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Massage in General:
Q: I’ve never had a massage before! What’s it like?
A: It’s wonderful! It will relax you deeply, remove lots of tension and soreness, and put you into a more peaceful state of mind. Massage is not just a feel-good luxury, either—some types of massage therapy are actually geared towards correcting imbalances that cause pain and soreness. We have even helped our clients sidestep surgical procedures such as for carpal tunnel and plantarfascitis. We invite you to visit our New Clients section first, and then our Your Session area, as it provides an in-depth look at a typical visit to our studio.
Q: What are the benefits?
A: Plenty! The most powerful effect is on the nervous system. Massage therapy suppresses the overactivity of the “fight-or-flight” response, allowing your entire body and all of its systems to function normally again. This means that every cell in your body is stimulated to function more efficiently. Toxins are pushed into parts of the system where they can be properly processed and eliminated faster. This is where a lot of the self-healing starts to take place. For a more extensive list of benefits, please see our Indications/Contraindications page.
Q: How often should I get one?
A: The answer to this will be different for each person. Research indicates that the average person gets the most benefit from each massage visit when he or she commits to intervals of 2-4 weeks. However, what is best for YOU depends on many different factors, such as what you hope to achieve through massage therapy, how consistent your appointment intervals are, your overall state of health, your exercise level, your age, your diet and lifestyle, your use of medications, your history of injuries or accidents, your use of other avenues of holistic medicine, and many others. Your visit with us includes complimentary consultation time, so we can address this with you on an individual basis.
Q: Are there different types of massage?
A: There are so many massage styles and techniques that it’s impossible to count them all. You may have heard a lot of terms thrown around, such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports massage, Shiatsu, Thai massage, Lomi-Lomi, and many more. There are about as many styles of massage as there are massage therapists! Generally, Swedish is the basis of a typical massage, and is used primarily for relaxation, or as a warm-up to prime the muscles for other techniques.
Q: Does massage hurt? / Help! I’m sore after yesterday’s visit.
A: Massage therapy should never be so deep that you feel you have to grit your teeth, hold your breath, or pray for the time to pass quickly. If this ever happens, we need to know about it, so that we can avoid causing trauma and injury to your tissues. If this is your first massage ever, or your first one in 6 months or more, we prefer to use no more than “medium” pressure during your first few visits. After your muscles are a little more seasoned, we can progress to deeper work! It’s good to keep in mind that the first time you have massage (or the first time in a while), or this is your first deeper session, you may feel a little sore during the 1-2 days afterward. This is completely normal! If this happens, simply apply a little ice for a maximum of 20 minutes, followed by 40 minutes with no ice. You may repeat as needed. Be sure to drink plenty of water, as this minimizes the soreness and clears the toxins.
Q: Toxins? What’s this about toxins?/ Why should I drink water afterward?
A: Every day, we are bombarded by environmental toxins and additives in our air, food, and water. Our bodies have detoxification mechanisms built in, but during the last century, we have asked our bodies to do more than they were designed to do, and since they can’t keep up, those toxins accumulate in our tissues for years. Massage helps stir up these toxins. This is a necessary event, as it is thought that these toxins eventually lead to chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer. However, stirring up these toxins can produce mildly unpleasant effects, especially if you don’t drink enough water immediately afterward. We advise drinking at least a quarter gallon before retiring to bed after an evening massage, and to drink more than that after a daytime session.
Q: Is that 8-glasses-of-water-a-day-thing true?
A: It’s an arbitrary number, but in reality, it’s not that simple. One size does not fit all. Who came up with 8 glasses? And just how big do those glasses have to be? We have an easier way. It’s a simple formula. First, take your body weight in pounds. Whatever that number is, divide that number in half. Whatever THAT number turns out to be is how many ounces of water you should drink daily, at a minimum.
Q: Well, I drink coffee/tea/soda/beer/other alcohol; does that count? After all, it IS liquid.
A: Just because it’s liquid, doesn’t mean it’s going to hydrate you. Caffeine and alcohol both have diuretic properties, which means that they end up taking more liquid out of your body than they put in. So, you end up more dehydrated and toxic than you were before. When it comes to water, only pure water counts. You wouldn’t rinse off with anything but pure water during your final rinse in the shower, would you? The same goes for the inside of your body.
Q: I’m ashamed of my birthmarks/weight/scars/moles/feet/etc and I’m really self-conscious!
