FAQs

Trigger points are sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that are painful when compressed because they are experiencing extraordinary contraction. Massage therapists use trigger point therapy to target trigger points with compression so the connected motor neuron will signal the muscle fibers to relax the muscle contraction. Common causes of trigger points are trauma, overuse, repeated strain, and misalignment. Without treatment, unresolved pain from trigger points can lead to more chronic problems.

Trigger point massage is best for people with injuries, chronic pain, or other specific issues. Trigger point therapy focuses on relieving tension in areas called trigger points to reduce pain associated with those areas. Trigger point therapy includes work on the entire body, but the specific treatment is unique to each individual’s needs. People expecting to be fully relaxed after a massage are most likely looking for a Swedish massage, not trigger point.

Swedish massage uses a gentler touch to induce full body relaxation. Most people who get a casual massage have received a Swedish massage. It uses gentler techniques like long sweeping strokes (effleurage), rolling and kneading muscles (petrissage), rhythmic tapping (tapotement), and friction. Swedish massage is best for people who are new to massage, couples massages, stress relief, and general relaxation.

The ideal treatment would combine chiropractic and massage treatments in succession. Massage therapy’s primary focus is to manipulate your muscles and soft tissues. Chiropractic treatment primarily focuses on the alignment of the spine and specific joints or tendons. Receiving a massage allows for the benefits of chiropractic treatment to be better absorbed by the body.

The type of massage, purpose of treatment, budget, and time constraints will all affect the recommended frequency of massage work. Massage targeting injuries and medical issues tend to be more frequent while massages solely for relaxation tend to be more spread out. Frequency ranges all the way from daily to weekly to monthly to yearly. The best recommendation is to get as many as possible without putting too much strain on your time and money.

Removing clothing is completely optional. For most massages, you’ll be lying on the massage table with a sheet covering your body. The sheet is removed from the area currently being worked on by the massage therapist until the area is finished. Most people choose to remove all their clothing except their underwear, and some choose to be fully nude.

It depends. Massages aren’t usually supposed to hurt. Swedish massage, for example, is meant to induce relaxation with little to no pain involved. However, with certain types of massage, pain is a normal part of the treatment. Deep tissue and trigger point are massage types designed to target pain. This is why it’s especially important for a highly trained massage specialist to perform these types of massage for them to be safe and effective.

Tips are never expected but always appreciated. A simple “Thank You” can go a long way, but the majority of tips range between 15-25%. Just like in restaurants, tips can be the best way to to give positive feedback and show your appreciation for receiving good service. If paying with a credit card or check, the tip can always be added to the total.

Missed appointments or those canceled with less than 24-hours notice will be charged $25.00 per person. Please give 24-hours notice if you need to reschedule your appointment so that the scheduled hour may be made available to others.