Opinion - Treat Yourself Right! - Massage and Bodywork - Tyr Massage - JeAnne Frey

Not-So-FAQs

If you were hoping for a blog, sorry. What I do include on this page is answers to questions that don't make the FAQ page. I try to address massage and bodywork-related questions I receive, and if the information seems relevant to others, I include my responses here. Other practitioners are sometimes consulted (in confidence) to provide answers.

Unless otherwise specified, answers are the opinion of C. JeAnne Frey, CMT, and do not necessarily reflect opinions held by other massage providers or the therapeutic massage field in general. Please bear in mind that a CMT is not a medical doctor. Diagnoses are never available from this site. If you'd like my opinion on a question not covered here, email me at: jeanne@tyrmassage.com.

+ + +

Why don't you have your picture on your website?

This question still surprises me every time I hear it. If my appearance is a determining factor in whether or not you want me as your massage therapist, you're looking for work I don't do. A lot of reputable (and effective) massage therapists do post pictures on their websites. I have no problem with the idea, I simply choose not to.

Why should I get a massage? I had one once and it was terrible.

I'm also in what seems sometimes to be the minority of people who say "there really is such a thing as a bad massage." When I was interviewing massage therapists to take over my practice when I moved, well, let's just say there were some people I would absolutely not refer my clients...or my enemies, if I had any...to. That isn't to say they were bad at what they did, they just weren't working in a way that worked for me. What makes one a "good" massage therapist is different for everyone. If you receive a session that's not to your liking, you don't need to write off massage in general. Let the bodyworker you choose know what you want as well as what you don't want. A good bodywork professional will listen to you and accomodate you to the best of their ability within their scope of practice.

If you haven't closed the door to massage, ask people you know who they would recommend. If you know anyone who had a session they liked from a practitioner in your area, go to that practitioner. Be sure to let them know who referred you. Some of us (myself included) offer incentives to our clients who refer others to us. Word of mouth considered the best way to market as a massage provider because experience is more reliable than ad campaigns.

What can I do to keep this problem from coming back?

Number one, be aware of what makes it feel worse. I realize this sounds very simplistic, but if you can help it, don't do that! One common problem is pain in the shoulders (see the levator scapula on the muscle page for a common contributor.) Pay attention to when you hunch your shoulders, and allow them to relax when you catch yourself tensing up. If your problem areas are due to stress, taking a slow, deep breath on a regular, frequent, basis probably won't hurt.

If you have a recent, painful problem, find out if your pain is due to an injury and treat it accordingly. Sudden pain is an indication that a visit to your doctor may be in order. Sometimes, you need to take a break from strenuous activity. Other times, strength training is your best bet. A medical doctor or physical therapist can help guide you.

Above all else, you should be aware of what makes your pain better and what makes it worse. Lifestyle changes such as beginning to work out or eliminating activities that are too taxing are not always the answer we want to hear, but often that is what is required to eliminate chronic pain. Hopefully, improving your posture, your awareness, and your diet will be enough to see you through. You might well need to investigate a few different modalities before you find the combination you need. Keep in mind that one hour of massage won't counteract a full month or even a week of ignoring the problem.

One session certainly won't lengthen a muscle that's been contracted for years. Increasing your body awareness when you feel good as well as when you feel bad can help give you information you can use to recognize stress-related pain. Be honest with yourself and be gentle.

I'm considering my first massage. What should I expect?

When you first come in, we'll talk for a little bit. I'll ask you what you're looking to get out of massage, and I'll tell you about my approach to the work. I'll also give you a chance to ask any questions you might have, before, during, and after the session. Once we know you don't have any conditions that preclude massage, I'll leave the room to wash my hands and to give you privacy to undress and settle in on the table. (If you face mobility challenges, the table can be raised or lowered to make it easier for you.) You can remove as much clothing as you wish, or leave on any clothing you want to. Anything left on tells me "hands off" without you needing to say a word. I do ask that you remove jewelry, however - especially necklaces. Most sessions involve work on the neck and shoulders and I don't want to risk breaking a clasp. I'll ask you to lie on the table, between the sheets so you're not in direct contact with the surface of the table (it's vinyl and wouldn't be very comfortable) but still covered up.

During the session, you'll be under the top sheet (and blanket, if it's too cold), except for your head and neck, and whatever part of your body I'm working on. Once I'm done with an arm or leg, the sheet goes back in place to ensure you are draped for privacy and comfort. If you'd like me to work on your chest or abdomen, I'll use an additional drape to be sure no breast tissue is exposed (for men, this additional draping is also available.) I will not expose your groin or entire gluteal region (that is, your "privates" or your "behind.") If, at any time, you'd like a change (in draping, pressure, or where I'm working) let me know. If you're not comfortable, you won't be relaxed, which defeats the purpose of getting a massage. I can work around just about anything.

