FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for considering us for a massage therapy session or other bodywork treatment. Here are answers to common questions that most people have before their first visit to our Center.  We know these will be helpful.

We take great pride in serving our clients. If you have any concerns, comments or questions about any part of your visit we encourage you to let us know.  Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

Why Do Most Places Offer a 60-Minute Massage Yet I Am Only on the Table for 45 or 50 Mintues?

At one time, most massage therapy centers offered 60-minute sessions and you got 60 minutes.  Most massage training is based on the time frame of a 60-minute session.  To get more massages into the day, some places decided to build the therapist’s break time (typically 10 minutes) into the 60-minute session that used to be dedicated to the client.  The spas figured that most clients wouldn’t notice or if they did notice, they wouldn’t have much choice.  The problem is that everyone (except the spa owners) suffers. Clients lose a total of one full massage every six sessions (10 minutes times 6 sessions is an hour).  Therapists don’t get any longer breaks than they did before, and therapists are pressured to try to fit a full massage into 50 minutes, which is hard enough to do in 60 minutes. To fully resolve the symptoms at hand, many clients need a 90 minute session.

Our policy is to schedule an hour on the table and to schedule a break time of 20 minutes for the therapists. This gives you time so that you may linger and discuss your particular circumstance with your therapist.  We want to develop a relationship with you.  We allow time for it rather than trying to cram in more people over less time.  While this may maximize the bottom line, it does not maximize your well being.  Our policy guarantees that our therapists are well rested between sessions giving you the best service possible.

What Is Your Center Like?

Picture of BodyWorks Healing Center
Bodyworks is the place for Pain and Stress Free Living

Our Center is located in the lower floor of a charming 110-year-old Victorian home.  Most people who arrive for the first time are surprised by the warmth and quaintness of the facility.  Our waiting room is actually a library of Mind/Body/Spirit books, which are available for perusal or sale. We have another room stocked full of products supporting Mind/Body/Spirit healing.  We carry a selection of candles, incense, crystals, jewelry, music, books, and other unique gifts. If you’re looking for a big, over the top spa experience, we’re not your place. But if you want to enjoy what our clients consistently say is the “best energy around” with a warm atmosphere and a personal touch, you should definitely visit us.  We are frequently complimented by folks who drop in just to be in our space.  Come on in to Relax!  Renew! Rejuvenate!

Where Will My Massage or Bodywork Session Take Place?

Your session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort. Soft music may be played to help you relax. Every effort will be made to help you feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.

Who Will Perform the Massage or Bodywork?

A highly trained professional massage therapist will conduct your session.  Each of our therapists has graduated from accredited schools and is Nationally Certified by the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). Many have attended advanced education in their area of specialty.  Therapists are required to attend continuing education each year to maintain their certification.  No two massages are exactly alike. Feel free to request a certain technique or modality. You may also request your preference of a male or female therapist.

What Do I Wear?

Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed. You should undress to your level of comfort. If you want to wear underwear you may. You will be draped with a sheet and blanket during your massage. Your therapist will only undrape the one area that is being worked on in that moment.  You will remain fully clothed for energy work such as Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, Thai Massage, and Esoteric Healing.

Will the Practitioner Be Present When I Disrobe?

The practitioner will leave the room while you undress and dress.  You just need to undress to your level of comfort, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket. The therapist will then knock on the door before entering to be sure you are ready.

Will I Be Covered During the Session?

You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

What Parts of My Body Will Be Massaged?

Your therapist will discuss the desired outcome of your session with you. This will determine which parts of your body require massage. A typical full body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. You will never be touched on or near your genitals (male or female) or breasts (female).

What Will the Massage or Bodywork Feel Like?

It depends on the techniques used. Many massage therapists use a variety of techniques. Swedish massage is typically used as a baseline, which starts with broad, flowing strokes to relax and calm, irritated or inflamed tissues.  As muscles become relaxed, deeper pressure in specific areas may be applied to relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. Communication during the session is important.  If the pressure is too deep or not deep enough you are encouraged and have the right to ask your therapist for what you want.  It is your session.

Are There Different Kinds of Massage and Bodywork?

There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, effleurage, petrissage, taponment, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. Ask the practitioner about the methods he or she uses.

How Long Will the Session Last?

The average full-body massage or bodywork session lasts approximately one hour. A half-hour appointment only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet. Many people prefer a 60- to 90-minute session for optimal relaxation. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session. Hot tubs, steam baths and saunas can assist in the relaxation process.

