Know Before You Go
Booking information
All sessions are by appointment only, office hours are listed but may vary. Appointments may be made via phone, text, email, or online self-booking. I currently use a smart scheduler, so if my day is open you will see all of my availability. Otherwise, you may only see the next 1 or 2 slots available based on what has already been scheduled. New in 2022, there is now a wait-list feature! If you are having difficulty finding an appointment you may be added to a waitlist (within the practitioners current availability) which will automatically notify you via email should an appointment time open within your preferred window.
NEW (and returning) patients can make an appointment online, but new patients must first register and create a log-in within the patient portal. You will receive an emailed registration confirmation, followed by an emailed appointment confirmation once you have selected a date/time that fits your schedule, and finally you will receive an email to complete the health history intake form (including COVID questions) and acknowledgment of clinic policies. There are some contraindications and caution areas surrounding massage, so it is important you complete this form to the best of your ability prior to your visit. Returning patients will only be asked to complete a new health form if you were last in the office prior to June 2020.
What to Expect
Never had therapeutic massage before? Uncertain what to expect? Have no fear, your therapist is here to set your mind at ease. All work that you receive is always performed within your tolerance/ comfort level. This is not a “no pain, no gain” practice. Your therapist will guide you every step of the way and instill some beneficial breathwork techniques as needed. However, if you prefer to learn more first, see our services menu above to see more detail on the various types of appointments and treatments available to you.
How quickly will I find relief?
Whether your goals are centered on pain relief, stress relief, improvements in range of motion, post-surgical or injury rehabilitation, it will take time and consistency of care to reach your goals. Massage is not a magic pill that will instantly “fix” or “cure” you; rather it is a better alternative with far fewer side effects and certainly a complementary therapy to other treatments you may be receiving for your condition.
While you may experience some immediate relief after one session, pain, especially chronic, pain does return. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best course of massage treatment and self-care for you and change that plan as you progress. Pain is a complex thing, created by your habits, the work that you do, and your past and present injuries. It's also strongly influenced by things like stress and mindset. Not an easy thing to change in a single afternoon! Wellness is a journey...
It's more likely that pain relief will come over the course of weeks or months. As massage becomes a part of your routine, your body will begin to realize that it does not need all that habitual tension, and your pain will become lessened. With each massage, the effects should build. After your 4th massage session, the pain will decrease considerably, and it won't return to the same level as when it began. After the 8th session, you might have difficulty remembering what your old pain felt like. There will be ups and downs, but the overall trend should be "down."
The effects of regular massage are long-lasting. In studies that used a 12-week protocol of weekly massage, the effects stuck around for at least 6 months after the final massage. Most of the studies that show substantial benefits use a weekly protocol, but good results can also be achieved from twice-monthly massage. If you're in pain, begin with weekly massage for about six weeks, and then taper off as you recover. If that seems more frequent than you can manage, then start with what you can! Just realize that frequency and regularity are big factors in the success of treatment.