BODYWORKS BY MARY
FAQS & FORMS
Providing Massage in Prior Lake
Forms (when you book with Massage Book a client form will be emailed to you)
FAQs
What should I expect during my 1st massage with Mary?
I require a "Client Information" form completed so I may review with you before the massage begins. You may download and complete the form beforehand or come to appointment 10 minutes early to complete.
- Discuss goals – conditions to be addressed
- Assessment and treatment options to meet those goals
- Discuss which blending techniques from several massage types would be most appropriate for you
- Pressure that’s right for You during massage
- Afterward – discuss how you are feeling and provide you with water
- Essential oils and hot towels are combined with your massage and make the experience more nurturing and relaxing at no extra cost
What is the setting like?
Your massage session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
Must I be completely undressed?
Most massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped during the entire session.
Will Mary be present when I disrobe?
Mary will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket provided.
Will I be covered during the session?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders.
What will the massage feel like?
A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A light oil, lotion or gel is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil, lotion or gel also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massages are most effective when your body is not resisting.
Are there different kinds of massage?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you.
Combining the right blending techniques from several massage types to fit your needs…
- Swedish Massage (is actually Relaxation Massage)
- Pressure Point
- Deep Tissue
- Therapeutic
- Reiki – relax and remove pain
- Pre and Post Natal Massage
- Aromatherapy Massage
Hot Stone (separate)
What should I do during the massage session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask Mary any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. Mary will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax; communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask. This is very important for you to have the best session.
How will I feel after the massage session?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days.
What are the benefits of massage?
Massage can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. See below for additional information.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required. Any questions before you schedule, please contact me.
Additional Information and Definitions
Holistic Health
Holistic Health is a diverse field of alternative medicine in which the "whole person" is focused on, not just the malady itself. Alternative medicine is any practice that is put forward as having the healing effects of medicine but is not based on evidence.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine is alternative medicine used together with conventional medical treatment that "complements" the treatment. CAM is the abbreviation for Complementary and Alternative medicine. Integrative medicine (or integrative health) is the combination of the practices and methods of alternative medicine with conventional medicine.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an ancient art, dating back to Roman times, which is holistic in nature and will help return balance to your body and soul. Essential oils are blended together to create positive changes in your life and counter the negative effects of many health concerns. Pure essential oils can have an immediate effect on the areas that control your heart rate, blood pressure, skin, immune, reproductive, respiratory and nervous systems. Because the effect can be so profound it is vital that your therapist is fully qualified as is the case at BodyWorks by Mary. When essential oils are combined with massage the experience is nurturing and relaxing.
Stress
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:
- Decreased anxiety
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Greater energy
- Improved concentration
- Increased circulation
- Reduced fatigue
Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone massage combines the strokes of massage using stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing treatment. The heat of the stones warms the skin and muscles preparing the musculature of the body so the therapist can work into the deeper muscle layers. Benefits of Hot Stone massage include; increased local circulation, improved blood flow, greater ability to transport toxins and waste products from the body.
Massage
Massage and other alternative therapies are the answer for reducing stress, muscle aches and pains, neck and back problems and for total body relaxation. Massage therapy involves systematic stroking, kneading, and pressing soft tissues of the entire body in order to induce a state of total relaxation.
Massage effects the body as a whole and research shows that massage reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain killers.
Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodyworks by Mary can possibly:
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion
- Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays
- Ease medication dependence
- Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow - the body's natural defense system
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles
- Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from strenuous workouts
- Improve the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin
- Increase joint flexibility
- Lessen depression and anxiety
- Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling
- Reduce spasms and cramping
- Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles
- Release endorphins which are amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller
- Relieve migraine pain
Massagetherapy.com - click on link to view article
