Frequently Asked Questions

You will be required to fill out a Client Intake Form, a Health History form, and several other forms. Afterward, the therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed, and determine if massage is appropriate for you.

A session consists of massage, time for you to dress and undress, and time to communicate with the therapist to make your massage truly customized.  This is why it is important to arrive early to your appointment so that bathroom needs, refreshment needs, etc. are not cutting into your massage time.

You should undress to the level you are comfortable with. For a full body massage, most get completely undressed. However, if you will be more comfortable during the session leaving your underwear on, that is fine. If removing all your clothes makes you too nervous and unable to relax, then you are not getting the optimal benefit from the session. You are welcome to leave as much clothing on as you feel comfortable with.  Your massage therapist will step out of the room to give you privacy to undress and get comfortable on the table. 

In Wisconsin draping is mandatory – it’s the law. Once you are undressed and on the table under the drape (i.e. sheet, blanket, etc), the therapist will only uncover the part of your body being worked on. The genitals, buttocks, and breasts (women and men) will not be uncovered. If the therapist is going to work on a woman’s abdomen, a second sheet will be used to cover the breasts so the main sheet can be moved to expose the abdomen.  This is primarily done in prenatal massage, not therapeutic massage.

Tips are never expected but always appreciated. If you have received exceptional service and would like to show your appreciation to the therapist, the average tip ranges between 10-25%.  However, from the therapist’s perspective, it is always nice to receive the complement of a “thank you for good service” gratuity. If paying with a credit card or check, the tip can be added to the total. If paying by insurance, a tip is not allowed per the insurance companies.

Arousal is a natural parasympathetic response, so don’t feel guilty. However, understand that it was not your massage therapist’s intention to arouse you. Our professional ethical code of conduct that requires us to make sure boundaries are clear.  If there is a distracting technique or motion (i.e. rocking the prone torso) that aroused you, it is okay to tell your therapist to stop that motion.   Just to be clear, we do have a zero tolerance policy and any sexual advances, innuendo, or inappropriate touching is grounds for immediate termination of your session. 

Yes, absolutely let your massage therapist know if you do not want to be touched in a specific area or in a certain way. You don’t have to give us any details, and you have the right to ask to take a break or end your massage all together at any time, for any reason. 

We ask that you please refrain from using tobacco, recreational drugs, or alcohol at least 4 hours before your appointment.  Even some prescription or over the counter medications can contraindicate massage. 

“Masseuse” was a French word that referred to a female who practiced massage. (Males in the industry were known as “masseurs”).   In the 1980's, the term fell out of use in the massage industry, as it came to be associated with sex work and is now viewed as an insult to be called one.  Massage Therapists today are now licensed or registered and are recognized as part of the healthcare industry.  To earn the title of Licensed/Registered Massage Therapist, per federal law a person must graduate from an accredited massage program and obtain state licensing.  Each state has its own requirements on how to obtain a license with the state.