, flaccid ones. This muscle balancing helps restore posture and promote more efficient movement. Massage also provides a gentle stretching action to both the muscles and connective tissues that surround and support the body, helping to keep these tissues soft and elastic. All forms of massage help to deactivate the sympathetic nervous system, thereby relieving stress while improving digestion, sleep, and immune function. Massage also increases the circulation of both blood and lymph, supplying fresh oxygen and nutrients that assist in eliminating toxins and waste products. And this is only the surface – please see my Wonders page for all of the medical and scientific research you would ever want into why massage is so beneficial for your body and mind.

When should I avoid receiving massage?
The list below are guidelines, so when in doubt, please phone your doctor. Traditional Massage should not be given if you have an uncontrolled heart condition, uncontrolled diabetes, liver or kidney failure, infection of the superficial veins (phlebitis) or soft tissue, blood clots, varicose veins, bleeding disorders, high fever or any type of contagious condition. Barefoot Massage should be avoided with all of the aforementioned conditions, as well as, if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, advanced osteoporosis or those who have had rib fractures, breast implants within the past 9 months, Lasik surgery within the last 72 hours and those with tuberculosis, recent bowel or hernia surgery. If you have cancer, you must receive permission from your doctor before the massage, as some treatments are not recommended under certain circumstances.

Should I be silent or engage in conversation during my massage?
You may talk as little or as much as you like. Most people are comfortable remaining quite as they drift into a deep state of relaxation while others find that chatting helps them calm down. Feel free to do what comes natural, including falling asleep. Certain types of massage therapy require occasional feedback regarding pressure and technique, but most people achieve the greatest therapeutic benefits by limiting their conversation and quieting their mind so that they may completely focus on their body.

What if I am self-conscious about my body?
As a professionally trained Massage Therapist, I have worked on every type of body, from young to old, to large and small. Your session is based completely on your preferences, so feel free to let me know if you would rather me work through specific areas of clothing, or avoid an area all together.

What areas of my body will be massaged?
For a typical full body treatment, your back, front and back arms, front and back legs, and neck and shoulders are massaged. Depending on areas of tightness and your goals for the session, your upper pectorals, stomach and hip muscles can be included. Additional areas based on your post-massage activities are your facial area and scalp.

What type of products do you use for the massage?
I offer a variety of natural, botanical-based oils, lotions and crèmes from Epicuren and Aveda, which are available for your choosing at the beginning of your massage. Some skin types work best with certain products, as well as some techniques are more effective if using a specific product over the next. I also carry hypoallergenic products if you have sensitivities, so feel free to let me know your preference.

Do I need to shower before my massage?
A warm shower helps to relax tense muscles if you have been exercising or doing strenuous activity prior to your massage; otherwise, showering is not necessary.

Do I have to shave before a treatment?
Shaving is optional for a massage. Considering the nature of Body Rituals, shaving is not recommended due to the exfoliation process, unless it is done so four hours before your treatment.

What is Aromatherapy?
Every massage has the option of using a customized scent included in your treatment at no additional cost to you. Aromatherapy is a widely practiced complementary therapy, using aromatic plant, flower, leaf, seed, bark and fruit essential oil. Aromatherapy works on our sense of smell and by absorption into the bloodstream where about 15 percent of the air we breath gets transported by olfactory receptors straight to our brain, into an area connected with instinct, mood and emotion (think how even the merest whiff of a rose can zip you right back to Grandma’s garden). Aromatherapy has the most beneficial effect on mood enhancement, minor ailments, digestive problems, PMS, stress-related illness and some skin complaints.

BAREFOOT MASSAGE

Tell me more about the Barefoot Massage that you offer.
Many forms of barefoot massage have been brought to the United States from India, Japan, Thailand, China, the Philippines and the Pacific Rim, where is has been practiced for thousands of years. I offer several types of barefoot massage therapy, some of which I have traveled extensively to train with the original founders and developers of the technique. Celestial Sole, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy and Deeperwork are what I refer to as ‘substance’ massages, meaning they are focused completely on relaxing and eliminating pain in the soft tissues of the body. Having been trained in several different forms of these barefoot therapies, I truly believe that this is some of the best therapeutic massage on the planet, especially if you suffer from low, middle or upper back pain. I am very proud of my education and accomplishments in both traditional massage and barefoot massage, and excited to be a pioneer in bringing new and interesting forms of therapies to you now and into the future.

Who is Barefoot Massage for?
These techniques are ideal for those who desire a gratifying and results-driven treatment, those who have back pain, mild scoliosis or sciatica, physically fit individuals, larger clients and those who can never get enough pressure in a massage. Most of my clients promise that they will never go back to traditional hand massage after experiencing barefoot therapy.

Ahhh...a massage would feel so great right about now...
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