THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

The types of massage that we offer at the center are intended to be therapeutic, and both practitioner and recipient should feel safe at all times. Both client and therapist have the right to refuse working on any specific areas of the body, and the right to end a massage at any point.

You will probably be most comfortable if you have showered or bathed within the day before your session. If you are receiving a table massage, you will likely be lying with your face in a covered face cradle, so you may also be more comfortable not wearing a lot of makeup. Finally, avoid heavy meals, smoking, alcohol, or drugs before your session.

For table massage, the recipient undresses only to his/her level of comfort, and is draped with a sheet at all times. Private areas are never touched or exposed.

Thai yoga massage is done fully clothed, on a thick mat on the floor. Because it involves having your body stretched and moved, we recommend the same clothes we would suggest for yoga, or even clothes that are a little warmer (since massage is passive rather than active). A t-shirt or long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants or leggings would work great.

Thai massage offers a wider range of ways of accessing any particular areas of discomfort or parts of the body, and can be an efficient way of providing deep therapeutic work. However, it is done on the floor, so anyone who is unable to get down on to or up from the floor should have Tibetan massage, which is done on a table.

Open wounds, cancerous lesions, and bacterial or fungal infections of the skin should not be massaged, as well as certain other skin conditions. If you have a cold, flu, fever, or other contagious illness, please schedule your massage for when you are well. DVT, other blood clot disorders, severe hypertension, recent surgery, major injuries, or acute traumas are other examples of contraindications for massage. If in doubt, please consult your physician. 

If you are pregnant, please let us know. Prenatal massage is a wonderful modality, and we would want to be prepared and have the space appropriately set up for you.

It is normal to have some amount of soreness after a massage. If you do feel sore, it should be “in a good way,” meaning the way you might feel after a workout. Ideally any soreness would be accompanied by an increased range of motion or mobility. If you are in pain, have increased limitation, or feel worse in any way, please let us know immediately.

Tips are accepted and appreciated but never required.