Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I BOOK A PERSONAL TRAINING SESSION?

Currently exercise and movement therapy is only something I offer as part of an integrated manual therapy treatment programs and not on its own. I will, however, be offering both remote and in-person Egoscue Method movement and postural therapies by 2023 and those can be booked like a personal training session.

WILL MASSAGE HELP MY MEDICAL CONDITION?

There are a variety of illnesses and conditions that can improve in signs and symptoms from treatment by different modalities of massage.
It's hard to answer this FAQ in a general way, but your takeaway should be that it doesn’t hurt to ask! Please email me at SingletonMassage@gmail.com and I will share what I know.
There are many conditions whose symptoms can commonly be helped by a qualified massage therapist, and here is very short and incomplete list of a few I’m frequently asked about:

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Scoliosis
Arthritis
Joint compression
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Intestinal adhesions
Migraines
TMJ dysfunction
Torticollis
Lordosis & kyphosis
Post-concussion symptoms
Lymphatic drainage issues
Severe menstrual cramps
Plantar fasciitis
Endometriosis
Sinus drainage blockage
Nerve impingement
Certain kinds of IBS
Joint subluxation
Muscle cramps
Scar tissue dysfunctions
Any condition that can be affected by stress levels
Pain that is not explained by typical scans such as MRIs and CT scans.

Massage therapy assessment and treatment is not meant to be a replacement for diagnosis and conventional treatment of any serious condition but it is excellent as a complementary therapy or as a non-surgical treatment and management option. Please email me if you have further questions!

WILL IT HURT?

Some people are afraid to get a massage or treatment because they’ve heard that it needs to hurt. It does not need to! Requesting “good hurt” is always fine, but it’s not typically a necessity for effective results!
Some uncomfortable techniques are helpful but they’re not the only way to address any area or issue.

I am always up for giving a deep tissue sports massage that pushes my client’s limits if they ask for it. But “no pain no gain” doesn’t have to apply to manual therapy! Not only can we get great results without unnecessarily painful approaches but often we can get even better results if we aren’t actively fighting the body’s pain responses!
CranioSacral Therapy, John Barnes Myofascial Release, and even many Swedish massage techniques are both effective and also pain-free. I will always respect my client’s preferences and boundaries.

DO I NEED TO TAKE OFF CLOTHES OR CHANGE CLOTHES?

Often my clients wear just stretchy, comfy clothing if we are addressing clinical symptoms.

Please also note that it is a legal requirement that you either be clothed or be mostly covered by the sheets and blankets on the table.

Genitals are (by law) never going to be uncovered or touched by any legit LMT and women’s breasts are only uncovered or treated by a client’s request and in the case of specific medical issues (and that requires a client’s signature on an additional release form before the session begins.)

If you have any requests or additional boundaries of comfort that I should know about, let's talk! Usually we can find an easy way to work with any needs or hesitations. I don’t even need to know the reason you’d like me to avoid an area if you say that you’d prefer not to share. You are safe in my office and I want you to feel comfortable.

CAN I ASK FOR JUST SPECIFIC AREAS TO GET WORK?

Of course! Most people come into my office with specific pains, priorities and requests.

The body works as a unit, however, so we would first assess that area in relation to your structural function as a whole. Keep in mind that often the area that is in pain is not necessarily the area that is most tight, but typically may be the area that is under the most stress or weakest. You will likely experience longer-lasting relief from first releasing a muscle group in a different, pain-free area that is in opposition to the area of pain or symptoms before we directly address the symptom site.

I will always respect my client’s preferences and boundaries.

WHAT WILL MY FIRST SESSION BE LIKE?

What would you like?
To address specific symptoms and mechanical dysfunction we can do a clinical session that would look similar to a fully clothed structural stretching session. (Some clients have said their medical massage sessions remind them of a more calming version of a physical therapy session.) However, if you don’t have any specific clinical symptoms to address other than generalized stress then instead we could do a session that looks more like a traditional Swedish massage (like what you’d see in a spa.)
If you book a long enough session we may have time for a “hybrid” where we can work on your symptoms and do that in a relaxing environment.

It will NOT look like whatever you’ve seen on a sitcom or in a comedy sketch! I’m always glad to walk nervous “first-timers” through the session and answer any questions they may have.

Here’s a sort of play-by-play description:

• New clients will fill out and sign an intake form beforehand that will look similar to a short questionnaire from a doctor's office.

• For new clients I do intake over a call at least a few days beforehand but for every session there is a short conversation beforehand so that you can ask for the type of service you need or think you might like. Also, you can describe if you have any specific goals (pain relief, increase in range of motion, indicated therapies for a diagnosed condition, etc.) and I can tell you what approach is likely to be most helpful and is indicated and we can plan the service from there. Many people receiving their first treatment say they don't really know what they want, and that's OK too!

• Often some assessment (like range of motion, functional movement, gait assessment, postural assessment) will happen beforehand as part of planning the service and so we can compare “before and after” results from the session.

• I will leave the room if you need to either get undressed and cover yourself underneath the sheets on my table or change into stretchy clothes (depending on the type of session you request.)

• If you requested Swedish massage you can expect to only have one area uncovered when that section is being massaged (so one leg at a time is uncovered, or just your back is uncovered, etc.) Genitals and gluteal cleft will absolutely never be uncovered or touched. You can always ask me to avoid touching or uncovering any area of your body and that request will be respected and you don’t even have to give a reason why you have that preference. (Breast tissue manual therapy may be requested for specific medical reasons but that requires a conversation and a mutually signed consent form before the session starts.)

• You can ask questions and make requests throughout the session or you can ask for a silent, meditative session.

• At the end of your session I will leave the room if you need to get dressed or change clothes and we will talk for a few minutes about what might be helpful to do to help you reach your goals. For instance, I may suggest stretching an area, or I might suggest a treatment plan and schedule multiple future sessions with you in order to fully address your symptoms.

The session will be tailored to fit whatever your goals for the session are. You're the boss, I'm the administrator. I can talk you through each step as we go or keep the room silent so that you can relax.

Don't hesitate to be specific with your requests! You’re not “being picky” you’re giving me helpful information. Both of us want you to have a good session!

DO YOU HAVE GENDER-NEUTRAL BATHROOMS AND ARE OTHERWISE LGBTQ+ FRIENDLY?

Yes. The single person bathroom is for anyone. I treat all kinds of people and I’m always supportive of the needs of any type of client who walks in my door.