Q: I’m new to massage. How should I prepare? What should I know going in?

A: Once you settle into that warm table, all you need to do is take a deep breath and give yourself a much needed break from life. But before we can get to the good stuff, please come freshly showered. Therapeutic massage in the Swedish method is traditionally performed with the client unclothed yet fully draped under a sheet and blanket for comfort and modesty. The therapist only undrapes what they need to work on while keeping the rest of the client’s body completely covered. Please remove (or leave at home) any dangling jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, anklets, etc. Rings and small earrings like studs or dainty hoops can remain on. It’s important to arrive 10 minutes before the start of your massage. I always talk to my clients before we start the session – particularly if they are new clients. This is to find out how they are feeling that day, if there has been any changes in their health as of late, etc. I don’t want our necessary conversation to take time out of your massage.

Q: What about masks? Do I have to wear one?

A: I sometimes work with medically fragile and immunocompromised individuals, and I work in a local hospital. I always wear a mask for my clients/patients’ safety and my own, and I’m fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated (booster included) I do not require you to wear a mask during treatment. Otherwise, please wear a mask.

Q: Do I have to fill out the health history? I just want a relaxing massage, I’m perfectly healthy.

A: I really must insist, yes, please fill it out. And please fill it out before the day of the appointment; that way I can read it over before we begin. Moreover, if you don’t fill it out beforehand, you’ll have to fill it out when you’re sitting in my office, and that’ll eat into your massage time, and neither one of us wants that. Everyone has some kind of health history, and it all shapes who you are today. A scar on your shin from a bicycle accident as a child, daily birth control pills, torn ACL 5 years ago from a backyard game of football, the recent removal of a suspicious mole on your back by your dermatologist, seemingly minor blips like these on your medical record help me to give you a safer massage that’s tailored to you.

Q: What forms of payment do you take? Can I pay online?

A: I take cash, check (only after the second booked treatment), and mobile payment apps Square and Venmo. All new clients must prepay for their first session. I require a full 24-hours notice of cancellation. This is standard in private massage therapy practices. No-shows or last-minute cancellations are charged 50% of treatment cost.

Q: I have so many questions before my first massage with you. Can I email you my questions?

A: Of course you can! Email me at melissablumerlmt@gmail.com.