What to Expect

You might have a few questions about your therapeutic massage.  This page explains the overall process, options and expectations for both you and your massage therapist. 

Your Massage Therapist

Andie is a state and nationally certified massage therapist with over 624 hours of initial massage certification and testing.  In addition, she has had over 158 hour of additional specialization and continuing education in a number of other techniques (professionally referred to as modalities).  She is licensed by the Florida Department of Health and maintains an occupational license for the county of Palm Beach and City of Delray Beach.  She is committed to providing quality massage therapy, protecting your privacy and strictly adheres to the massage therapy code of ethics.

Health History Form

For your first visit, you will be asked to fill out a Health History form. The information provided will remain strictly confidential, and it will be used to determine any alterations regarding massage technique that will benefit your needs.  This information is important because even though massage is therapeutic, there are some conditions where massage is NOT advised.  This form is designed to alert your massage therapist of any health conditions requiring special consideration.  The health history form is an important part of providing quality therapeutic massage and will be completed prior to your first session and once a year thereafter.  If you would like to fill out your health information form in advance, please click here for a PDF version of this form.  Please print and complete two copies of this form for both your records as well as a copy for the massage therapist.  You will not be required to fill out the health history form at every visit.  You will only complete this form for your initial visit and every year thereafter.

Paperwork For Each Visit

For each visit, you will be asked to sign a "Consent to Treat and Policy Statement."  This document is an agreement between you and your massage therapist.  It is designed to be a plain-language contract outlining the role and responsibilities of your massage therapist as well as your role and responsibilities as a client.  Your massage therapist can explain this document in great detail and you are encouraged to ask questions if you find anything unclear.  If you would like to review and prepare this document in advance, please click here for a PDF version of this form.

Clothing / Undressing for the Massage

The amount of undressing required for a massage varies depending on the type of massage you're receiving.  For many facelift massages, undressing is not required.  Facelift massages do include foot massages so removal of shoes and socks will be required to receive the foot massage portion of the treatment.

For full body massages, men should undress to their briefs or boxers and women should undress to their panties. After the initial paperwork is complete, your therapist will instruct you to undress and lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with a sheet. Your therapist will leave the room to give you privacy while you undress and provide you with a storage area for clothing and valuables. During your massage you will remain covered by the sheet and the therapist will only expose parts of the body as they are being worked on. Once the therapist has completed work on an area, the area will be re-covered with the sheet before moving to the next area.  Since full body massages require you to turn over halfway through the massage, your therapist will lift the opposite end of the sheet in a way so the sheet becomes a partition between you and the therapist as you turn over.  After the session, the therapist will once again leave the room allowing you privacy as you dress.

The Massage Studio

The massage studio is located inside "Hot Yoga of Delray" which is on south Federal Highway in Delray Beach near the Delray/Boca city limits.  (For a map and directions click here).  The studio is licensed in the state of Florida and is monitored and periodically inspected by the Florida Department of Health.  The studio is a clean, quiet and relaxing area where you will receive your therapy session.  A variety of relaxing music is available to further enhance your session.  The studio includes comfortable seating where you'll fill out a health history form on your first visit as well as discuss any special needs for your therapy session.

The Massage Therapy Visit

Your massage is scheduled by appointment only and requires a minimum 24 hour advanced notice.  Appointments should be made as soon as practically possible to ensure availability that will fit your schedule.  Please give 24 hour notice should you need to cancel your appointment.

When you arrive at the Yoga studio for your visit, please ask for Andie who will escort you to the therapy room, assist you with initial paperwork and answer any questions you may have.  Andie maintains a line of massage therapy products including lotions or oils which can be best suited to your skin type and massage therapy needs.  If you have special needs such as unscented products, please let Andie know.

Please plan on arriving 10 minutes early on your first visit to fill out the health history intake form.  Thereafter, please plan on arriving on time for your appointment.  If you are late, your session time may be reduced accordingly as Andie will not delay other client that may be scheduled after your visit.

Payment

Payment is expected before the massage therapy session begins.  Andie accepts Visa, Master Card, cash or personal checks.

Making the Most out of Your Massage

Regardless of the type of massage you're receiving, your massage therapist is capable of tailoring your experience to meet your individual preferences, tastes, and goals.  If you prefer a "light touch", your therapist will focus on relaxation, tensions relief.  If you are athletic, your massage therapist is capable of mixing the relaxation of Swedish with stretching and the deeper therapeutic muscle work of sports massage. If you're receiving a facial massage, prepare to relax and be pampered.

Throughout the massage your therapist will inquire if the pressure being applied to your body is to your comfort.  Massage is supposed to be comfortable, not painful.  Deep pressure is not supposed to hurt, and you will benefit from proper techniques, so please speak up if the pressure is painful.

Plan to turn off your cell phone and pager to ensure a quiet and relaxing session and plan on removing jewelry such as necklaces or large rings.  (Most piercings do not need to be removed.)

Important Note:  This is the website of a professional, licensed massage therapist.  There are absolutely NO illicit services provided by this, or any, legitimate massage therapist.  If any innuendoes are made by a client during a massage session, the session will be terminated immediately, and the client will be held liable for payment in full of the scheduled appointment.