Expectations & Etiquette

Virus Safety considerations:

Every client is required to submit a symptom screener (provided via email) on the day of their session before entering the building. If any symptoms prevent you from receiving a massage that day, you may reschedule without penalty.
An air purifier with a HEPA air filter will run throughout the session.
A 3-ply medical mask can be provided to the client at their request.
There will be no face massage if the client chooses to wear a mask.
Any lack of cooperation on the part of the client will result in a termination of the session with no refund.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

Expectations:

First time receiving a massage or bodywork?

Have lingering questions about your previous massage experiences?

I can't speak for every massage therapist, but here's what to expect when you visit my office:

When Booking Your Session: Specify what type of treatment you’d like (Thai or Western) and for how long (90 or 120 minutes). Ask any questions you may have and don’t be shy! This is a service just for you and you should be clear about your treatment goals. Feel free to ask about the therapist’s (my) training and specialties, my approach to the body and treatments, and what I feel would be best to treat your specific complaints.

Why only 90 or 120 minutes? See my About page!

When NOT To Receive Bodywork:

If you have a cold or feel yourself getting sick. Besides spreading viruses to others, this isn't a great idea because massage can speed up the process of getting sick, bringing whatever was coming on much faster. This can overload your immune system and generally make you feel like you got hit by a truck. Stay home, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of fluids and reschedule your appointment.
If you're badly sunburned. Sunburn is an injury to your skin and massage will only make it worse. Let me know and we'll reschedule your session after you've had some time to heal.
If you marked any symptoms on your day-of symptom screener. If you're experiencing any of the listed symptoms, let me know and I'll reschedule your appointment at not extra cost.

Please tell your therapist If:

You could be pregnant.
Your doctor has suggested you restrict your aerobic activity.
You have any allergies.
You have any skin injuries, abraisions, or irritations.
You’re taking any medications — especially pain meds or medication for a heart condition.
You’ve had any injuries, recent or not.
You have tingling sensations or numbness.
You’ve had any recent or not so recent surgeries.
You’ve had any alcohol or drugs today.

Upon Arrival: Text or call me to let me know you have arrived. I do not have a receptionist, so I will let you in the building. Because of this, it's best to arrive at your appointment time. If you have to wait for your appointment, take the opportunity to breathe deeply to begin your relaxation. Put your phone down, drink a bit of water and make a stop at the toilet if needed.

Communication: Before the session I will ask you how I can help or what you're looking for today. Let me know how you’re feeling, what you have been feeling (even if you don’t feel it at the moment… i.e. "my hip’s been bugging me all week, but this morning it feels okay"), and what you hope to get out of the session. We'll make a session plan together. If it's your first ever massage, I will go over exactly what a "full body massage" means and ask you if there's any areas you'd like me to omit. If you would like any issue addressed specifically or any area not touched at all, please let me know. Saying “I would love some extra time spent on my forearms” or “I don’t really like my feet being touched” is totally normal and perfectly okay.

During the session, feel free to speak up! Tell me if anything hurts, if anything doesn’t feel great, if you want to switch up the session plan at all (for example "you know what? I’d love it if you’d spend the rest of the time on my neck"). It’s your session. Don’t be shy.

Communication with your therapist is key in getting the best massage possible. Every body feels different and everybody feels things differently. As a massage therapist, I can discern what the tissue feels like to me, but I can’t feel what you feel — only you know what your nerves are telling you. So make sure you let me know how it feels, especially if you’d like it to feel differently or if it hurts.

Conversation: I am a huge fan of you! I want to know how you've been, how the family and pets are, where you've traveled, and how things are going. Keep this conversation to before and after the massage. I have planned my schedule so we have time to chat, and I believe it's a great way to build and maintain the trust in a therapist-client relationship.

Conversation about things not relating to the massage or your body is not encouraged during your session. Some people like to relax by talking about their day, their thoughts, etc. While I will probably not tell you to be quiet, you’re likely to have a better experience if you do. It’ll help you to relax if you just let go and drift off to a place where words can’t interrupt. Additionally, I will also do a better job if I'm not distracted by making conversation. So let yourself breathe deeply, quiet your mind, and enjoy the peace it brings.

Cleanliness: Please come in clean! Always shower before your massage — it’s just good etiquette. Even if you’ve just had a fabulous workout and you can’t wait another moment for your massage, hop in the shower — it’ll help you relax, warm up your muscles for a deeper massage, and keep things hygienic. If you think you’d like to use the shower on-site before or after your session, make sure to mention it to your therapist when booking as the room will have to be reserved for the time you shower.

Thai Bodywork

Thai bodywork is a traditional style of bodywork that has been passed down orally and in practice from teachers to students. In Thailand, massage is practiced by family and community members on loved ones. Because it has developed as a folk practice with little written record, there are many lineages of styles of Thai bodywork. I am trained in the lineage of Pichet Boonthuume from Chiang Mai, Thailand, having studied at Blue Lotus Thai Healing Studies here in Chicago.

Thai bodywork is performed on the floor, utilizing compression and stretching. You’ll be moved around, from lying on your back to side to belly, and stretched in all directions. Because of the passive nature of the movement, many find this style of therapy to be very meditative. You are free to focus on your breath, while the therapist works from your feet to your head several times throughout the session.

What To Wear: Wear comfortable clothing, a t-shirt and yoga or pajama pants are best. Wear what you would wear to a yoga class. Shorts and tank tops are not recommended.

Western Table Massage

Western massage is what you might describe as Swedish or deep tissue massage. It’s the style of massage practiced in most spas and massage spaces in the United States. This style of massage is performed skin to skin, which means you’ll be given the opportunity to disrobe to your comfort level (this means undies on or off, either is okay) and you’ll hop under the sheet on the table.

The Skinny On Stripping Down: As a trained, licensed and professional therapist, I will undrape and redrape each body part as I work throughout the session. Your modesty will always be maintained. If removing your bra makes you uncomfortable, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep it on. In that case, I will request to unclasp it to work on your back and shoulders, which is perfectly fine to decline. I practice gender neutral draping and will use a chest drape for all clients, regardless of perceived sex or gender identity.

The Use Of Oil: If you’re receiving a Western massage, I will use Jojoba oil. The oil helps to glide over your muscles and tissues and can create a smooth and heavenly experience for you. If you have any allergies, make sure you tell me. If you do not enjoy the experience of oil, let me know ahead of time and I can use another substance linke cream or no lubricant at all. If you’ve got an event to attend after the session, you can request that no oil be used near your hair or face. You are always welcome to use the showers on-site before or after your session if reserved in advance.

I look forward to working with you!

If you have further questions or think something else would be helpful to know or should be covered on this page, please email triciapartlowtherapies@gmail.com.