Scheduling & payment questions
How do we make it happen?
Do you expect tips?
Nope! I have set my prices according to exactly what is fair and what I expect to be paid. Tips are entirely not expected and moderately discouraged (to counteract the social expectation engrained in us by American culture to tip for services like massage).
I own the business, so I'm getting paid the full amount minus my direct expenses. I appreciate the intention behind tips though and welcome smiles and thanks instead :)
Do you accept HSA or FSA payments?
Yes, I can accept payment from both FSA and HSA accounts. You will receive receipts for your records.
In some cases, you may be required to have a doctor’s prescription for the medical necessity of massage. You will have to check with your account provider.
Do you accept insurance?
No I currently do not accept insurance.
Are your rates higher than a clinic or spa? Is it worth it?
My rate is actually around the same as most high-quality spa's and massage clinics. There are a few that charge more, and many more that charge less.
My service is uniquely in-home, one-on-one care, tailored to your exact needs with very high levels of effort and attention before, during, and after each session. This level of focus and personalization typically outperforms generic sessions where a therapist follows a preset routine. Many clients find the convenience and effectiveness well worth the investment. This is especially true considering how lasting relief saves time, stress, and future expenses on unresolved pain.
Treatment & process questions
Whats it like working with you?
How should I dress?
Wear flexible, comfortable clothing that you would wear to exercise or stretch.
You may be clothed or unclothed (under sheets) during your session, depending on your comfort and what I feel will be best for that session.
Example:
Men – wear athletic shorts and a tank top
Woman- wear yoga or sweat pants and a sports bra or tank top
How often should I get a massage?
As often as you need to meet your goals.
This can be anywhere from 1-2 times per week, to a handful of times per year.
Usually, it is helpful to start with more frequent sessions to address key issues and keep progress going forward.
After major restrictions and imbalances are addressed it makes sense to go longer between sessions until you find a happy maintenance period. For many of my clients, once per month or every 2 weeks are a sweet spot where they are just starting to feel tight and in need of a massage.
Some people need more or just really value the benefit they get from a weekly session.
In any case, my goal is to help you find an approach that fits your life and your goals as well as possible.
What techniques do you use?
I use a wide variety of techniques! I will generally start with what I think is best and adjust based on your feedback and what you and I agree seems to be working for you.
I prefer to work by principles rather than specific modalities or systems – however, I do utilize components of the following:
medical/orthopedic massage, sports massage
myofascial release, soft tissue release
neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy
muscle energy techniques, strain/counter strain, neuromuscular inhibition
postural restoration, myoskeletal alignment, anatomy trains/structural integration, trager therapy
and more!
From there I like to be guided by communicating with you and getting direct feedback from your body.
If you'd like to read more in depth about the techniques I use, visit this page.
Will it hurt? I'm worried about feeling pain or soreness afterward.
My style is all about effectiveness and finding a style that works well for YOU. So there won't be any forcing your body into uncomfortable positions or using extreme pressure.
We will communicate constantly and find exactly what feels right, so you leave each session feeling better, not worse. Occasional mild soreness can happen, like after a workout, but most clients report immediate relief and improved comfort.
In rare cases as with clients with severe fibromyalgia or other conditions, they may be extra sensitive. I can adapt my techniques or use gentler styles to avoid over working you and ensure that we still find something that is effective for you.
Do i need any special equipment or a big space at home?
Not at all. I bring a comfortable, professional massage table, sheets, lotion, and any other supplies we will need.
A small area to set up (like a living room or a bedroom corner) is usually plenty. An 8 foot by 10 foot space is usually plenty. If you have concerns about anything, I’m happy to talk with you and see if we can find a setup that works.
I have a serious medical condition. Can I still get massage?
It depends on your specific situation. Often, massage can be a safe, supportive addition to a broader care plan, helping to ease pain and stress. If you have a complex medical history, I’m happy to speak with you or your healthcare provider to determine if this is the right fit. Your well-being and safety come first.