A: Every body is different; each is unique. Contrary to what fashion magazines portray, there is no “normal”. Each attribute—be it a birthmark, scar, or some other so-called “imperfection” is simply a unique quirk that has its own story behind it. Your body is a vehicle that gets you around; you only get one, so love your body and respect it for the magnificent machine that it is. Honestly, therapeutic bodyworkers do not judge people by their physical attributes. We see people as real people, souls inside various tissues. No two bodies are alike, and there is no “model standard” to conform to. Please do not forgo the benefits of massage therapy because you don’t look like someone in a magazine, who has most likely been airbrushed to a fake perfection anyway.
Q: Is massage therapy covered by insurance?
A: Not usually, although some of the more expensive plans cover a certain amount of massage a year, so it never hurts to ask your insurance provider! If you don’t know whether or not massage is covered by your policy, ask us for this documentation anyway so that if you find that your policy carries massage benefits, you can go ahead and process the reimbursement. Note: please ask us well in advance so that we may have the paperwork ready for you by the time you leave.
Q: Last time I went to a spa and asked for an hour massage, and they only gave me 50 minutes! Did they short me by 10 minutes?
A: It’s a scheduling issue. To maximize their profit, spas schedule appointments on the hour every hour. The only problem is, there is a natural lag time between massages. The therapist needs prep time for his or her next client. Clients need time to change clothing, or they may have a certain pain management issue they want to discuss with the therapist beforehand or afterward. So, in order to stay on the hourly scheduling routine, the actual massage time is cut short. It is becoming quite standard that an hour lasts only 50 minutes, and an hour and a half lasts 80 minutes. In most places, a 2-hour session lasts 110 minutes, but many places are starting to trim the session length further, to 100 minutes.
With us, an hour means AT LEAST 65 minutes (thus, we’re often less expensive when you calculate what you’re getting for your money), and as long as you’re on time, the time it takes you to change clothes or consult with us before or after a massage does NOT cut into your time in our studio. In fact, we try to budget an extra 15-30 minutes in between sessions so that we are fresh for you and our facilities are completely clean and sanitary. Sure, this means we can’t schedule as many massages in one day, but we prefer to focus on quality over quantity, without cutting corners.
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Massage With Us:
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: Jyoti opened the practice part-time after completing her training in 2004, and went completely independent in 2007. Jay joined her in practice in 2005. Jyoti sought additional advanced therapeutic training in Neuromuscular Therapy, and after another nine months, obtained her NMT certification for clinical/pain management bodywork. Jay sought additional biofeedback training in 2005. Both of us are nearly halfway through an accelerated 4-year chiropractic medical program, and in the spring of 2008 we began our 2-to-3-year post-doctoral neurological program. Our knowledge pool is expanding noticeably every day--and we pass that benefit right along to our clients today.
Q: What other training do you have?
A: We consider learning a lifelong journey. Please visit our Training & Education page for a comprehensive list of our past, current, and future training.
Q: What makes you different from all the other massage therapists in the area?
A: Each massage therapist is unique in their personality, the techniques they use, the décor of their treatment rooms, and much more. There’s nothing more exhilarating than finding someone who “fits” YOU.
It’s our hope that you’ll experience that feeling with one of us. We’re not your normal average massage therapists. Our style is unique; we make medical massage feel good. We provide clinical knowledge inside of a relaxing experience, and we do it at a very reasonable price. We have additional massage therapy training. While many massage therapists do the bare minimum, we constantly go above and beyond, seeking all the quality education we can, even if it means we have to travel. We offer some cutting edge treatment options such as biofeedback. We are also both medical school students, and every day we learn more about how to help you, and whenever possible, we put that knowledge to use now, so that you can benefit today.
Q: What kind of massage do you recommend?
A: That’s a tough call. Each person needs a different type of massage, and we’re not going to make you decide from a menu of cryptic-sounding modalities. Just call us, tell us what you’d like to gain from your visit with us, and we’ll do everything we can to make it happen. By far the most popular option is a 90-minute Integrated Massage.
Q: Do you offer full body massage?
A: Yes. A full body massage includes the back, neck, arms, legs, hands, feet, upper chest, and the gluteal region (usually covered). Upon request, we also do the face and scalp. If your therapist thinks you might benefit from some abdominal work, we can discuss this beforehand. Absolutely NO requests for illicit services are honored; in fact, the session may be instantly terminated, without refund.
Q: What’s an Integrated Massage? / Can I just get a Swedish massage?
A: “Integrated” means that we’ve come up with our own distinct style. It’s a blend of many techniques and modalities, all rolled into one massage. We’ve described our style in detail in our Hot Stone and Integrated massage sections. And we’ve made the pricing simple. Whether you’re getting a Swedish relaxation massage or a Hot Stone massage with deep pressure and aromatherapy, it’s just one flat reasonable rate. (At other places, an extra $10-15 for Hot Stones and another $5-15 for a few drops of essential oil really adds up. That’s not the way we operate.) With us, you don’t have to spend your session worrying about what your visit will cost you in the end. All you pay for is our time, knowledge, and experience.
