If you've never had a professional massage before, you may be a little nervous about making an appointment. "What am I supposed to wear?" "What exactly is going to happen?" "Do I really have to get naked?" Below is an exact list of what goes on when you first enter the clinic. I apologize for it being so long, but I've noticed that people like detailed explanations, especially if they are nervous about doing something for the first time.
Upon entering the clinic, I will greet you and, if you are a first-time client, I will ask you to sit in the lobby to fill out a Client History Form. This is a form that asks for your basic information, like name, address, phone number, etc. It also asks about any previous or current medical problems. It's very important that you fill this out completely and honestly, because I need to know what's going on so I don't hurt you during the massage.
After completing the form, I will take you back to my room. No one will be in that room for the next hour except for myself and the client. The front door will also be locked, for our safety. At this time, I will ask if there are any current muscle pains that you'd like extra time spent on for the session. Before I leave to let you undress, I'll give you specific instructions. First, is to undress to your comfort level. This means that if you're somewhat uncomfortable, you can leave some garments of clothing on. If you want to have the massage fully clothed, that's perfectly fine, although I won't be able to treat your sore muscles as effectively as I could otherwise. Normally, for a massage, leaving your undergarments on is the most common thing for people to do. After you undress, you'll get under the sheets on the table, lying on your stomach with your face resting on the face rest. Please note that while you are undressing, I will not be in the room; I will be outside, reviewing your information form and washing up.
After a few minutes, I will come back, knocking on the door first. This is when the massage will begin. Here is a complete list, in order for the most part, of what I will work on during the massage: the back and shoulders, usually for 25 minutes of the massage; the backs of the arms and hands; the hips; the backs of the legs and feet. At this point, I will ask you to turn over onto your back. Please note that there is a sheet over you the entire time during the massage, only uncovering the limb I'm working on, to maintain your privacy. After you have turned over, I will massage: the fronts of the legs and feet; the fronts of the arms and hands; neck, face, and head. After that, the hour will be complete. Please note that at any time, if you should feel uncomfortable or excessive pain, it is your right to tell me to stop, and I will not massage that area anymore.
During the massage, it is okay to talk. People do get nervous if this is their first massage, and it's normal to let out the nervousness by talking. I don't at all mind having a conversation for the whole hour. If you want to just relax and spend the whole hour not talking, that's fine with me too. The massage is all about you and what makes you comfortable.
After the hour is complete, I will let you know, and I will leave to allow you to dress. When you are finished, just open the door and I'll be there within a few seconds with a bottle of water for you. It's important to drink a lot of water for the next 24 hours after a massage, because it helps flush out the toxins that I broke down from your sore muscles during the massage. If I had noticed anything unusual during the massage, like a very tight muscle, this is when I'll bring it up, and give suggestions on how to help it if I have any. This is also the time that payment is requested. I accept cash, peronal checks, and Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Afterward, I will ask if you'd like to reschedule. You are not obligated to reschedule, however, I'll give you my business card, which contains my phone number, in case you would like to reschedule in the future. And that will conclude our massage session.
