MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage can be simply fantastic at bringing on deep relaxation and calm. And there's good science behind it; we know that massage stimulates the parasympathetic branch of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which counters the effects of the ANS's sympathetic branch, from which fight/flight reactions arise. When our system enters a parasympathetically-dominated state, we are able to relax and unwind, and give our system a break from feeling the full weight of whatever stress we're carrying around.
It is important that everyone find time to relax amidst this fast-paced life, but especially for those that are dealing with a lot of stress and often find themselves in fight/flight or a state of freeze/shut-down, doing relaxing things like massage to help balance out the overactivity of the sympathetic branch of the ANS is absolutely critical to their health. You've probably heard the phrase "Stress will kill you", and it is the truth; being in a chronic state of stress wreaks havoc on the entirety of the body's structures and functions. Our body is designed for only short bursts of stress and its accompanying hormones and processes, not long-term exposure. For example, cortisol―one of the body's main hormones produced when in a state of fight/flight―while fine in smaller quantities, becomes toxic to the brain that is constantly saturated in it, and causes inflammation and compromised brain functioning.
THE VALUE OF BEING TRAUMA-INFORMED
While massage may be intimidating or scary to someone who has been through particular kinds of trauma, we hope you find that at Studio A it is an entirely different experience, one in which you are treated with utmost sensitivity, compassion, and regard for what you have been through. We do the work slowly and deliberately, with great care, giving time and space for whatever is showing up. There is a constant invitation throughout the session for you to provide input and feedback regarding your experience, checking in with you to receive your consent before moving to any new area of the body.
Another aspect of the work that can be helpful for those who have anxiety or have been through trauma is the setting of expectations upfront and providing good, clear communication throughout the session. Once we clarify your reasons for booking the massage and what it is you are seeking, whether that's tension relief in a specific area or simply relaxation, we will come up with a plan for the session that honors those requests (of course while staying true to what is within our scope of practice as massage therapists). This is also the time when we will inquire about any personal limitations or boundaries you have, areas you do not wish for us to treat, special considerations, or other things important to the session. Know that we are happy to accommodate whatever special needs you may have and find joy in creating workarounds based on your needs and situation. We have a plethora of special bolsters, tools, and options that we can offer, and are committed to collaborating with you to find solutions.
No surprises―there's another key feature of trauma-informed massage (except for you being pleasantly surprised by how relaxed you feel!). Setting expectations and providing clear, kind communication goes a long way in helping people to relax and to drop into a felt sense of safety, thereby facilitating true stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system―which can only occur in a context of safety.
POWER, BOUNDARIES, & OWNERSHIP
Massage is one of those professions that lends itself to having a "power differential" that is felt between the therapist and the client, where the therapist is seen as the expert/healer and the client assumes a subordinate, child-like role, whose job is to do what the therapist instructs them to do (with the implication that if you don't, then you won't improve/get better). The power within the relationship lies with the therapist, according to that way of thinking. This can perpetuate unhealthy patterns in clients who have childhood or relational trauma, because it mimics some of those dynamics where power and boundaries are outsourced to another person (and potentially abused), and the client's sense of ownership over their experience is compromised. This can lead to further (unintended) overwhelm and possibly re-traumatization.
At Studio A, we understand these complex elements at play and therefore choose to work according to a different model, where we close that power gap and empower you, as the expert in your own body, to remain in the driver's seat of your experience—both on the table and off. We are not here to "fix" you, because we do not subscribe to the belief that you are broken. (You may feel broken at times, but feelings aren't always the truth.) As massage therapists, we may be experts in anatomy, physiology, and effective massage techniques, but YOU are the expert in YOU. So as the client and owner of your body, you get to decide how you want your body interacted with—and how you don't. We see ourselves (and we encourage our clients to do the same) as consultants and partners in your healing journey, lending our knowledge and skills as you seek to move forward into greater health and ease. The journey is yours, and we are privileged to play a part in it, should you allow us.
We do not "fix" you, because you are not broken.
