The day before your massage or facial, we will email and/or text you links to our Client Intake Form where you record any medical history, past/present injuries and other physical conditions of which we should be aware.  We will review the Client Intake Form with you and inquire about the reason(s) you are coming for a massage, your current physical condition and any specific areas in which you are experiencing pain or would like addressed during your massage. We will then customize your massage therapy session to your likes and needs.

It is important to list all health concerns and medications so the therapist can adapt the session to your specific needs without doing any harm. It is also important to list any allergies so the therapist is aware if he/she needs to use a different oil or lotion during the session.

Environment is important to the massage experience. Your massage session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room with low lighting and soft music.

The therapist will play slow, quiet music for relaxation.

Massage is traditionally applied to bare skin, lubricated with oil, cream or lotion. This doesn’t mean that your modesty is ever compromised. You will be properly draped during the entire session with a large sheet and/or towels, carefully undraping only one area of the body at a time as the need arises.

Some clients prefer to leave on their undergarments or even some of their outer clothing. Some massage techniques are impossible to apply through clothing; but we can work around this and treat the areas that you feel comfortable with.

The therapist will leave the room while you undress to your level of comfort, relax onto the table and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket. Your massage therapist will give you a few minutes for this process and will knock on the door to ask if you are ready before entering your room. The massage table is padded and a heating blanket is placed beneath the sheet depending on the season, which you can have adjusted to your preference. There will be relaxing music playing, unless you request otherwise. Once your massage therapy session is completed, your therapist will leave the room so you may re-dress. Your therapist will wait outside the room for you.

You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

A typical full body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders with the face/head and/or gluteus/hip area as optional. You will not be touched on or near your genitals (male or female) or breasts (male or female). If you are uncomfortable with being massaged in any area, just inform the therapist of your wishes and the therapist will adjust the massage accordingly. When there is an injury or condition to be addressed, the entire session may focus on a single area.

Your choice of the highest quality hypo-allergenic massage oil or lotion may be used to permit your muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin. The lubricants used will hydrate the skin and be readily absorbed.

In general, a massage session may start with broad, flowing strokes which will help to 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. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massages are most effective when your body is not resisting.

This depends on the type of massage and the depth of the strokes. A light, relaxing massage that doesn't probe very deep into the muscles shouldn't hurt. In the course of a massage, the therapist might find areas of tenderness. Receiving massage strokes in tender areas often creates a very satisfying sensation of "good pain." A good massage, even a really deep tissue massage, should always stay in the 'feels good' hurt range.  If, however, a client has to hold their breath, furrow their brow, or tense their body to endure the pain, they need to ask the therapist to decrease the pressure or try a different technique.

Also, pain can cause you to tighten up and negate the relaxing effects of the massage. The most effective and deepest massage always works with your body's natural response, not against it.

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience a significant decrease or freedom from long-term aches and pains. Many feel a little slowed down for a short period and then notice an increase of energy, heightened awareness and increased productivity which can last for days.

If you received a deep massage, you may be slightly sore the next day - much like a good workout at the gym. Sometimes a hot shower or a soak in the tub can ease this soreness.

After your session, you should increase your water intake a bit. Just a glass or two more than normal is usually fine. This helps keep your body's tissues hydrated and healthy.