WHITNEY SCHNEIDER, LMT
MASSAGE THERAPY
DO YOU TAKE MEDICAL INSURANCE?
Not yet. I do accept HSA/FSA cards, venmo, credit cards, cash, and check. I can also provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for out of network benefits if you have them.
WHAT IS INTRAORAL MASSAGE AND DO I NEED IT?
Intraoral massage is a way to assess and treat TMJ dysfunction. The temporomandibular joint is where the jawbone attaches to the skull. Symptoms of dysfunction can include mobility issues, clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth, headaches, jaw aches, and neck and shoulder tension. Many people clench or grind their teeth without knowing it, but waking with headaches can be a sign of jaw issues.
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Intraoral massage may feel a bit invasive because the therapist's gloved finger palpates the jaw muscles from the inside of your cheek. This musculature is almost never touched, so it may feel a little tender, especially the first treatment. I will walk you through the whole process before and during the treatment to make sure you feel comfortable. This part of the massage only takes about fifteen minutes, so the rest of the session will be spent checking in on neck and shoulder muscles in addition to any other problem areas you have.
IS PREGNANCY MASSAGE SAFE?
Generally speaking, with a therapist trained in prenatal massage, yes. The American Pregnancy Association says that women can begin receiving massage at any time during their pregnancy, so if you are comfortable, you can begin in your first trimester.
If you have had a history of complications, including miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure, please disclose this when booking your appointment. In these situations, you will want to speak to your doctor to make sure they recommend massage.
DOES DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE HURT?
It certainly doesn't have to. The term "deep tissue" can be a misnomer, that it is just harder pressure everywhere, when that is not necessarily the case. There are techniques to reach deeper structures that doesn't cause the patient pain. With a mixture of neuromuscular and myofascial techniques, you can teach the body to allow the therapist to reach deeper muscles without the unnecessary pain.
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I like to approach deep tissue by lengthening muscles that are too tight to restore postural balance in the body.
CAN I HAVE A QUIET MASSAGE EXPERIENCE?
Absolutely. I follow the client's lead when it comes to conversation. If you like to talk, let's talk. If you don't, I won't push you for conversation (aside from general check-ins about the bodywork). Always feel free to tell me what you're needing on that day; if you usually talk and need some quiet, that's okay. I am here for you and your needs.
DO I HAVE TO UNDRESS FULLY?
You can undress to your level of comfort. If you want to stay clothed, you can. I will meet you where you are. It will be more difficult to reach certain tissues and the massage experience will be different, but that is okay. When you do undress, you will always be draped modestly to ensure privacy.