What can I expect my first time?
When you first book a massage appointment with me I will email or text you confirmation & the intake paperwork. Please fill these out before arrival if possible, otherwise plan to arrive a few minutes early so as to not take away from your allotted session time. At your very first appointment, we go over your intake forms, review any health conditions or concerns you have, as well as discuss your preferences, goals, and wishes for your sessions.
I will then step out of the room to allow you to disrobe down to your comfort level and get on the table, under and covered by the top sheet. Typically we start with you face down on the table, but I can always make adjustments if lying face down is too painful or not possible. Let me know during intake if you need any accommodations. Likewise, if you have mobility issues and need assistance on and off the table, I can provide a robe, and help you as needed.
Once you indicate that you are ready, I will return to the treatment room and begin your massage! You will ALWAYS be modestly draped by the top sheet throughout the massage and at no point will any private areas be exposed. You can absolutely let me know if there are any areas of your body you do not want me to work on and you can stop the massage at any time, for any reason. You can (and are encouraged to) give me feedback on the pressure or if anything is too intense, ticklish, etc.
During the massage feel free to talk or not talk, sleep, request your favorite playlist, listen to something in your earbuds, ask for a blanket or extra bolsters, etc. I am more than happy to enhance your experience if at all possible, just ask!
When our time is up I’ll let you know and will step out of the room to give you a chance to reorient yourself and get dressed. When you are ready you can open the door and I’ll re-enter to discuss any post massage recommendations, to take care of payment, and to re-book your next massage!
Do I have to get nekkid?!? (aka How undressed do I get?)
No! There’s no need to get fully undressed if you don’t want to! Massage can be performed if you remain in your underwear, over full clothes, or through sheets - it’s whatever you are most comfortable with. Some techniques and modalities are definitely more effectively achieved without clothing in the way and with more direct contact to the tissues being manipulated, but I will always respect your boundaries and can work within them.
Most people do prefer to either undress fully or to leave just their underwear on. Regardless of what you feel comfortable with, you will always be fully draped with a top sheet and no private areas will ever be exposed. At any given time, only the body part being worked on will be undraped and it will be fully recovered before moving on to the next area.
These standards are to ensure both yours and my own modesty, comfort, and safety at all times, as well as to comply with the State of Texas regulations regarding proper draping.
What kind of massage do you do? How do I pick the right type?
I am certified in a variety of massage modalities that I mix and match to tailor to your individual body, needs, & goals. No massage is ever exactly the same, as everyone is different and your body may have different needs from session to session. You can check out the various types of massage modalities I utilize on my Services & Rates page.
What if there are areas I don’t want massaged/touched?
That is absolutely fine! Many people have areas that they don’t want touched for many different reasons. I won’t question it, I’ll just respect your boundaries. The glutes, feet, and scalp (hair) are common areas that are often requested to be avoided. I always try to ask about these first (but I am human and sometimes forget!), so if I don’t or there is anywhere else you’d like for me to avoid, please let me know!
How do I know this isn’t one of *those* “massage parlors”?
Let me say right now, if that’s what you are looking for, this is the wrong place and you need move on right now!
Go on and git!!!!
I have spent my life as a caregiver in both personal and professional capacities, and I take great joy in helping people to live, move, and function at their fullest. I have found serving others in their moments of need to be my highest calling in this life, and I take great honor and pride in doing so as a professional bodyworker.
As a licensed massage therapist, I adhere to all state and federal requirements, and I am constantly continuing my studies and taking various educational courses to improve my skills and knowledge base. Massage has so many benefits and applications, and current research is always revealing more and more ways it can improve our lives.
In addition to the many mental, emotional, & physical health benefits massage has to offer, I am honored to work as part of an amazing professional health and wellness team here on Main Street to help you to thrive in all areas of your life.
On one side we have Dr. Asa Hadsell, the most phenomenal chiropractor and owner of Main Street Chiropractic. He provides specialized one-on-one chiropractic care, preventative and lifestyle care, and he’s also a personal trainer for those needing some direction in the gym.
On my other side, is the fantastic Paula Nelms, of Nelms Nutrition. She provides the most thoroughly researched, up-to-date, personalized functional nutrition information specifically tailored to each of her clients.
I have myself worked with each of them on my own personal health journey prior to joining forces professionally, and I can emphatically and enthusiastically recommend them both to you as well!
Does it hurt? Do you have to “go deep” for it to really work?
It shouldn’t! Many massage modalities actually require a very light touch and if relaxation or de-stressing is your main goal, then pain is definitely counterproductive to that!
Some therapeutic work can be more intense, can border on discomfort, and can leave you somewhat sore afterwards (similar to post-workout), but actual pain is always to be avoided. The body’s involuntary response to pain will be to guard itself and tense up which will prevent the therapy from being truly effective. So don’t just tough it out! Pain is NOT gain in massage therapy!
The problem is pain is subjective and everyone has legitimately varying thresholds, so it is vital that you communicate with me if anything is too much or painful. I’m not in your head or your body, and while I work very hard to read what your body is telling me, it’s much more effective if we work as a team together in your wellness.
This is another reason why it is so important to go over your goals and reasons for seeking massage at your initial intake. This is about you and your needs/wants, and knowing what that entails will help me to tailor your sessions accordingly. And don’t forget to keep me updated if those goals or reasons change so I can continue to respond to your needs!
What if I have sensitive skin, allergies, or wish to avoid certain ingredients?
All of my linens are washed in free and clear detergents and laundry sanitizers. I do wear deodorant (you’re welcome 😝), but I do not wear perfume while working, to accommodate those who are bothered by strong scents. I do typically diffuse essential oils in my treatment room, but I can always turn it off at your request.
I also have a range of unscented, hypoallergenic lotions, oils, and gels that I can use. Please communicate any of your needs and I am happy to accommodate them if at all possible. You are also welcome to bring your own products and/or linens if you have something specific you would like for me to use during your session.
Can I ..........? (fall asleep, listen to my own playlist, wear earbuds, bring my own oil, etc)
Basically if it’s safe, respectful, and reasonable, my answer is YES! This time is for you and I want you to have the best experience possible. If little tweaks here and there will help you to relax and enjoy your massage more, let’s do it! If there’s a legitimate reason I can’t accommodate something, I have no problem explaining why and seeing if an alternate would work instead.
Am I supposed to talk like at the hair salon? Or should I be quiet and meditative?
Yes! Whatever you want to do! If you haven’t already picked up on it, this is YOUR TIME and we can fill it the way you want. I love a good chat and am always there for all the tea, if that’s what you’re up for! But I’m also totally fine with quiet and letting you embrace the silence and peace of the moment. Overall, I take my cues from you and what you would prefer our time to be like. There is no right or wrong way and each session may be different.
What if I ..........? (fall asleep, drool, snore, pass gas, etc.)
Then you are a human whose body is responding to a relaxed state in a human way! If you are worried you will do something involuntarily, I can guarantee you won’t be the first, nor will you be the last. It does not bother me and I don’t want it to bother you.
What if I have a trauma response during my session? (e.g. crying, fighting back, becoming disoriented) How will it be handled?
We largely underestimate the mind/body connection and science is constantly discovering new correlations previously unknown. It is very common and quite natural for unexpected emotions, reactions, and releases to happen in the midst of a massage session, especially for individuals who have had previous trauma in their lives.
I first want to say, I want to be a safe person and my treatment room to be a safe space for you. If you find yourself having a reaction, that’s completely fine, I will support you through it, without judgement. As an adoptive mom and former foster mom, I have gone through trauma-informed training, and have spent many years of my life caring for elderly memory-care patients who have often acted out in unexpected ways. You can’t scare me!
I myself have experienced a trauma breakthrough during a massage, while discussing my history of previous C-sections & a painful pregnancy loss. As I verbalized my story, my therapist and I both felt a large physical release in the tissues near my C-section scar. I found myself weeping without realizing and this area that had been numb for years, began, and continues to have, sensations again.
If you find yourself, like I did, having a moment, I will let you lead. If you want to continue the massage, I will. If you need a moment to yourself, I can step back or step out. If you need to cut our session short, we can absolutely stop at anytime. If you do find yourself physically lashing out or reacting, I will do what I can to keep us both safe and uninjured.
Again all of this is without judgement- we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we still don’t grasp all the complexities of this mind and body we inhabit. But it’s my honor to support you in this process. 💕
What if I forgot to shave?
I’m going to say this real loud for those in the back….NOBODY CARES IF YOU SHAVED OR NOT!!!! Seriously, it doesn’t affect your massage or my application one bit, and on any given day, I probably forgot to shave too!🥴 Unless you say something, I can guarantee I did not even notice or care. The only thing I ask is preferably don’t shave just before your massage. Shaving creates many micro-cuts in your skin and I am then putting my hands and product all over them. Better to be a little prickly instead and shave later!
I booked a 1hr massage, how much “hands on” time is that?
All sessions are booked in 1hr, 1.5hr, & 2hr increments. That is the actual “hands on time” and I schedule buffer time before and after each session for you discuss your needs for the day, to use the restroom beforehand, to change, and to get on and off the table.
I often have a very full schedule, with clients booked before and after your session. I always strive to honor each of my clients by starting and ending on time, and giving them the full session length they have booked. In return, I ask that my clients respect me, as well as those who follow after them, by arriving on time and ready to go for their session.
I understand that life happens though, and if you are running late I will certainly try to give you your full session time if at all possible, but if I am fully booked, I may have to shorten your session based on when you arrive, or reschedule you for another day.
How do I know what length of time to book?
Obviously you can book whatever length of time that works best for you and your schedule. If your main goal is relaxation, de-stressing, or simple maintenance, then a 1hr session is great and you can always schedule longer sessions for an even more indulgent opportunity to just release and let go.
For therapeutic work or if you have a specific area that really needs focus, 1hr is really too short of a time to complete a full body massage AND give focus to specific spots. You can either book a 1hr, where I can forgo the full body & simply focus primarily on your problem areas, or you can book a 1.5hr or 2hr, giving me ample time to address your whole body and really give attention and focus to specific areas of dysfunction and discomfort.
Once again, your input on your goals and needs is vital to crafting a therapy session specific to you. I am happy to talk you through this process and help you decide what works best for you!
How often should I schedule sessions?
I truly believe every body deserves and functions best with routine bodywork! What that means for you really depends on your needs, goals, and personal schedule.
Overall, if you are looking for relaxation and de-stressing, then you can rebook on whatever schedule works best for you. Weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or call as needed. How often do you want to relax? ☺️
If you are seeking massage for pain management of a chronic condition, for injury recovery, sports maintenance, or increased mobility/range of motion, then a more frequent and steady schedule will be necessary to achieve the most benefits. Typically 1-2 times per month is good, with weekly being the ideal.
I am happy to help you figure out a schedule that works best for you!
What about tips? Should I tip? How much?
Massage therapy is an industry where it is considered customary to tip, with the standard being 20%, or more or less as you feel led.
I encourage you to do what you feel comfortable doing, and I am always immensely grateful to all of my clients for putting their trust and their bodies in my hands, and for allowing me to support myself and my family doing what I love as I serve you!
What’s the best way to book a massage with you?
The easiest and quickest is to give me a call or text at (214) 430-0344.
I can also be emailed at mainstmassagerowlett@gmail.com
What forms of payment do you accept? Do you take insurance?
I can take all major credit or debit cards, but I really love cash, Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp! 😁
I unfortunately do not take insurance at this time.
Zelle - (214) 430-0344
Venmo - @MainStreetMassageRowlett
CashApp - $MainStMassage
Any other questions? Give me a call and I'm happy to discuss with you!