Massage Therapy 101 Posted by Linda on July 6th, 2008

MASSAGE 101 – plain talk about your first massage or new treatment.

“Everything you always wanted to know about massage therapy and didn’t want to ask.”

It’s natural to be a little nervous when experiencing a massage or treatment for the first time.  I regularly see people who have never done this before, and so I am accustomed to explaining things to put them at ease.  A true massage professional is highly educated  (with a “degree” in the field), fully licensed, nationally certified, and well experienced.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

I cannot stress enough how seriously I protect the privacy of my clients.  You have a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and that includes the confidential nature of my business.  I do not release any information about you to anyone, nor do I “mention” your name or that you have been my client.  This is a similar relationship to the one you have with your medical professionals.

Many people find themselves experiencing emotions and thoughts that surprise them during a massage, or choose to talk and share personal information.  What you say here, stays here.  I care about creating a “safe” environment in which you can be yourself, no matter what that is.  If it means you need to cry, or giggle, or get mad for a while, then let it out and leave your massage feeling better about life and in a relaxed mode.

Receiving a massage is a vulnerable experience, and requires a certain amount of trust on the part of both therapist and client.  I care about your perception of the experience!

DRAPING:   What do I wear (or not wear)?

The very first question in a client’s mind when experiencing massage or spa treatments is usually the one about nudity.  The first thing I say when we walk into the massage area is this: “In a moment I will step out so that you can prepare for the massage.”   I leave the room while you are taking off the robe or clothing to get situated on the table and also at the end of the treatment while you are re-dressing.  I am not present when you are unclothed or uncovered.  Two important words apply here:  PRIVACY and DISCREET.

By the way, there is no judgment on my part and I have seen every imaginable body type in my career – or at least the “parts” since I see only a back, or arm, or leg.  My job is to give you a quality massage, no matter what shape you are in: athletic, obese, or everything in between.

The best way to receive a massage is without clothing.  If you are not comfortable with that (especially the first massage or treatment), you may wish to wear your “drawers”.  Sometimes ladies prefer wearing their undies for personal hygiene reasons. Whatever your reasons, your comfort level is important to me.  How can you relax when you are not at ease?  So if it makes you more comfortable to wear your undies, please do so.  Bras need to be removed so that I can give you a thorough back massage.  You will be lying on your tummy and so your breasts will not be visible to me, and when you turn over (under the drape) I won’t see anything either.

The way I was trained and the way the law reads in this city, you are completely draped at all times.  In my office, that means at least a sheet and usually a blanket too, as the rooms are kept cool  and your body temperature drops slightly as you relax on the table.  I uncover one limb at a time (back, arm, leg) before moving on to the next.  As for being “face up”, the same thing applies.  You are COVERED.  If I need to work on a tummy or apply product there, I use a “breast drape” (towel) while the sheet is folded down to bikini level.  Trust me, I don’t want to see it any more than you want me to see it!   Any “private” areas are respected and avoided, both male and female.

As for the buttocks, there are muscles that need attention but that attention is limited to staying away from the center line.  The leg massage includes the hip as part of the leg.  You would be surprised at how much stress you hold there, and at how tender those areas can become…. many lower backaches originate with the gluteal muscles, and athletes or runners always need work there. That goes for busy moms and many tense careers too.

My license, reputation, business, and livelihood are important to me and I take my professionalism very seriously.  There is no tolerance for sexual references, attitudes, words or gestures, and anyone crossing that line will be asked to leave.  I reserve the right to discontinue any massage that contains this behavior, and you will be expected to pay for the full session.

Too much and too littlePosted by Linda on August 11th, 2008

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember: spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember: say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:  Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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