KneadingShannon Massage and Bodywork
                                      serving Baltimore and surrounding counties
                                       
                         
                            Massage Services

What to expect at your first massage
If this is your first time receiving a massage with me you will be asked to complete a heath assessment form. This form will help me tailor a session that will match your needs. Your health history form will also help me determine if you have any conditions that would rule out massage, due to health risks.

Privacy:
Clients are asked to remove as much clothing as they are comfortable with. I will leave the room for you to undress, get on the massage table and cover yourself with a sheet and blanket in privacy. Before entering I will knock on the door to make sure you've had enough time. To respect personal privacy, provide adequate warmth, and promote professionalism you will be covered or draped with a sheet and/or blanket at all times so that only the part of the body being worked on is exposed.

Policies
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment to relax and prepare yourself. If you arrive late for your appointment, your session will promptly end at the scheduled time so that the next client is not delayed. Full payment for your session is expected. Please remember to turn off all cell phones and pagers so that you may thoroughly relax and enjoy your session.

Cancellations
A missed appointment is a loss to us both. Please provide 24 hours notice if cancellation is necessary. Otherwise you will be asked to honor payment. Family emergencies and bad weather is excluded of course.

Confidentiality
As with any health care provider, client confidentiality is very important.  All conversation and shared information is kept strictly confidential.

Does massage therapy hurt?
Massage therapy shouldn't hurt. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over "knots" and other areas of muscle tension. If the pressure is too strong for you, please let me know.

What should I expect after massage therapy?
Massage can be profoundly relaxing, affecting all your body's systems. After the session is over, allow yourself a few moments before getting up and do so slowly to allow you to adjust to the changes in your body. Sometimes you may not feel a dramatic result right away. Over the next few days note any changes such as pain relief, increased mobility, or better sleep. Sometimes people are sore after massage, especially after deep therapeutic work. This is normal, and should go away in a day or two. This should be no more than how you feel after a good work out. It is important to drink plenty of water the next 24 hrs after the massage to flush the toxins out of your system.
 

When should  I not receive a massage?
First and foremost, if you have any concerns please consult your physician first.
In general, massage is an extremely safe form of therapy; however, there are some situations (some cancers) where massage should be avoided.

  • AIDS(where there are cuts or lesions)
  • Areas of local infection(e.g. shingles, ringworm, athlete's foot).
  • Bruising (never work directly over a bruised area).
  • Eczema (weeping).
  • Fever or high temperatures.
  • Full stomach-always allow at least an hour between eating a meal and receiving massage.
  • Heart conditions.
  • Menstruation (some schools suggest no massage during the first two days). In practice be much, much gentler over the abdomen.
  • Nausea.
  • Open cuts and sores.
  • Pregnancy (some schools suggest no massage during the first three months). In practice just be much, much gentler on the lower back and avoid the abdominal area.
  • Recent major operation.
  • Recent scar tissue.
  • Swelling or inflammation.
  • Thrombosis or phlebitis (painful clot in vein).
  • Varicose veins- especially when the veins are painful or swollen.
 
Massage Techniques/Modalities
Techniques customized may include the following:


Swedish Massage Therapy
This is the most common type of massage therapy in the United States. It is also known as Swedish massage or simply massage therapy.

Massage therapists use long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.
Swedish massage therapy can be very gentle and relaxing. If you've never had massage before, this is a good one to try first.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle.

Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one to two days after deep tissue massage.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to have one-it's also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.

A combination of techniques are used. The strokes are generally faster than Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.
                                    
Myofascial Release
Myo means muscle and fascia is the elastic connective tissue wrapped around muscles and other parts of the body. During myofascial release, restrictions (stuck areas) are located and gentle sliding pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction to stretch the tissues. The stretching of tissues and the heat imparted by the practitioner's hands are thought to help produce a softer consistency of fascial tissues.

Hot Stone Massage
Heated, smooth stones are placed on certain points on the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body.

The massage therapist may also hold stones and apply gentle pressure with them. The warmth is comforting. Hot stone massage is good for people who have muscle tension but prefer lighter massage.

 Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy with the addition of one or more scented plant oils called essential oils to address specific needs.

The massage therapist can select oils that are relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, balancing, etc. One of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy massage is lavender.

Aromatherapy massage is particularly suited to stress-related conditions or conditions with an emotional component.

Lomi Lomi
Is a gentle, soothing, stretching type of massage claimed to be one of the most relaxing of body work styles, using the long continuous, flowing strokes, combined with the very loving touch, relaxes the entire being, assisting in a letting go of old beliefs, patterns and behaviors that cause limitations and which are stored in the cells of our body. Healing, stress reducing, rejuvenating, Lomi Lomi massage therapy has been practiced throughout Pacific for thousands of years.
                                                    
Trigger Point     
Trigger Point utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant locations in muscles, connective tissues, and organs.

Reflexology     
Reflexology is a form of bodywork based on the theory of zone therapy, in which specific spots of the body are pressed to stimulate corresponding areas in other parts of the body. Foot reflexology is the most common form of reflexology.

Chair massage
Chair massage, also known as Corporate Massage, is by far the most convenient method of massage therapy. A chair massage session typically lasts 12-24 minutes, and is performed while fully clothed. Chair massage promotes better circulation, muscle stimulation and stress relief. This form of massage reduces tension in the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, hands, legs or feet, providing a deep relaxation effect.

Chair massages are also advantageous because chair massage practitioners will frequently make work- or house calls. Chair massage can also be done in hotels, airports and convention centers.                      
                                                   Informative Links

Baltimore School of Massage
www.bsom.com/index.html
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
works to advance the massage therapy profession through ethics and standards continuing education, etc.
www.abmp.com/home/
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork: to foster high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodyworkers.
www.ncbtmb.org/consumers.php
great site for information on massage therapy research, and massage information in general.
www.aboutmassage.com/

Fertitly Massage
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/55/Hands-of-Hope













                                                                Shannon L. Semesky RMP                              
                               Maryland License #R00406 •  NCTMB #  407933-00 
                                                          (410) 262-6681
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