Daydreams Massage Therapy  for Women by Jill John
(Part of Vista Massage & Wellness Studio ~ SW corner of
US 31S & Smith Valley Road behind Steak & Shake)
720 Executive Park Drive, Suite 2600, Vantage Centre Greenwood, IN  46143 ~ Call (317) 883-4966 today!  

My group practice, Vista Massage & Wellness Studio, was voted Indy's #1 Massage Therapy biz on 2009's WRTV A*List!  We'd love to have your support again in 2010.  Just click the banner above to cast your ballot for Vista.  Voting runs thru Sept. 10th (1 vote per email address allowed), so please VOTE FOR VISTA today.  Thanks so much!

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~ Leo Buscaglia

~BODY~ 
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage:   

*Improves posture        
*Reduces blood pressure         
*Reduces muscle spasms  
*Rehabilitation after injury       
*Post-Operative rehabilitation  
*Strengthens the immune system 
*Treats musculoskeletal problems     
*Promotes deeper & easier breathing                                   
*Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy               
*Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation        
*Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
*Enhance the health & nourishment of skin                   
*Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion                  
*Helps relieve tension-related headaches & effects of eye strain   
*Improves circulation of the blood and movement of lymph fluids    
*Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments;
reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue    *Enhances athletic performance; treats sports- & work-related injuries

~MIND & SPIRIT~ 
 Mental & Emotional Benefits of Massage Therapy

*Emotional Benefits     
*Fosters peace of mind   
*Creates body awareness     
*Reduces levels of anxiety    
*Helps relieve mental stress  
*Fosters a feeling of well-being                
*Increases mind-body connection        
*Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness                  
*Satisfies the need for caring & nurturing touch                    
*Enhances capacity of calm thinking and creativity                   
*Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
(Info provided by the American Massage Therapy Association)

  What to Expect from your Visit:

Massage is also among the most effective ways to combat stress. and assist pain relief.  Still, many people have a bit of anxiety about what a session will actually be like.  The following tips will guide you through a typical visit.

Preparing for Your Session:     

*When you first arrive, I'll greet you personally.  Then we'll discuss any questions or expectations you may have regarding your session.  Next, some contact info and a brief health history will be requested.  I know, I know...filling out paperwork is tedious!  But believe it or not, there are a few medical conditions for which Massage is not recommended.  In order for me to ensure that it's safe to offer you bodywork, it's essential that you provide complete, honest information.

*Comfy clothing is recommended when arriving  for your session.  If you come straight from work, you should bring some casual clothes to change into after your session.  The last thing you want to do following a relaxing massage is struggle to get back into a suit or hosiery!

*Next, you'll be given time to prepare yourself inside the massage suite~ complete privacy is given prior to and at the end of every session.  I'll give you a few moments to change before entering the room.  Jewelry should be removed & hair ties are provided to pull your hair back.  Since modesty levels vary, clients are asked to undress to their own personal comfort level.  You'll  lie on a warm massage table with soft flannel sheets.  A padded face cradle, pillows & blanket are available for extra comfort. 

*All clients are completely "draped" or covered with a sheet throughout the appointment.  Only the region of the body I'm currently working on will be uncovered at any given time.  Since most clients undress partially or fully for an appointment, this is necessary for warmth & modesty and as a reminder that Massage Therapy is a professional business arrangement.  There are no exceptions to this draping policy. All services provided by both Daydreams Massage Therapy for Women and  Vista Massage  & Wellness Studio are absolutely professional, legitimate, ethical, non-sexual or non-sensual & completely respectful in nature.

*Massages take place in a serene room with soothing music playing to help bring about a relaxed state.  Soft lighting and a heated blanket are used to further evoke a sense of complete comfort & peacefulness.
*Hypoallergenic oil, cream or gel is used for most massage techniques to provide better "glide" to the movements and prevent skin discomfort.  Scented Aromatherapy essential oils & blends or heated aromatherapy  herbal wraps are available  to be added to your session for only $5, if desired.  You may choose any oil from my Scent-sational Aromatherapy Station--pick from several yummy scents!

*You can choose whether to talk or remain silent during a session.  I may need to ask some questions (regarding sore spots, the level of pressure being applied, or to give you instructions),  but in general I'll take my cue from you as to whether you prefer silence or a lively conversation.  I'll go with the flow...this is your time to lighten up or unwind as you please! 

*The desire to sigh or take a deep breath is a sign that you are becoming relaxed.  Sighing indicates that your body is beginning to experience the "relaxation response," which naturally lowers blood pressure & heart rate and facilitates deep, regular breathing.   You may also begin to feel drowsy  during a session, but don't worry about dosing off.  It's actually considered a compliment if a client becomes so relaxed that they go to sleep during a massage.  Go ahead...nap away!

