Are you licensed? Yes, I hold the necessary license and insurance to perform massage therapy in the state of Florida.
Florida Lic. #MA76844 and Est. Lic. # MM367822
Am I able to get a massage even though I’m pregnant? Mom’s-to-be need massage desperately!! With their rapidly changing body, the pressure a woman feels on her lower back and sciatic nerve pain can be excruciating! We do require you to be in the at least the 2nd trimester of pregnancy and either have a “normal” pregnancy or a Dr.’s written approval. You will lie in a comfortable side-lying position when you are no longer able to lay on your stomach.
Should I receive massage when I am sick?
While it’s true that massage has wonderfully detoxing effects and enhances the immune system, getting a massage while in the throes of fever and sickness could be too taxing on the body.
A Few Rules:
- If you have a fever – No.
- If you know you’re contagious – No.
- If you’re already nauseous, even slightly – No. Massage will only increase this feeling with the release of new toxins in the system.
- If you have vomited or had other stomach flu symptoms in the past 24 hours- No
A 30-90 minute session is a long time for a virus to spread not only to me as your therapist, but all the objects housed in the room. Spreading those virus germs around a warm, closed-in space during that time is a bad idea. While I am diligent in using anti-bacterial and anti-viral cleaning practices for my hands and my equipment after each bodywork session, I don’t want to catch your illness or pass it on to others.
Massage may release stored toxins in the system and flush them out quickly. During sickness, the body is already overloaded waging war on the virus. If the body then has to continue that war yet wage a new battle to remove newly released toxins as the potential result of massage, you could not only feel much worse in the short-term, but experience a longer recovery time.
Based on whatever your work schedule is, the best thing could be to cancel the appointment.
I’ve never had a massage before, what should I expect? I will have you fill out some paperwork (usually ONLINE PRIOR to your appointment) to get a health and medical history. Your first appointment will include a consultation to review this information, to make sure you are able to receive a massage based on this information and to discuss with you what type of treatment is needed. After this I will explain to you how to lie on the table under the sheets. I will then exit the room to allow you to undress and get under the sheet. I will knock and/or request permission to enter before entering the room.
What is the difference between Deep Tissue Massage and Deep Pressure Massage?
There is often a misconception by clients that “firm pressure” is the same as “deep tissue massage.” To help clear up the confusion, we’d like to give you a clear explanation of what true deep tissue massage is and how its purpose is quite different than that of a Swedish-style massage delivered with firm pressure.
To understand this difference, it’s helpful to first think of the body’s fascia and muscles in layers. Fascia is a connective tissue which permeates the entire body – literally holding the body together, wrapping around every muscle, nerve, organ, blood vessel, and bone. These wrappings are all interconnected in a three-dimensional maze. The muscle layers run superficial to deep in the body.
The significant difference in the two approaches is their effect on these layers. A Swedish technique uses lubricant to glide over the layers – whether that be on a superficial layer (light pressure) or a deeper layer (firm pressure). There may also be kneading of the muscles, vibration or percussion to stimulate the muscles, and passive and/or active joint movements. All of these techniques serve to increase circulation of blood and lymph, soften and relax the tissues, reduce cortisol levels in the body (the stress hormone), and provide a generalized sense of relaxation for the client.
Deep tissue technique uses very little to no lubricant so that the muscles can be hooked or grabbed, thereby stretching and lengthening them, and to separate adhered muscle compartments. Strokes will be considerably slower and possibly shorter as the therapist waits for a slow release of tension. Some areas may be skipped so more time can be spent on specific areas of need. Doing this provides better alignment of the muscles and less restriction in the joints, thereby improving their movement and function. It is a massage in which the primary goal is less about general relaxation and more about promoting change in the actual structure of the body.
Does Massage or Deep Tissue massage have to be painful to be effective?
Some believe that Massage or Deep Tissue Massage means that the therapist pushes as hard as possible with their elbow into the client’s muscles. The more it hurts, the more effective the work.
This is not only an inaccurate and potentially harmful picture of this type of therapy, but such misguided practices can bruise muscles, elicit a defensive reaction in a client’s body, and worsen pain cycles. Properly executed deep tissue work should not cause the client to grit their teeth in agony as the therapist coerces the body into submission! If you find yourself clenching, shortening or holding your breath, or gritting your teeth, then it’s TOO DEEP. Even when it gets intense, it should not go above about a 7 on the pain scale: enough to “hurt so good,” but not enough that you want to leap off the table (and never come back).
So What Should Deep Tissue Massage Feel Like?
