faq's

 Are you licensed and insured?

Absolutely--I wouldn’t practice without it! My massage license number is MAS-3179 with the State of Idaho and I am fully insured with Massage Magazine Insurance Plus.

Do you accept my health insurance?

208Massage does not accept health insurance. If you have an HSA/FSA account, you may be able to use those funds for your massage, but I recommend doing your research first--if the funds are reversed, you will be held responsible for the full payment plus a $25 administrative fee.

What should I expect during my first massage session?

When you schedule your first appointment at 208Massage, you will be asked to complete a health history questionnaire. It is very important to be honest and disclose any health conditions or concerns. Your health history will be kept private; 208Massage complies with HIPAA guidelines. If you have any allergies, especially to nuts, please be sure to let me know so I can ensure that I do not use any products that may cause a reaction.  

When you first arrive for your appointment, I will greet you with a smile and a handshake and invite you to use the restroom prior to your appointment. We will then go into the massage room to review your health history and go over your expectations for the massage. If you have any areas that you do not want worked on, please let me know so that I can avoid them during the massage. Likewise, if there are areas of your body that you would like me to spend more time on, feel free to let me know that as well. I will also ask if you want a full body massage or focused areas worked on. Once we have gone over your upcoming treatment, I will ask if you have any questions. I will then step out of the room to wash my hands and have you undress to your comfort level and climb onto the heated massage table, between the sheets. Before I come in, I will knock on the door to be sure you are ready for me to enter. For your safety and comfort, I will lock the door behind me when I return. I will check to make sure you are comfortable on the table and make adjustments as needed. A few minutes after the massage begins, I will check in with you regarding my pressure to ensure it is comfortable and adjust it as needed. Once the massage is finished, I will leave the room to allow you to get dressed. When you open the door, I will have a bottle of water for you and go over any after-massage recommendations I may have and warn you if I believe you may have any soreness after your massage. I will give you my recommendations on when you should return for your next massage and allow you to ask any more questions before you leave. At that point, you will be able to pre-book your next appointment and pay for your service.

What should I wear during my massage session?

Whatever you choose to wear, I want you to be comfortable. Most people choose to be either completely nude or keep their underwear on, however I have worked on many people who were most comfortable being completely clothed and under the sheet. Regardless of how much you take off or leave on, your modesty will always be respected and only the area I am working on will be uncovered.

Do I have to be covered by a sheet during my massage?

You will be covered by a sheet (at a minimum) throughout your massage with the exception of the area I am working on. Proper draping ensures your comfort and the integrity of the massage you are receiving. If you become too warm or too cold at any point, please let me know and we can make adjustments.

Can I request different music than what is played?

It is YOUR massage! If flutes and whale sounds drive you crazy, let’s change it up. I will listen to whatever you want to hear--Classic Rock, Christmas Music, Classical or Country--you name it and we’ll play it!

Do I need to shower before my massage? What about shaving?

Please, do not feel obligated to shower before your massage, especially if it is going to make you late for your appointment. Don’t get me wrong, if you do shower beforehand, that is wonderful! Use your discretion--if you think you need a shower, please do so; if not, that is fine too. I also have wipes available if you’d like to freshen up when you arrive for you appointment. 

Just like showering, please don’t feel obligated to shave before your massage, especially if it makes you late for your appointment. I honestly don’t even notice. But if your awareness of the stubble causes you to be self-conscious or unable to relax, by all means, shave!

Is it better to remain quiet or to talk during my massage?

This is entirely up to you! I want you to receive the best massage and if you want to remain quiet, that is your choice; if you want to talk, I will happily converse with you. At the end of the day, everyone relaxes differently. So if the thought of silence increases your tension, then by all means, let’s talk!

Why should I get a massage?

There are so many reasons to get a massage that there is no way I could list all of them. Massage has been shown to reduce stress, improve circulation, reduce pain, eliminate toxins, improve flexibility, improve sleep, enhance immunity, reduce fatigue, alleviate depression and anxiety, reduce post-surgery and post-injury swelling--the list could go on forever! Some people get massages to feel pampered, while others get them to ease their aches and pains. Whatever your reason--that is all the reason you need!

Is there any time I should avoid getting a massage?

