Office Policies/FAQ

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A 24-hour notice is required for cancellation of an appointment, or you will be charged in full for the appointment. If you fail to show up for your scheduled appointment, you will be charged. Payment is due before your next appointment. No refunds will be given if you prepaid.

Appointment times are as scheduled and cannot extend beyond the stated time to accommodate late arrivals. Please be on time for your appointment. If you have not filled out our online intake forms, please arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.

Massage/bodywork is not appropriate care for infectious or contagious illness. Please cancel your appointment as soon as you are aware of an infectious or contagious condition. If it is within the 24-hour notice period, the cancellation fee may be waived with a doctors note.

In the event of inclement weather, your appointment may be cancelled. We believe that our clients should be safe and relax at home if road conditions are unsafe for travel. You will be notified by Alternative Healing of PA if your appointment is cancelled due to weather. 

Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities. The client will not be rescheduled if this occurs.

The breast and genital area will not be massaged under any circumstances. A professional distance will be maintained from these areas. 

Sexual interaction or discussion of any kind between the client and the massage therapist is NEVER appropriate.

Parental Responsibility

Any client under the age of 18 must have a parent present in the treatment room during their session/treatment.

Payment is due at time of service. If you have not prepaid for your service through our online scheduling and payment options, you will be expected to pay at your appointment, prior to service.

Our massage therapists are licensed professionals and held to the highest standards of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals and the Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy.

Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.

Our massage therapists do not diagnose or prescribe for medical conditions.

** Please note that we are a paperwork reduction office and utilize online scheduling and payment options to save paper. 

** We are professionals and have worked with many different body types. Amputees, physical deformities, obese clientele, hyperhidrosis, etc. If you are concerned about any body issue, please feel free to contact us. Please note that our massage tables have a weight limit of 400lbs and our massage chairs have a weight limit of 300lbs.

Where will my massage or bodywork session take place? 

Your massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

Must I be completely undressed? 

Most massage and bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped during the entire session.

Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe? 

The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket. 

Will I be covered during the session? 

You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed. 

What parts of my body will be massaged? 

A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. Abdominal and gluteal massage is also available at your request. 

What will the massage or bodywork feel like?

A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.

Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork? 

There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you. 

What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?

Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the practitioner any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask. 

How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session? 

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage.

What are the benefits of massage and bodywork? 

Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being. 

Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable? 

Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.