Why an NCBTMB certified practitioner?
What is the most important reason for insisting on an NCBTMB certified professional? You are. Because whether you’re visiting a massage therapist or bodyworker for relaxation, rehabilitation or rejuvenation, you deserve to be treated by a practitioner who is both skilled and knowledgeable. And that’s what the NCBTMB credential stands for – a commitment to excellence.
To become nationally certified, a practitioner must demonstrate mastery of core skills and knowledge, pass an NCBTMB standardized exam, uphold the organization’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, and take part in continued education.
Today, there are more than 90,000 nationally certified practitioners throughout the country – and you can find them in physician offices, private practices, spas, rehab facilities, health clubs and hospitals.
What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
Your massage therapist will require you to fill out a health history form. Afterwards the therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your massage therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition, and to see if you have any presenting complaints.
Why does a massage therapist ask about my medical history and medications?
A responsible massage therapist asks about your medical history (most massage therapists have you fill out an intake form). Although massage has many wonderful benefits, it is not appropriate for people with some medical conditions and sometimes must be used
cautiously. For example, massage is not recommended if you have a condition involving infection (including cold or flu) because massage might help the infection spread through your body. Massage is also generally not recommended for people with advanced heart, kidney, or liver problems. Other conditions that affect circulation, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, require caution, depending on your overall physical condition.
Obviously, you should not receive massage if you have a contagious condition. If you have a skin rash, know what it is before your massage, because some skin conditions are contagious.
Medications, particularly pain-killers and muscle relaxants (including aspirin), dull your perception of pain and pressure—your massage therapist needs to know your perception may not be accurate to avoid inadvertently using too much pressure.
Information about injuries, traumas, surgeries, and physical activities provide information about where or how you hold tension in your body. Also, specific massage techniques can help the body heal soft-tissue injuries. If you have back pain or certain digestive problems, abdominal massage can be helpful, but it is not appropriate for some medical conditions. Your massage therapist needs to know your complete and up-to-date medical picture to provide informed and safe massage. Be assured that all medical information is confidential.
Do I have to undress or am I clothed for a therapeutic massage?
The most effective treatment will be through bare skin. Therefore a client will be undressed to some degree. If your treatment is strictly neck and back you may only remove your shirt. Most often a client will disrobe completely (in private) and lie on the massage table completely covered with a sheet and blanket. I uncover only the area I am working on, such as the back or an arm and recover it when I move to the next area. At no time are any genitalia exposed.
There are clients who will leave their briefs/panties on as is their comfort level. As an LMT I am a trained health care practitioner and reiterate that I will not expose the genital area at any time. In my professional opinion the best, most complete massage experience will include the upper leg muscles, the glutes and related muscles. Working through clothing can have an effect although not nearly as much as through bare skin.
Ultimately, your comfort level is important to me. If you are uncomfortable with any area of your body being uncovered or touched that would normally be part of the massage, please let me know before we start. I will honor your request with absolutely no judgment or explanation required.
What is the difference between a treatment massage and a relaxation massage?
Treatment massage will address specific physical concerns, like neck pain, tenderness in an injured area, rehabilitation of a sprain/strain, etc. Relaxation massage is mostly slow, smooth movement often using more oil, sometimes including aroma therapy and heat. My personal style is that I usually combine treatment and relaxation unless one or the other is specifically requested or decidedly needed more.
What do I do during a massage therapy treatment? Make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she or he will either move you or will ask you to move what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It's up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time.
Where will my massage session take place?
KML Therapy is located on the second floor, above Tammany Hall on Historic Federal Hill in Providence, RI. If you are facing Tammany Hall, there is a green door in the same building to the left of the Tammany doors. Go through this door up to the second floor, check out the photo gallery on your way, and follow the sweet aroma therapy and relaxing music! Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
Where can I park?
Parking is available either on the street or directly across the street in the unpaved parking lot behind the bus stop. This is Tammany Hall’s lot. DO NOT PARK IN OTHER LOTS OR YOU MAY GET TOWED!!! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOUR VEHICLE GETS TOWED!!
How long will a massage treatment last? Full-body massage treatment at Full Circle last approximately 70 minutes. Upper body massages are 45 min long. 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. Please allow an additional 10-15 min added onto the time you will be treated for paperwork, discussion, dressing and undressing, payment, or an unexpected occasional wait.
Can I get massage at the same time I am receiving other types of treatment (chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.)?
Yes. Massage is complementary to most types of treatment. In some cases your primary health practitioner will have to be consulted before you receive massage. But, unless you are infectious or have a systemic condition that could intensify with an increase in circulation, there is a massage for you.
