Massage therapy has many wonderful health benefits! In clinical studies massage has been shown to:

Our massage therapist at Chambersburg Chiropractic is Gina Mcnairn, LMT.

Massage Services

• Swedish Therapeutic Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Hot Stone Massage
• Customized Massages

What to expect at your massage therapy appointment

People who have never had a professional massage sometimes hesitate to make an appointment because they don’t know what to expect and don’t know who to ask. We’d like to help relieve the fear of the unknown and answer some frequently asked questions here.

Who gives professional massages?

Your massage therapist is a trained, certified and licensed professional. He or she has an understanding of anatomy and the body systems and should be willing to work with your physician, chiropractor or other care provider to optimize your treatment plan. Your therapist is NOT a doctor him/herself, however, and while he or she can provide insight, cannot diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

What parts of the body does massage therapy focus on?

It depends on what you want! A “full-body massage” includes all of the following body parts: face, head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, feet, legs, back and glutes (aka buttocks). At Chambersburg Chiropractic, your therapist will ask before working on your face or gluteal region. If you are not comfortable receiving massage in any particular area, or if you want your therapist to focus on particular places, just let your therapist know in advance.

What if I would like more/less pressure during my massage?

If at any time you want your therapist to ease up on the pressure, provide more pressure, spend extra time and attention in one area or move away from an area that feels tender, feel free to speak up! Your time on the massage table is your time, and your massage therapist will certainly respect your wishes.

Do I need to undress?

Before your massage, your therapist will ask you to “undress to your level of comfort.” This means exactly that. Feel free to remove as much or as little of your clothing as you feel comfortable with (*after* the therapist leaves the room).

Rest assured that your therapist will keep all the important parts of your body covered and only uncover the area that he or she is working on at any given time. Please get under the top sheet before welcoming your therapist back into the room. Even if you are not concerned with being covered, your therapist has to abide by state laws.

If you are not comfortable undressing, that is perfectly fine. Be sure to wear smooth and/or tight clothes that are easy to work on top of.

Should I shower before coming?

Personal hygiene is an important factor in a professional massage. Taking a shower in the hours preceding your massage will help you get the most out of your session. Ladies, don’t worry if you skip shaving; there has never yet been a massage therapist injured by body hair or stubble!

What is/isn’t appropriate during a massage session?

Your massage therapist is a licensed professional focused on your wellness. Please respect him or her by avoiding inappropriate comments or jokes, and keep in mind that the therapist has the right to end a session if he or she feels that a client’s speech or behavior are harassing. That being said, your therapist understands that massage increases blood flow and can sometimes result in an inadvertent reaction below the waist. This is physically normal and nothing to be ashamed of; just relax and do not call attention to the fact. If you feel uncomfortable, ask your therapist if it’s ok to roll over and lie face down.

What if I am taking medications or have health concerns?

Before your session begins, your massage therapist should ask about your health history and current medications, particularly blood thinners, painkillers or muscle relaxants. If you are on blood thinners, take your prescription as you normally would, but be aware that massage therapy may lower your blood pressure. If you get massage on a regular basis, be sure to have your blood pressure monitored so that your doctor can adjust your medication if necessary.

If you are on painkillers or muscle relaxants, do not take these in the 2 hours preceding your massage as they can affect your perception of pressure or discomfort.

If you are aware that you have a blood clot, tell your therapist in advance! Very deep pressure massages can dislodge a blood clot, which can travel through the bloodstream and then become lodged elsewhere. At Chambersburg Chiropractic, we choose not to perform massage on clients with blood clots.

What if I’m pregnant?

If you are pregnant, be sure to let your massage therapist know in advance how far along you are. At Chambersburg, we do not offer massage for clients in the first trimester. Massage is not a danger during pregnancy and other therapists may offer services during the first trimester. If you are in your last trimester and/or showing heavily, rest assured that the therapist can still work on your aching back. You will be propped with pillows in a side-lying position as is best for your body and your baby.

How will I feel after a massage?

You should feel extremely relaxed after your session–you may even feel like you need a nap! Because massage lowers blood pressure, some people feel a bit lightheaded after their session–especially if they’re used to having high blood pressure due to holding in tension. But this lightheadedness tends to be mild and is usually not anything to worry about. But do let your therapist know if you have any concerns!

Photo credit: Nick J Webb via photopin cc