There are a few times when massage is contraindicated. If you have a fever or any contagious diseases, certain skin disorders or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, massage should not be performed. If you are under a doctor’s care for any medical conditions, you should discuss whether it is acceptable for you to receive massage. This is especially important if you have cancer, epilepsy, cardiovascular conditions or are being medicated and/or monitored for any conditions. A doctor’s note may be required for you to receive massage.

Should I feel soreness or pain during and/or after my massage?

A massage should never cause you to feel the need to hold your breath or tense up to accept the amount of pressure your therapist is administrating. There is a big difference between discomfort and pain; I always aim for mild discomfort rather than pain. If you ever feel like the work I am doing is painful, please tell me as soon as possible so that I can adjust my pressure/technique. I listen to your muscles and am normally pretty accurate with the pressure but sometimes they tell me something different than they tell you. The only way I can know for sure is if you tell me. 

Just like after a good workout, there is always a possibility of soreness after a massage. Massage increases blood flow to your muscles, which in turn can temporarily increase inflammation (the healing response) in the tissues causing a pain response. Experiencing sore or tight muscles after your massage, especially if it has been a while since your last massage, if you are dehydrated, if you’ve never had a massage before or if it is your first massage with a new therapist is completely normal. IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU GOT A BAD MASSAGE! 

How much “hands on” time is there during my massage?

If you schedule a 60 minute massage, you will have 60 minutes of “hands on” time (with the minimal exception of draping, repositioning, etc). I allow for time between my massages so that I don’t have to shorten your massage like a lot of other places do. If you are running late for your appointment, however, your massage may be shortened so that my schedule is not affected by your tardiness. If I am running late for your appointment (I am almost always on time but there are rare occasions where I am behind schedule), your “hands on” time will never be reduced.

How often should I get a massage?

No two bodies are the same; therefore there is no clear answer to this question. The reason(s) for you receiving massage may contribute to the timing between your appointments. If you are having therapeutic, corrective work done or have a specific issue you’d like addressed, a shorter duration between massages is preferred. If you are more interested in de-stressing, you may be able to wait a little longer between sessions. Keep in mind that massage is like exercise in the respect that desired results are typically not attained with just one session and are most optimal when done on a routine basis. Whether your body functions best on weekly massages or monthly massages or maybe even quarterly massages, some massage is better than no massage! 

I’m pregnant--Can I still get a massage?

Absolutely! There is a lot of discussion regarding massage during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, and whether it is safe or not. Many massage therapists will not work on someone in their first trimester out of fear of contributing to a miscarriage. The truth is that the first trimester is known to be the time of greatest risk for miscarriage, regardless of whether the expectant mother receives massages or not. Massage has never been clearly implicated, legally or scientifically, as a cause of miscarriage. All I ask is that you discuss it with your doctor prior to scheduling to be sure they don’t have any concerns about you receiving a massage.

What if I get an erection?

In all honesty, it happens. Many men avoid getting massages out of fear that they’ll have an erection during their massage. When gentle touch of any kind is administered to the body, it can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and may cause a partial or full erection. If this should happen during your massage, there is no need to call attention to it. As long as there is nothing else going on, I won’t either. That being said, if there is any indication, verbally or nonverbally, that there is a sexual intent present, the session will be ended immediately and the client will not be allowed to return to 208Massage. Full payment for the massage session will be expected regardless of the amount of time actually completed prior to this happening. 

Am I supposed to tip after a massage?

You should never feel obligated to tip for your massage. While it is always appreciated, it is never expected.

Another wonderful way to show you enjoyed the experience is to write an online review, refer your family, friends and co-workers or to purchase a gift certificate for them. Giving the gift of relaxation and healing is a gift that keeps giving. 

What is your cancellation policy?

Out of respect for each other's schedules, if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please give at least 24-hours notice to allow 208Massage to attempt to fill your vacancy. We understand that emergencies do arise that don’t always allow for adequate notice, however regular cancellations with less than 24-hours notice will incur a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the cost of the appointment. No-shows and appointments cancelled with less than 4 hours notice will be charged 100% of the price of the massage scheduled. If you consistently cancel or no-show your appointments, you may be restricted or prohibited from scheduling at 208Massage. A credit card or gift certificate may be required to reserve your appointment. It will not be processed unless you violate the terms of the cancellation policy.