This is my first massage, what should I wear?

You will be covered by a sheet and a blanket throughout your session. Your therapist will uncover the part of the body they are working on and then cover you back up to go to the next area. Some people feel comfortable wearing nothing under the covers. Some people prefer to keep underwear on. Some people like to keep their bra or pants on. I will work with your comfort level. I do recommend avoiding tight undergarments or shape wear.

What is typical protocol with tipping?

This is quite a grey area. In some settings such as a spa or massage therapy center, tipping is highly expected. However, a massage therapist working in a more clinical setting such as a chiropractic office, tipping is less common. At Compass, tipping is never expected but always appreciated.

Any tips for optimizing my session?

I recommend hydrating well for 24 hours before and after your session (although I am a fan of hydrating all the time!). Avoid caffeine for a few hours prior to the session. Arrive early and don’t make any immediate plans for after the session to avoid rushing and stress. Avoid any foods that may cause indigestion or stomach upset.

Do you only work on pregnant women?

No! I work on all types of people with all kinds of needs. While I have extensive training and experience working with pregnant and postpartum people, they only make up about 60% of my clientele. The rest are primarily looking for deep tissue, pain management, and relaxation work.

I have a high risk pregnancy, can I still get massage?

I work with an array of high risk scenarios but it is best to reach out first just to make sure. In some circumstances I may require provider consent or your condition may be contraindicated for massage.

Do I have to lay on my side for pregnancy massage?

I have several positioning options for you! I use the BodyCushion System to position many of my pregnant clients face down in a way that is safe for baby and comfortable for you. I love this system because it is highly customizable (unlike tables with a “hole” in the middle) to accommodate every stage of pregnancy. This system also has breast cutouts which is often wonderful for postpartum for breastfeeding/pumping clients. When I have pregnant clients turn onto their back, we use a wedge pillow to elevate the upper body. And for those that prefer side-lying or cannot use the BodyCushion (end of pregnancy with multiples, complete placenta previa), I can support your body to reduce hip pressure and shoulder compression.