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What should I wear?
Dress down to your comfort level. Some people choose to dress down completely while others prefer to keep undergarments on or only dress down the areas being addressed.
Licensed Massage Therapists are trained to undrape the muscle groups being worked on while making sure not to expose areas that are considered private. Please note that certain articles of clothing may impede or change techniques used. For example, leaving shorts on in a session where you seek glute and hip work would likely mean a “dry” session where mostly compressions and stretches are used without oil, where techniques with oil may have otherwise been used.
Alternatively, any clothing left on may get massage oil on it, which will stain.
in Myofascial Release sessions which do not use oil or lotion, athletic short/boxers, sports bra, loose fitting shirts and/or modest bathing suits are appropriate but not necessary.
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What is the massage experience?
You will complete a virtual intake and liability form when booking your first massage with us online. Please include any details on the work you wish to receive. Your therapist will review this before your session and use the information to guide their questions during the pre-massage consultation.
After your needs have been communicated and a treatment plan has been formulated, your therapist will instruct you on how to get on the table and leave the room so you have privacy to undress down to your comfort level. The massage session begins when they return. Each therapist has their own set of skills and style in how they work.
What is your policy for late arrivals, late cancels and no shows?
12 hour notice is required for cancellations. Please call, text or email to reschedule BEFORE your appointment if you can not make it. A 50% cancellation fee is charged if you cancel with less than 12 hours notice or 100% if you no show your appointment with no communication. We require a card on file for each booking.
Late cancels (12 hours or less) and no-shows for appointments booked through platforms that pay in credits or vouchers forfeit their credits/vouchers for their missed appointments.
You may transfer your appointment to another person for no extra fee if you can not make it.
We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances pop up and cancellation is unavoidable. This policy is in place to ensure the therapist is compensated for their time. Thank you for understanding.
Do you do any “somatic release” or trauma releasing therapy?
While intriguing to consider how various modalities including regular manual therapy have the potential for a “somatic release,” this is not the intention of our therapy. We hold a safe space for any emotional release that may occur on the table but we do not:
1) claim that release as the result of the therapy rather than your own releasing of emotions as your body is ready.
2) attempt to dialogue about the trauma in any way. This is not in our scope and should be treated by a specialist such as a licensed psychotherapist.
3) attempt to force trauma release in any way.
4) do anything besides hold space, likely in silence.
Somatic release can happen in regular massage therapy, though that is rare and it is seen more in Myofascial Release sessions or Reiki. It is never “expected” in any session. Our intention is structural.
How long should I book for a full-body therapeutic massage?
A full body massage covers the back, arms, pecs, legs, feet, glutes, neck and sometimes scalp, face and abdomen. Here's a quick guide for what is reasonably expected to be covered in any length sessions we offer:
45 min - a very swift, superficial sweep over the body. This length of appointment is better suited for site-specific therapeutic work.
60 min - an even sweep over the entire body or targeted on upper body, lower body, or specific areas.
75 min - this is enough time to give extra attention to one specific muscle group and sweep over the rest of the body.
90 min - this is the optimal amount of time for a full body session with a therapeutic focus on one or more muscle groups.
120 min - enough time to have a therapeutic focus on multiple muscle groups and still provide a full-body massage.
How do I pay?
We require a card on file at the time of booking in order to ensure payment can be collected in the circumstance of a late cancel, no show or the rare glitch in our payment system. However, you do not necessarily need to use the card on file to pay if you prefer another method.
We also take:
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Venmo (@somaticarts)
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Cash
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All major credit/debit cards including American Express
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HSA/FSA (Please inform your therapist as this payment must be processed using a different payment system from the one we use by default.)
Can I prepay or buy a gift card?
Currently, we don't sell "gift cards," however we do have an equivalent option for those wishing to gift our services. The reason for this is that we have found people will purchase gift cards for others that will be forgotten about or ignored for years. I have a list of people who I have reached out to via email several times over the course of four or more years who have outstanding gift cards. I personally find it very stressful to have to remind people to use their gift cards and feel bad that they were gifted something that is not being used. It is as if I am just holding onto money for other people, which makes me uncomfortable. This is a personal preference of mine and I realize it may be disappointing to some people who would like to gift our services to their friends and loved ones.
What we DO offer is the option to prepay for a service for someone else. The prepaid service is good for one year within the purchase time. We require that an appointment is on the books at the time of purchase. You can make this under your name and have your party reschedule for a day that works for them if you are unsure of a time that will work. PLEASE NOTE FOR RESCHEDULES - It MUST be rescheduled at least 12 hours before the scheduled time. Otherwise, the payment will unfortunately have to be forfeited per our cancel policy.
If you have any questions or are interested in this option, please contact us directly.
Do you offer packages?
We offer packages on some services.
Myofascial Release can be purchased in packages of four (4) for a discounted rate per service.
Couples Massages are also available as packages of two (2) individual services, which would cover one Couples Massage session for two people. They are NOT discounted. This is is a great option for those wishing to gift Couples Massages.
Please note that ALL packages have an expiration date of twelve (12) months from date of purchase. All packages are refundable UNLESS they are expired.