You can expect to arrive at the address, 1058 W Columbia Ave. and send a text message to be let in at the front door. The unit is a basement one, so please expect stairs. If you require accommodation, entry through the back means far fewer stairs but unfortunately, the property is not wheelchair accessible! Additionally, there is a very friendly dog on the property, although he is not allowed in the treatment space.If you’re uncomfortable with dogs he can also be put away by request!

**Please arrive at the start time of your appointment. Earlier entry may be possible depending on other clients/sessions, but is not a guarantee. Late entry may take time from your massage session.**

We will begin by going to the massage space and doing an intake interview. This includes session goals, requests, and personal history. In this stage we craft a massage plan that is both professional and personal. Common goals include: Pain relief, relaxation, activity prep/recovery, and more. This is creating a tailor-made plan to meet your needs. We will also go over areas of discomfort, consent, and any further questions you might have.

Then, we move into the massage session! This is generally 60/90/120 minutes. A 60 minute is a good option for a full body massage. For someone looking for bodywork that focuses on relieving chronic pain, tension, or a specific issue, 90 minutes is recommended. This allows for a full body massage and a strong focus on an area of concern. A 120 minute massage is perfect for anyone who wants deep relaxation or specific work to accomplish personal body goals. It gives ample time for a full-body massage plus detailed work on two or more areas of focus.

During the session there is complimentary aromatherapy. I work with natural oils or Biotone products, but tend to begin with myofacial massage. This massage focuses on stretching the fascia under the skin without products to assess movement and stretch the body so the muscles can more easily relax. Remember breathing helps relaxation and by supplying oxygen rich blood to the muscles. Take some deep breaths and enjoy!

While I will check in on pressure, remember that this session is about you and your needs, so feel free to speak up! Everybody and every body is a little different. After the session you can relax and have some water. If you’ve got questions, just ask! We can go over observations and recommendations. Because the session length describes massage time (the intake/exit interviews are complimentary), please plan 15 additional minutes along with the listed massage times. We end the session after the full massage time but you aren’t expected to run out after your session. If you’d like to set up another massage before leaving I can rebook you for another session.

After leaving, remember to hydrate for the rest of the day to help with circulation and decrease muscular soreness if we’ve done deep/clinical work! Take some deep breaths and feel free to walk to the lake, which is about 500 feet from the property itself. Take a deep breath, take a break, and treat yourself kindly. If you enjoy my services remember to book your next session! We live in our body 24/7 so treat yourself kindly. Massage is an amazing tool for personal mobility and well-being, so be your best and happiest self.

How do you accept payments? What about tips?

Payment is primarily done through site bookings. To this end, a credit card is required to hold your spot when setting up an appointment. You will not be charged before the session and if the need arises: cash, Venmo, Paypal, Cashapp, and Zelle are also payment options. Credit card transactions will have a small processing fee of 2.6%+$0.10. Tips are very appreciated, but optional!

What sort of massage do you offer?

Deep-tissue, relaxation, sports, PNF, myofacial release, aromatherapy, clinical, and even four-handed massage! While I offer a variety of massage modalities (especially deep tissue and relaxation), I tend to work with a style that blends the two so the body can be encouraged into relaxation while still releasing chronic pain or tension. If you are looking for a specific modality you don’t see listed, feel free to contact me.

What is a ‘nurturing’ massage?

A nurturing massage is a normal clinical massage session plus an “inclusion”. Just like gems can have additions, a massage session can also offer complementary services in addition to the base massage. It’s a “choose your own adventure” treatment that allows your body to feel more cared for, at ease, and “nurtured”!

Common inclusions:

• Hot stone massage

• Salt-scrubs

• Soothing muscle treatment (with Biofreeze) and a choice of cupping or Theragun treatment!

How long should my massage session be?

This is generally 60/90/120 minutes. A 60 minute is a good option for a full body massage. For someone looking for bodywork that focuses on relieving chronic pain, tension, or a specific issue, 90 minutes is recommended. This allows for a full body massage and a strong focus on an area of concern. A 120 minute massage is perfect for anyone who wants deep relaxation or specific work to accomplish personal body goals. It gives ample time for a full-body massage plus on two or more areas of focus.

How many sessions should I book? How often?

Just as problem areas weren’t built in an hour, it takes some time to work through different issues! While this is very case-dependent, my general recommendation is that one massage per month is great for maintenance and general physical wellness. If you’ve got a specific issue that you’re trying to address that is causing pain, discomfort, or stress, bi-monthly or even weekly sessions give the ability to build on existing work rather than focusing only on maintenance. For severe pain or intensive recovery, massages multiple times per week for a few weeks could also be an option.

As for number of sessions, after the first massage there should be a noticeable difference! Range of motion, tension, and pain should be different after your massage. For maintenance and relaxation, monthly sessions are generally indicated as a part of your wellness routine. For specific issues, after 4 sessions we should be able to assess movement towards your goal, if these sessions are regularly scheduled. This is the number at which several studies suggest we should be able to see if the treatment is effective in working out an issue. If we are not meeting expected goals we can discuss referrals other forms of treatment with other therapists, bodyworkers, or medical professionals.

What can I expect from a four-handed massage collaboration?

Delight in the experience of two professional bodyworkers collaborating to help your body feel its best and attain maximum wellness. Four-handed massages include two therapists working simultaneously on a single client to develop a rhythm of movement and profound relaxation. Four-handed massages can often feel like getting two full body massages at once!

Four-handed massage has the benefit of allowing both experienced therapists to work the body extensively for a thorough and unique massage. It allows for deeper and more thorough work within the span of the massage as well as a luxurious experience of tranquility and restoration. Synchronised movements from both therapists make new body manipulations possible that cannot be accomplished with a solo therapist. Great for chronic issues of pain and tension or clients seeking deep relaxation!

This service is offered in collaboration with Domi Oikarinen, L.M.T. of Domi Massage.

How do massage add-ons/“inclusions” work?

Massage inclusions are like bonuses found in the gem of a massage! These enhancements are incorporated into your normal session and include treatments like: hot stone massage, cupping, and thermal therapy!

Is the location wheelchair accessible?

The property is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible, though people with mobility difficulties can request to enter through the back door, which has fewer stairs going into the treatment area. If you need further accommodations, please reach out to see how we can meet your needs!

What if I have odd hours or generally have trouble trying to fit in an appointment within my schedule?

If you are not able to find any time in the automatic calendar, please feel free to reach out and see if we might be able to work out a session time for you. In general, however, all session bookings are completed online.

What is your booking and cancellation policy?

If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, you can do so for any reason as long as you provide 24 hour notice. If you need to cancel, please call or text me at (773) 234-6436 . If I don’t answer, please leave your information on voicemail. E-mail cancellations are unfortunately not accepted!

We require a credit-card on file to hold your appointment space but it will not be charged except at customer request, and the information is not visible to me. Prepaid credits will transfer to future massage sessions and refunds will be subject to a credit processing fee.

We ask that you give the following notice:

• More than 24 hours notice for the massage, service will be cancelled with no charge

• Less than 6 hours notice for massage cancellation, 50% of service may be charged

• No show appointments without any contact are subject to pay the full price for any booked session

Do you offer gift cards?

Absolutely! Massage is a wonderful and practical gift. To that end, e-gift cards can be purchased here.