You absolutely can! Massage is very beneficial while pregnant, having been shown to relieve many of the symptoms associated with pregnancy, or at least make them more tolerable. In addition, it’s wonderful as a mother growing new life to have some me-time to relax, you’re body is doing a lot of hard work and you should honor that!

It is not recommended to receive a massage in the first trimester (there are some LMTs that specialize in this though), so please wait until at least your second trimester to book.

Deep tissue massage is the practice of really getting down and dirty into a specific muscle. If you wish to target one or two muscles for deeper, therapeutic work, then the answer is yes.

To preserve my body so that I can work many long, wonderful years in massage therapy, I am unable to do a Swedish full-body massage with deep pressure throughout the whole massage.

If you would like deep pressure for the entire massage, I would recommend Shiatsu. Due to the nature of this massage I can safely give you what you can tolerate, up to my full body weight in pressure, at no risk to my career.

Anyone of any age can receive a massage, even infants! There are massage therapists that specialize in neo-natal massage, but the youngest client I will see is at the age of 10 so long as they’re able to be patient for a massage (some exceptions made for younger children depending on circumstances, please inquire).

If the person receiving massage is still a minor, parental permission will be required for the massage to happen.

Due to HIPPA and client privacy, parents will not be able to be present during the massage itself, unless the minor requests it/is okay with it if they are over the age of 16. There is no dedicated waiting room, however the Ballston Spa Public Library is very close where one could wait if you don’t wish to sit in the hallway.

Cancer is a tricky one. If you are currently going through treatments for cancer, you will need to consult with your doctor prior to receiving a massage. Questions you need to ask are:

• Can I receive a fluid-moving massage?
• Should my massage therapist wear gloves due to my chemotherapy treatment?
• Are there any other precautions I or my massage therapist should be aware of?

If you are three months or more past your last treatment, then we can move forward with little to no precautions, dependent on how the cancer and treatments affected you.

Massage therapy is wonderful for those who have had cancer, or who are treating cancer (when your doctor says it’s okay to receive). It can help the body to recover from the treatments, which are often rough on the system, and can make many of the symptoms of treatment more bearable.

Shiatsu massage is an energetic form of massage, and does contain energy work.

As a Reiki master, I am capable of adding energetic work into my standard Swedish massage as well.

If you do not want energy to be used during your Swedish massage, please let me know up front. I am capable of keeping it out of the session. I respect that some belief systems do not recognize the inclusion of energetic work, as well as personal boundaries regarding it.

If you are receiving Shiatsu without adding on cupping, you will be fully clothed through the whole massage. Please do not wear a skirt or dress.

For Swedish, you will need to undress to your level of comfort. For some people this means no holds barred, and for others they want underwear left on, and some yet don’t want to take anything off. Whatever your level of comfort is, is fine. Just realize the more you remove, the more the massage therapist can access.

At no time will you be indecently exposed. You will undress in private while I leave to wash my hands, and I will not re-enter the area until you are on the table under the covers (or mat, if you have chosen Shiatsu with cupping).

For the actual massage, each body part that is being worked on (back, arms, or legs) will be carefully draped so that only the area that’s being worked on is exposed at a time. This will never include sensitive areas like genitals or for women, breasts.

You sure can! Click here to be brought to my online booking service. This allows you to make your own appointment within my availability, without having to call, or text.

There are limitations with this. First, you must book a minimum of 48 hours in advance, and no more than 30 days. Second, you and I won’t have any communication before the massage, unless of course you contact me outside the app.

You can get a gift certificate by ordering via my online shop if you want a physical certificate mailed to you via USPS, by making a retail appointment to stop by and pick one up in-person, or by going to the Services Offered page and following the instructions to get a digital gift certificate emailed directly to you.