Frequently Asked Questions

What is Massotherapy?

“Massotherapy” is a medical term for massage therapy.  The term “Massotherapist” is commonly used by practitioners in North East Ohio to distinguish themselves as licensed professionals.  “Massage Therapist” is also a legitimate title and is preferred by many.  In Ohio, massage is a limited medical practice, and therapists are licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board.

What can massage do for me?

Massage can relieve pain, relax tight muscles and spasms, reduce stress, improve circulation, improve posture, increase flexibility, move poisons and waste products out of the tissues, speed up the healing process, improve athletic performance, and satisfy a plethora of social, psychological and emotional needs.

Conditions which may be helped by massage therapy include: back pain, joint pain, neck and shoulder problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, depression,  stress related illness, many nervous system problems, headaches and migraines, whiplash, sports injuries, insomnia, chronic tension and good old fashioned burn-out. 

The list could go on and on.  A properly trained therapist can successfully treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems and provide supportive or adjunct treatment for victims of many other physical and psychological disorders.  Many massage therapists today work in hospitals or clinics.  Others work in conjunction with psychotherapists to help victims of physical or sexual abuse release trauma from their bodies and nervous systems.  The experience of safe touch is an important part of this healing process.

The best way to see if massage therapy is right for you is to come in for a session.  Most people take better care of their cars than their bodies.  When is the last time your body had a "tune-up"?

For up-to-date information on the benefits of touch and massage, go to our research page.

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What should I wear?

Dress comfortably.  For Swedish massage (general relaxation massage), the therapist leaves the room while you undress and relax on the massage table, underneath a sheet.  Some clients choose to leave their underwear on.  Others remove all of their clothing for more freedom and less chance of interfering with the massage techniques.  You remain covered by the sheet at all times, except for the part being worked upon.  The pelvic area and a woman’s breasts are never uncovered in general massage.

If you are uncomfortable with removing your clothes, you may choose shiatsu, craniosacral therapy or polarity therapy which can be performed through clothing.  (In that case, comfortable clothing made of natural materials works best)

If you come in for a therapy session (for help with a specific problem or pain), the amount of clothing that needs to be removed depends upon the problem, the part of the body involved, and the treatment method.  Feel free to discuss with your therapist any concerns, fears or areas of discomfort.

Call or email us with any other questions about massage or bodywork.

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What should I expect during my first (relaxation) massage?

If Randall Gibson is your therapist, you will decide together upon a goal for your session. 

After you are under the sheet and he returns to the room, he generally begins massaging the right hand and arm.  He will ask if you are warm enough and comfortable and if the pressure he is using feels appropriate to you.  After the arm, he typically works on the face, head and neck.  Then the left arm gets the same attention as the right arm.  He goes next to the left leg and then the right leg, carefully uncovering only the part being worked upon.  After finishing with the front of the legs, you will turn face down while Randall works on the backs of the legs, the feet and, finally the back.  (The gluteal region usually gets some attention with both the back of the legs and the back itself)  He then leaves the room to give you plenty of time to get up and get dressed. 

The above description applies to general relaxation massage.  Remember that each session may be slightly different because it is individualized to meet your needs at the time.

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How often should I get a massage?

This is a question that almost everyone asks.  I believe that it would be ideal to get a bodywork session each week, especially if you are under a lot of stress.  If you are in pain, you can come more often at first and then move into whatever routine you feel most comfortable with.  Of course, it depends upon your schedule and your finances.  Some clients come every two weeks and some come once a month. 

Think about exercise or brushing your teeth.  Health building activities may seem unimportant at first but, the benefits are cumulative.  The more frequently you receive a treatment, the easier it will be to form a lasting habit of self-care.  If you decide to receive one massage each week, the change in your energy level, performance, sleep, concentration and overall health will probably be unmistakable.

I realized recently that I have always avoided encouraging anyone to come in once per month.  That didn't seem frequent enough to create on-going changes in a  person's health or energy.  It didn't seem frequent enough to facilitate real healing or to relieve chronic pain.  I just didn't see a monthly session as a real health program.  I was wrong. 

I forgot to consider the benefits of having a complete body evaluation and tune-up each month.  In a monthly session, I can find areas of imbalance and tension, identify energetic or postural distortions and relieve accumulated stress and pain.  It probably won't make a person feel good all month long but, it could prevent minor stresses from becoming serious health problems.  That could save a lot of money in medical bills!