Frequently Asked Questions
QHow can massage benefit me?
Massage has been used to promote health for thousands of years. Only recently has its use become widespread among the general public and in conjunction with the western medical community. Research has documented the effectiveness of massage in relieving the symptoms of conditions such as:
TMJ
Headache
Low back pain
Fibromyalgia
Sports injury
Stress
Depression
and more…
QWhat can I expect during a massage?
When you arrive for your massage, you can expect to fill out a short form regarding your health history so that your massage therapist can fully address your individual needs. Be sure to identify any sensitivity you might have to ingredients that could be included in lotions, or oils such as nuts or herbs.
Your massage will take place on a padded table in a quiet room with low lighting to allow for maximum relaxation. Clean sheets, blankets, and pillows will be used to cover your body and accommodate any need you might have for special propping.
Your therapist will plan to do a full body massage unless you have discussed focusing on only a particular area. You will remain covered except for the area being massaged. During your massage, you will act as your own advocate letting the therapist know about any needs regarding temperature, the pressure being used, whether you wish to converse or be quiet, or any discomfort you might experience during the course of your session.
Following your massage, you will be given privacy to slowly get off of the table and get dressed. Your therapist will inform you of any impressions they have gained about your musculo-skeletal system and make recommendations for follow up sessions, self-care, and/or referral to other healthcare providers (ie; acupuncturist, hypnotherapist, chiropractor, M.D., PT, etc.) for maximum health or recovery.
QIs there anything I should do in preparation for my massage?
There is nothing you have to do to prepare for a massage, but there are suggestions that can help maximize your experience if they are available to you. Have in mind any questions you might have for your massage therapist that will help you feel at ease. Pay attention to the time around your scheduled massage. Do not eat just before your appointment. Your body will relax more easily and your food will digest more comfortably if you have allowed time for this process. Arriving a little early, so as not to feel rushed, will also assist your body in relaxing. Try to leave some time open following your massage to notice and enjoy the changes you feel in your body and your mind. Your muscles have memory, and this is a feeling and condition you will definitely want them to retain! Though your therapist will offer you water immediately following your session, plan to have water available to rehydrate in the hours ahead.
QWhat types of massage are offered at McKay Healing Arts?
At McKay Healing Arts we offer an array of bodywork therapies to address our clients’ needs. Click here for a brief description of each.
QHow do I know which type of massage I need?
The Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (LMBT) at McKay Healing Arts has years of experience and extensive training in her field. As with most massage therapists, she combines techniques from a variety of styles to optimize results. As a general rule, Swedish massage serves as a great first massage experience, to become familiar with the process, the touch, and feelings of deep relaxation. Myofascial and neuromuscular massage are types of “deep tissue” massage that address the deeper lying muscles in specific ways to increase the health and efficiency of both muscle and joints.