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Home > Your Massage Session > Frequently Asked Questions
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Questions About Massage Therapy
Questions About Me
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How would a massage benefit me? 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? 1 Or perhaps 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. Please see my How You Can Benefit From A Massage page for more information. I have a very stressful job. Could massage help me? Yes indeed. 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. For more information, please see my Stress & Relaxation page, or the Learn More page. Does massage help high blood pressure? Absolutely, research has shown that in addition to lowering stress, massage therapy does indeed lower blood pressure.2 Does massage help with migraine headaches? Yes, I know of one clinical study done in 1998 by Maria Hernandez-Reif 3 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. Is getting a massage always a good idea? In most circumstances, massage can be very beneficial. If you have a cold or fever or you 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 or reschedule your appointment once 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. What should I expect at my first massage session? At your first session, you will need to complete an information form prior to receiving massage therapy or bodywork. In order to treat you safely, I will need to know a little about your health to discover if massage therapy or bodywork is appropriate for you. If you would like to fill it out and bring it with you, that is fine. There are two versions of the form available on this Web site. I have both an information form that can be printed out and then filled in, and one that can be filled in online and then printed out. To view these forms you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. After I've reviewed the form with you, asking for more information about any relevant conditions you may have and discussing your goals for the session, I will instruct you as to how to prepare for the massage session. Whether the modality of the session requires the removal of clothing or not, I will leave the room briefly to allow you to get comfortable on the massage table. At any time during the massage session, please let me know if you become uncomfortable. I will check in with you periodically to make sure the pressure I'm applying is not too deep or too light. For more information on what to expect during your massage session, please see the What To Expect Web page on my site. Do I need to provide any information about my health? 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. What should I wear to my massage session? 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. Do I need to remove all my clothing for my massage? 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 - CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, and acupressure, for example - do not require removal of clothing. You remain fully clothed because these modalities do not require direct contact with the skin. What if I'm self-conscious about my body? 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, and these goals command my full attention. What does a massage feel like? 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. My first-time clients receive either a half-hour massage free or $25 off a longer session. 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. If I request a full body massage, will my entire body be massaged? 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. What should I do during my massage? 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. What if I fall asleep during my massage? 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. What if I become aroused during my massage? 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 and ignore it. Please know, however, that I do not provide sexual massage and that sexual behavior of any kind will result in immediate termination of the massage session, you will be asked to pay in full and be escorted from the premises, and future appointments will not be accepted. How long will my massage last? You may choose to receive a massage or bodywork session lasting a half hour, a full hour, or an hour and a half. A full-body massage would require either an hour or hour and a half massage, but a half-hour may be sufficient to help relieve discomfort in a specific area. How will I feel after my massage? 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. Is there anything I need to do after my massage? 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. Will just one massage help me feel better? 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. Absolutely. If you have music that you find relaxing to listen to, feel free to bring it to your session. I also have a wide variety of music available from which you are welcome to choose. Or if you would prefer no music during your session, that is fine as well. I have allergies myself. I have an electrostatic air cleaner in the heating and cooling system in my home that is constantly running to filter out any airborne allergens. I do have a dog that resides in the house but she is not allowed in the massage room. I also use organic and safe Mite-Nix products regularly to neutralize common indoor allergens. Is it okay to talk during my session? 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. I have sensitive skin. How will the massage cream affect my skin? I use organic, hypoallergenic and unscented massage cream. It contains no nut oils and I would be glad to provide you with an ingredient list. Is massage covered by my insurance? Your massage may be covered by your insurance if your doctor referred you to me. Since there are many different insurance companies and many different insurance plans, it would be best to check with your insurance company about coverage before scheduling your session with me. I do not bill insurance companies on clients' behalf but would be glad to provide you with a receipt you may use to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. How far in advance do I need to schedule my appointment? I offer online scheduling, which means you may view my schedule and schedule your appointment at any time of the day or night on any day of the week. In this way you may schedule your appointment just enough in advance to allow you enough time to drive here. 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. Questions About Me How long have you been practicing massage? 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. I've continued to practice massage on family and friends since then but the demands of my full-time job in Louisville had until recently kept me from devoting sufficient time to grow my massage practice here in Salem. I see you practice massage out of your home. How can I be sure you're reputable? I live on a working farm of over 200 acres. People who come to my home seem to enjoy the change of pace. It's extremely peaceful and quiet here and our home is on a hill overlooking alpacas grazing in pastures, woods, and our garden. It's a perfect environment to facilitate relaxation and healing. I am a certified member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, a licensed massage therapist in Kentucky, and I abide by the ABMP code of ethics as well as the Kentucky licensed massage therapist code of ethics. I have over 850 hours of training in massage and bodywork modalities and continue to take coursework each year. What does it mean that you are a "licensed massage therapist"? I am licensed to practice massage in the state of Kentucky. I applied for licensure in Kentucky so that I may have the flexibility to offer my Louisville clients massage therapy in their homes. Massage therapists must be licensed by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy to practice massage in Kentucky. 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. Indiana does not yet license massage therapists but a law has just been passed to certify massage therapists. This 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. As soon as the certification board has been established and the application process has been determined, I will seek certification in Indiana as well. Are you nationally certified to practice massage? Since for the past few years I have practiced on just family and friends and the application and testing process is rather involved and costly, I postponed applying for national certification until such a time when I had an active massage practice. Now that I do, I have initiated the process and expect to become nationally certified soon. What made you decide to become a massage therapist? 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. Are you a member of any professional massage organizations? Yes, I'm a certified member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, 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. |
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Copyright © 2008 by Trina T. Brown
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-- Phone: 812-528-2309 -- 2314 S. Brown Lane, Salem IN 47167
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 10:16 AM