To what level am I supposed to undress?

There is no set standard or expectation for you here - simply undress to your comfort level. For some people that means fully undressed (keep in mind that genitalia and breasts always remain fully covered through secure draping techniques), for some that means just underwear, for others it means only removing shoes and leaving all other clothing on. In general, removing all garments or all minus underwear/shorts allows for the most traditional, therapeutic massage experience and ease with addressing major muscle groups. However, a full treatment can still take place over leggings/shorts and a sports bra, or even full clothing if that is what best serves you at this time. Your comfort level and boundaries are exactly that - YOURS!

Is it true that the more pressure/pain I feel during massage, the better the outcome will be?

This is a very common yet harmful misconception that pain is necessary to make any progress. While some people do prefer intense, deep pressure, many prefer a lighter touch. Everything that we do in the treatment room should be to your personal tolerance, and it is rarely necessary to even reach or go beyond the point of pain. Just because you can take a lot of pain doesn’t mean you should.

It should also be noted that no real benefit is gained from “pushing through” pain; in fact, the opposite often happens, as the musculature involuntarily contracts in an effort to self-protect from tissue damage. When doing bodywork, we are directly engaging and communicating with the nervous system, and it’s important to make contact with soft tissue in a manner that supports our goal of communicating safety to the nervous system.

Tenderness and soreness is fine, as well as a “hurts good” type of sensation, as well as even some slight discomfort…but in general, we want to avoid actual pain, and I encourage you to speak up if it’s ever experienced so we can work together to find the best approach for you. More pressure does not inherently correlate to more efficacy, and the current literature demonstrates that. While some approaches that utilize passive and active stretching can illicit slight discomfort, it should NEVER be a “grin and bear it for another 20 minutes” type situation. Sometimes more intense bodywork will be indicated, other times a relaxing massage that focuses on regulating the nervous system is the better option. That’s where the intake comes into play, where you get to let me know why you’re seeking treatment and what your preferences are. From there, I’ll let you know what I would recommend to best achieve your desired outcome, but it’s ultimately up to you - no provider can ever force you into treatment you don’t want.

I’ve never had manual therapy before; what can I expect the first time?

Before you get on the table, we will go over your intake forms and what you’re hoping to get out of your session, as well as discussing any accommodations, concerns, and contraindications. You’ll then have a chance to undress to your comfort level and get comfortable on the table while I wait outside. During the session, you are encouraged to voice any changes you may want as I work to address the symptoms/areas discussed. Afterwards, I’ll step out of the room, allowing you to get dressed before we go over anything you did/didn’t like, how you feel, and any recommendations I may have for you before your next appointment.