Massage Treatments are a collaborative effort between the practitioner and you. Each Massage Treatment is custom designed by the practitioner for you, individually, with conscious understanding of your history, what you are working on now, and where you want to be in the future. Long term and short term goals are discussed and reevaluated before each session.
Each session starts with a conversation. The practitioner evaluates you and your body based on how you are feeling, walking and standing. This body evaluation is important in identifying problematic areas that need to be released as well as painful areas that need to be soothed.
The intention of each session is to get the most release, without causing undue discomfort. The practitioner will only get as deep as your body will allow. Some of the techniques are somewhat uncomfortable, however, great care is taken to respect the limits of your body and minimize the time while gaining the greatest release.
Most techniques require the practitioner to work on bare skin. Care is taken to assure and maintain your comfort throughout the entire Massage Treatment. The practitioner is well versed in many draping techniques (or: Sheet Origami) that only expose the part of your body currently being worked on. Additionally, only natural, and mostly organic lotions, salves, liniments and essential oils are used.
Communicate
Be clear on what type of massage you want to receive.
Relaxation massage is generally performed with a variety of techniques that use a light to medium pressure to sedate the body, improve circulation and help relieve stress.
Therapeutic massage, similarly, is performed with a variety of techniques that use a deeper pressure to release and relieve specific problematic areas.
Describe the areas of your body that are injured, tense or sore
Also mention any medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart problems, chronic headaches, varicose veins, recent surgery, or pregnancy.
While this information may appear to be invasive, your practitioner uses this information to adjust your massage to both help relieve some of the tension and to not aggravate any existing medical conditions.
Get comfortable
Get undressed, get on the massage table and underneath the sheet
You will be completely covered at all times. Your massage practitioner will use well practiced draping techniques that expose only the area being worked on. Remember; your massage practitioner is a state licensed professional. They follow a strict code of ethics that focuses on being respectful of you and your privacy.
Most face cradles are adjustable, usually by a small lever on one side. If you can’t find it, ask. Do you need a bolster underneath your knees or ankles? Do you need a blanket? Again, communicate with your practitioner. Put your arms where you are the most comfortable. Your practitioner will move them as the massage progresses.
Breathe and relax
Bring your awareness to the massage and let go
When your practitioner locates challenging areas, your body will tend to stop breathing and tense up. This is a normal reaction that is related to our ‘fight or flight’ reaction that is hardwired into our nervous system.
Communicate with your practitioner. Bring your awareness to your breath. Focus on breathing smoothly.
When your practitioner moves your arms, legs, or head, try to not help out. If any of the motions are painful or just uncomfortable, communicate with your practitioner. Just let your body melt into the table and let the table support you.
You are in control
Communicate with your massage practitioner during the massage
The massage is about you and you alone, if you are not comfortable you will not have a good massage experience.
If something does not feel right, speak up. And let your practitioner know what feels good too!
