Massage FAQ’s

• What can I expect from a massage?
• What happens during a session?
• I've never had a massage before - how long of a session should I book?
• What should I wear to a session?
• Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my session?
• How much water should I drink?
• How often should I get a massage?
• Will I be sore after my massage?
• Do I need to disrobe?
• Is it OK to talk during my session?
• What if I'm ticklish?
• What type of massage do you do?
• Why does a massage therapist ask about my medical history and medications?
• What is the difference between Swedish and Deep Tissue massage?

What can I expect from a massage?
Please arrive approximately 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment. A guest experience associate will help you complete the necessary paperwork prior to your massage. Be sure to communicate with your massage therapist before, during and after your massage. Take off only as much clothing as you feel comfortable removing. After your massage, be sure to get up slowly and drink extra water. Your massage therapist will go over any special instructions with you following your massage.  You can expect to have your massage in a safe, nurturing environment.

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What happens during a session?
You'll start the session by filling out some confidential paperwork, and we will discuss your goals, even if it is just to relax and de-stress. You will then be left alone in the massage room to undress to your level of comfort. You'll get on the massage table, where you will cover yourself up with the sheet and blankets. We don't enter the room until you tell your therapist that you are ready. Your therapist will ask a few questions about your concerns and determine wich massage is right for you then will start the massage.There is music playing in the background, unless you prefer silence. When the massage is done, We leave the room for you to re-dress in private.

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I've never had a massage before - how long of a session should

I book?
This is one of the most common massage FAQs that we get. We find that most people start with a 50 minute massage. That's enough time to cover the entire body. A half hour is only enough time for a specific area or two - such as back and neck. A lot of people prefer to come in for an hour and 1/2, as that way they can get the full body massage, with extra time on any problem areas.

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What should I wear to a session?
Wear whatever you are comfortable in. Some people that come straight from work like to bring a change of clothes for after the massage. If you prefer to receive massage through your clothing, then you might want to wear something that isn't too tight, for example sweat pants/t-shirts.

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Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my session?
It helps to be well hydrated, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids the day before and day of your massage.

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How much water should I drink?
One of the most common massage faqs is about how much water to drink. The best way to tell if you are drinking enough is to check your urine. If it is clear and odor free, you are drinking enough. If it has a strong odor and color, then you probably will want to increase the amount you drink, unless you are on water restriction for medical reasons.

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How often should I get a massage?
That really depends on what your goals are, and your budget. We recommend getting a massage at least once a month, as the effects are cumulative. A few of our clients come in once a week, most of them come in every other week, some every 3 weeks, and some once a month. All of them recognize the importance of self-care, and the health benefits that they enjoy from receiving massage on a regular basis.

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Will I be sore after my massage?
Possibly, but not necessarily. It is very important for you to let your therapist know if he/she is using too much pressure at any time. Sometimes working with an injured area might be painful, but even that should be within a good tolerance level... think "good hurt" vs. "bad hurt". If you are not used to receiving massage, it is similar to not being used to working out. Just as you can feel sore after a good workout, you might feel a little sore after a massage, but that feeling should not last more than a day or two. Again, communication is key to getting your best massage.

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Do I need to disrobe?
This is one of those massage FAQs that a lot of people want to know, but don't always ask. You only have to undress to your level of comfort. You will be on the massage table, with sheets and blankets covering you at all times. Only the part of your body being worked on will be exposed, for example arm, leg, back. If you are not comfortable getting undressed at all, We have techniques that I can use through your clothing. It is always your choice on how much clothing to take off or leave on. You will always be properly draped for your privacy and comfort level. We are always professional at ASerenity Skin | Body, so it is totally up to you.

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Is it OK to talk during my session?
That is totally up to you. Your therapist will occasionally ask a few questions, pertaining to your comfort level, and how you are feeling. We have learned that some people relax by talking, others prefer to have their massage in silence. It's your massage - you get to decide if you want to talk to not. Often times people will start out talking, then "drift away" as the massage goes on. Whatever helps you to relax the most is best.

