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Massage is a uniquely personal experience of being touched in a positive, non-sexual, nurturing way. Touch is a basic need that connects us with others, and more importantly, to ourselves. Massage Therapy is a safe place to experience this positive touch, to reconnect with your body and emotions, and to enjoy the numerous health benefits that therapeutic massage offers!!!!!

Mental Level

Your massage/bodywork session will take place in a warm comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

Your session will be conducted by a trained professional who has received proper training, often in a variety of techniques. All massage and bodywork practitioners at Windham Health Center are licensed by the state and are nationally certified.

Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed. However, you may decide what amount of clothing you prefer to wear for your own comfort. The practitioner will always work within your own comfort level with regard to clothing and personal boundaries.

Some types of bodywork, such as sport-massage-type compression or assisted stretching, may be done with the client fully dressed in loose, comfortable clothing.

The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet, and, if needed, a blanket.

You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

You and the practitioner will discuss the desired outcome of your session. This will determine which parts of your body require massage. A typical "full body" session includes work on your face, head, and neck, arms and hands, feet and legs, shoulders and back. If indicated, the work will include the abdomen and gluteal areas. You will not be touched on areas inappropriate to professional therapeutic treatment, or anywhere you prefer not to be touched.

A light oil or lotion may be used to permit your muscles to be worked on without causing excessive friction to the skin. The lubricants used should hydrate the skin and be readily absorbed. They are hypoallergenic, but you should inform the therapist of any allergies you may have to oils, lotions, or fragrances.

It depends on the technique used. In a general Swedish massage, the therapist may start an area with broad, flowing strokes which will help to calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As the area becomes relaxed, pressure may gradually be increased, and the technique varied, to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension.

There are numerous types of massage and bodywork. Various techniques utilize different strokes and approaches varying from basic rubbing strokes to rocking movement, posture and movement reeducation, application of pressure to specific points, passive and active stretching, myofascial release techniques, lymphatic drainage, and others. Ask the practitioner about the methods he or she uses. Also see Types Of Therapy.

The average full-body massage or bodywork session lasts approximately one hour. A half-hour appointment may be used for a specific area, such as a neck-and-back-only session. One and one-half to two-hour sessions may be indicated for optimal treatment. You may wish to have a session only occasionally, or you may want to discuss a treatment plan for chronic problems. Feel free to discuss your needs with the practitioner. And try to allow yourself relaxation time before and after the session.

Make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Some may doze off during a relaxation session. Others like to talk during their massage or bodywork. Feel free to ask the practitioner questions about massage and bodywork in general, or about the particular technique you are receiving.

Above all, remember, this is your massage. Communicating your needs to your practitioner, either before, during, or after the session can play a vital role in assuring you of maximum benefits while maintaining your session as an enjoyable experience.

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from 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.

New clients receiving deep work may experience some soreness a day or two after the massage. Some of the massage work mimics exercise, and waste products are being removed from the muscles and tissues due to the increased blood supply that massage provides.

It is important to drink adequate fluids, especially water, following the massage, to help complete the flushing of toxins and other irritating metabolic wastes. This may reduce any post-therapy soreness.

Massage or bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure.

Before you begin your session, the practitioner will ask some general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking and if you are under a doctor's care.

Send mail to Cliff@WindhamHealthCenter.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 12/04/2009