FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: DO I HAVE TO TAKE ALL MY CLOTHES OFF?
If you’re going to take off clothing for a massage, you only need to remove what you’re comfortable removing. While it is always easier to massage with no barriers, treatments such as myofascial therapy, Mitsuki-do, and peripheral joint mobilizers can be done while you are fully clothed. If you would like your glutes treated directly, it’s best with no pants. Underwear that’s comfortable for a glute treatment includes bikini bottoms, thongs, briefs, boy shorts, and very loose boxers. Boxer briefs are too tight in the leg to properly tuck out of the way. You’ll also be under a sheet, and I’ll only uncover areas I’m working on as I come to them.
Want to be treated fully clothed? I suggest wearing a tank top or sports bra, and leggings or loose stretchy pants. If you wear a binder, a packer, or other gender affirming gear, you will not be required to remove it if you are more comfortable keeping it on.
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A MASSAGE?
A: I usually like to let my clients take the lead on how often they come in for a treatment, but there are a few things to consider if you are unsure, so here are the guidelines I use. If you still feel pain or discomfort during the week after your massage, book in about a week after your last appointment. If you feel mostly okay but still a little off during the week after your massage, book in about two weeks after your last treatment. And if you feel great but would like regular maintenance, come and see me once a month or so.
After these suggestions, if you’re still not sure and would like periodic reminders from me to help you prioritize your self-care (or use up your insurance, you are paying for it in some way after all), let me know, and I can send you a text or email once a month or so to check if you’d like me to book you in.
Q: WHAT IS THE NORMAL AMOUNT TO TIP?
A: Because I am a self-employed massage therapist, I have no expectation for you to tip. For massage therapists who are independent contractors or employees, there isn’t really a ‘social norm’ amount like there might be for a restaurant server. It’s more like tipping a hair stylist or a tattoo artist; whatever you feel is fair.
In case you do want to leave me a tip, there are several percentage options as well as a ‘custom’ modifier on my Square terminal. Tips are appreciated, but not necessary or expected, and you should not feel pressured to leave one.
Q: DOES MASSAGE THERAPY HURT?
A: The short answer is that massage therapy should not hurt. A lot of people believe ‘no pain, no gain’ applies to massage, but pain is your body’s warning signal, telling you that something is wrong. Massage should not be a pain tolerance competition.
The long answer is that sometimes, massage comes with discomfort. Pain could be your body telling you that your body worker is about to put one of your joints at risk danger of further injury, and they need to stop. It could be caused by fascia or scar tissue coming un-stuck and allowing circulation to return to the area, like when your toes thaw after playing in the cold for too long. Sometimes discomfort happens if you feel emotionally unsafe about getting body work done; your brain does not know the difference between emotional and physical pain. And sometimes it just hurts to have a spasm or trigger point worked on because they are ‘warning signs’ pointing more closely to where a joint problem is. In all of these cases, it’s best to let your therapist know what you’re feeling. I promise it will not make you look weak.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A SLIDING SCALE?
A: Yes; if financial hardship or lack of access to insurance make it challenging for you to receive bodywork, please check to see if you qualify for my sliding scale pricing!
Q: DO YOU TREAT TOP SURGERY SCARS?
A: Yes! All massage therapists in Canada are taught how to treat scar tissue. Top surgery scars are physically no different from any others and should not be a stigmatized topic for therapists or clients. I consider gender affirming care to be vital to the wellbeing of humanity as a whole, and I know that most top surgery doesn’t come with a lot of information.
The massage therapy I do for top surgery includes gentle treatment of the scars and the surrounding muscles and fascia, and remedial exercise information if it wasn’t provided after your procedure. If you used a binder prior to surgery, I also treat your diaphragm and ribcage, because they are often (literally) impacted by the mechanics of binders.
Q: DO YOU TREAT TMJ?
A: Yes! There are myofascial, craniosacral, and Mitsuki-do modalities that I can use to relieve TMJ dysfunction pain, and help restore normal jaw movement. Check my blog for more information!
Q: WHY DO YOU STILL WEAR/REQUIRE MASKS?
As a self-employed person, I cannot afford to get sick. It is against the standards of practice of my profession for me to work on clients if I have a communicable illness, and I work on many immunocompromised people and people who have long COVID. Wearing a mask is a form of community care, and a sign of respect for my profession and person.
I know it’s socially popular to believe that COVID is over and masks are ineffective, but this is statistically untrue. If you are strongly opposed to wearing a mask, perhaps I am not the right fit for you. Respectfully, of course.
Q: WHY IS YOUR LOGO AN OCTOPUS?
One day, I was performing deep tissue massage on a client’s back, and they asked ‘How many arms do you HAVE?’, so an octopus seemed the logical (and maritime-thematic) choice.