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What are massage and bodywork therapies?
What are the major benefits of massage and bodywork therapy?
Who can benefit from massage and bodywork therapy?
At what age can you begin receiving a massage?
Who performs the massage?
Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference?
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
Can massage help with pain, stress , sleep, or mental & emotional distress?
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
I bruise easily, can I still get a massage?
Where does the massage take place?
What should I expect when I receive a massage for the first time?
Do I have any responsibilities during the massage?
Must I be completely undressed?
What if I am uncomfortable with my body shape or size?
How is my privacy respected?
Are any oils or lotions used in the massage?
Is there anything I should do to prepare for my massage session?
What should I expect during my appointment?
Am I expected to talk during the massage?
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
How long does a massage or bodywork session last?
What should I do and how will I feel immediately after my massage or bodywork session?
After my appointment is there anything I need to have on hand or anything specific I should do?
How is massage therapy regarded by the medical community?
How popular is massage therapy as a form of medical treatment?
How often do U.S. consumers visit massage therapists and how much do they spend?
When might the use of massage therapy be inappropriate?
How do I pay for my massage?
What about gratuity?
Will my insurance plan cover massage and bodywork services?
My Insurance plan offers a discounted fee network. Is Holistic Paths a member?
How often should I receive a massage? When should I reschedule?
What if I need to cancel?
What are massage and bodywork therapies?
Massage therapy spans a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, working to improve an individual’s health and well-being through the hands-on manipulation of muscles and other soft tissues of the body. top
What are the major benefits of massage and bodywork therapy?
Physical -- Massage therapy is designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow and the movement of lymph throughout the body, facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes resulting from exercise or inactivity, and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. In addition, massage stimulates the release of endorphins -- the body’s natural painkiller -- into the brain and nervous system.
Mental -- Massage therapy provides a relaxed state of alertness, reduces mental stress and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity. Our bodily attitudes are a reflection of our mental states. Massage and bodywork helps rejuvenate our mental attitude by releasing the holding and armoring of our physical body.
Emotional -- Massage therapy satisfies the need for caring and nurturing touch, creates a feeling of well-being and reduces anxiety levels. Various types of touch therapy can integrate the psyche and the body since they are part of the same continuum. Emotional and bodily changes are linked in a profound way.
A properly trained therapist can successfully treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems and provide supportive or adjunct treatment for victims of many other physical and psychological disorders and trauma’s. top
Who can benefit from massage and bodywork therapy?
People throughout the life cycle -- from the very young and very old to those in between -- all find that a professional massage can have special applications suited for their needs. There are massage and bodywork techniques that are used with premature infants through those who are in hospice. Women throughout their pregnancy as well as people requiring physical or post traumatic stress rehabilitation, as those who experienced the NY 9/11/2001 disaster.
Most people who receive a massage today do so to reduce or relieve the stresses related to their daily life events that impact their physical, mental or emotional health and well being. top
At what age can you begin receiving a massage?
Any age. Therapeutic massage, is structured touching. There have been myriads of research done on touch deprivation, and touch therapy from infants to the elderly. top
Who performs the massage?
Your session will be conducted by a trained professional who has been granted a license to practice massage therapy by New York State . Therapists in NYS are required to complete a 1000 hour accredited training course in Massage therapy.
All massage therapists belong to national massage therapy professional associations and increase their skill level by taking required continuing education workshops and seminars. Although no two massage sessions are exactly alike, you may request a certain technique or modality. top
Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference?
No, therapists are both male and female and are licensed The therapist may have a number of special types of therapeutic massage modalities that he or she uses but there are no modalities that are gender specific. Many times it is assumed that deeper bodywork requires the strength of a male therapist, but this is not seen in practice. Choosing a therapist and style is a personal preference top
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
There are a wide variety of massage and bodywork techniques. You can find a list of the most common techniques we use at Holistic Paths in our Service Menu. top
Can massage help with pain, stress, sleep, or mental & emotional distress?
