Water is essential for normal body function, and arriving reasonably hydrated may support comfort during and after a massage. However, there is no strong evidence that drinking extra water gives a massage special detoxifying or performance benefits. A massage can leave some people feeling relaxed, thirsty, tender, or slightly light-headed. Those experiences can have many causes, including the pressure used, the length of the appointment, the room temperature, and whether you have eaten or had...

Recently, I received a massage from someone who stayed well beyond my pain threshold regardless of my verbal and non-verbal requests to adjust softer. Have you had that experience? I'm going to reassure you right away: this is NOT good practice. Your massage therapist should listen to you and meet you where you're at. Your boundaries are your own. Everybody is different, and there are more factors than just muscle tension at play in what makes your limit what it is. You can be having a bad...

In my practice, I am grateful to my teachers for the wide range of tools and techniques available to me. As the practitioner who is familiar with the appropriate use of these tools in which situations, I don't have a menu for you to choose from. I will use tools as needed during your massage at no additional cost, with your consent. Note: these descriptions are very simplified and intended as a quick overview, not as a detailed explanation. Please don't use them as any kind of reference....