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I'VE NEVER HAD A MASSAGE BEFORE. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?

Expect to feel good again, to feel pain relief, to feel comfortable and safe. Expect proper draping and a therapist who will listen and perform a massage treatment following your guidelines. You are the one in charge - you can choose how your session unfolds.

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HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A MASSAGE?

Massages are cumulative. The more consistent your treatment schedule is, the more benefit you receive. Most clients come once a month. Your therapist can advise you about a plan that best fits your individual needs.

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HOW DOES MY APPOINTMENT START?

First, you'll find a friendly greeting. You will be asked to complete a brief health history so that the therapist can respond effectively to your specific needs.

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WHERE WILL MY MASSAGE TAKE PLACE?

A private room is prepared for you. It is comfortable, quiet, with clean sheets on the massage table and a blanket and/or heated table with additional hot packs as desired. Temperature is controlled for coolness as well. Soft music is playing to help you relax.

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HOW DO THE THERAPIST AND I BEGIN INTERACTING?

After a brief interview where the therapist identifies your interests and needs, the therapist will leave the room while you disrobe to your comfort level and lay down between the sheets on the massage table. Misty will ask if you are ready in a few minutes. After she enters the room she will take a few seconds to focus her intention, and begin gently to massage you. It is fine to wear underwear or running shorts if you wish, but some customers prefer to remove all clothing to get a thorough hands-on treatment. Be assured that through proper draping techniques, your genitals are covered the entire session. All sessions are non-sexual.

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HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO UNDRESS?

In massage, you undress to your level of comfort, knowing you will be covered from shoulders to toe the whole time, with only your back, arm, leg, or foot exposed as each body part is respectfully treated. Some people remove all their clothes, some retain undergarments, and a few keep more clothes on.

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WILL I BE COVERED DURING THE SESSION?

At all times during your session you will be properly covered to keep you warm, comfortable, and safe. Only the areas being worked on will be uncovered with tucking of the top sheet around adjacent areas to identify a secure boundary.

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WHAT DO I DO? WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?

A good question with an easy answer. First, just show up on time...a specific room and time have been set aside especially for you. Misty values your time and needs, and appreciates that you value hers. Relax and perhaps take a few full breaths. Your therapist will gently massage or move you as needed throughout the massage (e.g. stretching your neck, lifting an arm, massaging a foot). You may talk, ask questions, remain quiet or ask for a particular focus, depth or technique as your treatment is proceeding. If the pressure is too much or too little, let Misty know as she will work with you. Dialogue is client-centered so the therapist will respect your needs to converse as little or as much as client preferred.

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WHAT PARTS OF MY BODY WILL BE MASSAGED? CAN IT JUST BE MY BACK, FOR INSTANCE?

The desired outcome of your session can be communicated with your therapist early and/or modified as the session progresses. If you want the focus to be on one or a few particular areas for the whole time period, simply tell the therapist. We want you to receive what works for you. A full body massage typically includes work on back, neck and shoulders, feet, legs, arms, hand, and head. You may request massage to the abdomen. No touching will occur near genitals or on top of women's breast's.

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ARE LOTIONS OR OIL USED?

Misty uses a combination of Oil and Pure Pro Crème depending on the body part massaged or what type of massage is being received whether Therapeutic or Relaxing.

Essential oils/aromatherapy in lotions can be added for an additional $5 specially created to enhance the flow of touch and meet your needs. The therapist may select from a variety of flower and herb essences, with your input. Peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, chamomile are some of the more common ones. Often used is a blend of oils created to relieve a specific condition such as headaches, backache, hot flashes, strained or overworked muscles, etc. Along with the scented oil Misty will add aroma beads to the head rest for a full aromatherapy experience!

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HOW WILL IT FEEL?

The first strokes (typically longer & broader) will calm your nervous system and relax muscle tension to increase your body's receptivity to a variety of more detailed techniques. Flowing fingertip pressure may eliminate stressors and identify knots or blockages. Gentle rocking motions might be used to enhance well-being. Stretching can release unknown tensions and lengthen contracted areas. Deep work may occur over specific trigger points to break up scar tissue, adhesions, or blockages and will increase blood flow and move waste products out of muscles. Again, always communicate with your therapist if the pressure needs to be lighter or deeper.

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WHY, OR HOW, DOES IT WORK?

Movement, flexibility, rest and good blood circulation is key to good health! Soft tissue injuries or restrictions can be helped by massage in many ways. Relief of general tension, or specific areas of tension is common. Greater body awareness often results…and suggestions can be provided for managing body stresses on your own through postural, exercise, or awareness options. Reduction of mental and physical fatigue follows a deep restfulness. Increased blood flow cleanses areas and promotes faster healing of injured muscles as well as reduced blood pressure. Chronic tension or pain can be managed or eliminated with focused touch. Stretching of fascia that surrounds muscles and tissues allow soft tissue within to relax and release.

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WHY SHOULD I DRINK WATER AFTER A MASSAGE?

The massage releases your body's natural waste that has built up in your tight muscle tissue. If the waste is not flushed from your system, they can cause symptoms such as headache and nausea. They can also return to problem areas and reverse the benefit of the massage.

Water helps your body flush waste products from your muscular tissues. In effect, massage cleanses your body by getting waste moving, but it needs a vehicle to remove the waste from your body. Water is like the trash man helping you to eliminated unwanted waste. Eliminating the waste helps you to maintain higher physical and mental energy levels. How much is enough? By the time you're thirsty, you are often already dehydrated. An easy benchmark of quantity is to divide your body weight in half. Whatever that number is equals the number of ounces you should drink in a day. If you're really active, add another 10%. Water is vital to survival and keeping all your tissues healthy and functioning efficiently.

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HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I CONSUME? CAN I DRINK SOMETHING IN MY WATER LIKE TEA?

Normally you should drink 8 eight-ounce glasses of water daily. Your body perceives anything other than water as calories and will need to digest them. Therefore, it will take longer for your body to benefit from the water in the tea or other drink.

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SHOULD I TIP MY THERAPIST?

Tipping is always appreciated but not expected. Many people tip $5, $10, or more depending on the length of time and the value of our service to you. Feedback is always welcome. Massages By Misty policy is to exceed your expectations and provide the best possible massage experience for you.

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HOW WILL I FEEL AFTERWARDS?

Relaxed and rejuvenated is common; sleepiness is possible. Freedom from long-term pain is also common, although repetitive action with your body can necessitate additional treatments. After an initial relaxation period, increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity may last for some time. If your body is very tense or stressed when you come in, the release of waste products stored in your muscular tissues could cause headaches or muscle soreness. Remember massage is a mini-workout for your body which brings benefit following any initial soreness. If you ever have a question about what you are feeling post-massage, be sure to ask your therapist or call later.

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WHY SHOULD STRETCHING FOLLOW A MASSAGE TREATMENT PLAN?

Stretching prolongs the benefits of the massage. A regular stretching routine between massage treatments can decrease problematic symptoms, increase flexibility, and reduce the frequency of treatments.