|
What can you expect?
The first appointment generally begins
with the massage therapist asking what prompted you to get a massage, your
current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level, and
painful areas. The massage therapist may ask you about your health goals
and what you hope the massage will do to help you achieve those goals. The
massage therapist should ask question about the reasons for getting a
massage, current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle and stress
level and experiences with specific areas of pain. For a
full-body massage you will be asked to remove clothing to your level of
comfort. Undressing takes place in private, and a sheet, towel (s) is provided for draping. The therapist will undrape only the
part of your body being massaged, insuring that modesty is respected at
all times. Your massage will take place in a comfortable atmosphere and on
a padded heated table. You should expect a peaceful, relaxing experience
with soft music in the background with lights dimmed. Many times a heated
gel pad will be place over your feet for added warmth.
A person receiving a massage should give
the therapist accurate health information and always report discomfort of
any kind -- whether it’s from the massage itself or due to room
temperature, volume of music, or other distractions. Feel free to tell the therapist if more or less pressure is required
for your comfort. The therapist has your best interests in mind at all
times. Our goal is to make your visit the best it could possibly be and we
look forward to your repeated business.
How often should I receive a
massage?
We suggest a massage at least every 3-4
weeks as a minimum to keep your body in tune. Massage to the human body is what a tune up is to
your car. If a client comes for some injury relief, and
to relieve chronic tightness that is interfering with their daily lives in
some way, weekly sessions may be necessary for a while to build on each
session's improvement in their relief and healing. For those who use
massage as preventive care and managing the daily stress in their lives,
once a month is about the norm. They may shorten the time between massages
during stressful periods. Some come more often just because they enjoy it
that much. For most people, the frequency of the
massages they receive is limited by their pocketbook. It's an unfortunate
fact, but once many people realize the benefits it provides them, and the
pleasure they receive from it, they find a way to incorporate a regular
session into their budget.
Where Will My Massage or Bodywork
Session Take Place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in our warm, comfortable,
quiet room. Soft music will be played to help you relax. You will lie on a
soft heated table especially designed for your comfort.
Who Will Perform the Massage or
Bodywork?
You can be sure your session will be conducted by a professional who has
received proper training and licensed by the State of Texas. All practitioners at BYIMassage.com
are fully qualified members of Massage
Professional organizations through the State of Texas. As a
condition of membership, BYI Massage verifies the training and credentials
of every one of its practitioners. Although no two massages are exactly
alike, you may request a certain technique or style of massage such as
Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point Therapy ect....
Must I Be Completely Undressed?
Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the
client unclothed.You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped
during the entire session.
Will the Practitioner Be Present When I Disrobe?
No. The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the
table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet or towel. The practitioner
will also leave the room after the session is over for you to dress. You
will have a door chime that you will use to let the therapist know that
you are ready for the therapist to enter the room.
Will I Be Covered During the Session?
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, legs, feet, hands,
head, neck, and shoulders. You will not be touched on your
genitals or breasts (male / female).
What Will the Massage or Bodywork Feel Like?
Many massage therapists use a form of Swedish massage. If you have chosen a Swedish massage, your session
will start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension.
A light lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the
skin and to helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective
when you work with your therapist rather than 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 re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. Ask the practitioner about the methods
that they often use.
How Long Will the Session Last?
The average full-body massage or bodywork session lasts approximately one
hour or an hour and a half. Anything less than that will only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet. Many people prefer a
90-minute session for optimal relaxation. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session. Hot tubs, steam baths and saunas can assist in the relaxation process.
What Should I Do During the Massage or Bodywork Session?
Make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your
arm of what he or she is doing with the draping or undraping of your body
such as legs and arms.) Many people just close their eyes and completely
relax while others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask the practitioner 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 and many experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity.
People often report that they 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 following your massage.
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 is 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. The therapist will ask about your general health. Questions will help
the therapist to offer you the care possible through massage. 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. Your
therapist may require a recommendation or approval from your doctor before
proceeding with your session.
When should I get a massage?
Any time is a good time to get a massage.
You don't need to wait until you're stressed or injured. Too often I see
clients who wait until they reach this state to see me. Massage works
wonders as preventive care for a person's body and mind. Don't wait until your back hurts from overwork or stress, or the headaches
that start at the back of your skull begin to pound, or the stress of
every day life makes you want to jump out of your skin. Get a professional
massage before these
things happen. A regular massage is a wonderful way to cope with stress,
both physical and emotional, and to keep if from causing discomfort or
harm to your body.
When should I not get a massage?
There are several contraindications for
receiving a massage. If you have any of the following conditions, you
should not get a massage:
- Any type of infectious disease
- Fever
- Systemic infections
- Severe cold
- Fracture, bleeding, burns or other
acute injury
- Internal organ dysfunctions (Ask your
doctor)
- Blood clot or clots in lower legs (Ask
your doctor)
- Pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxemia,
etc... (Ask your doctor)
- High blood pressure (unless under
control with medication)(Ask your doctor)
- Heart disease (Ask your doctor)
- Cancer (Ask your doctor) Massage is a
great way to help cancer patients to feel better but again, ask your
doctor.
- Open skin lesions or sores (therapist
may work around them if localized)
The guidelines here are pretty
straightforward. You don't want the massage to make an underlying medical
condition worse, and you don't want to pass anything contagious to the
massage therapist. If you're unsure about whether a minor condition should
prohibit you from getting a massage, call your therapist before your
appointment. If you have a chronic medical condition, check with your
doctor before proceeding on a course of massage therapy. For some
illnesses, other bodywork may work well. If you're suffering
from Fibromyalgia, lupus, and other conditions, try to find a body worker who has some experience with these, since they should know what works best
under certain conditions.
At your initial visit, you will be asked to fill out a client intake form.
This will provide the massage
therapist with your name, address, and phone number, it will also have a
place to list any underlying medical conditions and medications that you
are using. The therapist should be
aware of any of these. Even if you have an allergy to something in the oil
the therapist uses, you should list this. You should be asked at any
subsequent visits about any new medical or physical conditions. If you're
not asked, volunteer that information if there is anything the therapist
should know.
 [Schedule
your appointment today]
|
