What do I do about undressing? Do I have to take my clothes off? How many?
My treatments can be applied and adapted to a clothed, partially clothed, or unclothed person. You will be tucked in under the sheet and blanket at all times, with the area to be worked on modestly uncovered, whether or not you undress. If you choose to undress partially or fully, I will use oil on available skin. If you wear a binder: It is my hope that you feel comfortable enough to remove your binder for the duration of our session. I can more easily address issues that may be causing you pain or discomfort due to binding, help you have some deep breaths, get some mobility in your shoulders. I can add some extra fabric around the sides of your body for comfort, you can lay face down for the whole session, I have many soft things to pad you and help you feel comfortable. If you don't want to take your binder off, that is totally fine. I can do some work through and around it and address what is available.
I like a lot of deep pressure during the session, will you be able to give me that?
The amount of pressure I give in a massage depends wholly on the person who is receiving it. My goal is to provide your body with the correct amount so that your tissues will change and relief will be felt, without creating pain. Ida Rolf once said that pain is 'sensation with the intention to withdraw', and withdraw creates more tension in the body. Through collaborative communication, we will find the appropriate amount of pressure for your body. I do have limits, of course, and if the amount of pressure I can comfortably give in a session does not work for you, I can refer you out.
I don't like a lot of pressure, I've gotten massages in the past that have hurt me. How can I know that won't happen again?
I use a combination of reading the body and collaborative communication with you in order to achieve the correct pressure for your body. Different parts of the body can accept different levels of pressure, which is why I check in often. It is extremely helpful for you to advocate for the correct level of pressure in any given area, because sensations can change rapidly. Please do not suffer through too much pressure/pain in hopes that you will have more results afterward, massage doesn't work like that. I have many tools in my toolbox, but I do not know what it feels like in your body, so we must collaborate.
How can I rebook with you?
Send me an email, no need to fill out the intake form again.
What is your tipping policy?
My prices are set to include gratuity, there is no need to tip.
Can I get someone a gift certificate for a session with you?
Absolutely! Please email me with the desired amount of sessions you would like to purchase and the name of the person. You will send over payment (via cash, check, cashapp, or paypal), plus any gratuity you would like to leave on their behalf, and I will email you the gift certificate. The recipient will fill out the intake form when they are ready to book and I will schedule with them.
How does the sliding scale policy work? How do I know what to pay? Can you just tell me more about it?
Check out the sliding scale policy here. I purposefully do not have a monetary scale listed, and this is because I want people to check in with themselves and decide what they can afford, including $0. I ask that someone comes up with a price (including gratuity) that works for them. Since I am a small business, I can individually asses each person and situation, and decide if and when I can see a person using the sliding scale. Because I believe that a sliding scale is a tool that has an anti-oppressive, accessibility-forward purpose, I usually am able to work with all clients wanting to use it. Based on the amount of clients I have at any given time using the scale, I may have to book a person further out or for a shorter duration in order to manage my own finances. But maybe not! It just depends. If I cannot work with you for any reason, I have folks I can refer you to.