FAQ’s

I have a variety of offerings for type and duration of sessions, each with their own benefits!

For Therapeutic Massage, I offer 60, 90, and 120 minute sessions. To learn more about what these sessions entail and which length is best for you, visit my Therapeutic Massage services page here.

My unique Massage + Craniosacral Blend sessions are available for 90 or 120 minutes, and are becoming a favorite choice among clients for a dynamic, integrated treatment session. To learn more, visit the Massage + Craniosacral Blend page here.

Prenatal sessions are available for 60 or 90 minutes, and can incorporate various techniques and positioning, depending on where you are in your pregnancy. To learn more, visit the Prenatal Massage page here.

Cancellations & rescheduling can be done online up to 24 hours before your appointment, using the link in your confirmation email. You may also email Meg if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Cancellation, with notice, within (under) 24 hours of your appointment time will incur a fee of 50% of the session price. A no-show will incur a fee of the full session price, charged to the credit card on file.

I try to be gracious and understanding with clients as life events come up, and in turn I ask that you give as much notice as possible when you need to cancel an appointment.

This blend session is one of my favorites! The structure of the session depends on your needs that day, but generally the session starts with massage and concludes with a craniosacral sequence. Theoretically, the session is split about evenly between massage and craniosacral, but the whole idea of the “blend” is that there aren’t sharp distinctions between the modalities.

These sessions are perfect for those who want to try craniosacral for the first time but want to ease in, and for those who want to be able to experience the incredible benefits of BOTH massage and craniosacral. Read more about this offering, pricing, and special offers here.

Cupping is a therapeutic technique which uses cups to apply suction to the skin, which increases local blood flow and releases restrictions in soft tissue. Research has shown that cupping can decrease pain in areas treated, increase range of motion, and even help with such conditions as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and plantar heel pain.

The use of cupping has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as in other cultures, and has been used for centuries for a wide variety of healing purposes. In my massage practice, I use flexible silicone cups to help increase range of motion where it is restricted, and to relieve pain and stiffness in tissues. Cupping in combination with massage is a powerful technique, and I find my clients love the results.

Because blood flow is increased in the area where cupping is applied, there can be some marking (see an example here). These marks are not bruises, but they do present as a darkening/purpling of the skin. These marks can last days, so I always check with clients to make sure that they are fine with the potential for sporting some fun circular marks for a bit!

For most people, it will be much better to exercise or do any demanding, strenuous activities before a bodywork session. The massage or craniosacral session stimulates the parasympathetic - “rest and digest” - response, so it is very helpful to let the body stay in this relaxed, nourished state for as much of the day as possible.

If you are someone concerned with performance in sports or physical training, having the rest period after your session is typically going to be to your advantage because of the effects of bodywork on circulation and hormones in the body. Exercising before your session is usually a fine choice, as long as you allow enough time for your body to cool down and return to baseline from the elevated, excited state of exertion.

Taking a warm shower before massage can be helpful for a number of reasons.

• A warm shower can begin to relax you, bringing you into a state where you will be more receptive to massage and increase the benefits of the work.

• If you have applied a substance to your skin that can transfer onto sheets (such as self-tanning lotion), you should shower before a massage to prevent staining.

• Showering before your massage can also help mitigate any personal hygiene insecurities you may have, and help you to feel clean and ready for the work.

If you’re unable to shower before your massage, you can always ask for a towel or washcloth to clean your skin before you get on the table. I also have compostable wipes available for feet, hands, and body.

You do not need to shave before a massage, unless it will help prevent irritation of your skin. You will never be judged for the state of your hair, nails, etc., but please do keep in mind basic hygiene and cleanliness practices. (See “should I shower before a massage?” for the benefits of showering).

During a massage, you should typically wear either underwear, or nothing at all. However, your comfort is always a top priority, so wearing what you are comfortable in is key.

I always tell clients to undress “to your comfort level” - but what does this mean? Basically, if you want to keep any layers of clothing on, for any reason, I can accommodate.

For a massage session, it is usually helpful to unclothe the areas of focus (back, arms, legs), but treatment can still be effective with these areas clothed. If you do think you’ll want to keep on shirts, pants, etc., it’s best that you wear comfortable, thin or loose clothing that can be massaged over.

What about underwear?

In my practice, I work over the linens when focusing on the hips and glutes, so that area will be covered at all times regardless of what you are wearing. Underwear on or off is entirely your preference.

If you’ve had a massage before, you’ve likely been told to drink water and or “hydrate extra” after your session. Why do we recommend this?

Most importantly, we are reminding you to drink water because most of us just aren’t drinking enough water daily (hint: it’s NOT just 8 glasses a day! See this video for more information on how to understand and optimize your hydration).

In addition, rehydrating after a massage has importance of its own. As your therapist manipulates your muscles and soft tissues, circulation is increased and the fluids within and around your cells is moved around. Drinking water and/or a rehydrating fluid (such as electrolytes) will help the tissues to return to an ideal state of hydration, ready for future needs.

Which parts of your body are addressed is always up to you.

Before the session begins, we will talk about what your goals and focus areas are. This is also the perfect time to specify if any areas should be avoided (but if you forget to mention something, just let me know when you think of it during the session). There will never be any judgement or push-back to a request to skip an area of the body.

If you wish to give context for why we are to avoid an area, that is welcomed. However, if you don’t want to explain, that’s fine too! Your boundaries do not require justification, and I am here to respect them.

Additionally, you can give or withdraw permission for areas to be touched from session to session - just because we worked on one part in the past doesn’t mean you can’t decide you want it skipped this time.

As with any aspect of bodywork, if you ever have questions, please ask!

Every session will begin with an intake - usually about 5 minutes if we’ve worked together before, and longer if it’s your first time in. We will go over how you are feeling and what you would like us to focus on that day.

There is no right or wrong way to ask for help or describe an issue. Even if you don’t quite know what the issue is, or are struggling to describe it, I just want to know about your experience and how it is affecting your life.

It doesn’t have to be “major” - anything is fair game! I encourage you to mention whatever may be bothering you, even if you don’t know whether massage can help. If we can address it, we’ll try. If it’s something beyond my scope of practice, I’ll always tell you and try to help find a solution.

Touch therapies can stimulate what is called the parasympathetic branch of your nervous system, or what you may have heard called the “rest and digest” response. This system is involved in relaxation and calm, reduction in stress hormones, decreased heart rate, stimulation of digestion, and more. Basically, this is the “chill” mode for your brain and body.

Bodywork such as massage or craniosacral therapy can help shift your body into the parasympathetic state, which means that you can experience a reduction in the hyperactive, heightened state of anxiety that so often dominates our lives.

This effect can be fairly immediate, but there is also benefit on a long-term scale in helping mitigate the physiological effects of stress and anxiety, improve sleep and immune function, and more. It is more than feeling “relaxed,” it is truly a shift in the neural mechanisms of the body into a state of calm.

Tips (gratuity) are graciously accepted and appreciated. Usually people tip around 20% of the cost of the session, but that does vary.

I have created my pricing structure such that tips are not expected, but are appreciated. Some folks are not comfortable tipping their massage therapist because massage is a form of healthcare, and that is a stance I fully respect. Whether you choose to leave a tip, or how much you tip, will never affect the level of care you receive.

The massage table I use has a 450 lb weight capacity. To learn more about the table and treatment space, please visit the Treatment Space page here.