Whether you’re visiting a massage therapist or body-worker for relaxation, rehabilitation, or rejuvenation, you deserve to be treated by a practitioner who is skilled, knowledgeable, and held to the highest standards of the bodywork profession. That is what the NCBTMB credential stands for – a commitment to excellence.
To become a Nationally Board Certified Massage Therapist (BCTMB), a practitioner must demonstrate a mastery of core skills and knowledge, pass an NCBTMB standardized exam, uphold the organization’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, and take part in continued education accreditations to re-certify every two years.
No. I do accept HSA/FSA cards as a form of payment. Please verify coverage for massage therapy with your insurance company prior to your appointment.
You should have filled out a Client Intake Form online when you made your appointment if not you will fill out your intake form prior to treatment. Your therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish your goals for your session, if there's any specific issues that need to be addressed, and answer any questions pertaining to your treatment.
It's important to list all health concerns and medications so the therapist can adapt the session to your specific needs without doing any harm. It's 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.
Clinical massage focuses on functional outcomes. The goal is to promote change in the body, whether that is releasing muscular tension, improving posture, helping to alleviate anxiety, or a combination of many things. Clinical massage builds upon each session and your therapist makes a plan for your treatment in hopes of giving your desirable results.
Symptoms of a problem aren’t always the problem itself. Sometimes a muscle in the neck can cause pain in the hand, or a muscle in the hip can shoot pain all the way down to the foot. A clinical massage therapist knows how, based on the client’s symptoms, to get to the root of their problem in a quick, efficient and professional manner, and explain their treatment plan to the client so that they can together agree on the goals of the treatment.
Different techniques and healing modalities are used in a session. Maybe a client does just need a relaxation treatment. Or maybe they need sports massage. Maybe they need deep tissue work, trigger point work, or cross fiber friction. Maybe they need some combination of multiple modalities. Your therapist will reach into their toolbox of techniques and create a treatment plan specific to each client’s needs.
Punctuality is important. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Sessions begin and end at the scheduled time.
No. You should undress to the level you are comfortable with. For a full body massage, most get completely undressed. However, if you will be more comfortable during the session leaving your underwear on, that is fine. The therapist will work around the clothes you left on as best as they can. If removing all your clothes makes you too nervous and unable to relax, then you are not getting the optimal benefit from the session. Your massage therapist will step out of the room to give you privacy to undress and get comfortable on the table.
Yes. Once you are undressed and on the table under the drape, the therapist will only uncover the part of your body being worked on. The genitals and breasts (women and men) will not be uncovered. If the therapist is going to work on a woman’s abdomen, a towel will be used to cover the breasts so the main sheet can be moved to expose the abdomen.
Absolutely not. While many therapists play slower, quieter type of music, you can choose to have different music or no music at all. Studies have shown that music at under 60 beats-per-minute has a calming, relaxing effect on the body and therefore can enhance your experience. However, while this may be true, any music you like to listen to while you relax can be played while you get a massage. From native american flute music to Led Zeppelin, just let us know.
This depends on the type of massage modality being used, and the tightness of the muscles being treated. A light, relaxing massage that does not probe very deep into the muscles, should not hurt. With that being said, there is a ‘feels good’ hurt and an ‘ouch, stop it’ hurt. A good massage, even a really deep tissue massage, should always stay in the ‘feels good’ hurt range.
Pain can be an indication that the muscle is possibly injured or inflamed and pressure should be adjusted. 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.
“Something is better than nothing.” What does that mean? Well, it varies from person to person. If you aren't experiencing any muscular issues or extreme tension, then a "maintenance" massage may be all you need every 4-6 weeks.
However, if you're looking to address a specific condition, then it's recommended to go more frequently at first and then slowly taper down to a maintenance schedule. Sometimes more frequent 60-minute sessions can be effective until your goals are met and a maintenance schedule is in place.
Frequency of sessions should be discussed with your massage therapist after your treatment when he/she has a better hands-on understanding of your particular muscular issues.
There are a few conditions which would prevent you from enjoying a massage. You should NOT book a massage if you have a fever, cold/flu, or contagious skin infection. That’s it.
With some conditions, it's a good idea to get approval from your physician before you receive massage (cancer, certain heart conditions, pregnancy). This does not mean you cannot get a massage., but it’s always better to be cautious. Your therapist can advise you about your specific needs.
Most people feel great! 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 deeper bodywork, 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. Just a glass or two more than normal is usually fine. This helps keep your body’s tissues hydrated and healthy. Resting is encouraged. It is advised to avoid intense exercise for 24 hours after your session.