I’m speaking on behalf of the owner of Route of Healthy Living, LLC; where I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, not a masseuse. Everything provided below is what I do inside my own practice. I cannot speak for other working therapists in/out of state. There are rules and regulations that must be followed being Licensed in the state of New Jersey, but how I decide to run my practice is completely in my hands as a business owner.
What to Expect at Your First EVER Massage Appointment?
During the massage it’s important to relax both your muscles and your mind.
Breathe normally and try not to tighten/contract any muscles and body parts when lying on the table.
Notice you may feel like you can’t catch your breath or begin to shallow breathe and that’s usually because you’re fighting your body to relax, or you aren’t used to laying on your stomach. When that happens, take a second and begin some deep breathing work—in order relax your body it’s not only going to be work for me, but you too!
I have you complete first time paperwork where then we go over any specific areas of your body that made you realize—its time for some therapy! Yes, this is classified for therapy for both your mind and body. We will discuss any contraindications you may have prior to starting your massage sessions.
You will dress down completely into underwear/boxer briefs. I use professional draping while I am performing massage therapy on clients. So, to be honest, I wouldn’t even know if you had underwear on or not! Depending on your chronic needs and how much glute work will need to be performed, underwear can always be moved aside, not a big deal!
Socks can stay on or off, when the time comes for feet, I’ll ask you. Personally, I keep my socks on when I go for my massage treatments to stay warm, then when the time comes the Therapist will remove socks if needed.
You will start face down, UNDERNEATH the blanket AND sheet. Unless otherwise discussed if you are starting face up for other contraindications*
If you get the urge to have to use the restroom WHILE on the table—do not hesitate and speak up! I promise you will not be able to relax if your holding it in or even worse when I’m pushing on your body while you’re holding it in—not good (body is being put under stress!) Get up & use the restroom only takes a couple of minutes.
During your FIRST session, there will be more talking than normal because I want to be sure to communicate with you on the pressure throughout your entire body. I also like to educate and inform you on some areas I find that may seem more tense than others. Based on that, then discuss what we can do to help release/prevent some of those specific areas. Some may know that I am a “talker” but also know I can be a great listener. During Massage I rather work in silence so that I, as your therapist can focus on your body and you as the client, can get the most success out of your appointment. Remember, this massage session is for both your MIND and BODY. Talking is completely up to you, silence doesn’t bother me. Some may feel “awkward if it is silence” DO NOT feel this way AT ALL. This is YOUR TIME. Enjoy the background spa music and just allow your mind and body to get into the ZEN Mood. Plusssss when you talk you use a lot of muscles; therefore, your muscles will contract working against me rather than with me.
What Type of Massages Do I Offer?
Therapeutic Swedish
Therapeutic Deep Tissue
Vibration Therapy (if/when needed)
Cupping Therapy (Add on)
Continue reading below for more specifics:
I offer Full Body, Therapeutic Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage. I focus strictly to help individuals out of pain and work on prevention of injuries. Overall, clients come in looking to get out of pain and relieve their tension. This is done providing a deep touch with techniques like trigger point therapy and Myofascial release. I can provide more of a “lighter” touch and more effleurage strokes which would be classified more as your general Swedish massage. But, believe it or not when I perform light work, the client ends up asking for more applied pressure. Typically, a client would rather DEEP as opposed to ROUGH which hurts and is why they say they don’t want “deep pressure” because they had poor experiences with massage. There is a difference between DEEP and ROUGH. Keeping in mind; some parts of the body may be able to handle more pressure than others. For example: most of the upper body can handle much more than the lower body, its just how it is. Throughout the session I am sure to communicate being sure I am providing the right amount of pressure for each body part that is wanted by the client. While of course using my expertise to know how much pressure SHOULD be given while your BODY communicates with my work.
Cupping Therapy is an Additional Fee of $10 offered as an “Add on”
Read my Full Blog on Cupping Therapy.
Vibration Therapy is used when I feel the client would most benefit with this. (This is NOT at separate cost) It is part of my service provided. I will have to write a future blog on explaining all Vibration therapy because there is so much research and evidence that it works!
Massage Sessions are either 60 minutes or 90 minutes.
Generally, if you are trying to receive a full body treatment, 90 minutes will be needed, without having to rush through. If you want to focus on only chronic areas, you may want to schedule a 60 min session. Don’t get me wrong, a lot can be done within 60 minutes, but if you haven’t been in for a massage in awhile or have a lot of tension, do not expect a full body treatment. This is something that will not be able to identify before your first session. Being efficient with my work/time has always been an importance so generally I make sure to get a lot done within the time that Is given.
WARNING; once you give yourself a 90 min session; truth is you’ll never schedule a 60 again HA.
What to do in preparation to receive the most benefits out of your session?
FIRST SESSION? Means first time paperwork—arrive 10 minutes before your schedule session to complete paperwork OR even better; print out INTAKE FORM HERE and have on hand upon arrival.
After your first session, you no longer have paperwork, but still plan to arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. For example, if your appointment is a 60-minute massage session at 4 PM I would advise you to be on site by 3:55 PM, use the restroom ect. I begin working on you at your scheduled time of 4 PM until 5 PM. Punctual is a word that all my clients describe me as. Be on time!
Most of the time an individual will schedule a 60-minute massage for their first session because they don’t know any better. Then once they are on the table they ask if they can receive 90 minutes instead. Unfortunately, majority of the time this can’t be done because of conflict with scheduling. Doesn’t hurt to ask if your ever in this situation, just don’t always expect the answer yes.
Drink MORE water than ever; the day before, day of, and the day after—that’s a lot of water; I know! Well if you have a lot of tension, there is a lot of toxins that will be released through out the massage session and the only way to flush them out is WATER! The more water, the more the body can flush and dispose those toxins that get held up in the body.
All my appointments are scheduled in advanced. I suggest you schedule as far out as you in order to receive the exact day and time you want and need for your massage treatment. Yes, I do schedule and see clients on weekends but keep in mind weekends needs to be scheduled ahead of time as they are the most popular massage slots. Monday through Friday feel free to call/ text/ email if you’re looking to schedule a last-minute appointment—I’ll do my best to get you in, keeping in mind I may be completely booked, or I may not be. I understand that Massage isn’t always looked at as a luxury, but when it is; we tend to wait until last minute to schedule. THAT IS COMPLETELY FINE, but just work with me and sometimes I may or may not be able to get you in last minute.
If you are reading this, you probably have your first massage session coming up. Be proud of yourself for making the time for YOU! If you haven’t made the jump for your initial visit, lets get you scheduled, I promise your body will love you for it! I see clients on a weekly, biweekly and monthly schedule. There are some clients I see every few months, which is okay too! But to get the most benefits out of your massage you’ll want to get on a routine with it. We use our bodies each day 24 hours at a time; including your sleep! Because who is to say your sleeping properly. We all have woken up with a “stiff neck” That was based on how you slept! Most individuals pain comes repetitive movements from overused and overworked muscles. This includes their everyday activities like their job or exercise. You use your body all day long, what do you expect? Your hip didn’t just start hurting out of nowhere…you just began to realize its particularly bothersome but, it’s because of DAYSSSSS on end.
Never hesitate on reaching out with any other questions regarding Massage Therapy.
Route of Healthy Living -> expect Therapy and nothing less!
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