I'll start with light pressure to get a sense of where you're holding tension, and to allow you to get used to my touch. For a first massage, I probably won't incorporate connective tissue work, unless you have a specific issue that requires it. Then I'll apply massage cream and warm up your skin and muscles with long and short strokes, moving into kneading strokes. Sometimes I'll "press" into tense areas, use stretching (where I do the work - you get to lie on the table and be a wet noodle!) or move your limbs. I don't use a lot of tapotement (the stroke that's always on TV - like Karate chops), but can if you'd like a "wake-up" ending or a strictly Swedish session. I'll check in with you periodically, but welcome I feedback at any time. There's no need for you to talk, but if you feel more comfortable talking, that's okay too.

Once the session is done, I'll leave the room again to give you privacy to get dressed. Be sure you take your time, since some people feel somewhat dizzy after a session - especially their first. Also, drink plenty of water after your session. Even if you already drink a lot of water, take in more than usual. This will help your body flush out the toxins that had been trapped in your muscles and are now looking for a way to exit your system. Allow yourself time to "ground" after receiving massage or other bodywork - especially before driving.

The most important thing to keep in mind when going in for massage is awareness of your body. Try to notice yourself releasing tension, dropping your shoulders, breathing deeply, and allowing yourself to relax. Most of all, keep in mind you can say "no" to any technique or area you're not comfortable with, and be ready to enjoy your massage!

What do you mean, release tension with my breath? Just make the pain go away and don't ask me to do anything weird.

I often ask my clients to "visualize" releasing the tension in their bodies while in session. For those who don't go in for "all of that meditation stuff" this can seem a little odd. However, breath is one of the best tools we have for relaxation. If you've ever been upset and taken a deep breath which had a calming effect, you know it works.

While intentionally deeply inhaling, think about where you feel pain or tightness in your muscles. While you exhale, imagine that tension leaving your body along with the carbon dioxide you breathe out. Eventually, think of the air you take in as relaxing and the air you breathe out as flushing out tension and stress along with the carbon dioxide. This is a great technique that can be used at any time. It's very simple to do, and no one needs to know you're doing it.

For those who are familiar with meditation, visualization, and other such techniques, this is often second nature. For those who were never taught any of it, it may seem "pointless" or "flakey" but with a little bit of practice you will probably find it to be extremely helpful. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? You take in a little more oxygen while I'm working to move toxins out of your body. Deeper breath will help on a cellular level, even if it doesn't make you feel better in and of itself. If you really don't want to incorporate deep breathing, tell me to back off. It's your session.

Why do you include energy techniques with massage?

I don't always include energy and other modalities in my work. Having a "medical massage" background, using (let alone paying for training in) energy techniques was initially a real stretch for me. The short answer is: I've found them to be effective. My ability to address pain and poor range of motion using strictly massage techniques has improved over the years, and when I come across a method that works, I use it. If you prefer strictly massage during your session, I'm happy to accommodate.

One thing that has become apparant to me over the years is when we focus exclusively on a "problem" muscle or muscle group, the issue does not resolve as easily as it does when we acknowledge the whole body. Since people are more than just their bodies, by addressing their energy fields the session is more inclusive, and often my clients report the work stays with them longer after the session.

Another consideration in learning and offering energy techniques such as Circuitry Alignment and vocal toning is the length of my career. Techniques that require less physical effort enable me to offer more sessions in a day. Some people respond well to energy work than others. I'm pleased to be able to offer sessions to a broader range of clients, since every interaction provides another opportunity for learning.

How long will it take to get rid of these sore spots?

First, how long did it take to get them? If you didn't “over-do it,”chances are that sore spots developed after the same motion, over and over again. When the pain creates the inability to perform tasks using the muscle and/or joint in question, it's called a Repeat Stress Injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is an example of a Repeat Stress Injury. A Medical Doctor is the only one who can diagnose this, but if you continually move the same way and it has started to hurt, common sense says “change what you're doing.” If you stop what caused the problem, your chances of quickly getting rid of “sore spots” will increase. Be sure to stretch regularly. If you hold a muscle in the same position for 20 minutes, it thinks it's supposed to stay there, so if you can't take a full stretch break, at least shift your position! Don't over-do it, always drink lots of water, and (surprise) consider getting a massage!

Why does my arm (leg, back, neck, etc.) hurt when you press on it when it didn't hurt before the massage?

Sometimes the muscle hasn't been warmed up enough. Sometimes it has hurt all along, but the pain was so constant that it could be ignored until you brought your attention to it. Sometimes, it's a Trigger Point (a spot which refers pain elsewhere—there are dozens of them, and they're consistent from person to person). The best thing to do in this case is to let your practitioner know that it hurts. While there is often some discomfort and aching involved with deep tissue massage, there shouldn't be SHARP PAIN. Any pain should "hurt good," if that makes sense. Sometimes working through it does more harm than good, so always listen to your body (on and off the table) and say ouch if (or before) you've reached your limit. Everyone responds differently to massage. You know what your body feels better than any “expert” with ten degrees and twenty years’ experience.