What benefits should I expect from the bodywork session?
You may experience any of the following benefits:
Deep Relaxation
Stress Reduction
Decreased pain, tension, and stiffness
A greater sense of connection between the different parts of the body
Increased range of motion
Increased ease and efficiency of movement
A reduction of stress related symptoms that can accompany many health conditions
Improved athletic performance
Relief from entrapment of nerves in muscle
Deeper and easier breathing
Reduced blood pressure
Relief of tension-related and eye-strain headaches
Improved posture
Faster healing from pulled muscles and sprained ligaments
Reduced pain, swelling and formation of scar tissue following injury
General health maintenance
Relaxed state of alertness
Reduced mental stress: a calmer mind
Greater ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
Increased capability for clearer thinking (Great for Students!)
Feeling of well-being
Reduced levels of anxiety
Increased awareness of mind-body connection
Enhanced self image
A sense of being unified and in harmony
How often should I receive a massage?
The answer depends on your reasons for receiving the massage. If your massage is for injury relief, and to relieve chronic tightness that is interfering with your daily life in some way, weekly sessions may be necessary for a while to build on each session's improvement. If you use massage as preventive care and to manage the daily stress in your life, once a month is about the norm. However, you may shorten the time between massages during stressful periods. Some come more often just because they enjoy it that much.
What style of massage/bodywork do you do?
I am trained in Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, Myofascial Release, Acupressure, Reflexology, Thai massage & Sports massage (more on training below). My tendency is to use an integrative, intuitive mix of bodywork styles.
For example: If a client has tension in the upper back, neck & shoulders from sitting in front of a computer all day, I may start with Swedish massage, progress to Deep Tissue massage and mix in Acupressure to amplify the healing effect. I treat each client as an individual. No two sessions are the same.
What should I wear?
It's up to you. Most people disrobe completely knowing they will be covered with a sheet that is selectively turned back during the massage. Some people choose to leave on their undergarments. Another option is to stay dressed but wear loose comfortable clothing.
Will it hurt?
I will ask what type of pressure you like before the bodywork session and I will ask for feedback during the session. In this way I will be able to work within your comfort zone whether you enjoy a very gentle Swedish massage or a very intense Deep Tissue massage. Communication is the key. Many clients report feeling pain releasing or if they do feel pain it is a “hurts so good” type of pain.
Will it tickle?
No. If you let me know ahead of time that you are ticklish I will adjust my massage techniques to avoid any ticklish maneuvers.
Do I have to put my face in that thing?
No. Although lying face down is the most common beginning position for a massage, a completely relaxing, therapeutic massage can be experienced using a combination of side lying and face up (supine) positioning.
What massage therapy training do you have?
"I first went to Warren on the recommendation of a physical therapist. I had been in an accident a few months prior with multiple areas of injury and had reached a plateau in my healing. Warren accurately adapted his techniques to my specific needs and helped me get over the plateau. I quit massage for about 6 months, but at the request of my chiropractor I went back. He again adapted his techniques, including some myofacial release work, and has been successful in bringing me even closer to full recovery. Of all the practitioners I've seen for this injury, both traditional and alternative, Warren has consistently been the most accurate in assessing where I have needed some focused healing work. For anyone who is seeing a chiropractor, or doing physical therapy, or suffering from an injury (long term or recent), I can personally tell you that recovery is amazingly more efficient when Warren adds some of his techniques to your program. The breadth of his knowledge of various techniques, and his insight into exactly what your body needs, is most impressive! It took several sessions at first, but as I recover I need less frequent visits, and eventually I plan to be on a monthly maintenance. Life is too short to spend time hurting!"