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

At Santulan, all clients get to lie in ergonomic comfort on an adjustable massage table, thereby maximizing the therapeutic benefit of each session. Women benefit from the additional advantage of having breast recess built into the table which helps take pressure off the chest.

Most massage & bodywork techniques are traditionally performed with client unclothed. However, it is entirely up to the client to undress per their level of comfort. Only the area being worked on will be uncovered, keeping the rest of the body draped at all times with a sheet & blanket. Additional paperwork will be required for certain types of techniques especially lympahtics, scar tissue, breast tissue work: informed consent to observe, touch & palpate the tissue. and permission to photograph or take video in order for client-patient to show/share with their medical team.

The practitioner will leave the room giving you privacy to undress & lay down on the table in the indicated position. The therapist will go wash her hands in the meantime. You can let the therapist know you’re ready by calling out aloud.

Per NC & Sc rules, a massage therapist is not allowed to remain in room while client is undressing nor are they allowed to assist a client with undressing or dressing up afterwards. This includes helping with clothing, hair, jewelry & footwear.

A typical full body massage includes back, neck, shoulders, scalp, arms, legs & feet. however, if you hold chronic tension in certain areas, focusing on the areas of concern is better. A separate consent form is required to work on female breast tissue. Depending on the health history, Santulan Massage will use aromatherapy, warm stones & hot towels on your feet, to enhance the benefits received from a massage.

Most massages begin with broad, smooth flowing strokes to the body to encourage blood flow & relaxation to the body. At Santulan Massage, a light oil, always natural & organic, is used to massage the body without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate & nourish the skin. Please let your therapist know right away if any discomfort/pain is felt. Massage is most effective when your body is not resisting. Different techniques may be used on different areas to bring about optimal results.

During the massage, lay comfortably, relax & try to breathe mindfully. Santulan Massage believes in the power of breath work & its ability to de-stress the body. If any questions arise regarding techniques being used or additional health info that comes to mind, please do convey it to the therapist.

Most people feel very relaxed as the effect of endorphins is felt by the body. Long held aches, pains & tension is released from the muscles & into the bloodstream increasing the lactic acid. Hence, it is essential that you hydrate well right after a session, stretch often, eat a light yet nutritious meal. Having a warm bath with Epsom salts also helps in eliminating toxins faster.
If you experience any soreness even after hydrating & a warm bath, please do apply muscle balm of your choice to the affected area. If soreness persists even after a few days, please do see your physician to rule out anything else that may be happening internally in your body.

Oh, did I mention hydration??

Massage & bodywork can help with many of the issues faced in today’s life & lifestyles.
It can encourage the body to release chronic muscular tension & pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental & physical fatigue & stress, faster healing of injured tissues, improve posture & reduce blood pressure.
Massage is known to promote better sleep, improve focus & concentration, reduce anxiety & help with overall well-being of the body & mind.

Yes.
At Santulan Massage, all sessions are planned & based on the health intake form. Both general & specific health questions are asked & reviewed with the client before starting hands on work. Please do inform the therapist of any health issues including accidents, injuries & surgeries , even if they happened a long time back. Also include medications & vitamins - prescribed or over the counter.
In some instances, a note from the attending physician may be required before start of a massage session.

Sometimes, if a client is experiencing a sudden acute onset of symptoms like dizziness, shortness of breath, profuse perspiration etc., the session may be ended early in the best interests of both the client and the therapist. Payment in full for the said session will be collected.
In such a case, a note from the doctor will be required in order to resume sessions.