Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do you have to practice massage?
What learning requirements are there after a therapist receives their
license?
What do you charge for a
massage?
Outcalls only? Can't I travel to your house?
What massage techniques
do you use?
Who will you not massage?
Who will you massage?
Can you
describe a typical massage session?
Can massage hurt?
Do you
provide sheets for the massage table?
Types
of lotion used for massages?
What
is worn for a massage?
What
is not included in the massage?
What qualifications do you have to practice massage?
I completed a 624 hour training course from the Florida College of Natural Health. The school is top notch with excellent with instructors who not only provided knowledge but also humor and compassion for their students.
After completing the school requirements I took a National Certification Exam for Massage Therapy. The state of Florida recognizes that exam as part of its requirements for state licensure.
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What learning requirements are there after a therapist receives their license?
To maintain my license a
number of continuing education courses are required.
Therapists use these
courses to learn new techniques and keep up with current health issues and laws.
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What do you charge for a massage?
I charge $80 for a one hour session or $120 for 1.5 hours, see my Rates page for more information.
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Outcalls only? Can't I travel to your house?It may surprise you to learn that any therapist who takes incalls to their personal residence can be charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree in Florida. Those therapists are willing to take that risk in addition to losing their license. This is what the rules say:
Chapter 480.046 Grounds for disciplinary action by the board.
Practicing massage at a site, location, or place which is not duly licensed as a massage establishment, except that a massage therapist, as provided by rules adopted by the board, may provide massage services, excluding colonic irrigation, at the residence of a client, at the office of the client, at a sports event, at a convention, or at a trade show.
Chapter 480.047 Penalties.
It is unlawful for any person to: Operate any massage establishment unless it has been duly licensed. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
I may one day get an office space and get a massage establishment license on it, I will be sure to update my website to reflect that.
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What massage techniques do you use?
My school trained me to perform Swedish Massage which involves gliding strokes (effleruage), kneading movements (petrissage), friction (circular pressure), percussion (tapotement) and bending and stretching movements. I have also learned techniques from Thai massage.
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There are some contraindications to massage (conditions where massage is not appropriate). You can get an idea of some of them by visiting this link. Massage Contraindications
Although massage can benefit pregnant women during the trimesters I will refer pregnant clients to another therapist who has the proper specific pregnancy training as there are risk factors in treatment. I also do not work with infants or children.
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If someone is friendly and in good health I have no problem massaging them. Their shape, size, birthmarks or differences do not matter to me, my Oakworks massage table can accommodate up to 600 pounds of working weight which means if I had a 500 pound client and I pressed down with 75 pounds of pressure the table would still be fine and not break.
A body is a body to me, we all have stresses come up in life and I am glad I can be someone who can provide some relaxation and alleviation of pain without judgment.
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Can you describe a typical massage session?
1. I ask all clients to fill out a health intake form to assess their condition and help determine the proper massage session with them.
2. I explain about draping procedures for the massage, the client is covered by a top sheet and only the areas I am working on get exposed. Additional layers of towels/sheets may be used if the client gets cold during the treatment.
3. Depending on where the massage takes place I can either leave the room for the client to undress either down to their underwear or nude and get under the top-sheet set up on the table. Or the client can change in a restroom and wrap a towel around themselves and get under the top sheet which could then be removed from under that sheet.
4. To cater the massage to the clients current needs I will ask if there are areas I should put more focus on such as back, legs, arms, shoulders, feet, hands, etc. There may also be areas where I should avoid putting too much pressure on such as bruises or scars which is very good information to know before starting so they don't jump or wince in pain from me working on uncomfortable area during a massage.
When getting a massage, never just "grin and bear it" if it is not exactly how you want. My feelings will not be hurt if the client lets me know I am going too light or too deep with pressure.
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I ask upfront the amount of pressure the client wants, my intention is never to cause pain. There may be areas of short/tight fascia (the coverings of the muscles) where the client may experience some discomfort as those areas are lengthened. Communication is very important between the therapist and client to get the best results out of a session.
You should never leave a massage session from any therapist bruised or in pain, not all chronic issues get resolved in one session so a good therapist knows when an area has been worked on as much as they can for one session to prevent bruising.
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Do you provide sheets for the massage table?
Yes, I use freshly laundered twin-sized fitted and top sheets for each client, but if the client prefers to use their own sheets that is no problem.
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Types of lotion used for massages?
I travel with Biotone Advanced Therapy Hypoallergenic Massage Gel which provides good traction so I do not slide over the body too quickly. I often get comments from clients that it does not feel as greasy afterwards on their skin as other lotions. Some of my clients with a lot of body hair do not like a liquid lotion but instead prefer a powder. After some research online I found that talcum powder is not very good for the respiratory system so instead I use cornstarch powder. If you have a preferred lotion you would like me to use I of course will accommodate.
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As the client you are welcome to be nude or wear undergarments while on the massage table. I shall be wearing shorts and a shirt.
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What is not included in the massage?
People are seeking all kinds of things when searching for bodywork. My
intention for massage is to help people get balance in their bodies.
This does not include putting my hands on my client's genitals. You as the
client are welcome to be nude for the massage and it does not bother or
embarrass me if you get aroused at some point in the session. If you
get uncomfortable while on the table please let me know and I can
change where I am working or we can pause or stop the session.
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