What to Expect on Your First Visit:
Joel Rouse, LMT
The Assessment:
The first step in fixing something is to understand exactly what the problem is. I will start by asking important questions about your pain, job, and lifestyle to get a clearer understanding of your situation.
Explanation:
After knowing more about your condition, I will be better able to explain the problem to you. I will explain the role that chronic muscle tension is playing in your condition, and how it likely originated.
Using the muscular chart, I will then show you the common strain patterns that have affected other clients in cases similar to yours, and relate it back to your specific problem.
Finally, I will outline the session and show you how I plan to resolve the problem.
Attire:
Once you know how the session will look, you will have a better idea of what to wear. With the Muscle Technician, you are free to wear whatever you want. I provide options to protect my client’s modesty.
Traditional: In this option, the client undresses to their level of comfort (many choose to continue wearing underwear) and covers him or herself with a sheet. Each body part needing to be worked will be uncovered only during the time that part is being worked on, then covered back up. Since this option provides the best access to skin, it is the most effective. With the Muscle Technician, your modesty will be respected at all times
Fully Clothed: Massage therapy is effective even when done through clothing, so I’m happy to provide this option. There are a couple pro’s to choosing this option: No time is wasted changing clothes, and clients who may be uncomfortable undressing can still enjoy the benefits of medical massage. One thing to consider, most massage techniques are designed to be performed directly onto the skin. While I can still be effective because of my unique techniques, it won’t be as effective as working directly onto the skin. If you choose the fully clothed option, it is advised to wear loose-fitting pants or shorts
Treatment:
After the draping method is selected, I will leave the room while you get situated (and wash hands) Then the therapy session will begin. Once I begin working, I will have a much better idea of your condition.
If I notice any problem that may intrude on the effectiveness of the outlined therapy, I may have to change the course of that session – with your permission, of course. Ultimately, this phase is about finding exactly what needs corrected, while getting started on it at the same time.
Protocol:
Once the session is complete, I will most likely have more questions for you, and the effectiveness of the treatment needs to be determined. Based off of your level of results, I will devise a protocol and explain the best course of action for you to get lasting results.