PHOTOS
Top Row: Summer '06 Window Front and Building Front
Second Row: Reclining Bear and Waiting
Room
Third Row: "Idle Hour"
Print and My Break Room/Laundry Room
Fourth Row: Pisces Chair and Couples
Room
WHAT CAN I EXPECT THAT FIRST VISIT?
Before the session
- A
shower prior to your appointment warms and loosens your muscles
allowing you to get the fullest benefit possible from your massage. (but not necessary)
- Remember to remove jewelry ( rings do not need to be removed )
- You can pin up long hair, if you like ( I have clips available if you forgot yours )
- Turn off your phone or at least the ringer.
- You can not relax with a full bladder, so a trip
to the rest room before getting on the table is a good
idea.
If this is your first
time, you’ll fill out an intake/health form. This usually takes
10-15 minutes. This
form is available on this site (Intake Forms) if you would like to
print, complete
and bring along, to save time. If this is not your first
appointment, an extra ten minutes will allow me to inquire about
any health changes since your last visit, or for any questions,
comments or treatment
plans to be discussed. Arriving a few minutes early assures that
you will receive the full session you've scheduled. If you arrive late,
your appointment still needs to end as scheduled in order for me to
accommodate the next appointment.
Let
me know about any particular pains or areas of concern you may have so
that I may work on these appropriately. There are circumstances that
prohibit massage, found on "How massage can help you" page.
I will give you instructions about getting on
the table. This is where most people get a bit nervous so
I’ll address
the question for you: Do you have to be fully undressed? No, you
can
receive your massage with any clothing on that feels right or none at
all. It is New York State law that the breasts,
genitals and gluteal cleft (buttock crease) be covered at all times.You will be
provided complete draping and only the part of the body receiving
massage will be exposed at any time. Privacy, safety, professionalism
and concern is what makes North Country Therapeutic Massage a chosen health care alternative.
I’ll leave the room to
allow you to undress privately to your comfort level and to get on the
massage table and under the top sheet. I’ll need to wash and warm my
hands before we begin. I will give you five minutes to get comfortable
and unwind a bit. Breathe deeply and adjust your thinking by imagining
yourself in one of your most favorite relaxed settings. I will knock
before entering.
During the massage
Your massage
session is time that we have set aside for you. If you wish to talk or
ask questions during your session, please feel free to do so. If you
prefer silence, I will accommodate you. Please be aware that some
level of communication is required to help achieve your desired
outcomes. For example, I may remind you to breathe slowly and deeply.
I will also ask if the amount of pressure applied is too deep or not
deep enough. Neither of us is obligated to carry on a conversation
during the session. I recommend that you suspend your mind for your
session and relax under my skilled hands.
Please speak up,
though, about what you need – such as lighter or deeper touch. Or let
me know if you discovered a particular technique to be especially
effective in a particular area. This is your therapy time; my job is to
work the areas you need worked. If you need warmer/cooler temperature,
music volume adjusted, just let me know. You can’t hurt my feelings.
Be aware that lotions and oils tend to pull heat out of the body. If
you are chilly, we can give you a blanket, turn the table warmer up or
adjust the ambient temperature. If you’re too warm we can remove a
blanket, or adjust the room temperature accordingly.
Massage
on normal tissue is almost always a pleasant sensation. Massage on an
area of injury or chronic pain may cause some discomfort on the initial
contact. This discomfort usually lessens noticeably within seconds. I
will work carefully within what feels right for you. Again,
communication between client and therapist is essential.
The
session begins with gentle work to relax the nervous system. I’ll
start by making contact on your upper back, allowing you to
adjust and relax to my touch. Then I will use a slight rocking
technique, transitioning into gentle friction to warm your skin,
allowing greater relaxation. Gradually I’ll address each body area (back, head, shoulders, arms, legs and feet) in
turn. I end on your feet, offering
you a soothing peppermint treatment (unless you do not like scents) I
offer 100% pure JOJOBA oil, gel, or greaseless lotion, or you can chose
JOJOBA oil with a particular scent, as long as your skin is not
sensitive to scented oil.