By working with the layers – softening the superficial layers first and moving slowly into the deeper layers – deep tissue massage can allow the client’s body to deeply relax.
The therapist may utilize some Swedish techniques to warm up the tissues (kneading, friction, percussion), softening the superficial layers so that he or she can access the deeper ones more easily. Then, with little or no lotion, the therapist utilizes the hard surfaces of their hands and arms — surfaces such as fingers, knuckles, forearms, and elbows — and employs a very slow, sustained type of stroke.
With no lotion or oil to cause sliding, it becomes possible to fully get a hold of the shortened fascia; this is necessary in order to lengthen it. Slow, sustained strokes are what can change this tissue from a short, hardened state to a lengthened, fluid state. The process is not unlike stretching salt water taffy. You’ve got to get a hold of it, warm it up, and work it very slowly. The work may sometimes be intense, eliciting moderate discomfort as old adhesions and chronic dysfunctional patterns are altered. But that leads to a much more fluid, easy sense in the body.
How Do I Know Which One to Choose?
There is not necessarily a hard line between these two techniques, and many sessions often incorporate both depending on your needs. It is usually the case that not all the muscles in your body need deep tissue techniques applied. Rather than being overly concerned with choosing the “right” session, make sure you communicate to your therapist the goals for your session so that he or she can customize the right blend of techniques for you. One massage style is often the foundation of the session, with other techniques used as needed. Due to the slow pace of deep tissue massage it is necessary to schedule a 90-minute session if you would like your full body addressed. Use these guidelines for communication based on your primary goal for the session:
If your goal is to relax, reduce stress, and have a full body massage with firm pressure, a Swedish massage would be the best foundation.
If your goal is to have all of the above, but with some focused “fix-it” work on some of those minor nagging spots, a 50/50 massage is right for you, where deep tissue techniques will be used only where needed.
If you have an area of chronic or acute pain and limited mobility that needs focused work; if you are recovering from an athletic event and have a specific group of muscles needing attention, a Deep Tissue massage would be right for you to free those tight, sticky tissues.
Is there anything I need to do or wear to prepare for the massage? You may wear comfortable clothing if you prefer, but in most cases you will be disrobing to your comfort level and lying underneath sheets. Please do not wear any scents or perfumes and wash off excess or lotion.
Do I have to take all of my clothes off? No, you may undress to your comfort level.You will be professionally covered beneath a sheet at all times to protect your modesty.
Draping: Only the areas that I am working on will be exposed such as an arm, leg or one side of the gluteal region (with verbal consent).
Draping laws are strictly enforced in accordance with Floridat 64B7-30.001 . As used in this rule, draping means towels, gowns, sheets or clothing. Appropriate draping of a client shall include draping of the buttocks and genitalia of all clients, and breasts of female clients.
Draping techniques: I will step out of the room while you disrobe to your comfort level and you will lay face down or face up on the table and cover yourself with the top sheet (and blanket if applicable) so that you are covered from under your shoulders and down to your feet. I will ask if you are covered before re-entering the room.
The genital areas of men and women are covered at all times and NEVER massaged.
While “breast massage” for breast health and postpartum clients will be demonstrated,
proper draping and protocol will be implemented.
How will the massage feel? Most often it will feel good! Relaxation massages are intended to feel soothing, during a deep tissue massage there may be times where a little discomfort is felt to help release the tight tissue. This is always done with a lot of communication to determine what amount is needed and within your comfort level.
Will I be sore after a massage? Often times clients, especially those that don’t receive massage regularly, will experience some areas of discomfort the following day. This is often times in conjunction with the toxins that are being released after the massage and scar tissue being broken down. This is why is it of utmost importance that a client comes to the massage session hydrated and continue drinking extra water the day of and the day after a massage. Also, applying ice to the area will aid in lessening the soreness. Communication between the client and therapist at all times will also benefit the client in making this experience the most beneficial and comfortable possible.
Is it better to work out before or after my massage? That is truly an individual preference. A work-out will not alter the benefits of a massage before or after. The only concern for you hard core individuals is the relaxation and analgesic effect that you many experience that may allow you to talk yourself out of working out after your session or be less aware of discomfort that may indicate that you are pushing yourself beyond your typical pain of discomfort threshold .
If you are actually doing a more intensive work out such as the long run in a marathon training program you should tell your therapist so that she may choose to do more of a sports massage on you.
Do I tip my therapist? While it is appreciated, it is never expected or required. If you feel that I have provided you exceptional service it is acceptable to tip
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Florida Lic. #MA76844
Est. Lic. # MM367822
Grossi Services, Inc.
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