What should I wear?
You will be asked to undress in private to your level of comfort. You will then lie down on a comfortably padded massage table and drape yourself with a sheet provided for you. Only the part of your body being worked on will be uncovered, and your modesty will be respected.
What will I feel?
Initially, the therapist will ask about your reasons for getting a massage, your current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels, any area of pain, etc. You will feel a variety of pressure and techniques depending on the type of massage you receive and your tolerance. You should never experience pain and on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most painful pressure), you should stay around a 6 or 7. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water for the rest of the day.
Massage
Thai:
What should I wear?
Thai Massage is performed on a thickly padded floor mat with the receiver fully clothed. Loose fitting or flexible clothing is recommended, such as sweat pants or Yoga pants.
What will I feel?
Thai Massage is similar to acupressure and Shiatsu combined with stretches and yoga postures. An ingenious system of movements allows the therapist to manipulate the receiver with little effort. The practitioner moves the client through each position. One has the feeling of being a floppy rag doll. Every movement is designed to support the receiver as well as the therapist. The massage positions include: seated, lying on your back, side lying, and prone (face down).
The massage is given in silence to allow the therapist to understand the client and to give the receiver a chance to focus and learn about him or herself without distraction. To give and to experience Thai Massage is a meditative practice, at the end of a treatment, both the receiver and the therapist will feel relaxed and energized.
Reflexology:
What should I wear?
Shorts or sweat pants are recommended. You will be reclined in a special chair, your shoes and socks removed. You will be made comfortable with a blanket and soft music. Lotion is only used at the end of the session.
What will I feel?
Pain is not gain in Reflexology, however, tender spots will indicate areas that need extra attention. Pressure, as in regular massage, should be "strong but not uncomfortable".
What can I expect after my session?
When you are through you should be relaxed and invigorated! You are then sent on your way with the expectation that you will have some internal cleansing take place. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water for the rest of the day. You can also take a hot bath when you get home. Adding a capful of hydrogen peroxide to your bath will assist in pulling the toxins out of your body.
Myofascial Release:
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing (preferably made of light cotton), since you will not be required to undress.
What will I feel?
The therapist will look at your posture, the amount of movement you have in your joints and whether that movement causes increased pain or discomfort.
Next the therapist will place their hands on the back of your neck to feel your tissue tension. This tells them what muscles and soft tissues need to be treated and which ones should be treated first. Myofascial Release is a very gentle stretching technique, guided entirely by feedback. If you have a tender point or a trigger point, they will find it just by feel.
Your part of the treatment is very simple. You must drink an additional gallon of fluid -- that's right, a gallon! -- above and beyond your normal intake both on the day of treatment and for one to two days afterwards to prevent excessive soreness. If you feel like you're coming down with the flu or if you feel nauseated, you haven't had enough to drink.