My Personal Massage Style:     
Some people are wary  of   Therapeutic Massage because they've  had a bad experience  from another therapist, especially during a Deep Tissue Massage.  My personal  philosophy is that a skilled  practitioner should be able to perform work that  successfully relieves many health  conditions without it being painful to the client.   My  gentle massage style blends various modalities into each session, keeping the needs of the individual in mind.  I thoroughly warm the muscles with light Swedish strokes before proceeding to more moderate pressure, then I finish up with more soothing strokes once the objective of any deeper work has been obtained.  I want the last thing you remember to be pleasant, rather than painful!   One common misconception is that to produce effective results, with Deep Tissue Massage, the therapist should just "press harder"!  I believe that gently, but skillfully administered massage, produces powerful effects.  Although you may occasionally feel a brief amount of discomfort during  moderate-deeper work, you should never experience actual pain during one of my massages.  If you do, please let me know right away!

During Your Full-Body Massage Session:     

*I begin my massages with a light, grounding touch which creates an energetic connection between us and prepares your body for the upcoming work.  I am Certified in Reiki--an energy healing therapy based on the belief that we all share a connection through "universal life energy" that flows through every living thing.  (See "Service Menu" page for further info about Reiki principles.)

*The first portion of a session consists of various types of massage strokes & kneading being administered to your neck, shoulders, back, glutes, hamstrings, calves & feet, with special attention being paid to areas with tenderness or any strained muscles.  My goal during this portion of the session is to release stored tension & induce a state of deep relaxation.  Once this is accomplished and we are ready to begin the second part of the massage, I'll hold the sheet in a way that protects your modesty while I ask you to turn onto your back so I can complete the remainder of the session. 

*The remainder of the session involves massage being given on the front of the legs, feet, arms and hands, as well as, the neck, shoulders, scalp & face.  If needed, passive stretching & range-of-motion movements may be performed.

*Once I'm finished, I will thank you and offer you a few additional moments to rest privately before having to go back out into "the real world."  This solitude serves as an extension of your soothing experience and gives you the opportunity to integrate the healing that occurred between your body, mind & spirit.  Most people find themselves highly relaxed upon conclusion of a massage, so the extra time gives closure to the session and helps them to gather their thoughts before redressing & leaving the massage suite.  I try to honor that by leaving a bit of time in between appointments whenever my schedule allows.

Honest communication & feedback are invaluable in helping me  create a personalized bodywork session for each individual.  You are encouraged to speak up if something, such as the music or room temperature, aren't to your liking.

*My intention is to make each client feel comfortable and at ease in preparation for their session.  With that being said, I request that you let me know of anything you find distracting (such as physical discomfort, room temperature, music selection/volume, aromatherapy scents) right away so that I may improve the conditions which will enhance your enjoyment of the upcoming work.

*If there are any body parts you'd rather not have massaged, just let me know before I get started.  While some folks love having their feet rubbed, others find it ticklish.  Likewise, many people enjoy a good scalp massage, while others prefer to skip it because they don't want their hair to be disheveled.  I respect your decision, so please make me aware if you'd rather not have gluteal work done, don't care for abdominal massage, could live without the facial portion of the massage or whatever the case may be.  Since the session should be tailored to your individual comfort, just let me know your preferences.

*Shortly into the process, I may ask how you feel about the amount of pressure being applied.   Although I may at times find a tender spot that requires the application of deeper therapeutic techniques to "work it out"  (which may be described as "hurts so good"), I believe that nothing done during one of my massages should ever cause actual pain.  You know your own body's sensitivity levels best, so you share the responsibility for relating whether the pressure used is too much or too little.  Please don't hesitate at any time to request that the pressure be adjusted to a more comfortable level for you. 

*I sometimes incorporate assisted stretching into the mix.  Stretching is vital to one's flexibility & helps dispel pent-up tension in an area.  Depending on the type of bodywork, some may be fairly mild (in a Swedish session I may do some gentle arm tugs) or they may be more vigorous (as in the case of Sports Massage & Thai Yoga Massage).  Again, open communication is essential to the success of a beneficial extension of the body.  While performing stretches, I am attuned to sensing the point where we've reached the comfortable limits of your range of motion, also known as the "end feel."  However, no one knows the limitations of your own body better than  you, so don't be afraid to speak up and tell me if a stretch is uncomfortable.  To get the best results, a stretched body part should reach the acceptable edge of your comfort zone, but not exceed a point where the movement could do more harm than good. 

 Following the Massage: 

*Before you leave I'll ask if you'd like to go ahead and set up  your next appointment.  I am  grateful for your patronage, so I like to invite you for a return visit.  We've all found ourselves in situations where we've had good intentions of doing something nice for ourselves,  but just didn't get around to actually doing it.  By scheduling your next session while you're still in my office, it makes is easier for you to actually stick to your desire to receive massage as part of your regular health & wellness plan.  Plus, it makes it easier to get an appointment time that's convenient for you and saves you the hassle of having to make a phone call later.  So reserving your session right then is a good thing any way you look at it!

*Occasionally there's delayed soreness after therapeutic massage.  Drinking lots of water afterwards will assist your body in flushing toxins out of your system that were released during the massage & helps reduce any muscle soreness you might experience.  I will supply you with "one for the road" before you leave my office...one bottle of water, that is!  Taking a hot shower or apple-cider vinegar bath at home is also useful for relieving any residual tenderness.

These guidelines apply to a typical full-body table massage   If you schedule a half-hour session, chair massage or other types of bodywork, certain elements will vary.