|
|
What to Expect, Daydreams Massage Therapy for Women by Jill John, Greenwood, Indianapolis, INWhat to Expect from your visit to Daydreams Massage Therapy:
As discussed on the "Health Benefits" page, Massage & Bodywork can have a positive effect on many medical conditions. Massage is also among the most effective ways to combat stress. Still, many people have a bit of anxiety about what a session will actually be like. The following tips will guide you through aDaydreams visit. Preparing for Your Session: *When you arrive, I'll personally greet you. Then we'll *Loose, comfortable clothing is the recommended style of dress when arriving for a massage/bodywork session. If you are coming directly from work, you'll probably want to bring along some casual clothing to change into after your session. The last thing you want to do right after a relaxing massage is struggle to get back into a suit or hosiery! *Next, you will be given time to prepare yourself inside the massage suite~ complete privacy is given prior to and at the end of every session. Jewelry should be removed & hair ties are provided if you wish to pull your hair back. Since modesty levels vary greatly, clients are asked to undress to their own personal comfort level. You'll then get on a comfortable massage table, and get underneath the top sheet. A padded face cradle, bolster or pillows are available for extra support. I'll give you a few moments to change, then I will knock & wait for your response before entering the room. *All clients are completely "draped" or covered with a sheet throughout the appointment. Only the region of the body I am currently working on will be uncovered at any given time. Since most clients undress partially or fully for an appointment, this is necessary for warmth & modesty and as a reminder that Massage Therapy is a professional business arrangement. There are absolutely no exceptions, male or female, to this draping policy. Please Note: All services provided by both Daydreams Massage Therapy and Vista Massage Therapy Group are absolutely professional, legitimate, ethical, non-sexual or non-sensual & completely respectful in nature.
*Hypoallergenic oil/lotion/cream/gel will be used for most massage techniques to provide better "glide" to the movements & prevent skin discomfort. Scented Aromatherapy essential oils & blends are available for a small additional fee, if desired. Please express any preference that you may have regarding this. *You can choose whether to talk or remain silent throughout the appointment. Although I may need to ask some questions (regarding sore spots, the level of pressure being applied, or to give you instructions), in general I'll take my cue from you as to whether you prefer complete silence or a lively conversation. I'll go with the flow...this is your time to lighten up or unwind as you please! *The desire to sigh or take a deep breath is a sign that you are becoming relaxed. Sighing indicates that your body is beginning to experience the "relaxation response," which naturally lowers blood pressure and heart rate and facilitates deep, regular breathing. You might also feel drowsy during a session...so don't worry about falling asleep. It's actually considered a compliment if a client becomes so relaxed that they go to sleep during a massage. Go ahead...nap away! My Personal Massage Style: During Your Full-Body Massage Session: *I begin each massage with a light, grounding touch which creates an energetic connection between us and prepares your body for the upcoming work. I am a Certified Reiki Master--an energy technique based on the belief that we all share a connection through "universal life energy" that flows through every living thing. (See "Massage Types" page for further info about Reiki principals.
*The first portion of a session consists of various types of massage strokes & kneading being administered to your neck, shoulders, back, glutes, hamstrings, calves and feet, with special attention being paid to areas with tenderness or any strained muscles. My goal during this portion of the session is to release stored tension & induce a state of deep relaxation. Once this is accomplished and we are ready to begin the second part of the massage, I'll hold the sheet in a way that protects your modesty while I ask you to turn onto your back so I can complete the remainder of the session. *The remainder of the session involves massage being given *Once I'm finished, I will thank you and offer you a few additional moments to rest privately before having to go back out into "the real world." This solitude serves as an extension of your soothing experience & gives you the opportunity to integrate the healing that occurred between your body, mind and spirit. Most people find themselves highly relaxed upon conclusion of a massage, so the extra time gives closure to the session and helps them to gather their thoughts before redressing & leaving the massage suite. I try to honor that by leaving a bit of time in between appointments whenever my schedule allows.
*My intention is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease in preparation for their session. With that being said, I request that you let me know of anything you find distracting (such as physical discomfort, room temperature, music selection/volume, aromatherapy scents) right away so that I may improve the conditions which will enhance your enjoyment of the upcoming work. *If there are any body parts you'd rather not have massaged, just let me know before I get started. While some folks love having their feet rubbed, others find it ticklish. Likewise, many people enjoy a good scalp massage, while others prefer to skip it because they don't want their hair to be disheveled. I respect your decision, so please make me aware if you'd rather not have gluteal work done, don't care for abdominal massage, could live without the facial portion of the massage or whatever the case may be. Since the session should be tailored to your individual comfort, just let me know your preferences. *Shortly into the process, I may ask how you feel about the amount of pressure being applied. Although I may at times find a tender spot that requires the application of deeper therapeutic techniques to "work it out" (which may be described as "hurts so good"), I believe that nothing done during one of my massages should ever cause actual pain. You know your own body's sensitivity levels best, so you share the responsibility for relating whether the pressure used is too much or too little. Please don't hesitate at any time to request that the pressure be adjusted to a more comfortable level for you. *I sometimes incorporate assisted stretching into the mix. Stretching is vital to one's flexibility & helps dispel pent-up tension in an area. Depending on the type of bodywork, some may be fairly mild (in a Swedish session I may do some gentle arm tugs) or they may be more vigorous (as in the case of Sports Massage & Thai Yoga Massage). Again, open communication is essential to the success of a beneficial extension of the body. While performing stretches, I am attuned to sensing the point where we've reached the comfortable limits of your range of motion, also known as the "end feel." However, no one knows the limitations of your own body better than you, so don't be afraid to speak up and tell me if a stretch is uncomfortable. To get the best results, a stretched body part should reach the acceptable edge of your comfort zone, but not exceed a point where the movement could do more harm than good.
*Before you leave I'll ask if you'd like to go ahead and set up your next appointment. I am grateful for your patronage, so I like to invite you for a return visit. We've all found ourselves in situations where we've had good intentions of doing something nice for ourselves, but just didn't get around to actually doing it. By scheduling your next session while you're still in my office, it makes is easier for you to actually stick to your desire to receive massage as part of your regular health & wellness plan. Plus, it makes it easier to get an appointment time that's convenient for you and saves you the hassle of having to make a phone call later. So reserving your session right then is a good thing any way you look at it! *Occasionally there's delayed soreness after therapeutic massage. Drinking lots of water afterwards will assist your body in flushing toxins out of your system that were released during the massage & helps reduce any muscle soreness you might experience. I will supply you with "one for the road" before you leave my office...one bottle of water, that is! Taking a hot shower or apple-cider vinegar bath at home is also useful for relieving any residual tenderness. Please note: These guidelines apply to a typical full-body table massage session. If you are scheduled for only a half-hour session or a chair massage, certain elements will vary. |
|
discuss any questions or expectations you have regarding the session. Next, some contact info and a brief health history will be requested. I know, I know...filling out paperwork is tedious! But believe it or not, there are a few medical conditions for which Massage is not recommended. In order for me to ensure that it's safe to offer you bodywork, it's essential that you provide complete, honest information.
*Your massage will take place in a serene room with soothing music playing to help bring about a relaxed state. Soft lighting and a heated blanket may be used to further evoke a sense of complete comfort & peacefulness.
on the front of the legs, feet, arms and hands, as well as, the neck, shoulders, scalp & face. For sessions of 60-minutes or more, passive stretching & range-of-motion movements may be performed.
Good communication and feedback are invaluable in helping me create a personalized bodywork session for each individual. Feel free to speak up! 
Following the Massage: