FAQs - Treat Yourself Right! - Massage and Bodywork - Tyr Massage - JeAnne Frey

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about massage in general and Treat Yourself Right!, operations. A few somewhat obscure questions are addressed here. If you have a question, not addressed, please email me at jeanne@tyrmassage.com.

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Where is Treat Yourself Right located?

The office is at Graduate Centre, 1982 Arlington Blvd. next to Barracks Road Shopping Center in Charlottesville, in Suite 5, at the far end of the office spaces. The suite is shared with Anne Smucker, Licensed Acupuncturist. A map of the general area is available here.

What are your office hours and rates?

My office hours vary, depending on the time of year and other periodic obligations I have. My general hours are listed on the Schedule & Location page, which I update as my office hours change. My next available appointment is usually on my voicemail, and my available appointments for the month are often posted on the door to Suite 5, although neither is a guarantee of a session available, as someone may have called and booked a session while I was away from the office and unable to update the schedule. My rates are listed on the Techniques & Rates page.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Cash, checks, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are all accepted forms of payment.

How do you pronounce your name?

"GEE-ann." Like Joann, except there's an "e" in place of the "o." If you mispronouce it, I won't be offended.

What massage oil do you use?

I use food grade coconut oil. Unprocessed coconut oil has no additives that could be harmful to those with chemical sensitivities, does not go rancid, and many people associate the smell with relaxation. For those who for any reason prefer I not use coconut oil, I also have available a professional grade massage creme, listed on my Links page.

What can massage do for me?

Clinical research has proven that Swedish massage reduces blood pressure and lowers cortisol, a measurable stress hormone. Massage has also been shown reduce pain and increase flexibility. Links to massage research can be found on my Links page. Besides, common sense indicates any time spent horizontal with someone else catering to you when you'd otherwise be working in one capacity or another will help you relax.

How often should I get a massage?

I love this question! Obviously, I can't be fully objective about this, but get a massage whenever you feel like it! If I could, I'd receive massage every day. For massage practitioners, it is suggested we receive one session for every 10 we give. I've heard (from someone who is NOT in the massage field) that everyone over 40 years of age should receive massage once a week. Unfortunately, this is not an option for most of us time wise or financially. Many people choose monthly as a good balance between the body and the wallet.

The effects of massage are cumulative, so after an injury (with a doctor's release) you may want to come in more often. A colleague of mine refers to massage as an oil change for your car, i.e., regular maintenance to avoid expensive repairs later. Considering the many potential benefits of massage, a little bit of Treating Yourself Right goes a long way!

Why should I tell (the massage practitioner) if I'm on any medications, or even aspirin?

Some medications affect systems in your body that massage also affects. If you take a painkiller, you might not be able to feel if the practitioner works too deeply. With muscle relaxants, the tissue may be able to temporarily receive deeper work but be sore afterwards because the muscle was unable to contract against pressure. Some medications affect blood pressure, which may require a modification of techniques.

Taking medication doesn't mean you can't receive massage, but may limit the use of certain techniques. When in doubt, ask your doctor when you receive your prescription. Let your massage provider know about any medications (including herbal supplements) during your intake. That way, the provider can tailor the session to meet your massage needs.