hello and welcome to nowtime – home of the body-back guarantee! i look forward to our work together. before we begin, i would like to explain to you how i work, and what you can expect.
once we meet for a session, I will review your patient information questionnaire and consent form with you and discuss any concerns you have. we will agree upon a treatment plan for the day and your choice of music or silence. i will exit the room, so that you may undress alone to your level of comfort – either full or partial undress. i will allow you plenty of time to undress and lie down on the table, covering yourself with the sheet and blanket provided. during our discussion of your intended goals for the massage, we will have determined whether you should lie down face up or face down. i will knock prior to entering the room to ensure that you are ready. please know that you will always be draped and that only the area being massaged will be uncovered. during the massage, i may ask you to roll over onto your side, front or back. again, you will be fully draped during the transition.
this massage is for YOU! almost everything is adjustable. please let me know if you are too hot or too cold, so that i might adjust the level of covering, table heat or room temperature and ventilation to your level of comfort. depending upon your massage, there might be a bolster under your knees when you are lying on your back, or under your feet when you are lying on your stomach. there are lots of pillows and bolsters that can be arranged to give you extra support where needed. the headrest will be adjusted to your best comfort. prolonged pressure on the face, as during a back massage, can lead to a feeling of stuffiness in the nose and sinuses. let me know when this gets uncomfortable. the sensation dissipates quickly once you lie on you back or get up off the table.
the comfort level of massage pressure is different for everyone. please let me know if the pressure is too light or too deep. the massage will likely start out with a lighter touch to warm up the muscles and get the blood flowing. i will gradually work into deeper layers of the tissues, always within your level of comfort.
once the session is over, i will exit the room to allow you to dress. take your time getting off the table: you might feel dizzy, lightheaded and disoriented at first: go slow! please open the door when you are ready for me to return. we will then briefly discuss the massage session and will address any concerns you may have.
if you have any questions prior to starting, please let me know, so that you can get the most out of your therapeutic session.
see you soon,
Karoline Kirst, PhD, LMT