In my opinion there are few conditions which would prevent you from enjoying massage. You should not book a massage if you have a fever, cold/flu, or contagious skin infection. That’s it.
There are many other conditions in which your therapist may need to adapt his/her techniques (i.e. arthritis or osteoporosis) or avoid an area completely (i.e. cuts or burns). With some conditions it is a good idea to get an approval from your physician before you receive massage (cancer, certain heart conditions, pregnancy). This doesn’t mean you can’t get massage. But its always better to err on the side of caution.

Honestly, it’s hard to say. Every person is unique and every condition is unique to each person. It may take one session or it may take several. You and your therapist will be able to talk more specifically about this after your first session and she has had a chance to evaluate your body’s tissues.

Most people feel very relaxed. Mostly there will be a significant decrease in aches and pains. If you received a deep massage, you may be sore the next day or up to three days – much like a good workout at the gym. Sometimes a hot shower, or a soak in the bath with Epsom Salts can ease this soreness.
After your session you should increase your water intake a bit. Just a glass or two more than normal is usually fine. This helps keep your body’s tissues hydrated and healthy.

The answer is NO. There is a perception that men give deeper massages than women. This is a myth. While some men do give a deeper massage, there are men who prefer to not work so deep. The same holds true for women.
It is a matter of style, training, and therapist preference. Some therapists prefer not to give really deep sessions while others specialize in this area. If you are looking for a deep massage, it is best to simply ask the therapist if she/he does this type of work. And of course, during your session it is perfectly ok to give the therapist feedback if you would like a lighter/deeper pressure. It’s your session!

“Some is better than none.”
What does that mean? Well, it varies from person to person. If you are just looking for some occasional relaxation, then a session every 3-6 weeks may be fine for you.
However, if you are looking to address a specific condition, then it is recommended to go more frequently at first and then slowly taper down to a maintenance schedule. Sometimes more frequent 30-minute sessions can be effective until your goals are met and a maintenance schedule is in place.
Frequency of sessions should be discussed with your massage therapist after your treatment when he/she has a better hands-on understanding of your particular muscular issues.

Yes you will be covered by a sheet during your massage. Once you are undressed to your comfort level and on the table under the drape, the therapist will only uncover the part of your body being worked on.
The genitals (women and men) and breasts (women) will not be uncovered. If the therapist is going to work on a woman’s abdomen, a second towel or sheet will be used to cover the breasts so the main sheet or towel can be moved to expose the abdomen.

You should undress to the level you are comfortable. For a full body massage, most will be more comfortable during the session if you leave your underwear on. The therapist will work around the clothes you left on as best as she can.
Your massage therapist should give you privacy to undress and get comfortable on the table.

Physiological changes occurring after acupuncture are not the result of the placebo effect. Many of the effects occur without the conscious knowledge of the patient, but these changes can, and have, been measured by scientific investigation such as functional MRIs.

Approx an hour
Subsequent visits will be 40 minutes. The needles, once inserted, will usually be left in place from 15 to 45 minutes. Needle placement depends on the technique and desired results.

1. Come with any questions you have, we’re here to help you.
2. Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.
3. Don’t eat large meals just before or after your visit.
4. Refrain from overexertion, drugs, or alcohol for up to 6 hours after the visit.
5. Avoid stressful situation. Make time to relax and be sure to get plenty of rest.
6. Between visits, take notes of any changes that you may have experienced.

Scientists have no comprehensive answer as to how acupuncture works. Here is a list of a few currently proposed theories:

1. By a yet to be determined process, acupuncture raises levels of triglycerides, specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body levels. This is called the “Augmentation of Immunity” Theory.
2. The “Endorphin” Theory states that acupuncture stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body (specifically Enkaphalins).
3. The “Neurotransmitter” Theory states that certain neurotransmitter levels (such as Seratonin and Noradrenaline) are positively affected by acupuncture.
4. The “Circulatory” Theory holds that acupuncture has the effect of constriction or dilation of blood vessels. This may be caused by the body’s release of Vasodilaters (such as Histamine), in response to acupuncture.
5. “Gate” Theory states that the perception of pain is controlled by a part of the nervous system that regulates the impulse, which will later be interpreted as pain. This part of the nervous system is called the “Gate”. If the gate is hit with too many impulses, it is overwhelmed and closes, preventing the pain impulse from getting through. Acupuncture treats the smallest gates and nerve fibers which are the ones first affected.

Acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of your health issue, strengthen your body’s resistance to disease, and restore balance and normal function to your system. There are also many beneficial side effects to acupuncture. Patients report that most of the time they:

• Feel better
• Miss fewer work days
• Get along better with others
• Have less pain
• Have more energy
• Are more focused
• Can work better

Acupuncture is used for a broad range of health issues including chronic and degenerative diseases as well as acute conditions and pain. Acupuncture can benefit the immune system by strengthening it if it is weak, or by moderating it if it is overactive. The following list is just a sample of health issues I have treated with acupuncture:

• Facial Pain
• Neck Pain
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders(TMD)
• Contracture of Joint/Spasm of Muscle
• Shoulder Pain/Frozen Shoulder
• Back Pain/Low Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Fibromyalgia/Myofacial
• Pain/Neuralgia/Neuritis/Radiculitis
• Headache/Migraine
• Neuropathies
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Automobile and Sports Injuries
• Arthritis/Osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis/Tennis Elbow
• Stress, Depression and Insomnia
• Menopause Syndrome/PMS
• Gynecological Disorders
• Infertility in Males and Females
• Bell’s Palsy/Pareses following a stroke
• Allergies, Respiratory Diseases
• Skin Diseases
• Smoking Cessation
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Digestive System Problems/Constipation/IBS/ Nausea/Vomiting
• Cancer Treatment Support
• Immunity Enhancement

Note: The above includes the more common ailments treated. It is not a complete list. If your ailment does not appear on this list, it does not mean it can not be treated by acupuncture. Please contact me to discuss it.

Acupuncture needles are very thin. Most people do not find the insertion of such hair fine needles to be painful. Acupuncture needles are hair fine, unlike injection needles, which are thicker, hollow and have cutting edges. This is why acupuncture feels nothing like getting a shot or having blood drawn.

Yes. Only sterile disposable needles are used. Because of the training an Acupuncturist receives, acupuncture is very safe. If a comprehensively trained acupuncturist performs the treatment, your safety is assured.

“Although tens of millions of acupuncture needles are used annually in the United States, only about 50 cases of complications resulting from acupuncture have been reported in the medical literature over the past 20 years.” – Birch, et. al., “Clinical Research on Acupuncture”, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2004