|
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED MASSAGE QUESTIONS
Will insurance pay for my massage?
At this time, only insurance claims related to personal injury (i.e. auto accident, workman's compensation, etc.) will pay for massage therapy. To have insurance pay for these claims, you will need a current, written referral from a health care provider, and pre-approval from your insurance company. HMO's and other standard health insurance will not pay for my services (but I will provide you with statements and/or notes if you want to go after them for reimbursement!).
What if I have a health-care provider's referral?
A written referral from a doctor, therapist, chiropractor, etc. will convert the legal status of your session into a medically prescribed service. You will be exempt from paying sales tax on your service. You may qualify to use pre-tax dollars for your service (if you have a "cafeteria plan" or medical savings account). You will be able to count your massage sessions as part of your medical expenses on your taxes. So, it pays to get a referral!
Do I need to take my clothes off?
Not always. Although it is often easier to work directly on skin, the amount of clothing you need to remove depends largely on the extent of the treatment you are receiving. I will discuss with you prior to your session if I will need to work directly on skin, or if you want to bring shorts, etc. You are covered the entire time by sheets, so the only parts showing are the parts being treated. This helps you to relax and helps to keep you warm. The table is also heated to help keep you warm.
What is the best frequency of treatment?
This will vary, but here are some guidelines. If you are seeking massage treatment for remediation from a recent injury, I usually see you once or twice a week, depending on the severity of the pain or dysfunction. If we are doing a series of Connective Tissue Massage sessions, it is easiest to make changes with 4 weekly sessions. Visceral Manipulation (organ specific fascial release) works best if scheduled once every 3 weeks. For stress management, most people find that once a month suits their needs, but some come more frequently.
Will therapy hurt?
If at any time the treatment you are receiving is causing you too much discomfort, ask me to stop or ease off for a few minutes. Be open and let me know how you are feeling and your treatment will be a lot more enjoyable and productive. The old adage "no pain no gain" is not relevant to massage therapy treatments you receive. Remember that it is your physical condition or dysfunction that is painful, not the treatment. You should feel better at the end of each treatment and the treatments will become more comfortable as your dysfunctions improve. After a session, you may feel some mild discomfort or muscle soreness for a few days until your body readjusts and heals itself. Drinking additional water to help flush tissues afterwards will help with the discomfort. You should call me if you have soreness that lasts for more than 2 days.
Is it safe to receive massage during pregnancy?
Not only is it safe, it is also very beneficial and comforting. Massage therapy can be received throughout the entire nine month pregnancy term. If you are experiencing complications during pregnancy, discuss your condition with your doctor or midwife first.
How much of my body will be massaged?
When the client is seeking treatment for a specific injury or condition, the entire session may focus on only a couple of areas. There may also be a need to treat body areas that are adversely affected by injuries, such as when a sprained ankle causes the opposite leg to bear all the body's weight and stress of walking. For relaxation massages, we will discuss and agree upon the areas to be massaged. A "full body massage" usually includes the head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, feet, buttocks/hips and back. Some of the specialty techniques I do will work the chest and abdomen, which I often keep covered with clothing or the sheets. If being massaged in certain areas causes you to feel uncomfortable, you should inform me and I will adjust the massage accordingly. You should never accept a touch that feels wrong in any way or feel pressured to offer an explanation for such sensitivity.
|
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT USING MY WEBSITE How do I schedule an appointment using the scheduler?
Once you have set up an account, you can browse to my scheduler page and find an appointment you want and click the button. If you don't already have an account, you should be prompted to make one. Notice: you are unable to make more than one appointment until after your first appointment has been completed.
|
OTHER OCCASIONALLY ASKED MASSAGE QUESTIONS
Can I bring someone along?
If there is a care provider, or if I am working on a child, I prefer the "extra" person in the room for assistance (if necessary) and assurance. Babies under 4 months are often quite content to sit in my quiet corner. If you need to bring a child who is willing to sit quietly, this can often work (instead of cancelling because you don't have a sitter). Adults often find that it becomes too warm in my small room to stay comfortably. Please contact me in advance to let me know if you need to bring an extra person.
Can massage help reduce stress levels?
According to medical studies anything that can help you relax will reduce your stress levels and massage is one of the most relaxing therapies you can receive. Many turn to massage to manage day to day stress. Massage therapy treats the problem naturally. Without using suppression chemicals to slow you down, massage therapists attempt to treat the whole person and try to help your body regain homeostasis, achieving a balance between the various systems of your body to allow natural healing to occur.
Do massage therapists have a Code of Ethics?
Yes, massage therapists adhere to the following code:
-We provide the best quality care to any one that seeks our professional help.
-We accept all clients without discrimination.
-We acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with a client and respect each client's right to privacy.
-We practice only the modalities in which we have been professionally trained and certified.
-We in no way participate or engage in any type of sexual activities with our client.
-We maintain a safe, clean and professional environment.
Are there different techniques in massage?
Yes, there are many different types of massage techniques. Swedish massage is the technique most widely known by massage therapists, but others are also trained in sports massage, aromatherapy massage, shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Thai massage or techniques named for their developer such as Upledger, Heller Work and Feldenkrais. I am trained in a variety of techniques which are outlined on the "My Training" page.
What studies have been done on massage therapy?
Massage has been studied for its use with premature infants, adults who have recently experienced a heart attack or stroke, athletes who desire to increase their athletic performance and shorten recuperation time, victims of sexual abuse, grieving patients and those who have lost limbs or experience unusual pains. Currently, the effects of massage are being studied for its use in family relations and in dealing with the separation felt when children become teenagers. |
|
|
|
|