What should I wear?

Dress down to your comfort level. Some people choose to dress down completely while others prefer to keep undergarments on or only dress down the areas being addressed.

Licensed Massage Therapists are trained to undrape the muscle groups being worked on while making sure not to expose areas that are considered private. Please note that certain articles of clothing may impede or change techniques used. For example, leaving shorts on in a session where you seek glute and hip work would likely mean a “dry” session where mostly compressions and stretches are used without oil, where techniques with oil may have otherwise been used.

Alternatively, any clothing left on may get massage oil on it, which will stain.

in Myofascial Release sessions which do not use oil or lotion, athletic short/boxers, sports bra, loose fitting shirts and/or modest bathing suits are appropriate but not necessary.

What is the massage experience?

You will complete a virtual intake and liability form when booking your first massage with us online. Please include any details on the work you wish to receive. Your therapist will review this before your session and use the information to guide their questions during the pre-massage consultation.

After your needs have been communicated and a treatment plan has been formulated, your therapist will instruct you on how to get on the table and leave the room so you have privacy to undress down to your comfort level. The massage session begins when they return. Each therapist has their own set of skills and style in how they work.

What is your policy for late arrivals, late cancels and no shows?

12 hour notice is required for cancellations. Please call, text or email to reschedule BEFORE your appointment if you can not make it. A 50% cancellation fee is charged if you cancel with less than 12 hours notice or 100% if you no show your appointment.

Late cancels (12 hours or less) and no-shows for appointments booked through platforms that pay in credits or vouchers forfeit their credits/vouchers for their missed appointments.

You may transfer your appointment to another person for no extra fee if you can not make it.

We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances pop up and cancellation is unavoidable. This policy is in place to ensure the therapist is compensated for their time. Thank you for understanding.

Do you do any “somatic release” or trauma releasing therapy?

While intriguing to consider how various modalities including regular manual therapy have the potential for a “somatic release,” this is not the intention of our therapy. We hold a safe space for any emotional release that may occur on the table but we do not:

1) claim that release as the result of the therapy rather than your own releasing of emotions as your body is ready.

2) attempt to dialogue about the trauma in any way. This is not in our scope and should be treated by a specialist such as a licensed psychotherapist.

3) attempt to force trauma release in any way.

4) do anything besides hold space, likely in silence.

Somatic release can happen in regular massage therapy, though that is rare and it is seen more in Myofascial Release sessions or Reiki. It is never “expected” in any session. Our intention is structural.

Need more information before you book? Contact us at somaticartsmke@gmail.com with your questions to see if we are right for you.