I’ve been actively practicing massage therapy since 2004. And I’ve found that everyone — from experienced clients to first-timers — has many questions about me and my practice. This is understandable, especially if this is your first experience with massage therapy. I’ve cobbled together some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers. If I’ve not answered your question, please feel free to contact me directly at 415-806-3800 or jefframoneLMT@gmail.com.
Q: What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Q: Does massage hurt?
Q: Do you do spinal adjustments?
Q: What are the different techniques you offer?
Q: What does a therapist have to do to obtain an education and credentials?
Q: What body parts does a massage therapist work on?
Q: Do I have to be fully undressed for a massage therapy session?
Q: If I have a serious medical condition can I still receive massage therapy?
Q: Do you offer discounts?
Q: Do you accept insurance as a form of payment?
Q: Can you do on-site massage for my employees?
Q: Do you work at a spa or salon?
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Q: What are the benefits of massage therapy?
A: The benefits of massage therapy include:
-Relaxes muscles.
-Reduces pain.
-Increases local circulation and venous flow.
-Improves joint mobility and flexibility.
-Stimulates parasympathetic nervous system (causing a general sense of relaxation).
-Increases mental clarity.
-Reduces anxiety and initiates a general feeling of well being.
-Exfoliates and removes dead skin.
-Increases lymphatic flow (resulting in improved immune response).
-Releases unexpressed emotions.
-Increases body awareness.
-Milks metabolic wastes from muscles into venous and lymphatic flow.
-Releases endorphins associated with relaxation.
-Improves immune function via stress release.
-Encourages better digestion with relaxation.
Q: Does massage hurt?
A: It depends. Each therapist is different from the next. But my personal philosophy is not one of ‘No pain, no gain’?. Save that maxim for the gym. I believe that massage should be a soothing, stress-relieving experience in which the client’s serenity and total relaxation are the goal. That said, if a Deep Tissue Massage is your goal, then the pressure might be a little more intense than a Swedish Massage. Whatever treatment type you choose, communication is at the root of all successful sessions. In other words, clients are encouraged to let me know their needs before and during a session.
Q: Do you do spinal adjustments?
A: No. Such techniques are strictly the territory of chiropractors and beyond my scope of practice. Soft tissue manipulation is my primary objective.
Q: What are the different techniques you offer?
A: I am trained and qualified in multiple modalities, which include:
Swedish Massage. The platform for most Western massage training is based on a series of techniques developed in Sweden early in the 19th century. Swedish Massage employs five main strokes — petrissage (kneading), effleurage (stroking), friction, tapotement (tapping), and vibration — to achieve its relaxing and healing effects.
Body Mobilization Techniques (BMT). Pioneered and developed by Bob King, founder of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, BMT is a form of therapeutic stretching that provides a safe, pain-free movement that allows a therapist to simultaneously warm tissues and joint, as well assess and identify joint restrictions and abnormalities. A therapist using BMT systematically stretches and applies joint range-of-motion to help unwind chronically tight or injured musculature. In short, BMT helps to increase mobility of all major joints and muscle groups.
Deep Tissue Massage. A form of Swedish Massage that gets to the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia. It can release tension in the tissues and loosen adhered layers of connective tissues.
Q: What does a therapist have to do to obtain an education and credentials?
A: As required by Illinois State law, to practice massage therapy a person must complete 500 hours of training at accredited school. In 2004, I graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, after completing over 700 hours of lecture, classroom practical instruction, student clinic performance and community outreach. In 2007 I became certified as a Reiki Healer.
Q: What body parts does a massage therapist work on?
A: Each massage therapy treatment can be customized to fit your needs. However, a typical massage treatment includes work to the back, shoulders, head, neck, arms, hands, legs and feet. Treatments do not usually include abdominals (stomach) or pectorals (chest). But on males, pectorals can be added to a treatment on request.
Q: Do I have to be fully undressed for a massage therapy session?
A: Most clients completely disrobe for a full-body massage treatment. Others choose to keep their underwear on. Either way is acceptable. With the exception of the head, all body parts are draped at all times by a sheet unless that body part is being worked on. Illinois law requires that I adhere to draping standards at all times.
Q: If I have a serious medical condition or illness, can I still receive massage therapy treatments?
A: Yes. Massage can be healing on many different levels, but if you have a serious or chronic health issue, you need to get a doctor’s permission before receiving any kind of bodywork. In the interest of personal safety, you must disclose all medical conditions to the therapist.
Q: Do you offer discounts?
A: Typically my rates are as is. If you choose to purchase a package of four sessions, there is a significant discount. Also, first-time clients receive $10 off their first visit. See the Discounts page for more details.
Q: Do you accept insurance as a form of payment?
A: No. Unfortunately I do not accept insurance.
Q: Can you do on-site massage for my employees?
A: Yes. I am available to come to your business and provide on-site, fully clothed tune-up chair massages. Sufficient notice is required to book an on-site visit. Please contact me for details and rate information.
Q: Do you work at a spa or salon?
A: Not at present. But for over six years I was a full-time massage therapist at Urban Oasis Massage Spa in Chicago. From 2005 to 2011, I administered over 5,000 massage therapy treatments. I left in good standing in May 2011 to pursue a full-time private massage therapy practice.
Email me at jefframoneLMT@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. You can also text message or call me at 773-791-5882. I return phone calls, text messages and emails typically within the same day.
