FAQ

This depends on your goal.  If your goal is just to relax, relieve general muscle tension and soreness, 60 minutes is a good amount of time to achieve that. A 60-minute massage is also good for just focusing on specific problem areas. If you want a full-body massage but have some areas that need a little extra attention, a 60-minute session may leave you feeling unfulfilled. A 90-minute session allows for a full-body massage and some focused work. While it is possible to have a full-body massage in 60 minutes, it does not allow for a lot of time to spend on specific areas.

As often as you like! There is no special formula for how often you should receive a massage. It’s all about what’s best for you.

Tightness is a feeling, not necessarily a physical condition. What you feel doesn’t necessarily equate to what I feel. These are two different things. It is thought that the feeling of tightness is similar to the feeling of pain- an alarm that is telling you to move or change position. I can feel the tone of tissues, but again, what I feel doesn’t equate to what you feel. Many times, I have felt an increased tissue tension and the client denied feeling pain or tightness.

That is up to you. The most important thing is your comfort level, and this should be discussed during the intake process. A typical massage is performed directly on the skin, but a massage is still possible over clothing. If you are comfortable removing clothing, I suggest removing everything you are comfortable removing. Some people take everything off, some people take off everything except their underwear. Both are acceptable. By Oregon law, the gluteal cleft, genitals, and breast tissue will never be exposed. My practice is to only uncover the area that I am working on. Any clothing you leave on acts as a boundary, and I will not cross that boundary by working underneath any clothing left on. Please see my “What to Expect During a Massage” page for more information.

I am not accepting new clients who want to bill either their health insurance or PIP.

Yes! I can play anything your heart desires. Just tell me an artist, a genre, or send over your favorite playlist.

Goodness no! The time during a massage is all about you. You can chat if you like. Or you can zone out or sleep if that’s your jam. I work better when I’m not trying to engage in conversation. It’s easier for me to pay attention to what’s happening with you and your body if I’m not talking. I will, however, talk to you if it is related to treatment and to check in with you.

Only if you are thirsty. It is a myth that massage pushes toxins out of tissues and that water is needed to expel those toxins out of your body. It is my mission in life to stop the spread of this nonsense.

Maybe, but mainly, no. In general, massage should not make you sore, especially if it is intended for relaxation. It is possible, however, to be somewhat sore after a massage that was focused on an injury or rehabilitation. It is never my intention or goal for you to feel sore. If you are in pain or uncomfortable because of a musculoskeletal disorder or injury, I work conservatively so that I don’t cause you more discomfort. I do rely on your feedback during the massage to help guide my depth and intensity. But sometimes, people still feel some soreness the next day. If you are sore, please tell your therapist.

Because I want to keep you safe. Massage is more than just spreading lotion over the body. Pathologies and medications may be affected by pressure and the neurological changes that happen during a massage. If you had a previous injury, I need to know so that I don’t aggravate that old injury. Certain injuries, such as damage to ligaments, are susceptible to future injuries. Knowing if the pain you are feeling is sharp, dull, or achy tells me a lot about what tissue may be affected and how I should approach treatment.

Currently, I am selling gift certificates for the Forest Grove location only. Please reach out to purchase one.

I provide services to individuals who are 15 years of age and older. Spa treatments are not available to anyone under 18 years of age.

Unfortunately, I am not trained to work with pregnant people and do not offer prenatal massage.