Massage can relieve pain, relax tight muscles and spasms, reduce stress, improve circulation, improve posture and sleep, increase flexibility, move waste products out of the tissues, speed up the healing process, improve athletic performance, and satisfy a plethora of social, psychological and emotional needs. top
I bruise easily, can I still get a massage?
It is important to let your massage therapist know (this should be asked on the health history form you will asked to fill out on your first visit).
Massage therapy is not recommended for people who suffer from hemophilia. top
Where does the massage take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You may either lie on a large futon mat on the floor ( used for Thai and Shiatsu massage) or you will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort top
What should I expect when I receive a massage for the first time?
At first contact, the massage therapist will ask about your reasons for getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle and stress level, and specific areas of pain. If necessary
Questionnaire: When you arrive at the center, you will be asked to fill out a confidential health and medical history questionnaire to ensure there is no preexisting condition that would influence your session and to determine the course of your treatment goals and needs.
Information: The therapist will then give you an overview of your session based on the conditions and needs you have specified and the patterns of discomfort identified. Feel free to ask any questions about your session or discuss any and all concerns with your therapist.
Settling In: The therapist will leave the room so that you may undress to your comfort level and lie comfortably under the sheet or towel on the table. Except for the region the therapist is working on, you will remain covered the entire time. The therapist will announce when he/she will enter the room to begin the massage.
Relax: Please inform your therapist of any changes that need to be made in temperature of the room, light level and sound level. Then, relax and enjoy! Good communication is essential to make sure you benefit from your therapeutic session to the fullest.
Structured touch is an art as well as a science please be sure to tell your therapist when you would like more or less pressure at any time during your session. If you say nothing , or in the case of a session whose focus is relaxation, fall asleep , then your therapist will assume you are satisfied with the therapy. top
Do I have any responsibilities during the massage?
A person receiving a massage should give the therapist accurate health information and always report discomfort of any kind -- whether it’s from the massage itself or due to room temperature, volume of music, or other distractions. top
Must I be completely undressed?
Different forms of massage and bodywork therapies require different levels of unclothing.
Medical Massage - If you come in for a medical therapy session (for help with a specific problem or pain),and dictated by prescription, the amount of clothing that needs to be removed depends upon the problem, the part of the body involved, and the treatment method. Feel free to discuss with your therapist any concerns, fears or areas of discomfort.
Well being massage - For Swedish or European types of massage (general relaxation massage), the therapist leaves the room while you undress and relax on the massage table, underneath a sheet or towel. Some clients choose to leave their underwear on, others keep undergarments or gym shorts on. Many people choose to disrobe completely for more freedom and less chance of interfering with the massage techniques. You remain covered by the sheet or towel at all times, except for the part being worked upon. The pelvic area and a woman’s breasts are never uncovered in general massage. Your privacy is always respected.
If you are uncomfortable with removing your clothes, you may choose shiatsu, acupressure, Amma, Thai , cranial sacral therapy or other massage or bodywork therapy that requires wearing only loose fitting comfortable clothing These therapies are performed through clothing. Comfortable clothing made of natural materials works best. top
What if I am uncomfortable with my body shape or size?
It is possible to work on a client who is dressed. So just let your therapist know your comfort level. You may want to request a therapist who you feel has an understanding of your discomfort. top
How is my privacy respected?
You remain covered and properly draped and warm by the sheet or towel at all times, except for the part being worked upon. The pelvic area and a woman’s breasts are never uncovered in general massage. During a relaxation oriented massage session, there is no time where the therapist makes contact with any reproductive part of the clients body. top
Are any oils or lotions used in the massage?
A light oil or lotion may be used to permit certain massage methods to be used without causing excessive friction to the skin. The lubricants used should hydrate the skin and be readily absorbed. All oils, or lotions are hypoallergenic and water soluble. top
Is there anything I should do to prepare for my massage session?
