Healthy Motions® Massage Therapy
breathe relax renew
Before the Therapeutic Massage Treatment
You will be asked to fill out a brief health intake form. Click on the Policies section for a link to the intake form. This form asks about your medical conditions, current medications, and goals for the treatment. Your therapist will discuss this form with you for several reasons. First, massage is not appropriate for people with some medical conditions, such as a fever, or some conditions (such as pregnancy) may require modification of the techniques used. Second, medications and the like used prior to your session may make massage harmful and/or require modification of the session by the therapist. Third, the therapist will discuss your goals for the session which may include relaxation and/or pain relief. This information will allow the therapist to develop an individual treatment plan for your session to meet your goals. Any information shared with the therapist on the health intake form or in the session will be kept confidential.
Getting Set in the Treatment Room
The therapist will show you to the massage treatment room, which is appointed with relaxation in mind. Click on the Photo Gallery link to see a picture the treatment room.
For a full body Traditional or Specialty massage treatments, a massage specially designed table is used. The table is provided with clean bottom and top sheets. The therapist will leave the room so that you can undress in private. Although some clients undress completely, you may choose to wear underwear if it makes you more comfortable. Be sure to remove all jewelry and silence all noise-making electronics.
Once you have undressed, lay on the table covering yourself with the top sheet.
If preferred, massage can be provided with you fully-dressed using a specially designed massage chair this is called “seated or chair massage.” Discuss this with your therapist, if you would like this type of session.
During the Therapeutic Massage
During the treatment, the therapist will move the top sheet to uncover the area of the body being worked on, while the remainder of the body is covered with the sheet. This is called “draping.” Proper draping is used to respect the privacy of the client and the massage therapist and all massage therapy treatments are non-sexual. Any inappropriate behavior will result in termination of the treatment with no refunds or rate reductions. Most sessions last anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, as scheduled.
You should feel comfortable at all times. If you need any adjustment of the face rest, bolsters/props, temperature, light, or music in the room, let the therapist know. A light oil, lotion, and/or cream will be used during the treatment. Additionally, a heated table pad, aromatherapy (scented essential oils) and candles may also be used during the treatment.
During the massage, it can be helpful to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Really focusing on taking slow inhales and exhales can help you relax and can help release the tension in your muscles. If you prefer to talk, that’s ok but you may be trading relaxation for conversation.
The therapist may adjust your position during the session, such as moving your leg or asking you to move as needed. The client should not try to assist the therapist unless requested as the client’s muscles should be relaxed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable.
The session will begin with gentle pressure to relax you and warm up your muscle tissue. If deep tissue is used, the therapist will gradually work more deeply (and perhaps with more pressure) to address specific muscle areas. If hot stones are used the therapist will be asking for your feedback on the temperature of the stones and the pressure used to assure that the treatment is comfortable for you.
The massage should feel comfortable and the therapist will check in with you to make sure you are comfortable. Working in an area of injury or chronic pain or tension may cause some discomfort. This discomfort can be intense for a moment, but should never be beyond your personal limits or should not continue after pressure has ceased or the tension is released. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during the session or request adjustments in the work for your comfort.
Note: Massage therapists do not diagnose illness, disease, or any physical or mental disorder; nor do they prescribe medical treatment, pharmaceuticals, or perform spinal manipulations. Massage is not a substitute for medical examination or diagnosis.
After the Therapeutic Massage Treatment
The therapist will let you know when the treatment is finished, and leave the room so that you can dress in private. You may be profoundly relaxed after the treatment, so give yourself time to reorient before sitting up.
After a massage treatment, most people feel relaxed and many are free of aches and pains that have built up over time. Some changes due to massage happen over the days after the session, watch for these changes. Examples of some changes you may see are increased mobility, increased flexibility, decreased stress, restful sleep, increased energy, and/or less “heaviness.”
We recommend drinking lots of water and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before and after the treatment. Massage releases toxins that were stored in the muscle tissue, and drinking water can help flush these toxins out of the body.
Feeling sore after a session incorporating deep tissue techniques is not uncommon, but if soreness increases to pain call your therapist for support.
Before the next session, feel free to let the therapist know how you felt after the treatment so that the work can be adjusted as needed. Any suggestions or feedback is welcome.
