Here are the most frequently asked questions I've received about massage therapy.
Did you overdo it in your garden and now your back is killing you? Have you had difficulty sleeping? Are you one of the many Americans who suffer from chronic back pain? Or do you deal with a lot of stress? Maybe you find yourself getting frequent tension or migraine headaches? Or perhaps you aren’t experiencing physical symptoms at all and you just feel ‘down’? Massage therapy can help with all of these things.
One thing no one seems to dispute is that massage therapy is very relaxing. Studies have backed up this claim. And stress takes quite a toll on the body, so you may benefit greatly from receiving regular massages, especially in combination with other stress relief methods you may use. Research has even shown that in addition to lowering stress, massage therapy lowers blood pressure.
I know of one clinical study done in 1998 by Maria Hernandez-Reif that studied the effect of massage therapy on migraine headaches. Hernandez-Reif found that adults who received two 1/2 hour massage therapy sessions a week for 5 weeks reported fewer symptoms, less pain, more days without headaches, fewer sleep disturbances, and increased serotonin levels, compared with adults who did not receive massage therapy.
You may view up-to-date COVID-19 information, including what I’m doing to keep my clients safe, by viewing my COVID-19 Resources page.
The human body is an amazing and beautiful creation, regardless of shape or size. Each of us is our own worst critic, seeing every flaw fully magnified. It does not matter to me what you look like, how much you weigh, or how you choose to live your life. What matters to me is that you’re coming to me to relax and feel better. These goals command my full attention.
In most circumstances, massage can be very beneficial. If you are ill or feel like you may be coming down with an illness, however, massage therapy or bodywork could actually make you sicker. For this reason, if you are sick or may be getting sick, please postpone your appointment until you are better.
Also, there are certain medical conditions you may have that make certain types of massage therapy and/or bodywork inadvisable, or ‘contraindicated,’ either in a certain area of the body or over the entire body. Before your session, I will ask you a little about your medical history to ensure that we choose the right modality for your massage or bodywork session. One modality I practice, Reiki, has no contraindications, so it would be safe for you no matter what medical conditions you may have.
Yes, because certain health conditions make some massage therapy and bodywork modalities inadvisable, either in a particular area of the body or over the entire body, for your best interest I must ask you some questions about your health. I have new clients fill out an information form that includes health information. Your information form and treatment records are kept in a locked file cabinet and are not shared with anyone without your written consent unless required under laws and regulations governing or applying to massage therapy practices. I use a standard HIPAA form as a guideline for health information disclosure.
Yes, because certain health conditions make some massage therapy and bodywork modalities inadvisable, either in a particular area of the body or over the entire body, for your best interest I must ask you some questions about your health. I have new clients fill out an information form that includes health information. Your information form and treatment records are kept in a locked file cabinet and are not shared with anyone without your written consent unless required under laws and regulations governing or applying to massage therapy practices. I use a standard HIPAA form as a guideline for health information disclosure.
No. Swedish massage involves massage strokes directly on the skin so you should remove as much clothing as you are comfortable with to have the best massage experience. Your body will be covered by a sheet and only the area of your body I am working with will be uncovered at any given time. Some of the bodywork modalities I practice – such as CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, and acupressure – do not require removal of clothing because they do not require direct contact with the skin.
Wear comfortable clothing to your massage. If you will be receiving bodywork for which you will not be removing your clothing, you will be more comfortable during the session if your clothing is not constricting in any way. If you will be receiving massage therapy or bodywork for which you will remove your clothing, you may find it easier to dress after your massage when you are in a relaxed state.
Each modality I practice feels different but they have the same goal — to help you relax deeply and provide your body with information and/or the opportunity to heal itself. For example, there may be a part of your body you didn’t realize was sore until it draws your attention during a massage and is addressed. A massage in my practice should feel comforting and should draw you inward, resulting in deep relaxation. The best way to find out how a massage feels is to experience one.
In my practice a massage should not be so deep as to be painful or so light as to be ticklish. Since every body responds differently to touch, we will work together to find the depth of pressure that is just right for your needs.
Please let me know if you bruise easily. We will need to consider this as we work together to choose an appropriate modality and depth of touch for your session.
In my practice, a full body massage includes the arms, hands, legs, feet, back, hips, shoulder, neck, face and scalp, and optionally, the abdomen. The private areas of a person’s body are not treated, nor are any other areas the client wishes not to be touched.
I have allergies myself. I have a HEPA air purifier in my massage room and a HEPA vacuum to keep allergens to a minimum. I use organic, hypoallergenic and unscented massage creams and lotions. They contain no nut oils and I would be glad to provide you with an ingredient list upon request.
If you have sensitivities to certain substances or fragrances, please let me know when you book your appointment. I am beginning to incorporate the use of essential oils optionally.