It is best to not eat for at least 90 minutes before your massage treatment. Only a lite meal at that time is recommended. This is a similar process to swimming or a work out when your body will take all the blood away from the digestion process and bring it to the working peripheral tissues therefore creating a potential for impaired digestive processes and possible discomfort. Drink an adequate amount of water to improve cellular hydration. We also recommend that before you start your session, you use the restroom so that you don’t have to interrupt your session. top
Am I expected to talk during the massage?
If you wish to have silence, during a relaxation massage, you should say so at the beginning of the treatment. The therapist may, however, require verbal information pertinent to health findings during the treatment and with a medical massage may communicate directions and actions required for the therapy. top
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
Some suggestions
If the massage is too light or too hard, ask to have the pressure changed. Some massages modalities use only light touch but asking is appropriate.
If you are uncomfortable (need heat turned up, less blankets, light moved), say something. Tell the practitioner where you hurt or which areas you especially want the therapist to focus their attention. This way the massage can address your needs.
Often breathing deeply can help you get the most out of a massage. Breathe into every cell of your body. Make sure you feel comfortable and at ease on the table or on the floor mat.
Once comfortable, just listen to the music. The practitioner 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. Others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage and bodywork in general or about the particular technique you are receiving. top
How long does a massage or bodywork session last?
Medical Massage - This is determined by your prescription. Usually a session lasts 15 minutes to ½ hour and is approximately three times per week. This is a very focused session designed to address a specific problem.
Relaxation Massage -The average full-body massage or bodywork session lasts approximately one hour. A half-hour appointment only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet. Many people prefer a 60- to 90-minute session for optimal relaxation. Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session.
Mind-Body and Energy Bodywork therapies vary in their length of time required to affect the intention of the work. For example full body Thai massage may last up to two hours. top
What should I do and how will I feel immediately after my massage or bodywork 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. Since metabolic byproducts are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink adequate amounts of water following your massage. top
After my appointment is there anything I need to have on hand or anything specific I should do?
If possible, rest or take a walk after a massage to allow some time to adjust to your new relaxed state.
Drink adequate water. This helps the body release toxins that you were able to release during the massage.
Allow yourself a good night’s sleep after your massage and let your body fully regenerate and revitalize.
It is sometimes common for soreness to be present the day following your massage even if you did not feel like the pressure was too much. This is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and is due mainly to metabolic byproducts being removed from the muscles. This is a good indicator that a massage was needed and that a follow-up appointment is a good idea. DOMS will subside within 24 hours top
How is massage therapy regarded by the medical community?
The results of a survey, conducted between November 2000 and February 2001 in Washington State, indicate strong recognition on the part of medical clinicians that massage therapy is effective. In Washington, where complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers have been recognized by health plans since 1996, the survey asked medical practitioners five years later what they thought of CAM practices. Of 12 CAM practices included in the survey, massage therapy was ranked highest (74%) in terms of being perceived as always or usually effective. The next closest CAM practice in the same category of effectiveness was acupuncture, ranked by 67.7% of clinician respondents.1
The American Medical Association published a report in September 2000 that said two-thirds of the nation’s medical schools teach about herbal therapy, acupuncture, massage or other alternative medicine. top2
How popular is massage therapy as a form of medical treatment?
When naming the types of alternative care consumers say they would be most likely to use, 80% say massage therapy.3 In a July 2000 consumer survey commissioned by AMTA, twice as many adult Americans reported receiving one or more massages from a massage therapist in the past year (16 percent) as did in 1997 (8 percent). Twenty-one percent of Americans said they expected to get a massage from a massage therapist in the next 12 months. top
How often do U.S. consumers visit massage therapists and how much do they spend?
Estimates are that consumers visit massage therapists 114 million times per year, spending between $4 billion and $6 billion annually on these visits. A 1998 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated that annual expenditures for massage therapy accounted for approximately 27 percent of the $21.2 billion spent on alternative healthcare-provider services and about 18 percent of the 629 million annual visits to such providers.4 top
Isn’t massage and bodywork therapy a luxury?
