Therapeutic Massage

imageWhat is a therapeutic massage?

Please note this site does not intend to offer medical advice or counseling under any circumstance.

Therapeutic massage is about you helping yourself. In therapeutic massage, the licensed massage therapist uses a lubricant or no lubricant to work with the person's muscular skeletal system. This will involve manual use of hands, arms, forearms, foot, knee, elbows to touch the client's skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, the soft tissue, and the structures that lie within the superficial soft tissue area. Using but not limited to, are techniques including stillness, kneading (petrissage), effleurage, compression, taponement, rolling, rocking, vibration, active and passive joint movement, and sometimes application of pressure to a client's body. The experience is experential. Webster's dictionary entry for therapeutic is "1. having healing powers". This is about the client's goals, not the therapist's.

This scientific art and system of assessment includes adjunct applications of heat, cold, water for the purpose of establishing and maintaining good physical condition and health through normalizing and improving muscle tone, promoting relaxation, stimulating circulation, and producing therapeutic effects to the respiratory and nervous sytems, and subtle interactions between all body systems. These intended effects are accomplished through the energetic and mind/body connections in a safe, nonsexual environment that respects the client's self-determined outcome for the session.

See Mosby's "Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage" 1995 by Sandy Fritz p.23

 

imageThings to know prior to your massage

Please come earlier so you do not feel rushed. We will want to talk about the reason you want a massage and if you have any existing health concerns, medical issues, medications, or injuries. During the first appointment  there is an intake form to fill out and and go over. This form will help  to make sure the massage will be ok for you, and to structure the massage sessions and discuss what you hope to get out of your massage plan for  your health care. You may get the form ahead to fill out and bring to the office by calling the office and getting it mailed, or print it off this site under Forms. Your signature will be needed in the office once we have your plan. Benefits and contraindications will be discussed. An informed consent and disclaimer form will need to be authorized with your signature.  Orientation to the nearest restrooms, massage room, and demonstation of techniques is offered.  Being comfortable on the massage table, and getting on and off the table safely is demonstrated. Any questions are encouraged to be asked then and during session. Feel free to be as clothed as you wish. The therapist leaves the room to wash hands while you change. The door is knocked on prior to rentry once you say it is ok. You are under the blankets and linens. You will be kept covered and draping is done so as to work only one body part at a time. Mention any body part you do not want massaged. It could be ticklish feet, or you just had your hair cut and do not want it disturbed. It is your right to stop the massage at any time, if you feel that to be. It is also very important  for you be comfortable on the table and adjust as you need to. When you turn, the linens are held to keep them covering you. You are invited to calm and breath gently. If something like a bruise or a change in a mole, etc is noticed by the massage therapist , you will be asked about it.  At the conclusion of the session, the therapist leaves the room so you may redress.

Participation

Your participation may be passive, active, or a combination of both. In passive participation you may rest or sleep. In active participation there may be active verbal dialogue, client participation in movement and focusing on a tight area, breathing, addressing the body, listening to your body and having action. If the body is ready, perhaps a stretch is offered. The sessions want to be within your comfort tolerance. It depends on you and your needs. Please stay in dialogue with your therapist on these needs. Keep your therapist updated on ongoing changes after your session and prior to the next session.

In subsequent massage sessions, there is time to review and update, ask questions, and reevaluate.

Come as rested as possible, lightly fed within the past couple of hours, bathed, stretched and wearing comfortable clothing. Consider leaving important jewelry somewhere else safe, as it is encouraged to remove jewelry during the session. Silencing the cell phone and asking any question is encouraged. If you wear contact lenses, how will it be for you in the face cradle with contacts in for 30 minutes? Your bottle of fresh crisp water may just hit the spot after massage, and it is encouraged to drink plenty of water post session to help the body clear itself. Take time to absorb your session.

FEES:
1/2 HOUR       $35
1  HOUR         $65
1 1/2HOURS   $80
2 HOURS        $120

The service fee is for the time on the table, mat, or in the chair.

By Appointment:

Monday 9am -5pm

Tuesday 11am to 5 pm

Wednesday and Thursday to be announced

Friday: 9am-3pm.

OFFICE MAP:

By Yahoo. Located under Map/Send Message on the menu. 

Please enjoy your session!!

Be certain to view the DVD THE BENEFITS OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE in the office.