For reference, here is an incomplete list of issues where massage would not be safe:
- Infectious and contagious disease
- Some acute injuries
- immediately after invasive surgery
- Use of certain medications
- Advanced highly metastatic cancers
- Organ failure and other severe organ diseases
- Intoxication of any kind
- Severe unexplained internal pain
I've tried massages that didn't help before. How is this different?
It might not be!
But I have had many clients tell me this was a different kind of massage than they had before. Massage regulation is still new and education requirements are fairly minimal. This means there is a huge range of quality in massage therapy.
You might have had a low quality massage. Or you might have had a more spa centered experience that focused on gentle relaxation more than specific relief. Or, you might have had an over-zealous massage therapist that pushed and squeezed you to a sore, sad pulp.
My approach is different from all of those. These are some of the qualities that I believe make the difference:
- Collaboration - you are a part of the decision making process. I'm not just unleashing my will on your poor muscles regardless of what it feels like to you.
- Adaptation - I have a wide tool kit of techniques that I choose based on the way your body is responding in real time.
- Education - I have a strong background in understanding the human body and continue to seek out new approaches to refine my massage technique.
- Goal - My goal is not to make your body conform to some ideal of "alignment" or make your muscles feel the way I want them to. My goal is to discover your goal, and then find ways to help you and your body align in a way that is right for you.
How soon will i notice a difference? Will I need multiple sessions?
Many people feel noticeable improvement immediately, sometimes after the first session. That said, long-standing issues and certain chronic conditions may benefit from a series of appointments. Additionally, many people elect to make massage a part of their ongoing self-care practice.
We will discuss your goals, see how your body responds, and plan the right follow-up (if needed) to ensure progress sticks.
I'm not sure if massage can help my specific issue. Should I still book?
If you’ve been dealing with persistent pain and/or movement challenges, chances are you’ll benefit one way or another. While massage certainly isn’t a cure-all, I focus on identifying the real possibilities it can address.
Nerve pain, chronic pain and tension, movement restrictions, and some mental health symptoms are all frequently improved with massage therapy. Sometimes massage therapy totally solves a problem, and sometimes it just provides some relief.
It is hard to identify symptoms and conditions, or individual people that massage will work for without just trying it directly. The side effects are few and far between, and if nothing else a massage is relaxing and enjoyable. So I often say, its worth a try.
One sign that it might work well for you: if you find that your pain is affected positively or negatively by different movements, stretches, posture positions, or exercises. While not a guarantee, this is typical of problems that massage can help.
If I think you’d be better served by another specialist, I’ll be upfront and help with referrals. My goal is to ensure you get genuine relief, wherever that path leads. Please reach out to me if you're unsure. I'm happy to help, and theres never any pressure to book an appointment!
Safety & privacy questions
Will I feel safe and secure?
Do I have to get undressed? I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing so
Thats totally okay! You're 100% in control of how you dress/undress for the session.
I have plenty of options for techniques to work with clothes on. In fact, many of my most effective techniques are actually easier with clothes on. So no worries!
Before your session we will discuss what level of undress you are comfortable with. I am sure I can find a way to make massage helpful for you in almost any case. And if you do undress at all, I will never expose sensitive or private areas, they will always be covered with a sheet during the session.
You will have the option to change anything about the session at any point, if there is something that will make you feel comfortable. That is my top priority!
In-home massage sounds great, but how do I know it will feel secure and respectful?
I take every measure to maintain a professional, respectful environment when visiting your home. This includes clear communication beforehand, bringing all necessary equipment, and ensuring you feel completely comfortable throughout. I want you AND your space to be better off than before I arrived.
Some specific things I do:
- Remove my shoes before entering, if you prefer
- Leave everything in the home the way I found it
- Let you decide how much (if at all) to undress for the massage
- Give you privacy to get on the table (either outside the room or in the bathroom)
- Wash my hands before and after every session
- Bring my own hand-drying towel to the appointment
- Explain what I will do before I do it
- Continue to check in with you every step of the way
- Encourage you to stop me anytime you are uncomfortable
I encourage you to explore this website and give me a call to get a sense of who I am and what I am about. There's no pressure to book an appointment and I am always happy to answer questions and chat!