Frequently Asked Questions

A massage can be extremely helpful in a variety of circumstances. If you have chronic or acute pain, are active and need support with your workouts or training, have been injured, are recovering from surgery, or just want to relax and de-stress —these are all great reasons to get a massage, especially when conventional medicine hasn’t met your expectations.

Various conditions are contraindicated with massage. Among them are malignancies, infections (such as colds, flu, and viruses), uncontrolled hypertension, broken bones, fever, and/or a tendency to clot or hemorrhage. However, I may be able to modify my approach when dealing with these issues. It really depends on the circumstances—I’d be happy to discuss your particular condition or concerns. If you have any questions as to whether your particular condition is contraindicated for massage, ask your medical doctor.

My hours are currently Wednesdays 1pm-7:00pm; Thursdays 4:15pm-8:15pm; every other Friday 4:00-7:00pm; and, every other weekend with Saturdays 8:30am-4:00pm and Sundays 9:00am-4:00pm. 

I am located at 142 N. Main St. in St. Albans, VT in the Franklin Lodge building. It is a large white building across from Planet Fitness. Parking is available along the South Side of the building and in the rear of the building. Enter through the front porch, come up one flight of stairs and to the left. I share an office with Tanja Peralta, the Owner and Massage Therapist at Quiet Balance Massage Therapy.

You can book a massage online by clicking on the "Book a Massage Now" button available on each page of this website. Or, if you prefer, you can book over the phone by calling 802-230-7712.

You can purchase an electronic gift card by clicking on the "Purchase a Gift Certificate" button available on the Home page and Offerings page of this website or by clicking here. 

The electronic gift cards act as a pre-paid credit card and payments for the sessions can be deducted from the balance until it reaches zero. Session payments can also be split between whatever balance is on the pre-paid card and another form of payment. This means that the purchased gift card does not have to be an exact monetary match to the cost of a massage session. Gift certificates for St. Albans Massage & Bodywork or Embodied Values Bodywork will be honored.

You will be emailed an intake form to fill out in advance of the session. I request that you please do so at least 24-48 hours before our session in case there is anything we need to talk through. It is important to list all health concerns and medications so that I can adapt your session to your specific needs without causing any harm. Once you arrive, I will also ask more in-depth questions to establish which areas you would like focused on, or if there are any specific conditions needing to be addressed. For your first session with me, I request that you arrive ten minutes prior to the scheduled session time to give us enough time to discuss your intake form, goals, and needs.

I recommend that clients not eat a large meal at least two hours before their scheduled appointment. I also request that clients shower or bathe beforehand, whenever possible, and to not apply fragrances or scented products prior to your session. 

If you are a regular client, please arrive at least five minutes prior to the scheduled session time. We will have a brief check-in and this should give you enough time to disrobe and get on the table so that we can start on time. If you are a new client, please arrive ten to fifteen minutes early to review your intake form and discuss goals so I can tailor the session to your needs.

Thai Massage sessions are clothed and I request that clients wear loose-fitting or stretchy clothing (e.g. yoga pants, sweatpants) for ease of movement through various positions. For Therapeutic Massage sessions, clients may disrobe to their level of comfort; a sheet and blanket is provided for both warmth and security. If a client is receiving neck, pec, and/or back work, I recommend that they not wear a bra or binder. Similarly, if a client is receiving lower back, hip, and/or glute (butt) work, I recommend that they disrobe fully for their session. Should a client choose to wear any garments, I will work through or around them. Please understand that this may limit the work on those areas of the body.

A sheet and blanket is provided to cover you while on the table, which is heated for optimal comfort. Massage therapists use special draping techniques to work on various parts of the body, while keeping the rest covered. Draping allows the client to remain covered, secure, and warm while still receiving therapy. 

I use massage products from Natural Formulations, a small massage products company in Illinois committed to using natural and naturally derived products including: MCL Ultra-Glide Creme Lotion, MC-10 Original Formula Massage Creme, Buerre de Massage - Organic, and Snow Leopard Lotion. Ingredients to these products can be found on their website. I also use Biotone Herbal Select Face Therapy Lotion for the face portion of the massage. Please contact me if you are concerned about a potential allergy to any ingredients. 

