Massage Education & Safety

Important information every client should understand.

Massage therapy is a wonderful tool for wellness, but like any form of care, it’s important to understand where it fits — and where it may not be appropriate. My goal is always to provide safe, ethical, and informed care for every client I work with.

🌿 The Importance of Seeing a Licensed & Insured Therapist
When seeking massage therapy services, it’s important to choose a practitioner who is properly licensed, trained, and insured.

Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) have completed extensive training, passed national or state exams, and meet all state requirements for legal practice.

Ongoing education is often required to maintain licensure and stay current with safe, ethical, and effective practices.

Insurance provides additional protection for both you and the therapist in the unlikely event of an incident.

👉 Unfortunately, not everyone advertising massage services is properly credentialed. Choosing a licensed, insured therapist helps ensure you are receiving care from someone who:

Understands anatomy and physiology
Can modify sessions appropriately for medical conditions
Follows proper safety, sanitation, and ethical guidelines
Has met the professional standards required to legally practice

🌿 Your safety and well-being are always worth protecting.

🌿 The Importance of Health Intake Forms
Your health intake form isn’t just paperwork — it’s a critical part of how I ensure your massage is safe, effective, and appropriate for your body.

Intake forms are required by NYS law for every client.
Please complete your intake form fully, honestly, and accurately before your first appointment.
Notify me of any changes to your health since your last visit — even small updates can be important when determining how to approach your session.
Information such as medications, recent surgeries, medical diagnoses, or new health concerns can all directly impact how massage is performed.

👉 While massage is designed to feel relaxing for you as the client, there is a lot of clinical assessment, decision-making, and modification that happens behind the scenes with every session I perform.
Your honesty helps me serve you safely and effectively.

🌿 When Massage May Not Be Appropriate (Contraindications)
There are certain situations where massage may need to be delayed, modified, or avoided completely for your safety.

Massage may not be appropriate if you have:

Fever or active illness (cold, flu, infection)
Contagious skin conditions, rashes, or open wounds
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Certain types of heart conditions
Acute injuries (fractures, severe sprains, severe bruising)
Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Certain stages of cancer without medical clearance
Unstable pregnancy complications
Severe swelling or edema not yet evaluated by a physician
Recent major surgery without medical clearance

👉 If you’re ever unsure if massage is safe for you, please contact me beforehand or consult your physician.

Your safety is always the top priority.

🌿 When Massage May Need to Be Modified
In some cases, massage can still be performed but will require adjustments:

Certain chronic medical conditions
Areas with limited mobility or surgical implants
Recent minor surgeries (once cleared)
Prenatal clients depending on trimester and comfort
Neurological conditions
Osteoporosis or fragile bone conditions

I will always review your intake form carefully and may ask for additional information or medical clearance if needed.

🌿 Massage Therapist vs. Masseuse: Let’s Use the Right Language
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) — not a "masseuse" or "masseur."

👉 Why this matters:

Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) is the professional, healthcare-recognized title used for trained, credentialed professionals who meet strict educational, clinical, and legal standards.
The terms "masseuse" (female) and "masseur" (male) are outdated and no longer commonly used in the professional field of therapeutic massage.
Most people mistakenly use “masseuse” as a catch-all term for both genders, but it is not the correct or professional title.
Additionally, these older terms are often tied to outdated or inappropriate connotations that do not reflect the professional standards of modern massage therapy.

👉 Using the correct title — Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) — honors the education, skill, and high ethical standards required to practice.

🌿 Informed Consent Always Comes First
Before every session:

I review your intake form and health history
We discuss any changes since your last visit
You always have the right to decline any part of the session
Communication is welcome — before, during, and after your session

🌿 Educational Insights

1️⃣ The Power of Consistency
Massage isn’t just for “when something hurts.” Regular, consistent massage is far more effective than waiting until pain forces you to seek care. Preventative care allows your body to maintain balance, reduce stress buildup, improve circulation, and avoid chronic tension patterns that become harder to manage later.

Consistent massage supports your:

Long-term mobility
Stress management
Immune system health
Injury prevention
Nervous system balance

2️⃣ The Nervous System Connection
Massage directly impacts your parasympathetic nervous system — your body’s rest, relax, and repair system.

Relaxation work helps calm the body, reduce cortisol (stress hormones), and bring you out of constant "fight-or-flight" mode.
This is why relaxation-based massage is not “less effective.” In fact, calming the nervous system often unlocks far more healing than aggressive work.
Chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma can physically show up in the muscles as tension, stiffness, or pain — massage helps interrupt that cycle.

3️⃣ What Massage Cannot Do
It’s important to have realistic expectations:

Massage therapy does not "fix," "cure," or permanently eliminate injuries or chronic conditions.
Massage supports your body’s natural healing processes, reduces pain, and improves function — but it works best alongside other healthcare, movement, hydration, and self-care habits.
It is a valuable part of your overall wellness plan — not a standalone solution.

4️⃣ The Real Cost of Overdoing It
"More pressure" does not automatically equal better results.

Excessive or aggressive pressure can trigger your body’s defense mechanisms, cause bruising, increase inflammation, or create new pain patterns.
The goal is never to force your muscles into submission — but to support safe, healthy release that your body can tolerate and integrate.
My work is intentionally focused on working with your body — not against it.

🌿 Safe massage is intentional massage.

You are always welcome to ask questions, express concerns, or discuss any of these topics further at any time.