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What if I'm ticklish?
We've worked with many people who were ticklish. We can vary the pressure, depth, and pace of the massage strokes so that you won't feel tickled.

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What type of massage do you do?
We have a variety of massage modalities that we offer at ASerenity Skin | Body.  After talking to you about your concerns, we will figure out what massage is right for you. Most of the time we combine different massage techniques in the same session.

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Why does a massage therapist ask about my medical history and medications?

A responsible massage therapist asks about your medical history. We will have you fill out a new client form. Although massage has many wonderful benefits, it is not appropriate for people with some medical conditions and sometimes must be used cautiously.
 

For example, massage is not recommended if you have a condition involving infection (including cold or flu) because massage might help the infection spread through your body. Massage is also generally not recommended for people with advanced heart, kidney, or liver problems. Other conditions that affect circulation, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, require caution, depending on your overall physical condition.

Obviously, you should not receive massage if you have a contagious condition. If you have a skin rash, know what it is before your massage, because some skin conditions are contagious.

Medications, particularly pain-killers and muscle relaxants (including aspirin), dull your perception of pain and pressure—your massage therapist needs to know your perception may not be accurate to avoid inadvertently using too much pressure.

Information about injuries, traumas, surgeries, and physical activities provide information about where or how you hold tension in your body. Also, specific massage techniques can help the body heal soft-tissue injuries. If you have back pain or certain digestive problems, abdominal massage can be helpful, but it is not appropriate for some medical conditions. Your massage therapist needs to know your complete and up-to-date medical picture to provide informed and safe massage. Be assured that all medical information is confidential.

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What is the difference between Swedish and Deep Tissue massage?

This can be a confusing question to answer. When presented with the two options, it seems to indicate that Swedish Massage simply lacks pressure. This is not true. A Swedish Massage can be performed with a great deal of pressure or as light as the client may wish. Deep tissue on the other hand is typically a deeper stroke.

Swedish Massage is a systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. This manipulation is performed to promote good health. There are five primary strokes involved in Swedish Massage. They are the effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration. Effleurage strokes are long flowing strokes that allow the therapist to spread the lubricant and feel the muscle tone. Petrissage is a kneading stroke that lifts and squeezes the tissue and it helps flush out metabolic waste in that area. Friction is a strokes that involves fast short movements to create heat. This is good to bring blood flow to that area and is great for loosening ligaments. Tapotement is a series of light blows to the body designed to relax a muscle. This is the stroke most people are familiar with and sometimes looks like alternating karate chops. Vibration is a stroke that is used to create movement in the entire body and when done properly, is very relaxing.

Deep Tissue is a series of slow, specific and deliberate strokes and is best suited for postural deviance’s and abnormal muscle tone. The Massage Therapist will choose between several strokes depending on the size of the muscle that they are working on. They will “hook in” and start a slow moving down the muscle as it lets them. A good Massage Therapist will never force pressure into the muscle. They will continue to apply pressure until the muscle pushes back against them. The muscle will then slowly begin to release and allow the therapist to move along it. The pressure used should not be painful, but should walk a fine line between pleasurable release of tension and a pain-blocking response from the body (tensing up). The standard misconception in Deep Tissue work is “No Pain, No Gain”. This is simply not true. Pain causes the muscle to tense up and actually makes the massage less effective.

Unless you have an injury to a specific muscle or have postural concerns, I recommend you book for a Swedish Massage. You should communicate with your therapist about how much pressure you like. It is much more difficult to ascertain how much pressure a client needs in Swedish Massage than in Deep Tissue. Some clients have expressed that they don’t ask for more pressure because they feel like they are asking the Therapist to work harder. This is not the case. A Massage Therapist will use proper body mechanics to use leverage instead of strength to apply pressure. Our Therapist want you to have the best experience possible. To achieve this goal requires education and communication. Never be afraid to ask a Massage Therapist to back off of pressure or to apply more.

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