This is a perception that is rapidly changing as massage becomes increasingly accepted as a natural part of a healthy lifestyle.
An increasing body of clinical research confirms that massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, boosts the immune system, and increases endorphins (all may enhance medical treatment). top
When might the use of massage therapy be inappropriate?
If you suffer from certain circulatory ailments (such as phlebitis), infectious diseases, certain forms of cancer, cardiac problems, certain skin conditions, or any inflamed or infected tissues, be sure to consult your physician before initiating any massage program. A trained and experienced massage therapist will also be able to tell you when massage is not indicated.
When receiving a massage without a physicians prescription 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 for a specific disorder or disease, it is advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. top
How do I pay for my massage?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, cash and checks for your convenience. If you have a gift certificate, simply present it to the receptionist before your session. top
What about gratuity?
Gratuities are only appropriate for relaxation / spa type therapeutic massages and not for medically necessary massage therapy. Tipping is a very personal decision. If you are happy with the service you receive, a gratuity is a good way to express your appreciation and acknowledge the practitioner. Gratuities are usually reflective of what you can afford paired with your satisfaction with the service. Based on your satisfaction with the services, it is often customary to add gratuity to your payment at a rate similar to that in the rest of the service industry (typically between 15 and 25%). top
Will my medical plan cover massage and bodywork services?
If you are in a car accident or have a job-related injury covered by auto no fault or worker's compensation, Your employers medical plan may cover massage or bodywork, when prescribed by a physician.
There are very few medical carriers that market medical coverage plans to employers that include medical massage and none that include relaxation/spa massage for improved well being and health.
The best thing to do is check with your medical insurer company to see exactly what is covered under what circumstances. See our insurance page for more details top.
My insurance plan offers me a discounted fee network of alternative care providers including massage therapists and acupuncturists. Are the practitioners at Holistic Paths members of any networks?
Some of our practitioners are members of various alternative discounted fee for service networks created by insurers to obtain lower rates for their clients in return for access to those clients for the practitioner. Many practitioners however, do not belong to these networks and their fee for services is set at fair market value. top
How often should I receive a massage? When should I reschedule?
The frequency with which you receive a massage depends on whether you are being treated medically, in which case it is determined by prescription, or if you are incorporating it into your health and wellness lifestyle.
It is suggested that for promoting health, you plan for regularly scheduled massage or bodywork therapy at specific trigger times during the year. These may be at seasonal changes or at times you know there will be additional stresses occurring in your life.
Examples include, additional responsibilities at your job, children on vacation, returning to school, or before and after vacations. Also a massage at the time where major life events that are unplanned occur is important. Examples include: buying/selling a home and moving, major purchases, a death or serious illness in the family, marriage, birth of children or grandchildren etc.
We strongly encourage you to reschedule after your appointment as most of our therapists are fully booked well in advance. You will receive a reminder by e-mail or by phone the day before your next appointment. top
What if I need to cancel?
Should it become necessary to cancel your appointment, we do require 24 hours notice.. top
References:
1 Weeks, John, "Post-Legislative Mandate: Two-thirds of Group Health Clinician Respondents View CAM as Effective," The Integrator for the Business of Alternative Medicine, p. 7 (April 2001).
2 Barzansky, et. al., "Educational Programs in U.S. Medical Schools, 1999-2000," Journal of the American Medical Association 284(9): 1114-1120 (September 6, 2000).
3 "The Landmark Report on Public Perceptions of Alternative Care" (November 1997).
4 Eisenberg, et. al., "Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States, 1990-1997," Journal of the American Medical Association 280(18): 1569-1575 (November 11, 1998).
5 "Public Attitudes Towards Massage Study," Caravan, Opinion Research Corporation International (July 2000).
June 11, 2001
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