I can easily make sensory (e.g. lighting, music) and positioning (e.g. side-lying, bolsters) adjustments before and during the massage session. I can offer assistance on/off the table and provide my intake form in various formats. And, clients are welcome to have a support person present during their session. Unfortunately, my office is not in a wheelchair accessible building and I am on the second floor, which can only be reached by going up a flight of stairs. 

My treatment table safely supports 650 lbs. In Thai Massage, I get on the table with the client and I weigh approximately 180-195 lbs. If you have concerns or questions about the weight capacity of the table, please reach out. I'm happy to explore other options if the table will not work for our session.

Everyone has a different perception of and tolerance for pain and discomfort. I check in frequently to monitor levels of sensation with clients, as each person is different and has unique expectations toward bodywork and massage. Any intense sensation a client experiences is intended to be temporary and lead to greater openness in the tissue. Communication is key. Typically, clients feel little to no discomfort after their session. But again, every body is different. At times, individuals will experience post-session sensitivity in areas that have received more focused work. This type of sensation is usually short-lived and leads to greater comfort and mobility within a day or two.

Everyone is different, so frequency depends on your individuals needs, goals, and resources. Typically, I see regular clients every 2 to 4 weeks. If someone is in acute pain or discomfort they may require more frequent or closely scheduled sessions.

Many clients are unsure if and/or how much they should tip their massage therapist. The general practice for massage therapists and bodyworkers in Vermont is to set our fee structure with gratuity in mind. This creates flexibility for the client to provide gratuity based on their economic capacity and their level of satisfaction with their treatment. For most people, this ranges from 15-25% of the cost of the treatment.

No! Please wait until you’re no longer contagious to schedule. If you are sick or suspect you might be, please cancel online at least 24 hours in advance. In case of sickness/emergency on the day of your appointment, please text or call me. 

If you are aware that you will need to miss an upcoming appointment, please cancel or reschedule as soon as possible. For any cancelations/reschedules made within 24 hours prior to the appointment, you will be charged a late cancellation fee of 50% the cost of the service. No shows or missed appointments will be charged the full session fee. For day-of sickness or emergency, please text or call.

There are a number of concerns that might arise if you’ve never received bodywork from a man before. My goal is to make your experience a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable one. I am a highly trained professional who has worked extensively with clients of all genders. I am happy to talk through any questions or concerns as well as refer you to colleagues in the area who may better fit your needs.

This is a common question for people, regardless of gender or orientation. During a massage, as the body relaxes, some people may fall asleep, drool, pass gas, and/or become aroused — all of which are completely normal physical responses to tension relief and increased blood circulation. I understand that this is a normal reaction, it will pass, and it will not affect the work that I do. If you are still concerned, consider wearing more fitted underwear during the session, which may provide more support and coverage. NOTE: The therapeutic massage environment is not a sexual one. Any sexual suggestion, solicitation, or harassment will result in the immediate termination of the session and therapist-client relationship. Keeping this boundary clear keeps both of us safe.

Yes, I am licensed in Vermont as a "Massage Therapist, Bodyworker, or Touch Professional", license no. 164.0000759. However, it is important to be aware of that there are currently no requirements for bodywork licensure in the state of Vermont. In most states, the requirement for licensure is the completion of a 650 hour certified massage therapy program, passage of the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and a criminal background check. I have met or surpassed all of these requirements. To date, I have completed nearly 1,000 hours of bodywork and movement training and instruction, including a 750 hour certified massage therapy program and a 200 hour certified yoga and meditation instructor program. I have passed the MBLEx and I am Board Certified.

Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB®) is the highest credential within the massage and bodywork profession. Board Certification demonstrates advanced assessment and critical thinking abilities; and provides credibility to current and prospective clients. Board Certified status requires a certificant to pass a rigorous NCBTMB Board Certification Exam, as well as demonstrate greater critical thinking skills, pass a criminal background check, and agree to uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The 2021 Pass Rate for the BCETMB was 58.6%.

Yes. I have received the full vaccination series with boosters as well as the flu shot. As a health practitioner, I share this information so that my clients can make informed decisions about their health needs. I do not require clients to be vaccinated, nor do I ask for vaccination status. While I currently do not wear a mask while working on clients, I am happy to wear one upon request.