Can you come to my home to give massage? I do not travel with a table and supplies. I am available to do massage chair parties will allow a very efficient upper body massage but will not allow for a full body massage involving lotion. If you have issues in the back, neck or shoulders a chair massage may be effective at relieving discomfort. These parties require pre-booking, down payment, and a payment guarantee of at least 5 people. Please contact me for further information.
Do I have to book an appointment? Yes, at the time I currently do not accept walk-ins. You must book an appointment with me prior to showing up.
How far ahead should I book my appointment? It is always better to plan ahead. If you work a 9-5 job I would suggest trying to schedule 1-2 weeks ahead of time as the evening and Saturday appointments fill up the quickest .if you are flexible you can try last minute and maybe you’ll get lucky but calling ahead is your best bet!
What if I can’t make my appointment? I require a full 24hrs notice for cancellation of appointments or the client is charged the full amount of the originally scheduled treatment. Once that payment is
received, he/she may continue treatment with me. A reminder call will be placed to the client 24-48 hrs prior to their appointment. Of course I fully understand if there is an emergency. Please be courteous of time for it is precious!
What if I am late for my appointment? Please always try to call or text me if you are going to be late so I can adjust my schedule and plan for you session. If you are late I will do what I can with the time we have. I will spend the most time working on the tensest areas and may skip areas due to time constraints. If I do not have another client after you I may be able to provide you with the full time. Please do not show up for your massage EARLY….as I might still be with another client and you will have to wait.
What if the Therapist needs to cancel your appointment?
If I need to cancel your appointment I will ALWAYS give you at least 24grs notice and reschedule you as soon as possible according to your availability. However, if I need to cancel last minute…. Your treatment is ON ME! Yes, that’s right…FREE! I don’t want my time wasted and I certainly would not want to waste yours either!
How should I show up for my appointment? Show up however you are comfortable. Please be aware of clean hygiene. In the summer months your feet may be dirty from flip-flops and I may ask to clean them before your massage. Please do not wear high-heels as you will not want to leave with them on! If possible, dress comfortably or bring a change of comfy clothes. Please shower before coming, especially if you have just exercised. There is no shower available here for clients, only a regular bathroom. If you do not want your hair messed up please let me know beforehand so I can be mindful of that. You probably do not want to eat anything more than a small snack before your massage as you will be lying on your stomach half the time and don’t want any discomfort. Do not drink too much water so you won’t constantly have to feel like you have to pee. Please use the bathroom once prior to your session.
Is a massage always appropriate? No, there are several medical conditions that would make massage inappropriate. That's why it is necessary that you fill out the health history forms and before you begin your session. The massage therapist will ask general health questions to rule out if you have any contraindications to massage. 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, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to any session. Your massage therapist may require a recommendation or approval from your doctor.
How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?
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 toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. Massage therapists sometimes recommend a hot Epsom salt bath that encourages the release of toxins that may have been stirred up from the massage treatment. Be prepared to schedule several massage sessions. Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often you get a massage, the better you will feel and the more quickly your body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. If you’re getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed.
What are some of the benefits of massage? •Words like “relaxation” and “pampering” are often used to describe a person’s idea of a good massage. In fact, 26 percent of the 39 million Americans who got a massage last year say it’s for relaxation or stress reduction, according to a recent survey commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). Only 11 percent say it was to pamper themselves. Although relaxation plays an important role in one’s overall health and wellness, another 30 percent of those surveyed say they get massage therapy for medical/health reasons specifically.
•Massage therapy has been shown to address serious health issues by relieving symptoms associated with a variety of conditions. Here’s a look at just some of the ways in which massage therapy can be effective.
•Relieve Back Pain
•More than 100 million Americans suffer from lower-back pain, and nearly $25 billion a year is spent in search of relief. A 2003 study showed that massage therapy produced better results and reduced the need for painkillers by 36 percent when compared to other therapies, including acupuncture and spinal modification. Today, massage therapy is one of the most common ways people ease back pain.
Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, June 3, 2003
•Treat Migraines
•Of the 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches, more than 60 percent suffer from migraines. For many, it’s a distressing disorder that is triggered by stress and poor sleep. In a recent study, massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality during the weeks they received massage, and the three weeks following, than did participants that did not receive massage therapy. Another study found that in adults with migraine headaches massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.
Sources: Annals of Behavioral Medicine, August 2006; International Journal of Neuroscience, 1998.
•Ease Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
•Carpal tunnel syndrome is a progressively painful condition that causes numbness and tingling in the thumb and middle fingers. Traditional treatments for carpal tunnel range from a wrist brace to surgery. However, a 2004 study found that carpal tunnel patients receiving massage reported significantly less pain, reduced symptoms and improved grip strength than those patients who did not receive massage.
