Massage vs Bodywork
Massage Therapy Sessions are most typically sessions where the client would get undressed to their level of comfort and lay between sheets and a blanket. These sessions typically use various oils and lotions to provide broad strokes to the tissues. Enhancements include a warm heated pad underneath, essential oils, music and more. Many people tend to fall asleep in these sessions and wake to feel refreshed and ready to take on their day.
Deep tissue massage falls into this category however with the heavier hand doesn't always allow the client to drift off into wonderland. Deep Tissue Massage is not an actual technique but just more pressure through the Swedish massage.
How does Bodywork differ from Massage?
Bodywork is a different approach to helping the muscle skeletal relationships in our bodies. Unlike typical massage, bodywork is more specific in how it's applied and where. It can be uncomfortable therefore many clients do not fall asleep or "relax" while receiving the work. Bodywork does not always mean deep work. Sometimes when dealing with the connective tissue layer the work is more shallow however it typically is still not relaxing. Bodywork may also involve the client doing small movements during the session to maximize the tissues ability to open. The work can be powerful just as a typical relaxation massage can be powerful, they are just different approaches to getting there.
What to expect if you're receiving Bodywork:
Your session includes
1. Hands on work with a full body assessment
2. Education about your posture and anything related to your issues at hand
3. Possible exercise training recommended to further implicate changes into your body with instruction based on biomechanics
4. Possible access to an online subscription exercise library where you will find videos on everything you need to execute on your own or a full exercise program (subscription based fee applies). If you prefer to not have access to my personal online program due to the extra fee, all links to YouTube based videos you may need to apply homework will be provided via a contract. It is one form with every link you might ever need to do specific self release homework and or muscle activations. These videos will not be the same videos provided on my personal app and you will no longer receive further guidance from me once the contract is sent. This is more of a self guided method and I am not responsible for the execution of the videos. Should you want better step by step guidance and the ability to communicate with me about execution of the homework or exercises please reconsider the subscription based model.
5. Referral or additional sources you made need to help you further heal.
Clothing:
Most of the work I do these days is clothed at some level. I chose to do clothed work because I can get my clients up and moving between changes and I can look at what those changes led to in your posture and gait swing to figure out my next move. There are still sometimes in cupping and lymphatic where getting undressed will be necessary and during those sessions you'll be completely and appropriately draped. The style of work I do is mostly geared towards pain and structural alignment. It requires me to be able to see the spine, pelvis alignment, and the scapula's which is very hard to do through clothing, which is why I ask you to come prepared in flexible clothing.
Clothing: I ask that all of my clients come prepared in wearing flexible clothing. Please NO JEANS, or heavy dense clothing that's hard to work through. I WILL NO longer allow clients to get undressed on my table! Lymphatic and cupping will only be two instances where ladies may need to remove their upper body garments. Please come prepared!!! You will either be uncomfortable in dress clothes or I will turn you away for your session at full charge! I REPEAT, YOU WILL be responsible for the FULL payment should you come unprepared for our session. If you are required to get undressed because you came unprepared I will only offer lymphatic and cupping.
Keep in mind- When I'm looking at my clients I do not see what you see- aka fat. I'm looking more like an X-ray machine to see how you're body is choosing to stabilize. If you're not comfortable with being in a sports bra please speak up ASAP. This is a judgement free zone.
Ladies: please wear a sports bra and shorts. Leggings can interfere with my ability to see let alone with the ability to work at times. So I again ask PLEASE WEAR/BRING SHORTS. Leave clothing in your car if you come from work regularly or tend to forget to bring them with you.
Gentlemen: this means NO BOXERS! Shorts only. If you have a problem being shirtless during our session please speak up ASAP. I will not always need you to remove your shirt. This will be based on what we're doing in our session. Leave clothing in your car if you come from work regularly or tend to forget to bring them with you.
Do Not’s
Fragrances and lotions: I ask that you DO NOT Wear any lotions or fragrances! I am very sensitive to smells and also do not want those fragrances lingering in my room from client to client. Lotions make my job more difficult because everything becomes slippery. I'm not your average therapist so your lotion doesn't make my job easier. Without the ability to stick to the skin I cannot accomplish what I need to to make the changes we'd like to see.
Sweaty clothes: Please do not show up to your session in wet sweaty clothes. I use to tolerate this previous and circumstances have changed. If you are sweaty from a hot car ride it is one thing but if you show up wet from a workout with no changes of clothes I will ask you to change or you will forfeit your session at full price! I use to let this slide because I am also a Trainer, however Coming into a session with tacky sweaty skin does inhibit my ability to properly work the tissues. Besides it is kind of icky and I've realized it comes Off as a sign of disrespect for me as your therapist. Please take the necessary steps to wash/dry off appropriately.