What forms of payment are accepted?
Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Must I be completely undressed?
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
Will I be covered during the session?
What parts of my body will be massaged?
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
What if I want to do the sauna?
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
How do I cancel or change an appointment online?
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash and checks are the preferred payment methods. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are also accepted, including HSA debit cards, for individual payments. I also accept Venmo for transactions. If you are purchasing a package or multiple gifts certificates, please use cash or a check.
When should I arrive?
For your first session, plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to go over your new client paperwork (health history and informed consent forms), let your therapist know what your bodywork goals are, and have a chance to disrobe and be on the table by your appointment time. On subsequent appointments, plan to arrive about five minutes early to discuss current bodywork goals and be disrobed and on the table by your appointment time. If you show up right at your appointment time or a few minutes late, you may not get your full "hands-on" time.
Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax or you can request no music if you prefer silence. You will lie on a warmed table especially designed for your comfort (or you may request no heat on the table if you tend to "run warm"). You may have a plush blanket covering you or just a light sheet, depending on your preference. There are fans and a heater available in the room to create the perfect temperature for you, whatever the season. There are a variety of essential oils available on request that can be placed under the face cradle when you're face-down and on your eye mask when you're face-up to bring you into even deeper relaxation by stimulating the sense of smell in addition to sound and touch.
While no animals are allowed in the treatment room, there are animals on the premises. If you have any severe dog or cat allergies, please tell the therapist when booking the appointment. The treatment room is around the back of the house. There is a sloped pathway with six widely spaced steps; it is not wheelchair accessible. Please come through the gate to the left of the driveway, down the path, and ring the bell at the door.
Must I be completely undressed?
Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped during the entire session.
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet.
Will I be covered during the session?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, hips, feet, stomach, hands, head, neck, and shoulders.
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general relaxation massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Mischa's signature style is a mix of Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial and is generally a slower, deeper massage than you'll find elsewhere. She sinks in and waits for the tissue to respond rather than forcing the tissue to move before it's ready. She doesn't believe that pain is necessary for a good massage.
Often, a light oil or lotion will be used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. However, some techniques (myofascial, in particular) are done without oil. This allows the therapist to "hook" into layers of fascia to smooth connective tissue that may be holding your body in unhealthy patterns. This is a little more intense, but should still be relaxing. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting. If you'd like an aroma experience as well, the practitioner will be happy to put some essential oil(s) of your choice under the face cradle or on your eye pillow (at no extra charge) to enhance the relaxation further.
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you.
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the practitioner any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask.
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. If very intense work was done to address a particular issue, some people feel soreness for 24-48 hours similar to muscle soreness associated with a workout. Also some clients become dehydrated after massage, so it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage.
What if I want to use the sauna? Due to COVID, the sauna is temporarily unavailable.
To book a sauna session, go onto Genbook and choose either "60-minute massage + sauna" or "90-minute massage + sauna." (If you try to add the sauna on after you've booked the massage, there might not be enough time available due to clients scheduled before or after you.) Arrive five minutes before your appointment time, as you would for a massage, to go over your bodywork goals with the therapist and be in the sauna by your appointment time. You can wear whatever you are comfortable in; you will have the sauna and massage room to yourself to relax alone and let the heat sink in for up to 15 minutes. When you are ready to exit the sauna, you will get on the massage table under the drape and wait for the therapist. The therapist will knock on the massage room door to see if you are ready and your 60- or 90-minute massage will start at that point. Essential oil misters and cold towels are available upon request.
Should I tip?
Though most spas encourage tipping, that is not the case here. At spas, though you are paying considerably more, the therapist is likely making a small fraction of that amount; most of your payment goes to the business. Here, however, the massage therapist is the owner of the business. She charges what she feels is a fair and reasonable rate and allows her to run her practice. That is all you are expected to pay. Tips are neither required nor expected for work received. If you really appreciated the work done, the best tip you can give the therapist is to recommend her to a friend.
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. Though there is still debate about some of the benefits of massage and scientific testing is still scant, massage CAN have amazing results. Will it have amazing results for you? You'll have to book an appointment to find out.
How do I cancel or change an appointment online?
Genbook is a terrific system and makes it easy to book your appointment-- but cancelling or changing your appointment is a little trickier unless you have the Genbook app (which I recommend getting). You cannot manage an already-scheduled appointment just by going to the Genbook site from this webpage. You should have received a confirmation email from Genbook for your appointment when you booked and it will have a "manage my appointment" button embedded in it. Save this email until after your appointment just in case you need to make changes. From the email, you can click on the embedded link and it allows you to cancel and reschedule your appointment, if desired. If you can't find your confirmation email, you will also receive a reminder email 48 hours before your appointment and it will also have a useable link. If all else fails, call, text, or email the therapist before the appointment and she'll manage it in the computer for you. If you have the Genbook app, follow the directions as prompted.
I don't see any appointments available for several months. Do you have a wait list so I can try to get in sooner?
Yes, but it is highly recommended that you also book online for an appointment, even if it's several months out, as there are no guarantees on the wait lists. If you would like to be added to the waitlist on Genbook, click on the appointment type (60-minute, 90-minute, etc) and then the day(s) you are interested in. If the date is in bold, you can click on the date and it will offer the option of being added to the waitlist. Click on the link and then input your timeframe of interest. For example, you can tell it you want Friday, July 16 from 10am to 4pm, or you can tell it you want to be notified if anything from Friday, July 16 at 10am through Wednesday, August 4 at noon opens up. It will only allow booking out 90 days both for scheduling and the waitlist. So you can't add yourself to the wait list indefinitely. It will only allow you to add yourself up to 90 days in the future.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
