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 massage practice when I relocated to Charlottesville, 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 massage therapist you choose know what you want as well as what you don't want.  After all, they are working for you, and you are the expert in what you like.  A good massage therapist 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 massage session they liked from a massage therapist in your area, go to that massage therapist.  Be sure to let them know who referred you. Some of us (myself included) offer incentives to our clients who refer others to us.  Alternately, check out reviews everywhere you can find them.  If you've read this far in my little corner of cyberspace, I'm sure you already know all of this.  Word of mouth has always been the best way to market as a massage therapist, and these days it's recognized as the best way to advertise, period. 

When you first come in, I'll ask you to fill out an intake form and 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'm open to any questions you might have at any time:  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 chilly) 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 (in short, anything you can get in trouble for exposing in public.)  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, and just because I have a lot of training and experience, when it comes to your body, you are the expert.

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 massage 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.

I sometimes 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.  Focusing your breath to sore muscles may engage them, bringing in much-needed movement which can allow tension to dissipate.  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 anywhere and any time 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.  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, you can tell me to back off.  It's your session.

I don't always include energy and other modalities in my work, but when I do it is because experience has shown me the combination of energy modalities and massage therapy bring about results.  Having a medical massage background, using (let alone paying for training in) energy techniques was initially a real stretch for me.  I am by nature far more practical than the stereotypical flaky massage therapist, though I'd be lying to myself and you if I didn't acknowledge that I believe in a lot of things most people don't.  The reason I've grown so comfortable with energy work is that I've found the techniques I use to be effective.  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.  By the same token, since people are more than just their bodies, addressing their energy fields helps their physical form to accept the work more readily.  When the session is more inclusive, my clients often report the effects of the massage stay with them longer after the session has ended. 

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.  Like most massage therapists, I am a huge fan of stretching, so of course I also suggest regular stretching.  Another gem from my basic massage training is if you hold a muscle in the same position for 20 minutes, it thinks it's supposed to stay there,  If you can't take a full stretch break, at least shift your position!  You may be surprised at how much movement you can work into 30 seconds.  If you don't have 30 seconds to spare in your day, you truly are too busy!  Don't over-do it, always drink lots of water, and (surprise) consider getting a 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 your attention was brought 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.  That doesn't mean the session needs to end, it just means the technique being used at the moment should be modified for your maximum benefit. 

While there is sometimes some discomfort and aching involved with deep tissue massage, there should never be SHARP PAIN.  Any pain should feel productive or "hurt good," if that makes sense.  I personally am not a fan of the "no pain, no gain" theory.  Think about it:  you get a massage because your back hurts, and the massage causes your body to tense up.  How productive is that?  Not very.  Sometimes trying to work through pain 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 and the tone and tension in your muscles change from day to day.  You know what your body feels better than any “expert” with ten degrees and twenty years’ experience, so don't let me or any other massage therapist push you farther than your body is comfortable going. 

Certainly!  If she's willing and able to receive massage, I'm willing to work with her.  Be sure to have her check with her doctor to be sure there are no contraindications first.  The elderly are more prone to certain conditions (such as osteoporosis) that preclude some forms of massage. As with any client, she can leave on whatever clothing she likes and we'll go at her pace.  It has been my honor to worked with a number of clients well into their 80s and 90s.  It's been a big hit!