People have various abilities to “let
go,” especially during a first massage when everything about the
experience is new. Try to keep in mind that the session is time for
you. If at any time, you do not want a specific part of your body
massaged – let me know. (Breasts and genitalia are always
“off
limits”) If you would like your buttocks worked I will first ask
your permission. I can also work the buttocks over the sheet if
you wish.
Some
people fall asleep during the massage, indicating that the body/mind
has reached a deeper level of relaxation. I will wake you
when it’s time to turn over and at the end of the massage.
After….
You are invited to spend a few moments reflecting on the session after
it has ended by spending a few moments on the table. When you are ready
to get up, rise s-l-o-w-l-y and sit for 20-30 seconds to be sure
you are not dizzy, as massage is known to
lower blood pressure. I’ll be out of the room washing my
hands and reviewing the session and we can discuss any questions or
comments you might have once you return to the front office.
Hydrate
after your massage.No
matter what you do, if you're
just two per cent down on body water, you're only 80 per cent as
powerful as you can be with correct fluid balance. Drinking enough
water can actually make the difference between feeling great and
feeling drained after exercise. Massage can be compared to an exercise,
except you didn't have to work your muscles, that was my job.
I provide
you with bottled water after each massage because
it is good for your body. Water helps
to maintain proper muscle tone by enabling muscles to contract and by preventing dehydration.Water is also vital to digestion and metabolism, acting as a medium for various enzymatic and chemical
reactions in the body. It carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells through the blood, regulates
body temperature and lubricates our joints (which is particularly important if you're arthritic, have
chronic muscular-skeletal problems or are athletically active).
It’s
possible that you will be sore following a session, especially if it’s
your first massage. Drinking water helps. Regular massage is
cumulative in effectiveness so I recommend at least once a month,
although once a week is ideal.
If you have received a Gift Certificate, please read the following:
I am pleased to offer Gift Certificates to new and regular
clients and it is my desire that your massage will provide you with a
stress reducing and beneficial experience. I work by appointment and in
order to run a business that honors your time, my time, and the time of
those appointments that follow yours, it is crucial to arrive promptly.
If you arrive late, that time will need to be reduced from your session in order for me to be on time for the next client.
Please understand that after holidays (especially Christmas
and Valentines Day) it is especially busy for me, so scheduling your
appointment ahead of time is advisable in order to guarantee that you
receive a preferred appointment. All gift certificates have an
expiration date. If it is impossible for you to receive your massage
session within the time frame of the expiration date, you can exceed
this date as long as you book your appointment before the expiration
date.
- You must have your certificate with you in order to receive your massage.
- If you are a first time client, please arrive 15 minutes early in order to fill out the necessary intake health form.
- If you book the appointment and you do not show up at
the appointed time, or you do not give a 24-hour cancellation notice,
the certificate is null and void. (However, life is full of surprises,
so extenuating circumstances beyond your control will be considered)
- No cash refunds are given, but you may transfer your
certificate to someone else as long as the person wanting to receive
massage books the appointment before the expiration date.
- Gift Certificates sold in packages at a discounted rate can not be divided into smaller sessions.
- You may upgrade a half hour gift certificate by paying the
price that is charged for a half hour. (which is $30.00)
- Gift Certificates can not be applied towards couples massage, unless it was purchased for such.
- Appointments must be booked with the therapist that issued the gift certificate.
Cancellations or Late Arrivals:
Missed
appointments have a
significant impact on my ability
to stay in business so please try to call ahead if you can't make it so
I can allow someone else to fill the appointment. You don't need to
explain why, just state that you are unable to make the appointment.
Cancellations can also be made by sending me an e-mail to:
Northcountrymassage@yahoo.com
If you are late I will have to shorten your session by the amount of
time you were late in order to accommodate the next person and the
full session fee is charged.
If you are late or you cancel without notification more than three
times, I will be forced to schedule you during the least busy
times in order to maintain a timely practice that honors everyones
schedules. Thank you for understanding.
In a world full of choices, I appreciate that you’ve chosen
North Country Therapeutic Massage.