Q: This Hot Stone thing—I’ve done that before and I wasn’t impressed! / Do they burn? / Is it sanitary?
A: For those of you who haven’t experienced the “not impressed” sentiment, we hear it primarily from people who have had an expensive spa experience that promised the moon but just didn’t deliver.
For information on how we do Hot Stone differently and why you absolutely need to try it, please visit our Hot Stone page. If you still have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!
Q: Can I schedule a 30-minute appointment?
A: For children under 13, yes. Since their bodies are smaller, we can accomplish more in 30 minutes with a child than we can with an adult. For all appointments for clients 13 and up, we ask that you make a commitment of at least one hour.
Q: Do you offer all-day or half-day packages or combinations of treatments?/Can you do anything longer than 2 hours?
A: Sure! We’d love to put together a custom event for you. Simply call or e-mail us to discuss options and ideas.
Q: Do you go to hotels?
A: We’re sorry, but we usually don’t. Travel, traffic, parking, and front desk security make it hard to schedule efficiently when it comes to hotels. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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Your Visit To Our Studio:
(also, please see our New Clients and Your Session sections for detailed information)
Q: How do I schedule an appointment? / How far in advance should I schedule?
A: Simply call us or send us an e-mail. Please contact us as far in advance as you can, and if you can, provide several possible dates/times that you would like to receive a massage. The further in advance you can call, the more likely you are to get your desired spot. Please be sure to schedule on a day and time when you know you can make your appointment, because one thing we are rather strict about is our cancellation/no-show policy (please see our Policies), and we do secure all appointments with a Visa or Mastercard.
Q. When is the best time to talk with you in person?
A. Great question! Please see our Contacts page for the best times to call (these change frequently with our school schedule). Also, please check Our Hours; one of us is almost always near the phone during those times, even when the other is in session.
Q: Why do you ask so many health questions / Why is your intake form so long?
A: We are a medically-oriented practice, and most of our clients have some health issue they’d like us to help them with. The more information we have, the more we can help you. For example, those headaches you’ve been having for the past couple of years may actually be caused by the unresolved whiplash from the car wreck from about the same time. If you’re showing possible signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s helpful to know that you sit at a desk and work a mouse all day. It might be good to know that you’re a stay-at-home mom with four small children, or a sales rep with stressful deadlines. The more information we have, the more we can treat you like a person and not just a number, and the faster we’ll reach your goals!
Q: When should I arrive for my appointment? Can I come early?
A: For your first massage, please arrive 15 minutes early, with your completed paperwork. This gives us enough time to look it over, plan a massage that best fits your goals, and talk. For every appointment after that, please arrive 5 minutes early if you have no new issues to discuss, and 10 minutes early if something new has come up. Our front door will open at the appropriate time, and that is our signal to you that we are ready for you. If you arrive much earlier, please feel free to call ahead and one of us will let you know whether or not we can get started early. A late arrival may result in a shorter session, and the original session fee still applies.
Q: Do I have to get completely undressed?
A: No. Many people choose to undress completely. Others choose to undress down to their underwear. Some ladies like to leave their bra on; however, this does interfere with bodywork on the back during a regular massage. However, we are trained in several techniques that feel differently than typical massage but offer many of the same benefits. If you’d like to stay fully clothed, we can stretch you, or apply gentle compression to your muscles through clothing, or simply do a Meridian treatment. The whole point is to relax and enjoy your session.
Q: Do you require draping?
A: Yes, without exception. Whether you’re covered completely with a sheet except for the area being worked on, or an appropriately-sized towel covers only your midsection, we are strict about proper draping.
Q: What kind of oil/lubricant do you use? / Can you use oil/gel/cream?
A: For all bodywork, we exclusively use a thin, non-greasy 100% pure jojoba oil that our clients LOVE. It is unprocessed, unscented, and hypoallergenic. It is also suitable for those with eczema/dermatitis, ultra-sensitive skin, nut or seed allergies, and those who break out easily. It nourishes the skin and lets it breathe. Upon request, Jyoti uses 100% shea butter. Clients are welcome to bring their own 100% pure cocoa butter or 100% pure beeswax if they choose, for any session except Lymphatic Detox/Drainage, for which only 100% jojoba oil is used. We have an array of genuine essential oils, and some of them can be added to the oil, either individually or combined, free of charge. We regret that we cannot use any other gel, lotion, or cream, due to our own skin hypersensitivity. If you wish to not have any lubricant used, there are many techniques that do not require any lubrication at all, such as compressions, stretching, and others.
