FAQ

+ What are the benefits of massage?

It is passive self care at its finest! Tissue manipulation can benefit the health of muscles, promote faster recovery from working out or muscle injury, and increase circulation. The therapeutic touch of massage promotes healing, improving physical and mental wellbeing.

A weekly or monthly massage can help reduce stress, anxiety, fatigue, alleviate muscle tension (shoulders, TMJ, back, etc) and improve sleep.

It also feels good!

+ How often should I receive a massage?

Taking care of yourself should always be a priority. Ideally, we recommend our clients come weekly. However, we know life gets in the way and that frequency is not always a possibility. For our particularly busy clients, we encourage a minimum of once monthly sessions. Speak with your therapist to discuss your needs and figure out what works best for you.

Massage frequency matters. If your issue is stress or muscle tension, or you work out often, we ask that you consider coming in weekly, bi-weekly, or once a month. We will work with you to figure out a schedule that works best for you. Everyone is a unique snowflake.

+ What is Craniosacral Therapy?

Craniosacral Therapy is as it sounds: working with the cranium, sacrum and everything in between. Good for chronic pain, TMJ, headaches, migraines, and sinus issues, it is a gentle form of bodywork that is very stimulating to the parasympathetic nervous system to promote self-healing. Like anything, it’s one of those things that you have to experience to know what it’s about.

+ What is deep tissue massage? Does it hurt?

Working within our client’s comfort zone, deep tissue massage is tissue-appropriate pressure to affect change in muscle tissues. Pressure is relative to the condition being treated. Muscles that are injured or inflamed may be more sensitive to pressure than muscles that are not; so light pressure may feel “deep”. If it is painful to the point that one is holding one’s breath, we encourage communication with the massage therapist.

Please reference the question “I heard that massage should hurt. Is this true?” below for more details.

+ Is massage a "treat" or therapy?

All of the above. We like to be a part of our clients’ self-care to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle. We do therapeutic work to help promote and improve clients’ physical and mental well-being. But once-a-month massage can also be a respite for daily stressors. If a treat is your therapy, then let us be a part of your regular therapy.

+ Can I get a massage if I am already in pain?

Use your best discretion. If your leg is broken, seek professional medical care. If the pain is due to muscle tension, strain, or you “woke up funny”, then we may be able to help you.

Note that if this is a condition that has developed over time or is an ongoing issue, understand that while massage can be a temporary fix, you may want to speak with your therapist about ongoing preventive care.

+ Should I work out before or after my massage?

If you choose to work out, we suggest you work out before your session. However, if you choose to work out after your session, please let your therapist know so we can adjust your session accordingly.

+ Why does my nose get stuffed up when I lay face down during my massage?

When laying face down (prone), the weight of one’s head in the face cradle is going with gravity which can cause sinuses to drain; pressure on the sinuses can also cause a feeling of congestion.

+ What does a massage therapist’s license mean?

In the state of New York we are required to receive at least 1,000 hours of education and take a state board to achieve licensure to legally practice. Some of the subjects we cover in school are anatomy, physiology, pathology, and neurology.

+ What can I expect at my first massage?

If it’s your first time with us we encourage you to come in ten minutes before your session in order to complete our brief intake form. Our intake form will collect your contact info, medical history, and reason for treatment or concerns. All sessions are scheduled to start on time.

In the session room, we ask that you undress to your comfort level after we leave to wash up in preparation for your session. We will honor whatever clothing boundaries our clients prefer to keep so you may undress as much or as little as you’d like. We do use an oil based product and will try our best to avoid getting any product on clients’ clothing (consider yourself informed).

We will ask that you lay on the table face up or face down depending on the focus of your session. At some point in the session we will lift up the sheet as a curtain to allow you to change position so we can work the other side of the body.

We encourage that you communicate with us should anything we do be uncomfortable, or not in line with what you want for your session. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after your session.

At the end of your session we will leave the room to allow you to take the time to get dressed and ready yourself to continue your day.

+ How much do I have to undress for a session?

We ask that you undress to your comfort level. We are well-practiced in sheet draping techniques to protect our clients’ modesty. That said, we will honor whatever clothing boundaries our clients prefer to keep so you may undress as much or as little as you’d like. We do use an oil based product and will try our best to avoid getting any product on clients’ clothing (consider yourself informed).

+ Can I eat right before my massage?

We suggest if you do eat, you keep it light. Nobody likes to lay down on a bowling ball.

+ What if I fall asleep during my session?

MMNYC is a safe space and we can still continue your session if you drift off. We’ll wake you as necessary. Sleep is restorative, so sleeping during your massage compounds the benefits.

+ Can I talk during my session? If the massage hurts or is uncomfortable, is it okay to interrupt my therapist?

Please don’t confuse massage therapy with talk therapy. In order for our therapists to provide the best possible session, concentration in a quiet environment is encouraged, so clients can focus on the work. That said, we do encourage communication should anything that we do be uncomfortable or not in line with what you would like for your session. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after your session.

+ Am I supposed to tip my therapist?

Tipping is appreciated but not required. However, it’s a wonderful way to show your gratitude for the work your therapist has done.

+ Will I experience soreness after my massage?

Possibly, depending on what condition is being treated, if any; level of activity and/or hydration (or lack of) after the session. If one is sore post session, it should not last more than a day. If soreness persists more than a day, please contact us.

+ How can I extend the benefits of my massage?

Take it easy after your session. Hydrate, and treat yourself kindly.
Massage frequency matters. If your issue is stress or muscle tension, or you work out often, we ask that you consider coming in weekly, bi-weekly, or once a month. We will work with you to figure out a schedule that works best for you.

+ I heard that massage releases toxins and cleanses the body. Is this true?

Bob’s favorite analogy is that muscles are like sponges. You can think of massage as squeezing out the muscle so fresh blood can infuse the muscle tissue. This is why we encourage you to hydrate well after your session to help your body filter the stuff that has been moved around.

+ I heard that massage should hurt. Is this true?

The quick answer is no. And yet, there is such a thing as bad pain and good pain. Therapeutic massage can sometimes be challenging.

An intolerant level of pressure causing so much discomfort that the client tenses up muscles, braces against the pressure, or holds their breath, we consider to be too much pressure and not therapeutic but actually counter-productive.

With tissue appropriate pressure, clients can mentally engage to disengage muscles, breathe through it and feel the muscle release. We consider this therapeutic massage.

+ I go to the chiropractor. Do I really need a massage?

Massage is a wonderful compliment to chiropractic care. Soft tissue care can make bone manipulation easier.

+ Is it safe for pregnant women to receive massage?

Yes, as long as it is a prenatal massage. We have therapists who have received all of the training requirements to provide prenatal massage care, which is necessary to ensure a safe massage during pregnancy.

We offer an Intuitive Prenatal Massage, which is like an Intuitive Massage but tailored specifically to accommodate mom’s growing belly and the needs of her changing body. Prenatal session goals: to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation, mobility and help Moms-to-be feel more comfortable.

When you schedule your appointment, make sure you schedule an Intuitive Prenatal Massage session.