Question 1

What kind of benefits might I expect from regular massage?

Accepted Answer

There are innumerable benefits associated with regular massage. Some of these include an increased range of motion or helping to break up scar tissue. Better circulation throughout the limbs is often noticeable. Improvements in immune function as well as the lymphatic system are not as visible, but still worth noting. Sometimes people notice improved digestive health, as well as a sharpening of the senses: vision, hearing, even olfactory senses become more acute. However, decreased pain and tension is still the biggest benefit of receiving regular massage! Often people also note a reduction in stress or anxiety, as well as an overall sense of wellbeing, peace, and calm. 
When it comes to self-care, many of us could use improvement. Regular massage is high on the list for those who prioritize it, right along with diet, exercise, and good sleep. When we take good care of ourselves, we have more to offer others, including not only our loved ones, but also our employers! Some work culture organizations have even begun to add wellness programs into their benefits packages, so it might be worth inquiring your HR department to see what is available.

Question 2

Does massage help with stress management?

Accepted Answer

Short answer, Yes. One of the main joys of receiving massage therapy is for relaxation, and when we are relaxed, we tend to let go of stress more easily. Massage does relax tension from the muscles, but it also helps to regulate and relax the nervous system, which tends to overload due to chronic stress, leaving us in a continual state of fight or flight. 
If you'd like to further enhance your relaxation experience, it is helpful to focus on the breath during your session. By focusing on the breath, our minds begin to relax as well, sometimes causing a slight state of euphoria to occur. 
Relaxation is often the key ingredient to any healing journey. The more time we are able to spend in pure relaxation, the more our bodies intuitive healing wisdom kicks in.

Question 3

How frequently should I come in?

Accepted Answer

It depends entirely on what your specific needs are. Often, when people begin coming in for regular massage, they might have certain challenges that they are working through, such as chronic pain issues. In the beginning, it might require sessions to be more frequent in order to bring the body back to a baseline where a maintenance mode would be the next phase. In this case, I recommend less time but with more frequency, while the goal is to lengthen the duration between visits.
As people begin to notice changes, some of the first signs are that they don't get as sore after a session, and the effects seem to last longer. Once this happens, we can move into a maintenance program which works best with consistency. Once a month is an excellent timeframe, but I don't typically see the benefits start to drop away until six weeks between sessions. Also, everybody is different. Some people find three weeks is their sweet spot while others prefer longer periods of time in between. Your body will tell you what it likes best.

Question 4

Do I have to be naked?

Accepted Answer

No. We encourage people to be comfortable, so if that means only taking off your shoes, we will work with that. Most people prefer to take everything off or leave their underwear on,  sometimes people will wear swimsuits or activewear. I've had people keep just their socks on, while others have gone fully clothed. Remember, relaxation is the goal, and you will draped and under the covers the whole time, so rest assured.

Question 5

What if I can't comfortably lay on the massage table?

Accepted Answer

There are alternatives! Sometimes people are not comfortable laying on the table. Reasons might be due to injuries or recovering from surgeries, in which case we would prop you up with pillows if appropriate. Prenatal massages uses this method, and will have the person in a side lying position rather than face up or down. Sometimes people will have challenges breathing, so we might opt for a chair massage rather than on the table. Keep in mind that for chair massages we only do up to 30 minutes at a time, but it can be helpful in many situations.

Question 6

What hours do you work?

Accepted Answer

Please note that we are by appointment and we don't have a receptionist. At the moment, we offer massage Monday - Friday and we are looking to hire another massage therapist to cover weekends.

Question 7

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

We are in the heart of Downtown Flagstaff, about half a block south of Josephine's. The physical address is 409 N Humphreys St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

Question 8

Do you offer couples massage?

Accepted Answer

Although we do not have a couples room, we can accommodate two appointments at the same time in separate rooms on weekdays.

Question 9

Has anyone ever fallen off the table?

Accepted Answer

The frequency with which I hear this question suggests that many people fear falling off the table, however it doesn't typically happen. In 27 years, I've only had one instance, but it turned out he was inebriated and he didn't as much fall off the table as he went to sit on it and missed. So don't worry, it would take great effort for it to happen, lol.

Question 10

Do people fall asleep?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. I take it as a compliment when it happens because it suggests that the client feels comfortable with me, and usually, they really need it!
More often, people don't want to fall asleep, but there is a sweet spot in between sleeping and awake that is pure Heaven.

Question 11

How did you get into massage?

Accepted Answer

I had started training in Danzan Ryu, a traditional martial arts system when I was 20 years old. My Sensei was about to start teaching the healing arts modules and told me I was a naturally and needed to attend. He was right, and the healing arts have been my passion ever since.

In the traditional systems, the healing arts are just as full and robust as the martial, for it is the yin counterpart to the otherwise yang martial training. It has been said that the healing arts are considered the highest level of martial art, that breaking the body is easy, but putting it back together again takes a higher degree of training.

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