Q: What if I don’t LIKE to listen to Enya during a massage? / Can I bring my own music?
A: Although we are not set up to play regular CDs, we have a large music library on computer to draw from. We have everything: nature sounds/ocean waves, piano, new age, classical, yoga/tai chi, Native American, desert/Arabian, South American, ambient electronic, acoustic guitar, gypsy/new flamenco, cutting-edge spa lounge music, and much, much more. And yes, we actually do have a whole bunch of Enya and if you like, we’ll put the whole collection in a playlist made just for you! If you have any preferences, objections, or suggestions about any particular kind of music, please let us know. Also, please feel free to tell us about your favorite internet radio station, and if it has a Winamp-friendly MP3 stream, we can pipe it into the massage studio so you can listen to it all the way through your visit!
Q. Why are you so strict about cancellations?
A. For two reasons. First, when someone schedules an appointment, that time is considered theirs and it’s not offered to anyone else. There may be others in need who might really want that spot but that spot is not open for them. So, to simply skip out on a massage is not fair to those people. With the prevalence of cell phones, it’s not hard to call us with proper notice. Second, massage therapy is how we make our living. Time scheduled but not compensated for has a big impact on our ability to pay our bills. We’re not simply a high-volume massage factory that can easily fill that spot. Please respect the time of everyone involved--yourself, us, and our other clients in need! We also extend the same courtesy to you, out of respect for YOUR time, and we hold ourselves to the exact same cancellation policy.
Q: Can you pop my back/neck?
A: Not yet! “Popping” or “cracking” (properly referred to as a chiropractic adjustment), can ONLY be done by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic or Doctor of Osteopathy. Certain Medical Doctors or Physical Therapists have gone through some additional weekend training to deliver some of the same adjustments, but they lack the in-depth knowledge and precision of skill of a genuine DC or DO. Any massage therapist who performs this type of work is operating illegally and because they don’t know what they’re doing, they can do serious harm. To experience a properly-delivered adjustment by a DC or DO, however, is out of this world and will change your life! Adjustments are safer than practically every prescribed or over-the-counter medication out there, as long as they’re done by someone with the training and credentials. Important note: sometimes you may hear a small soft popping sound in your back or other joints as we work certain muscles. This is a completely normal effect of muscle release and is not intended to be an adjustment of any kind.
Q: Do you accept gratuities?
A: Gratuities (i.e. tipping) is absolutely voluntary. About two-thirds of our clients choose to do so. They are always appreciated but NEVER expected. We pour everything we have into every session regardless! If you feel you got excellent therapy and you’d really like to give something extra, there is nothing we’d rather receive than the kind referrals of your friends and family!
Q: I’m on a fixed income/Money is tight. Can you work with me? / Do you provide discounts?
A: Absolutely. We’ve been there, and we know how tough it is! Just because the money isn’t there doesn’t mean you stop hurting; the aches, pains, and stress don’t take a vacation. We have maintenance plans available for “frequent flyers”. We’d also be happy to talk with you about different treatment options and other ideas. Tell us about your situation and we’ll evaluate each situation on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How should I pay / What forms of payment do you accept?
A: For all regularly-priced sessions, we accept Visa and Mastercard, but we appreciate cash when possible. Payment by cash is required to receive the discount on any discounted session, such as weekday and seasonal specials, lymphatic detox/drainage or prenatal packages, our Continuing Health Maintenance Program, or any other promotion. Credit cards are accepted for any session; however the discount will not be applied.
At this time, we do not accept American Express, Discover, checks of any kind, or debit cards. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Q: OK. I’ve had my massage, and the problem I came to relieve is STILL there? What’s up with that?
A. This could mean a lot of things. Perhaps the issue is chronic; if it is, your healing process is going to be longer. If your body has been out of balance for a while, your body will get used to that state. We have to retrain your muscles to do something different than what they are used to, and this may take several sessions or more. You can speed your pain relief by following through with home exercises consistently, or drinking more water.
Another possibility is that the ache or pain you feel may not be muscle-related, and massage may have limited benefits for dealing with the primary source of the problem. If you feel pain down your arm or in your neck, for example, it may be a muscle issue OR it may be that your spinal bones are pinching off one of the nerves that exit the spinal cord between them, causing the pain. In this case, only a qualified chiropractic physician can help. Massage may still be necessary after you receive a chiropractic adjustment, however, so that we can retrain your muscles to stop spasming and allow your body to hold the adjustment you received to help you get the most from real healthcare.
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