Spencer Massage


	George Allen Spencer, LMT, NCBTMB 773.489.4374 1300 North Belmont, Chicago, Illinois
Relaxation Massage - Sports Massage - Therapeutic Massage - CranioSacral Therapy

If you've received a massage from a massage clinic where they only offer massage, then you're probably familiar with an intake interview and filling out an intake form. If you've only had massage at a spa, then the following may be new to you.

24 Hours Before Your Appointment

You need to drink more water 24 hours before your appointment. Not sports drinks. Not waters infused with vitamins. Plain water is best. Why? In order for your body to receive bodywork as optimally as possible, you need to hydrate your body above its normal level.

Arrive a Little Early

I ask new clients to arrive about 15 minutes early in order to complete the health form and go through a brief intake interview. If you're running late, please call. It may be necessary to reschedule. I'm committed to all my clients to provide their allotted time for their appointments.

Health Form/Intake Interview

Before working with you as a new client, you'll complete a short intake form regarding medical information (such as overall health, medical conditions, recent injuries, allergies, etc.). Afterward, we'll go through a brief intake interview to find out what's going on with your body and what you want to achieve during the session (relaxation, sports massage, therapeutic, or clinical). I may ask questions to clarify if necessary. The more I know about your body, the better you'll be served. My sole intent is to help you, not hurt you.

Preparing Yourself for the Massage

Even if you've had a massage before and know the routine, I'd like you to read the following so that you know what to expect.

If your appointment is for either a full-body massage or a therapeutic massage, I will ask you to disrobe to your comfort level and then either lie face down or face up between the sheets. I will leave the room. After about 5 minutes, I'll ask if you're ready. If you need more time, please take it. I do not want you to feel rushed; this is your time.

Lotion or Creme

Depending upon the type of bodywork being performed, I will use either Biotone - Advanced Therapy Massage Lotion or Biotone - Dual Purpose Massage Creme. If you have no allergies, you can continue to the next section. If you do have allergies, please read through products' ingredients to avoid any complications.

Biotone - Advanced Therapy Massage Lotion

Ingredients: Purified water, Octyl Palmiltate (coconut oil ester), blend of cold pressed apricot oil (Prunus armeniaca), sesame oil (sesamum indicum), grape seed oil (vitis vinifera), canola oil (Brassica napus), emulsifying wax (vegetable derived), vegetable glycerine, grape seed extract (Vitis vinifera), Methyl/Propyl Paraben (traditional mild preservative), carbomer, germal, dimeticane, tea.

Biotone - Advanced Therapy Massage Lotion

What parts of my body will you massage?

If your goal is for relaxation and stress management, you'll be receiving a full-body massage. The areas worked include: head, neck, shoulder, arms, hands, legs, feet, back, abdominals, and gluteals. If there is an area that you do not want worked, please let me know beforehand. Also, if you want special attention applied to an area (head, shoulders, etc.), again, simply let me know.

How deep will you work?
One of the goals in any type of massage is to work within your comfort level. Do you prefer light, medium, or deep pressure? I will check in with you periodically to make sure I'm at the level you prefer. For Sports Massage and Therapeutic Massage, the level at which I work may be deeper than you normally receive. We'll adjust and readjust the level of pressure throughout the session. For first-time appointments, whether Sports or Therapeutic, I generally work conservatively in that I will not go too deeply too quickly. We both need to know the limits of your body for you to receive the work safely.

Will my massage hurt?

A Relaxation Massage should not hurt. Simple. If it does, I'm not doing my job properly. However, if you're receiving either a Sports Massage or Therapeutic Massage, your tissues may be more sensitive depending upon the condition of your muscles and other connective tissues (fascia and tendons). During the session, we will evaluate and re-evaluate your pain so that your body does not fight the work being applied.

Ok. But will I hurt afterward?

Again, if you're receiving a Relaxation Massage, this should be a non-issue. However, for Sports and Therapeutic Massage sessions, post-massage pain/discomfort may present 24-48 later. This temporary increase in pain generally lasts no longer than 48 hours. Drinking more water prior to and after your session often lessens the pain response in intensity and duration.

Is it important to drink water after my massage?

As explained above, drinking more water prior to massage is advisable (even for a Relaxation Massage).

What happens after the massage?

If you're coming to me for a Relaxation Massage, enjoy the benefits you'll receive and maybe think about scheduling another appointment.

If your appointment was for either sports-related or therapeutic work, follow through with whatever self-care suggestions I may have given you. If any of the self-care exercises create pain, stop doing them.

Increase your water intake for the next 24-48 hours.

Two days after the massage session, I'll follow up with a call to see how you're doing. Don't worry. There is no additional charge for the call, I just want to touch bases with you to see if the work I did with you was effective.

Depending upon the time of day of your massage, I advise you not to consume any alcohol. The reason for this is that receiving massage works all of your body systems and alcohol will further tax your body.