Q&A
How can massage benefit me?
By relaxing muscles which may be causing tension, massage relieves stress and anxiety. Stress is a killer. It is a contributing factor to numerous degenerative and debilitating medical conditions. And everyone knows that stress accelerates aging… recent scientific findings continue to reinforce this connection. So in relieving stress, massage may actually slow the aging process!
Massage can help increase your flexibility. This not only “feels good” but can help prevent injuries. Massage can help relieve pain and correct postural imbalances caused by hypertonic (over-tight) muscles. Remember, everything’s connected and the body’s a remarkably complex structure. So if one muscle-group is tight, others will try to compensate, resulting in a “chain-reaction” which can affect areas of your body distant from the tight muscle.
Deeper work can break up scar tissue and adhesions between muscle fibers which keeps them from sliding adjacent to each other and may be dramatically hampering your physical performance.
Massage enhances mood by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s naturally-produced “narcotics.” This is pleasing to anyone, but to those who suffer from depression it’s especially important.
Massage aids in the circulation of both blood and lymph. This enables better delivery of oxygenated blood and nutrients throughout the body, flushing of toxins, and increased immune protection (a function of lymph). This stimulation also helps improve muscle and skin tone.
The combination of these mechanical and reflexive effects may help lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality, resulting in increased energy and alertness.
Just as important as any of these is the phenomenon of human touch. In our modern society, where stress, pace, technology and paranoia have increased our isolation from human physical contact, we’re starved for it. And like those phyto-chemicals in fruits and vegetables, there are qualities to human touch which can’t be measured, quantified or manufactured, but are nonetheless vital to our health.
Wow… can massage fix my medical problems?
No… you’ll need to consult your health-care professional for illnesses, injuries and disorders. In many instances massage can assist in reducing pain with soft-tissue work once your doctor has approved it, but massage therapists are not qualified to diagnose or treat medical problems.
There are a number of conditions for which massage is contraindicated, and it’s important to know if you have any of these before scheduling a massage. These include blood clots, severe high blood pressure, infectious diseases, acute skin disorders, phlebitis, fever, spinal-cord injuries, heart condition, and stroke. If in doubt, check with your physician. Also, massage is contraindicated if you’re intoxicated, as increased circulation amplifies the effect… so, no alcoholic beverages before your massage!
What does massage cost?
The industry average runs roughly a dollar per massage-minute, though “spa-treatments” cost more owing to the extra materials and preparations involved.
Do you offer Gift Certificates?
Yes, and they’re perfect for those last-minute instances when you’re stumped for gift ideas! See our Massage and Bodywork page.
Where are you located?
I’m based in Chester Springs but do all my full massage work at these local spas: ZenVillage Wellness and Glow Skin Boutique in Phoenixville, and Kisses Sweet Spa in Exton – all excellent places run by wonderful talented women who are experts in their field.
Privately I offer table “mini-massages” at private parties and public events. While it requires a bit more space than chair massage it permits fuller coverage as well as the ability to include various stretches, which are invariably quite popular. Massage of all types generally runs around a dollar per minute, and the mini-massage is generally 10-15 minutes long (though I can make it longer or shorter if needed). You simply schedule your get-together and I’ll be there as long as you and your guests need. I suggest that those planning to have a massage have a thin shirt underneath whatever else they’re wearing in order to enjoy the most benefit. Shorts or stretchable lower garment, but no jeans please- they’re rough on the hands and make stretches difficult. Also, please make sure no one has a medical condition which would contraindicate massage. And remember, your guests should not consume any alcohol until AFTER their massage!
This is a great way to “break the ice” for those who’ve never experienced a massage, and it gives us the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our services. And it will add some spice to your party -your guests will praise your thoughtfulness! We also perform this at various outdoor events.
What are your credentials? Are you licensed?
Yes. And I’m a 2004 graduate of the Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy and Nationally Board-certified (NCTMB), as well as a member of both the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Also, I’ve been Nationally-certified by the NSCA as both a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). I wrote numerous fitness-related articles for PhillyFIT Magazine and other publications… you’ll find a few of them by going to the Personal Training portion of this site -here’s one I did on Massage (pages 22-23) I’ve performed massage therapy in chiropractor’s offices, salons/day-spas (16 years and counting!), a YMCA, schools, colleges and at numerous events. I was the Pottstown Mercury’s Reader’s Choice LMT of 2017… here are just a few kudos from way back when I still bothered to collect them: Testimonials. If you’d like any current local references I’ll be happy to provide some.
I’ve never had a massage… isn’t it supposed to be painful to be effective? How do I know how much pressure to ask for? What if I’m ticklish?
While a good massage is not a petting session and should involve some pressure, it’s not supposed to be “painful.” However, if you request “deep-tissue” massage, and I push and hold on a trigger point (a “knot”) to release it, you might feel uncomfortable for a moment. But I will always check with you first about your preferences, and proceed carefully, monitoring your reactions. By the way, we therapists love feedback so please don’t hesitate to speak up if you want more pressure or less- everyone has different thresholds and sensitive areas. It’syour massage, so your requests are never wrong. As for ticklishness, it’s seldom an issue because under firm, slow pressure, it usually can be avoided.
I’m especially modest…must I undress completely for a massage?
No need to disrobe for the table mini-massages. As for full table massages (at the spas) you may disrobe to your comfort level. Keep in mind though, for a Swedish massage the less you wear the more you’ll benefit (ideally you should wear only what you were born with!). One reason for this is that unlike arteries, veins, capillaries and lymph vessels lie very close to the skin surface. Any sort of constriction (eg. elastic) interferes with the all-important return flow within these vessels, not to mention the smooth flow of the therapist’s movements. And you probably don’t want to get massage-lotion on your undies! Be assured that you will be covered with a large sheet the entire time, and per AMTA draping regulations, only the area being worked on will be uncovered, with your privacy, modesty and comfort fully respected.
CONTACT US at 610 324-3306