FAQs

A.

Usually, this depends on the type of massage, techniques used, and the depth of the strokes. A light, relaxing massage designed for stress relief and relaxation shouldn't be painful. However, if you have painful muscles that you want to be worked more deeply, there is a ‘hurts so good' and a 'too much, ouch, stop it' hurt. A good massage, even a deep-tissue massage, should stay comfortably in the range of your pain tolerance.

Pain can indicate that the muscle may be overused, injured or inflamed. For athletes, it could mean the possibility of a muscle tear or a stress fracture. Pain can cause you to ‘tighten up’ or resist the therapists’ pressure or cause you to ‘hold your breath’. Both of these can be indicators that the therapist’s pressure should be adjusted. You will gain the most benefit from a massage if the pressure is within your body’s natural tolerance, not against it.

A.

Make yourself comfortable and breathe! If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she will either move you or will ask you to move what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to stay comfortable.

Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It's your choice. It is your massage, and whatever feels most natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions or ask for what you need at any point.

A.

After the therapist discusses your needs for the session, she may recommend options for amount of clothing to wear. However, you are always welcome to undress to your individual level of comfort. Some people prefer to fully undress; some prefer to leave their underwear on; others prefer to wear running or athletic shorts. Your level of comfort is the utmost priority; and your therapist can work around any and all clothing that you wear. She will also give you privacy to undress and comfortably cover yourself with a sheet and blanket on the table before she re-enters the massage room. Likewise, she will leave the room after your massage session and allow you to relax and re-engage slowly and then dress in privacy.

A.

Although CanalSide Massage offers “full body” sessions, it is challenging to massage the whole body in one hour. Generally, the therapist will ask you to prioritize the most important areas that you would like addressed, and if there is extra time, what might be nice to add in before the session is completed. CanalSide Massage offers 90-minute sessions if you have several areas that need concentrated work. We also offer 30-minute sessions if you need a session devoted to one very specific part of the body, for instance, neck only or calves only.

The therapist will also spend time before the session to talk with you about the treatment you need and after the session to discuss results and provide guidance on stretches, home treatment, or information on possible additional therapies.

You should allow up to 30 minutes extra beyond the length of your “table time” treatment session to not feel rushed.

A.

Required by New York State, your massage therapist will ask you to fill out a short confidential ‘intake’ (health history form). Afterward she will ask you questions about yourself pertaining to your massage session and your goals for the session, for example, areas you would like worked on, areas of pain, areas of reduced range of motion or muscle weakness. Your LMT (licensed massage therapist) may perform certain assessments and tests for evaluation.

It is important to list all your health concerns and medications so the therapist can adapt the session to your specific needs and requirements. It is also important to list any allergies or preferences (such as sensitivity to scents) to make your session as pleasant as possible.

A.

Communication with your therapist is very important because each session is YOUR session. So be sure to speak up and be as specific as possible about your massage needs and preferences. If you want anything changed during your session -- for example, the amount of pressure or firmness of touch, areas to work on, body position (face up, face down or side lying) or if you are too hot or too cold -- please let the therapist know!

You will not hurt the therapist's feelings by asking for something that will make you more comfortable. Your therapist wants this to be the best experience for you to relax and enjoy, and the most therapeutic treatment for you if a specific area of the body is giving you pain or reduced range of motion.

What you request may be very different from one session to the next, based on your specific needs for that appointment. Perhaps you had a full-body massage once to experience it, but this time you have some pain in your neck and left shoulder and you want more attention given to these areas. This is information the therapist will ask you about before the session begins, but if she does not, then let her know.

You will benefit from your sessions so much more by communicating your needs to the therapist.