Dreamscapes Massage::.Massage FAQ

• Relieves Stress
• Encourages Relaxation
• Improves Posture and Circulation
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Helps Manage Pain
• Relaxes Muscles
• Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion
• Relieves Tension-Related Headaches
• Strengthens the Immune System
• Enhances Post-Operative Rehabilitation
• Improves Rehabilitation After Injury
• Manage Fibromyalgia Pain Naturally
• Eliminates Poisonous Toxins from the Body
• Develops Sensory Awareness

• Allergies
• Depression and Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Asthma and Bronchitis
• Circulatory Problems
• Insomnia
• Sports Injuries
• Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Musculo-Skeletal Disorders

You can expect to have massage in a safe, nurturing environment. You can expect to feel peaceful, relaxed and calm afterwards. You will be listened to, you know your body. I cannot "fix" you, since you are not broken. I can assist your body in finding it's way to optimal health through stress-relief and relaxation.

You will start the massage session by filling out a Client Intake Form, and we will discuss your goals, even if it is just to relax and de-stress. You will then be left alone in the massage room to undress to your comfort level. You will get on the massage table, where you will cover yourself with the sheet and blankets. I will enter the room only when you are ready. Soothing music is playing in the background, unless you prefer silence. Then you get to Escape with DreamScapes!! When the massage comes to a close, I will leave the room for you to redress in private.

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 I 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, to 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.

You do not have to remove anything that you do not desire to. Usually, however, massage is done with the removal of all clothes, and you are covered with a sheet and blanket. But YOU decide how much you undress and your comfort level, and I will work with you. This is YOUR TIME and you are to always feel comfortable!!

I find that most people start with an hour massage. That's enough time to cover the entire body. A half hour is only enough time for a specific area or two - such as back and neck. Many people come in for 90 minutes, as that way they can get the full body massage, with extra time on any problem areas.

YES!!! With DreamScapes Massage you get what you pay for and more! The amount of massage time that you schedule is the amount of "table time" that you receive. Beware however, that is not the case with many therapists. The only exception to this is if you are running late to your appointment. Please see Massage Office Policies page for the information which is located under "Session Time."

This really depends on what your goals are, and your budget. I recommend getting a massage at least once a month, as the effects are cumulative. A few of my clients come in once a week, some every other week or every 3 weeks, and others once a month. All of them recognize the importance of self-care, and the health benefits that they enjoy from receiving massage on a regular basis.

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom for 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. A hot Epsom salt bath encourages the release of toxins that have been stirred up from the massage treatment.

Possibly, but not necessarily. It is very important for you to let me know if I am using too much pressure at any time. I do not operate under the "no pain - no gain" theory, so please don't "take" the pressure or pain thinking that it is supposed to be that way. Sometimes working with an injured area might be painful, but even that should be within a good tolerance level...think "good hurt" vs. "bad hurt." If you are not used to receiving massage, it is similar to not being used to working out. Just as you can feel sore after a good workout, you might feel a little sore after a massage, but that feeling should not last more than a day or two. Again, communication is key to getting your best massage. I feel this is extremely important!

This is totally up to you. I will occasionally "check in" pertaining to your comfort level. Some people relax by talking, other prefer to have their massage in silence. It is your massage, you decide if you want to talk or not. Often times people start out talking, then drift away as the massage continues.

No. I do not bill insurance of any kind. I will supply you with a receipt and you may file on your own.

Tipping is a matter of personal discretion. Some of my clients tip, some do not. You will get the same level of excellent service whether you tip or not. Tips are never required, but always appreciated. One of the best ways to "tip" me is to refer your friends and family to me for massage.

Rarely. Is the question behind this really: "Will you be able to give me a good massage if I am your last client of the day?" The answer is YES. One of the ways that I have been able to stay in this profession since 2001 is to not overbook myself.

A trigger point is a tiny area of irritation in a stressed muscle. Trigger points refer pain, weakness, or numbness to either surrounding or distant areas of muscle tissue. The key clue pointing to a trigger point is that applying pressure to a specific point causes you to feel pain or another sensation someplace else. Trigger points result from trauma, exposure to cold or infection, overuse, misalignment, or chronically contracted muscles.

Chronic muscle tension inhibits circulation, which means your muscles (and other tissues) aren't receiving the nutrition they need and waste products aren't being taken away. The lack of nutrition and toxic buildup of waste irritate nerve endings, resulting in weakness and pain. This toxicity also taxes your immune system. Chronic muscle tension also inhibits movement. Movement is accomplished by paired groups of muscles alternately contracting and lengthening to move the bones to which the muscles attach. Chronically tense muscles disrupt the symmetry of balanced forces acting on the skeleton, holding bones out of position and causing misalignments. For every chronically tight muscle, its opposite (the antagonist) is chronically stretched and weak. These unbalanced forces also cause ligaments to become strained as they try to brace misaligned joints. All this makes injury more likely. Chronic muscle tension also used up energy, so you fatigue more easily.

The duration of the effects of a massage vary greatly from person to person depending on your physical and mental condition, activities, ability to relax, and ability to heal. If you are receiving massage to help heal injury or to get rid of chronic pain, you usually need to receive weekly massage until you reach your goal. If you are receiving massage for prevention, health maintenance, or just to feel better, you have more leeway in how often you receive massage. The effects of regular massage are cumulative. A massage every week or two can make a big difference in your overall health and tension levels. Monthly massage is beneficial. Make regular massage part of your health maintenance program (along with good nutrition and exercise), and you'll feel better.

Most importantly, make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, you will be moved...just go with it. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Most all people close their eyes and relax during a session; others prefer to talk. It's up to you. This is your massage. Never hesitate to ask questions at any time.