I will instruct you during your massage session if there’s anything you need to do. If you are receiving a massage both on the front and back of your body, I will ask you to roll over when it’s time to do so. You will be completely covered by the sheet as you do this. I may also ask you to focus on your breathing during the massage or ask you for feedback on your comfort level. Otherwise, you may just relax and I will take care of the rest.
Sweet dreams! I will gently awaken you at the conclusion of your massage and allow you the time you need to awaken fully before you leave.
While it has been known to happen during a massage session, it is not common. If you become uncomfortable at any time during your massage, please let me know. There is no need to be embarrassed should you become aroused during your session. It can be a natural physiological response to massage therapy and I will view it as such as long as it does not progress beyond arousal.
Please know, however, that I do not provide sexual massage. Sexual behavior of any kind will result in immediate termination of the massage session, I will require payment in full, you will be escorted from the premises, and future appointments will not be accepted.
You may choose to receive a massage or bodywork session lasting a half hour, a full hour, an hour and a half, or two hours. A full-body massage would require at least an hour session, but a half-hour may be sufficient to help relieve discomfort in a specific area.
Immediately afterward, you may feel deeply relaxed, thoughtful, reflective, more connected to the world around you, peaceful, and/or any combination of the above. After a time, if you received a Swedish massage you may feel a little sore in the areas of your body that were the focus of your session, where flushed-out toxins may linger before moving out of the body.
Yes, you should plan to take it easy for a while after your massage and drink plenty of water. Massage therapy can flush toxins from muscles and drinking water will assist your body in removing those toxins entirely.
You should indeed feel more relaxed and comfortable following just one massage, but depending on the condition you may have, if it can be effectively treated by massage therapy or bodywork, it may take several sessions for you to feel a dramatic difference.
You are welcome to talk during your massage if it helps you relax and feel more comfortable during the session, but you may relax more fully and enjoy your massage more if you leave your cares at the door and give your full attention to how your body feels during the massage, sending your awareness to any areas of tension and asking them to relax.
Your massage may be covered by your insurance or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Spending Account (HSA) if your doctor referred you to me or prescribed massage therapy. Since there are many different companies and plans, it would be best to check with your insurance, FSA, or HSA company about coverage before scheduling your session with me. I do not bill insurance, FSA or HSA companies on clients’ behalf but would be glad to provide you with a receipt you may use to seek reimbursement from them.
I offer online scheduling, which means you may view my schedule and schedule your appointment at any time of the day or night. Your appointment scheduled online will be considered pending until I have confirmed it, so I need 24 hours’ notice of appointments scheduled online. I may not be able to schedule your session as quickly by phone outside my office hours or if I’m with another client.
Since I work for myself in private practice and set my own fees, there is no need to tip me.
I enrolled in my first massage course in early 1997 and completed a 500-hour program there in late 1998. Since then I’ve continued to take coursework in several modalities. I worked part-time in the evenings in 1999 at Advanced Massage Therapeutics in Louisville, Kentucky, until just before I got married and moved to Salem, Indiana. For several years I continued my massage therapy practice in the evenings from my home office. Now my practice is located in a dedicated office.
I am a certified member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, a licensed massage therapist in Kentucky, a certified massage therapist in Indiana, and I abide by the ABMP professional code of ethics as well as the Kentucky licensed massage therapist code of ethics. I have well over 1,000 hours of training in massage and bodywork modalities and continue to take coursework each year.
I am licensed to practice massage in the state of Kentucky by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy. To become licensed, a massage therapist must prove he/she has adequate training, abides by a code of ethics, and obtains at least 24 hours of continuing education in massage every two years.
I am also a Certified Massage Therapist in Indiana. Indiana’s certification is what’s referred to as a ‘title protection act’ meaning a massage therapist cannot call himself/herself a ‘massage therapist’ or ‘certified massage therapist’ without obtaining the Indiana state certification. The requirements to become certified in Indiana are similar to those for licensure in Kentucky. 2017 Update: Indiana has recently changed its certification to licensing of massage therapists and my certification will automatically convert to a license in 2018. You can verify my ABMP membership, my Kentucky license and Indiana certification online at their respective websites.
In the late 1990s I was in search of a part-time occupation to supplement my income. I was looking for something that would make a positive impact on people around me. An aunt in Louisville had been diagnosed with what would turn out to be terminal cancer and told me one day about a massage therapist who visited her home while she was undergoing treatment for cancer and gave her massages. My aunt described how much better she felt afterward. I knew then that I’d found what I wanted to do. I later had the opportunity to meet the massage therapist who had worked with my aunt. I knew she had helped my aunt enjoy a better quality of life. While in school, I began work as a volunteer with Hospice of Louisville as a massage therapist and continued to work with Hospice until I moved away from Louisville.
Yes, I’m a certified member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), one of the two main professional associations for massage therapists. The certified level is the highest offered by the ABMP and as part of my certified membership, I have committed to receiving continuing education regularly in massage therapy and bodywork.