MASSAGE FOR ALL
"So what about those of us who just want a 'normal' massage?" You may be wondering if you can/want to/should receive a massage at Studio A if you don't have any known "trauma" that you are carrying or seeking to heal from. This is a common question, and one that we are happy to address. The short answer is "Yes! Come!"
The longer answer: While the trauma-informed practices we implement are there to accommodate clients who have trauma and therefore a greater sensitivity to certain things, those practices do not get in the way of or impede a normal massage. We flex and make adjustments based on people's sensitivities and triggers, and yet there is no need to accommodate what's simply not there. Even without a client's trauma history influencing how the session goes, the reality is that every massage could benefit from being "trauma-informed" and including at minimum the following components:
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clear boundaries
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clarified expectations
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good communication
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client-centered care
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shared decision-making
We believe these things should be the standard of care for every massage. (Why not?) And yet, we find that it's not the norm, unfortunately. Additionally, the massage therapist should ideally be one who:
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is deeply attuned to the client
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has a gentle and compassionate presence
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can remain calm and reassuring if the client releases emotions
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holds non-judgmental curiosity about the client's experience
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firmly believes in the client's potential for healing
Each of these traits play a significant role in the impression left upon the client, and the results they walk away with. So whether or not the client has trauma in their history, the impact on the client's nervous system and body overall is felt and appreciated.
Come experience the difference that trauma-informed care makes in massage. You might find it hard to return to any other way of doing it!
WHO ISN'T A GOOD CANDIDATE
Not everyone, however, will share our values for respectful, non-aggressive ways of working with people, and so naturally, not everyone fits with our model. Who we don't fit with are those looking for "no pain no gain" modalities that abandon the body's natural ways of signaling when something is "too much". When you reach your pain threshold, the autonomic nervous system shifts into a state of fight/flight, in an effort to get you out of the painful situation. When this happens, the body is no longer in a place where healing can occur, because the nervous system perceives it is under threat, and so any work that is done from there is counterproductive. So while your muscles may "let go" (because the technique forced them to) and you feel relief in the moment, it will likely only be a matter of days before the tension comes right back.
And not only are you back where you started, you've actually set yourself even further back by working with the body in this way. "Repeated trauma from painful touch can accumulate in your reflex response memory, much like any habit. This can cause your muscles to tense up more frequently and become more apt to flare up with inflammation and pain when presented with a difficult situation, whether it’s physical, mental or emotional." (Julie Tudor, Manual Therapist in NY) At Studio A, we refuse to work in a way that betrays the nervous system and ignores its signals. And so naturally, we are not going to be a good fit for people who do not also wish to work within their body's natural limits.
And to clarify, this does not mean that we do not do "deep work". But there are a lot of misconceptions regarding what it takes to do deep work; it does not have to involve pain, and in fact if it does involve pain beyond one's threshold, then it's counterproductive (as explained above). There are gentle ways of working with the body that are very effective at relieving muscle tension, much more effective than traditional "deep tissue" massage. Let us show you a new way to work with the body. ❤️
RATES FOR MASSAGE THERAPY
Massages at Studio A take place on a heated massage table and can include whatever level of pressure you prefer. The massage session can be more therapeutic in nature, seeking to bring relief to particular areas of tension/pain, or it can be simply for relaxation and to unwind. We also offer Prenatal Massages of 1-hour and 1.5-hour lengths, that can include special bolsters that allow the pregnant mom to feel truly supported and to receive her ideal massage experience.
The level of pressure that the therapist utilizes and the techniques they choose do not change the price; our rates include access to all the areas in which we hold training within your session.
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Massage: $85 per hour, $106 for 75 minutes, $127 for 90 minutes
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Prenatal: $85 per hour, $127 for 1.5 hours
Discover our open-ended pricing structure on the What to Expect page.
HSA/FSA cards accepted
HOURS & SCHEDULING
Appointments are required and we do not take walk-ins. Massages can currently be booked within the following times:
Monday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday (2 per month) 10:00 am - 4:00 pm