Frequently Asked Questions

General Massage Questions

What type of massage technique would work best for me?

The type of massage technique that you choose generally depends on how you’re feeling, the ailments that you have, and the benefits that you hope to receive from your session. Please send us a message, an email, or give us a call if you’d like to further discuss the services that we offer and the type of massage that you’re looking for.

What are contraindications and what do they mean in massage therapy?

In massage therapy, contraindications are medical factors that restrict a massage therapist from offering a specific treatment to that client. Some contraindications that might have an effect on the type of massage that you can receive are varicose veins, pregnancy, sunburn, bruising, undiagnosed lumps or bumps, cancer, a fever, and recent operations or injuries, among others. This is why it’s important to bring up any medical concerns before your appointment begins and to complete your health intake to the best of your ability. A contraindication does not mean that your massage can’t take place, as massage can be therapeutic for some conditions. If you have a medical concern, it’s best to consult with your physician first. If you are feeling sick or not well, it’s best to reschedule your appointment. Receiving a massage while feeling sick is not relaxing or comfortable for the receiver and could potentially get your therapist sick as well.

Can a single massage therapy session fix me?

There’s no single answer to this question. Just as all of our bodies are different, all results from massage therapy vary as well. Some people leave their appointment feeling immediate relief, while others don’t feel relief until a few days following their appointment, and some require a series of regularly scheduled appointments in order to notice significant improvement. Your massage therapist will provide you with recommendations with how often you should receive therapy following your appointments. One thing that we like to tell our clients, is that it’s better to keep your car maintained throughout the year than to wait until something breaks down. It’s important to speak with your massage therapist about your ailments and about your expectations so that they can help you understand the benefits that they anticipate you’ll receive through your sessions. It’s ultimately up to you!

What should I expect during my first massage therapy session?

Upon arrival into our studio, you’ll be asked to complete a brief health intake. After completing the intake, your massage therapist will take you into the treatment room. They’ll ask you general medical questions about any pain you’re experiencing or if there are any conditions that you need to be addressed. It’s important to be honest and transparent with any medical concerns and medications so that your therapist can safely adapt your session to your specific needs. Please share any allergies or aversions to scents or oils so that your therapist can avoid these during your session.

During Your Massage

Should I make conversation during my massage?

Many people prefer to close their eyes and relax for the whole duration of their session, while others would rather keep a conversation going with their massage therapist. It’s up to you, and your therapist will take the cue from you. During deeper pressure massages, your therapist may ask for your feedback to ensure that the pressure is comfortable. Please keep in mind though that voices carry, even in the lobby, but especially in treatment rooms and in the hallway so please be courteous to others receiving a massage. Be sure to speak up if:

• You’re too hot or cold
• You’re in pain
• You forgot to mention a health condition during the intake
• You have a question about the massage. You might have asked your therapist to focus on one side of your back, but they’re doing more work on the other side instead…There’s most likely an anatomical reason for that in which they’d be more than happy to share their knowledge with you.

How much clothing should I remove?

Our massage therapists will always ask you to undress to your comfort level. Many people prefer to keep their underwear on during a massage, while others feel most comfortable being nude. If wearing a bra, you may prefer to remove your bra to allow your massage therapist to work on your back and shoulder area without getting oil or lotion on the bra. Your massage therapist will leave the treatment room to allow you to undress and comfortably lay down on the massage table under the sheet. Your therapist will never walk in on you while you are getting undressed, they will knock on the door first to ensure that you’re ready for them to enter. Your therapist will also ensure that you are always covered by a sheet or blanket during the session.

What if I feel self-conscious about my body? - Back acne, bodyweight, appearance of your feet, scars, etc

Being self-conscious shouldn’t prevent you from seeking the healthcare that you need. Our professional massage therapists are non-judgemental and focused solely on your muscles + soft tissue. You can request that your massage therapist avoid certain areas if that would make you most comfortable. Also, it’s 2020 - hairy legs are in! Your therapists are more concerned about helping to heal your body than that small patch of hair by our ankles that we somehow always miss in the shower!

What if I fall asleep or snore?

Sweet dreams! Some people come into their appointments sleep deprived or dealing with a week’s worth of stress and feel so relaxed during their appointment that they fall asleep on the table. Your therapist won’t judge you if you snore during your appointment (trust us, it happens often).

What if I have to go to the bathroom?

Going to the bathroom before your appointment is recommended. This way, you won’t have to interrupt your state of stillness for a quick bathroom break. That being said, please let your therapist know if you need to use the bathroom - holding it in isn’t relaxing or comfortable. We have robes available so that you can make a quick beeline to the bathroom and hop right back into where we left off.

What if I get an erection?

This is so so SO normal. This is one of the biggest concerns that men have, ultimately leading them to avoid massage therapy altogether. There’s no reason to be embarrassed if this happens. Fun anatomy fact, erections are caused by the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which can occur through gentle touch anywhere on the body. Your therapist will understand and simply ignore it. If you are worried about this happening, we recommend wearing more fitted underwear to provide more support than traditional boxers. Please note: If the therapist feels that the session has turned sexual for the client, they may stop the session to clarify the client’s intent and can end the session immediately.

Other bodily functions...

Our massage therapists create judgment-free zones in their treatment rooms and understand that massages can lead to strange stomach noises, passing gas, or even deep emotional experiences. If you need to laugh, cry, or take a break, your therapist will understand. One of the most important goals of your appointment is to leave you feeling relaxed. If you’re clenching your gluteal muscles during your appointment or holding anything in, chances are that you’re not relaxed. This is nothing to feel embarrassed about, but please let your massage therapist know if you need to excuse yourself and go to the bathroom. Also...passing gas during your appointment is a sign that you’re truly relaxed.

Cancellations + Pricing

What if I'm running late to my appointment?

If you are running late to your massage appointment, please call us as soon as possible to let us know of your estimated time of arrival. If you are arriving late to your appointment, you’re welcome to use the time you have left in your session, but your therapist may be booked after your session and unable to extend your time.

How do I cancel an appointment?

You can cancel your appointment through the MindBody App, by signing into your MindBody account through an internet browser, or by calling us at 484-341-8106.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please understand that when you forget or cancel your appointment without giving enough notice, we lose the opportunity to fill that appointment time, therapists lose the opportunity to earn their livelihood, and clients on our waiting list miss the opportunity to receive services. Our appointments are confirmed 48 hours in advance because we know how easy it is to forget an appointment. Since the services are reserved for you personally, a cancellation fee may apply.

• Unattended reservations or cancellation with less than a 24-hour notice will be responsbile for 100% of the cost of the service that was reserved. Thank you for understanding and supporting us!

Should I tip my massage therapist?

Although a tip is never required, a gratuity of 20 percent is standard if you enjoyed your experience. It’s customary to base your tip on the original price of your service. Although cash or Venmo is preferred, your tip can be given in cash, check, or debit/credit card.

The service prices at the place down the street are much lower, why are yours higher?

As with any service, working with someone more professional and passionate about what they do usually equates to higher prices. Massage centers with lower rates often hire recent graduates to allow them to gain experience in massage therapy. These centers also operate on tighter schedules with no break in between sessions, shortening your appointment from the full 60-minutes that you’re paying for to 50-minutes or something less. Our therapists are all highly trained with experience in various modalities. They also maintain their own schedules and services, with scheduled breaks in between each session to ensure that their client receives the full treatment time that they are paying for. By maintaining their own services, our therapists decide what they’re most comfortable offering their clients. If a therapist doesn’t feel that they are at a master-level yet for a particular modality that they trained in, they will choose to take this service off of their schedule and continue practicing until they are sure that their clients will experience the best massage possible.