Source: Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 8, 9-14.
•Reduce Anxiety
•An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from depression. A review of more than a dozen massage studies concluded that massage therapy helps relieve depression and anxiety by affecting the body’s biochemistry. In the studies reviewed, researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in participants before and immediately after massage and found that the therapy lowered levels by up to 53 percent. Massage also increased serotonin and dopamine, and neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.
Source: Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine.
•Alleviate Side Effects of Cancer
•Massage therapy is increasingly being applied to symptoms experienced by cancer patients, such as nausea, pain and fatigue. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center asked patients to report the severity of their symptoms before and after receiving massage therapy. Patients reported reduced levels of anxiety, pain, fatigue, depression and nausea, even up to two days later.
Source: Journal of Pain & Symptom Management, September 2004.
•In a study of breast cancer patients, researchers found that those who were massaged three times a week reported lower levels of depression, anxiety and anger, while increasing “natural killer” cells and lymphocytes that help to battle cancerous tumors.
Source: Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, Journal of Psychosomatic
Research, Volume 57, Issue 1, Pages 45-52, July 2004.
•Lower Blood Pressure
•Hypertension, if left unchecked, can lead to organ damage. Preliminary research shows that hypertensive patients who received three 10-minute back massages a week had a reduction in blood pressure, compared to patients who simply relaxed without a massage.
Source: Biological Research For Nursing, Vol. 7, No. 2, 98-105 (2005).
Where can I learn more about massage?
For more info about Massage Therapy go to www.amtamassage.org for the most reliable and factual information regarding the profession.
Is there any time that I should not receive massage?
Yes. If you have an acute injury, illness or very recent surgery you may not be ready for a systemic massage. If you have any health concerns they should be discussed prior to your massage. In many of the above mentioned cases massage may be performed in areas other than the acute site to help relieve stress and promote overall healing. In these cases I also highly recommend adding Reiki to your treatment or possibly a full Reiki treatment forgoing massage all together. See the "Reiki" portion of my website for more information on this healing technique.
Does massage fix chronic pain? Therapeutic massage is a healing technique in nature. There are many variables involved in healing chronic pain. I have had many cases in which a chronic problem had been relieved. Some though, may return or only become less intense. In chronic cases I highly recommend adding Reiki to your treatment also. See the "Reiki" portion of my website for more information on this healing technique.
Some variables that affect chronic pain are a persons overall health condition, their level of involvement in their treatment, lifestyle, etc. I am happy to work with a client and their other health care practitioners to help them break the chronic pain syndrome.
Will massage cause more pain? There are times when a person will feel an increase in their pain after a massage. The increase should be bearable and for a brief time, such as before bed but waking feeling better. If I work exceptionally deep or for an extended period on one area I may forewarn you of possible residual pain. In those cases we will discuss options for relieving the pain and what a reasonable expectation would be.
I have a medically diagnosed condition, (such as diabetes or high blood pressure, etc.), is it okay if I receive massage?
If your condition is stable and you are in the care of a Doctor, most likely massage is perfectly safe. If there is any doubt, check with your Doctor.
Can I get a massage when I am pregnant? Yes. If no complications have been diagnosed by a Doctor massage is safe. Stacy is fully certified in Pregnancy and Postpartum massage and am able to work with complications.
Is it too soon after my (accident, surgery, injury) for massage?
If there is doubt, check with your Doctor. In most cases massage is very helpful in any healing process by a LMT. We have been trained to massage post-injury clients and can be quite effective in helping to relieve inflammation and pain and to help your body increase its own healing power.
How does a massage feel? Massage on healthy tissue usually feels good. Massage around injured, painful, or tense areas can cause discomfort. Tell your massage therapist how much discomfort you are willing to tolerate. NEVER let a massage therapist work deeper than you are comfortable with.
Deep tissue or injury treatment massage may leave you feeling sore for a day or two. Always let your massage therapist know how you felt, so he or she can adjust the massage as needed.
During a massage, you may notice that your muscles are sore, even though you had not noticed soreness before the massage. Here's why: Each cell in your body, including muscle cells, is a tiny factory that takes in nutrition, produces energy, and outputs waste products. For example, contracting muscle cells require an energy source called ATP, which produces lactic acid. Muscles also burn oxygen, which produces carbonic acid, and protein, which produces uric acid.
If your body and circulatory system are working at peak efficiency, these waste products are flushed out of your body. However, often things aren’t working as well as they could because of stress, tension, too little exercise, too much exercise, medical conditions, and other factors. Then waste products (all that acid!) build up in your muscles, creating congestion that causes pain on touch. Massage, of course, helps clear out that congestion. |
