Massage & General FAQs

You are looking for a Swedish massage or craniosacral therapy. Swedish massage involves a soft pressure allowing you to relax and enjoy the feeling of being pampered. Craniosacral therapy involves a light touch that allows the body to go deep into relaxation along with deep tissue releases in the body.

You are looking for a therapeutic massage. It allows you to experience relief from muscle tightness and pain. It is a firmer pressure of massage that allows deeper work through the layers of tissue of the body. It can be slightly painful when working on muscles that are extra tight or that contain "knots" known as trigger points.

You are looking for a prenatal massage. This type of session uses bolsters specially designed for the mommy-to-be so that she is able to lie comfortably during her session.

All clients should arrive 10–15 minutes prior to their appointments to discuss what your goals are for the session and to allow time to undress before your appointment start time.

Your session time consists of the total amount of hands-on time from the beginning of your appointment time. That is why it's crucial that you show up at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time — if you arrive on or after the time of your appointment, the time to dress, undress, and communicate your goals will take away from your hands-on time.

During a massage, most people undress down to their undergarments, while some get completely undressed. You will be fully draped (covered) at all times except the body part that is currently being massaged.

Short answer: yes!

This treatment is specifically designed to help you release stress, tension, anxiety, and depression. During the treatment, specific acupressure points and reflexology points are used to release tension in the body.

Reflexology is a technique that involves applying pressure on specific pressure points on your feet (or hands and ears) to help correct energy flows throughout your body. These specific pressure points correspond with certain organs and body systems. A reflexology session promotes health and well-being.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a light-touch, manual therapy that releases tensions and restrictions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve overall health. CST was developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after extensive clinical research at Michigan State University. Established in 1985, Upledger Institute International has trained more than 125,000 therapists worldwide and offers more than 600 courses in 50 countries.

CST complements the body's natural healing processes and is reported by clients to be effective in helping relieve a wide range of symptoms associated with:

• Allergies
• Autism
• Cancer Treatment
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Chronic Fatigue
• Concussion Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia Related Disorders
• Headaches and Migraines
• Infant and Childhood Disorders
• Neck and Back Pain
• Orthopedic Problems
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Scoliosis
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Stress and Tension
• TMJ Syndrome
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Few structures have as much influence over the body's ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And few systems have as much impact on the central nervous system as the craniosacral system — the membranes and fluid that surround, protect, and nourish the brain and spinal cord. Every day your body endures stresses and strains, and these changes often cause tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system, creating tension around the brain and spinal cord. Using about 5 grams of pressure (about the weight of a nickel), the CST practitioner gently evaluates various locations of the body to test the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid, then uses soft touch techniques to release restrictions and enhance the body's ability to self-correct.

You will need to wear something super comfy and warm. Sweats, yoga pants, and stretchy shirts are a good go-to.

A typical CST session lasts 60–90 minutes and takes place in a quiet, private setting, fully clothed on a comfortable massage table. Using a light touch, I evaluate the body for tension patterns and imbalances, then access and treat the craniosacral system through the bones and connective tissue. What's experienced is highly individualized — some feel deeply relaxed, others describe unwinding sensations as tension releases. Occasionally, circumstances surrounding a past trauma or injury are recalled; this process, called "SomatoEmotional Release," is perfectly normal and helps the body reverse dysfunction and restore ease.

Results are as individual as the sessions themselves. You may leave feeling ready to sleep for hours, or full of boundless energy. Some notice a decrease in pain or increase in function right away; for others, the effects develop gradually over the next few days. Since CST helps the body resume its natural healing processes, it's common for improvements to continue for weeks — you may also experience a reorganization phase as your body releases old patterns and adapts to a new state of wellness.

Because CST is effective as a preventive health measure, almost anyone can benefit. Its extremely light touch also makes it a safe approach for children and infants who've experienced early stress, including birth trauma — releasing restrictions around the central nervous system early may help prevent future difficulties such as learning disabilities or hyperactivity.

There are a few situations in which CST is not recommended, including any condition where slight variations in intracranial pressure would cause instability — such as acute aneurysm, recent skull fracture, or cerebral hemorrhage or other severe bleeding disorder. If you have questions about whether these situations apply to you, please consult your physician before receiving a CST session.