What Should I Do During the Massage or Bodywork Session?

Make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session. Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage and bodywork in general or about the particular technique you are receiving. The most common reason people have negative massage experiences are because they didn’t want to say anything to their therapist during their massage. If you’re too hot or cold, the music type is not to your liking, the music is too loud or too soft, or the touch is too hard or not hard enough, or if you feel uncomfortable in any way, do not hesitate to let your therapist know immediately. All of our tables are equipped with heating pads, and everything from the music volume in the room to the angle of your face rest is adjustable. If you make a request to turn up the heat, add a blanket, or adjust the table, pressure or music during your session, your therapist will never be offended.

How Will I Feel After the Massage or Bodywork Session?

Most people feel very relaxed. Some people experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity, which can last for days.

Why Should I Drink Water After a Bodywork Session?

Toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage or energy work session. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water following your massage to help the body eliminate these toxins as fast as possible. Water will help to reduce the possibility of any tissue tenderness after the massage. Healing continues to take place after the session due to improved circulation and innervation. Drinking water will enhance the healing process.

Will a Single Massage Help Me Feel Better?

Yes and no.  For a number of physical and stress related problems, massage can have an immediate impact.  Every day we have clients who come in stressed out, with a sore neck, tight back, etc. and leave feeling a lot better than when they came in.

Sometimes the effects of the session take time to manifest.  You may walk out feeling that you still have the issue you came in with but when you wake up the next day it’s resolved. Sometimes you won’t notice a significant difference, even after a day or more.  That happens because some of the positive effects of massage are cumulative.  In other words, the more massage you get, the more the benefits accrue to you.

While many studies have been done showing the benefits of massage to treat a wide range of ailments, the problem with this research is that the studies follow participants over a course of many massages, usually during a period of eight weeks or more.  Unfortunately, some people can’t or won’t commit to a series of eight or more treatments. Instead, they come in for a single session and expect to get the same results as if they had been coming in regularly.  While you can very definitely get results from a single session, you will only get the maximum benefit from massage if you come in regularly.  Not everyone has the time or resources to make massage more than an occasional event.  We just want you to have realistic expectations as to the benefits if you chose to get treatment less often.

What Are the Benefits of Massage and Bodywork?

Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. Click here for more details on the benefits of massage.

Should I Get A Massage If I Am Sick?

Massage is great for a lot of things.  As a therapy that supports the immune system and reduces muscle tension and stress, most people would think that getting a massage when they are sick would be helpful.  But that is not the case.

Of course, if you are contagious you don’t want to pass that on to your therapist, but that is not the only reason.  The other reason is about you as massage may make your symptoms worse.

When you have a viral or bacterial infection, your body is already working hard to overcome it.  Because massage therapy can be internally stimulating and is detoxifying, it can place extra demands on the body as it tries to rid itself of the additional toxins.  Additionally if your sinuses are congested, having the pressure of your face in face cradle would not be comfortable.  Combined, these things could make your symptoms feel worse.

Our suggestion is to rest and take care of you.

When the acute stage of the illness is passed, you may want to consider massage at that time. If you have been coughing a lot your neck, back and chest will be tight and sore.  A massage can help you relax and breathe freer.  Tapotement, a light tapping technique, can sometime help clear up phlegm or mucous.  If you have a lingering headache or migraines, massage and craniosacral therapy can be beneficial.

Overall be present as to how your body feels.  Give your body the time it needs to get well.  We want you to be radiantly healthy and happy.  And we’ll see your smiling face at the Center soon.

Are There Any Medical Conditions That Would Make Massage or Bodywork Inadvisable?

Yes. That’s why it’s imperative that, before you begin your session, we ask you to fill out a health questionnaire. The practitioner will then take the time to review the information with you prior to your session. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor’s care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Your practitioner may require a recommendation or approval from your doctor.

What if I Need to Cancel?

If you will be unable to make your scheduled appointment, please let us know 24 hours ahead of time. If you cancel on the day of your appointment or fail to show up for your appointment, we reserve the right to charge you for the session. This is done in fairness both to clients who would otherwise have wanted the appointment as well as the therapist, who is not paid if they do not perform the session. If you are late to your session, you are welcome to receive whatever time is left in your appointment. Due to our tightly booked schedule we are generally unable to extend your session beyond your original appointment time.

Where Do I Park?

We offer parking in the back of the building or on Mill Street in front of the clinic.  All parking is free.

We take great pride in serving our clients.  If you have any concerns, comments or questions about any part of your visit we encourage you to let us know.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed.