FAQS

A - Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy helps alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions. If addressed early enough after accidents involving trauma and injury, massage therapy can greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning.

A - As with many treatments affecting the soft tissue, there are times when massage therapy can cause some discomfort but it is not harmful. Discomfort usually disapates and no technique of this nature is used without the therapist first discussing it with the client and obtaining your permission. A comfort scale will be established and the therapist will work to the client's tolerance level. The client can stop or change the treatment at any time and Massage therapists will modify their techniques to meet their client's needs.

Q - What is Cold Stone Massage Therapy
and how can it help me?

A - Cold stone massage therapy acts as a powerful decongestant when it comes to diffusing swelling in the circulatory system. Clients who have swelling due to sports injuries, for example, they will benefit from cold stone massage.  

Other clients who will benefit from this treatment include those who want a rejuvenation massage. Cold stones can be placed on dark circles that appear under the eyes and relive tired and puffy eyes. They can also be placed on the sinus areas and relieve sinus pressure and headaches.

Q - What is Hot Stone vs. Himalayan Salt Stone Massage Therapy?

A - Hot stone massage therapy is an ancient Chinese technique that utilizes, black rocks made of basalt. The massage therapist uses the stones as an extension of their hands to knead your muscles, similar to Himalayan salt stone massage.

They are both similar, but Himalayan Salt Stone massage takes traditional stone massage to a new level. Instead of using basalt stones, warm, hand-carved Himalayan salt stones are warmed and used for a highly relaxing and remineralizing body massage that balances the central nervous system and meridians and nourishes depleted cells, leaving the body in a deep sense of relaxation.

A Himalayan Salt Stone massage integrates the philosophies of Eastern medicine, Swedish massage, thermal therapy and salt therapies to create an array of possible benefits: Increase blood circulation. Reduce inflammation. Improve sleep. Induce deep relaxation.

Q - Do I have to remove all of my clothing for my massage therapy?

A - No. Your comfort as a client is very important, whether that is in the context of the clothing you wear or the treatment you receive. Massage Therapists can provide massage therapy treatments whether you elect to remove any, some, or all of your clothing. Massage Therapists are trained in proper draping procedures to ensure that your privacy is completely respected at all times during treatment. Your comfort and ability to relax is paramount to effective treatment. Here at Long Pond Tranquil Massage proper draping is always used during your treatment and you are asked to dress down to your comfort level.

Q - Am I able to receive a massage therapy treatment if I’ve had cancer and been in remission a short time?,
Or if I currently have cancer and am going through treatments can I receive a massage?

A - Yes. People with cancer can receive massage therapy treatments, BUT they have to be designed to work with your condition and adjustments will be made. There also may be a reason to wait to receive massage therapy treatments pending on what kind of cancer you have. A patient may have to wait for a period of time as you are going through treatments so as not to add stress to your body.

Long Pond Tranquil Massage requires for you to be cleared by your oncologist and/or other doctors. Doctors and alternative therapy professionals need to be on the same page. I do require a Doctor’s note for clearance and any contraindications that the doctor(s) may see fit. We will have a thorough discussion with intake paperwork to fill out at your first visit to make sure that we set up the proper treatment for your condition.

Q - What type of massage therapy should I receive if I’ve never had a massage before?

A - Every individual’s needs are different pending on what diseases/medical conditions, chronic pain, or injuries you may have. All of this is discussed here at Long Pond Tranquil Massage during your first visit and the intake process. Clients in my practice are paying for the time NOT for what kind of Massage Therapy because the modalities/techniques could differ from time to time pending on what is going on with your body when you come in. Every massage therapy treatment is tailored to fit your needs and/or medical conditions, issues etc. There is always a check in at the beginning of your visit and then I will design the treatment based on that discussion.

Q - How often should I receive massage therapy?

A - Everyone can benefit from massage and should do maintenance massage at least once a month. But if you have a medical condition or disease or chronic pain/issues that may require you to need more or frequent visits to help aid you in your overall wellness plan. Long Pond tranquil massage has clients that come in once a week, every other week, every 3 weeks, monthly, every few months. Sometimes people prefer to come in as needed and that could be more or less at times. It all depends on what is going on and what is needed.

Q - Is there an age requirement to receive massage therapy at your facility?

A- Yes - children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and/or have a signed waiver on file with us. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. I don’t practice infant massage therapy at my facility.

Q - What is Deep pressure vs. Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

A - Many people get confused when we talk about deep pressure and Deep Tissue Massage. “Deep pressure” is just what it sounds like: it is any type of massage therapy that is performed with more, or deeper, pressure. Most everyone needs more pressure in some areas and less in others. This occurs because muscle tissue that contains Trigger Points is more sensitive to pressure and can be tender to the touch. 

Deep Tissue is a very specific massage treatment in which the therapist uses knuckles, elbows and forearms to “strip out” muscle tissue as far down to the bone as possible. It is definitely not for everyone. However there are many people out there that would never have their treatment any other way.

Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic pain, limited mobility, repetitive strain injury, postural misalignments, muscle tension and/or spasms.

As I always tell my clients, everyone’s “deep” is different so it will be modified as needed. This modality can be helpful for athletes, and aiding in the breakdown of scar tissue from injuries and surgeries or anyone who has very dense tissue and responds better to this work.

Q - What is a Trigger Point? What is Trigger Point Therapy?

A - A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache. Since a trigger point is the contraction mechanism of the muscle locked into a shortened position, the treatment of the trigger point involves unlocking that contraction.

Trigger Point Pressure Release involves applying pressure with a finger or other instrument to the trigger point and increasing the pressure as the trigger point "releases" and softens. Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient can actively participate through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.