Massage Therapy
& Bodywork

Your massage or bodywork session will take place in comfortable and private massage therapy room inside the Capitol Rehab of Arlington clinic. Soft relaxation music will be played in the background. You will lie on a professional massage table especially designed for your comfort.

Depending on the massage modality, 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.

The massage will be a completely customized service according to your needs and bodywork goals. A typical full-body session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. If you are getting targeted bodywork, the areas worked on will be determined as needed.

A relaxing therapeutic massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general therapeutic 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. Depending on the type of massage or bodywork, a light hypoallergenic lotion is usually used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The lotion also helps hydrate your skin. If you feel discomfort during the massage, you should communicate immediately so that another approach may be taken if necessary. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting and you are as relaxed as possible. Deep controlled breathing is an important part of massage therapy. It’s up to the client to determine what their personal pressure threshold is since deeper therapeutic pressure, stretching and trigger point therapy can sometimes feel painful overall or cause pain in certain moments.

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 much more. We can discuss which methods will be most effective and appropriate for you.

Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the practitioner any questions about the technique being used or the upcoming session. It’s courteous to maintain proper hygiene and shower prior to the session if possible. 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 and when they need more or less pressure,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.

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.

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.

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.