Your time is valuable to me and I appreciate the same consideration in return. I have a general policy that I will wait 10-15 minutes before leaving the office or scheduling another client in your place. If it is safe for you to send me a text to let me know that you are running behind, that will increase your chances that your appointment will still be available for you.

As you can imagine, if someone does not show up for their appointment, this means I do not get paid and that spot could have been filled with someone who was able to come to the appointment. I am very flexible and understand that things happen that cannot be avoided. Please simply communicate with me and I'm sure we can work something out.

I have a 24 hour cancellation policy and you will be charged for your appointment if you do not show. I tend to enact the "3 Strikes" rule with this policy.

As I developed the business plan for my new massage business I decided that I was going to try get most all of my massages to 90 minute massages.

Why?

When I do a 60 minute massage, I feel like I always have to rush through at least one area. Unfortunately it is usually the scalp or the feet - two of the most relaxing and euphoric areas to have massaged! By bumping the massages up to 90 or 120 minutes, I am able to spend a little more time on your problem areas and not rush.

That's not to to say that a 30 minute "tune up" or a focused cupping session isn't extremely valuable. Especially since my schedule gets booked up pretty quickly, a shorter session could be easier to accommodate if you wake up feeling like you need some therapy.

I believe that you are never too young or too old for massage. No one should have to be in pain, no matter what their age. My daughter has been getting massage from me since I was in school when she was 2. She loves it and has definitely seen a benefit from it! ​

I work on many young athletes ranging from age 14-18. I strive to make them feel comfortable and encourage their parents to come to the appointment with them and even stay in the room with them if that will help with their nerves.

Massage can help with the pain from arthritis, it can help with circulation issues, swelling, recovery post knee and hip surgery, and more. A gentle, therapeutic massage can do wonders for anyone, no matter what age!

This is an awesome question. If you come to me in pain and we work on an area, I am probably going to want to see you back in 1 to 2 weeks. Hopefully we will only do this for 2 or 3 sessions until we get your issue worked out. After that, I usually recommend a monthly massage. If you have a very physical job, or a job that requires you to sit for 7+ hours a day I would rather you get 2 shorter minute massages a month and let us maintain you, rather than one 90 minute a month. When you let a pain go for too long, it takes more time and effort to get it back to where it needs to be.

Cellulite massage is different. I usually recommend 1-2 times a week for the first 2-3 weeks. These are focused 30 minute sessions. Once we have acheived your desired results, I recommend once every 2 weeks for maintenance.

As you can probably imagine, answering the phone is tough for me. I cannot answer when I am in session and often do not have a lot of free time in between appointments.

I have made it easy to see my schedule and book online through www.MassageBook.com/BalanceTherapeuticMassage and I try very hard to return phone calls within 24 hours.

I am more than happy to fit in last-minute clients, so usually texting is the best way to go if you are trying to get in quickly. I don't keep regular office hours so stopping by the office is not a great way to get me. You can also message me through Facebook.

Deep Tissue Massage does not have to hurt!

There are incredibly effective deep tissue methods of relaxing muscles that do not include pain, and I have learned these methods and have tried to be very attuned to my patients and their comfort levels.

​That said, I am a firm therapist and can be very heavy handed (or heavy elbowed). I can adjust my pressure when needed, though.

Some people (including myself) want that "hurts so good" feeling. This entirely depends on your comfort levels. You will probably be sore the next day and any areas that were worked will probably be tender.

Please let your therapist know if it is too much, though. Communication is so important when you are receiving a massage!

All massage therapist preach about water - and for good reason. Drinking a big glass of water before and after your massage is going to help you feel less sore, it will help your muscles recover quicker and will help your lymphatic system flush everything that we stir up out of your body.

Warm muscles are easier for us to work on. Taking a brisk walk, or coming after your morning workout makes it so your muscles are already warm and loosened up for us. This isn't necessary, but it does help!

TURN OFF YOUR PHONE! I know it is hard to disconnect, but turn it off. Or leave it in the car. It is amazing how a massage can be going so well and then a phone dings. Immediately my patient gets stiff and I can tell that their mind is on their missed call instead of healing their body.

Stretch a bit and take inventory of what hurts. Trust me, I will find your sore spots. The more information you can give me before the massage, the better I will be able to work on the areas that are really bothering you.

Print and fill out my order form HERE. Don't worry if you don't have time for this, but if you are like me you want to have it out of the way when you come into the office.

Clear your schedule. Please don't leave a massage and go straight to your Zumba class, or you high-stress job. Give your body a couple hours to enjoy the effects of relaxation. I work evenings and weekends for this reason!!

Let me start out by saying that there is NO CURE FOR CELLULITE! I'm sorry, ladies. Bummer, right?

Now, let me tell you that the massage and cupping regimen that I have developed WILL smooth out the appearance of cellulite and make your skin look smoother and more toned.

The effects will not last forever and probably won't erase all of your cellulite. They will probably last about a month to 3 months if the full regimen is followed, and will significantly reduce the appearance of your cellulite.

The feelings about tipping varies from massage therapist and spa. Some spas pay their therapists less with promises of tips to supplement the income. Other spas and medical facilities pay their therapist a little higher and do not emphasize tipping.

I personally appreciate a tip (any amount!) but never expect it. I charge what I think is reasonable for a massage and created my budget based on that. Tips are awesome - but I would never give inferior service or be unprofessional toward anyone who chooses not to tip.

I have been given enough bad massages to believe that a good massage deserves to be acknowledged, whether through a tip, a positive recommendation or comment left online, or a chocolate bar or latte (I can always be bribed with chocolate and coffee :) Like I said, this is my personal feelings toward tipping, and many massage therapists do not share these feelings.

This is totally up to you! We are taught to encourage our patients to undress "to their comfort level". In the past I have had people who were uncomfortable even removing their shirt. That is FINE!! I want you to be comfortable and relax during your massage.

When I get a massage I leave my underwear on only. That is how I am comfortable. For women, this is often the case. Men can leave their underwear on, but boxers make it very hard to massage the hamstrings and quads - two big muscle groups that often need attention.

In my office you will always stay "draped". I use the sheets and covers to make sure you are comfortable and only uncover the muscle groups that I am working on at the time. Proper draping is important and non-negotiable.

One of the things I love about having my own space is that I get to make the rules. One of my rules that is important to me is that I never feel rushed or make my clients feel rushed. In order to acomplish this, I always schedule a 15-30 minute window after each appointment so that I am sure that we have plenty of time to chat, do our full session, and then for me to get a snack and a drink of water between each session.

This works out great because stuff happens. Traffic holds us up, you need to use the restroom before we begin, or I find a crazy knot right before the session is over. This time buffer gives me the flexibility to relax and not have to worry about my next client waiting impatiently in the lobby.

Knowing this means that you don't need to arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork and use the restroom. You also don't need to rush when getting on the table. Feel free to take your time, relax, and enjoy.