frequently asked questions

Who can benefit?

But can this treatment help me?

"Why do I hurt?" or "What's that pain about?"

What if I've been told, "You're just getting older"? or, "You've just got to learn to live with it"?

What if other therapies have not helped? How does Orthopedic Bodywork differ from other massage and bodywork therapies?

How long before I will feel better?

How does my posture affect how I feel?

I don't have pain. Is Orthopedic Massage right for me?

Is the treatment painful?

What should I wear?

Do you have gift certificates?

Can I pay with my credit card?

Can you bill my insurance?

What are the fees?

What about a free initial consultation?

Who can benefit?

  • Computer users
  • Accident victims
  • Athletes
  • Dancers
  • Musicians
  • "Weekend Warriors"
  • "Couch Potatoes"
  • Yoga, Pilates, and martial arts practitioners
  • Just about anyone, of any age

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But can this treatment help me?

Yes. If pain, weakness, stiffness, fear of injury, or lack of energy limit your activities and your ability to enjoy life, Orthopedic Bodywork can help. If your performance ability is important to you, then fine-tuning your balance and coordination and increasing your endurance is essential. If you feel OK already, you can feel even better, while reducing your vulnerability to future injury, and increasing your freedom of movement. You will also enjoy the relaxation and stress management generally expected with any good massage therapy.

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"Why do I hurt?" or "What's that pain about?"

Sometimes the answer to this frequent question is simple and easily understood. With chronic or recurring concerns, the answer is often complex and elusive. Dealing with pain can be frightening and frustrating. To add confusion, the site of the pain is often not the source of the problem. A diagnosis of "arthritis" or "tendonitis" simply defines the tissue damage, and the location. It does not explain the cause or the remedy. A pain in the knee might actually originate from an area of the body that is pain free, such as a very tight hip, or a shoulder restriction. The terms "overuse injury" or "repetitive strain" injury suggest you're doing too much of something wrong. This focus misses the important role of postural imbalances, "misuse syndrome" or "under-use syndrome," which are the set-up for injury.

Orthopedic Bodywork asks "How can I get better?" How can we repair the damage and avoid further injury? By improving your posture, strength and balance, you can likely continue your work and activities without the same patterns of injury and pain. In the process, we will treat the injury or imbalance, and you will learn what causes the pain, and how to avoid future problems.

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What if I've been told, "You're just getting older"? or, "You've just got to learn to live with it"?

Don't believe it! Growing older need not condemn anyone to a life of pain and limitation! Many conditions, including pain and stiffness attributed to aging are the result of years or decades of overuse, misuse or disuse. Most breakdowns result from "deferred maintenance." The body adjusts and compensates for its history of incidents and minor injuries, but there is a price to pay. The first signs of losing fitness and function are subtle: mild discomfort, stiffness, or lethargy. The root problem is often biomechanical dysfunction and postural deterioration, and they can lead to pain and/or injury. Recurrent or chronic pain can become severe, triggering fatigue, weight gain, irritability and depression. Orthopedic Bodywork interrupts the cycle and reverses the spiral. At any age, you can improve your function, strength and fitness, and prevent further problems.

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What if other therapies have not helped? How does Orthopedic Bodywork differ from other massage and bodywork therapies?

Even if your problem is long-standing or intense, and even if other therapies have brought little relief, Orthopedic Bodywork can often help. Each system of body therapy has a specific viewpoint and strength. Some focus on structural mechanics, others on functional movement patterns, and still others address the role of the nervous system and subtle energetic systems. Often, one approach alone is not enough. Orthopedic Bodywork incorporates techniques and perspectives from each of these approaches to meet your unique and specific needs.

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How long before I will feel better?

Most clients experience some improvement with each successive session. The pace of recovery is related to the nature and the duration of your concern. Your unique history of injuries and activities, your general health and vitality, and your stress level all influence the speed of recovery. Some clients simply want immediate relief from a specific pain, while other want to pursue a dramatically enhanced quality of life and movement. You choose your own goals.

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How does my posture affect how I feel?

So many say they carry stress in the neck and shoulders, or low back. The problems can be triggered by long periods of sitting in front of a computer, being cramped in the car for hours stuck in commuter traffic, or just slouching on the couch. Each contributes to the common "head forward" posture, and allows the chest to collapse, putting enormous strain on the muscles of the spine and pressure on the internal organs. If a body is weak or not well balanced, it's easy to trip or fall, to overstretch a muscle or strain or tear a ligament. We often hear, "I was only brushing my teeth when my back went out!" As posture deteriorates, the normal function of the nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems and general vitality are all compromised. So poor posture can contribute to general health problems.

I don't have pain. Is Orthopedic Massage right for me?

Certainly. If you would like to improve your appearance and your posture, and feel more stable and balanced, with more ease of movement, you will benefit from this "fine-tuning." You will also benefit from the relaxation and stress management generally expected with massage therapy.

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Is the treatment painful?

The treatment should not be painful. However, treating the pain and dysfunction may mean working around some tenderness and sensitivity. Please tell me if the work is ever uncomfortable. I will adjust the method and pressure to your comfort level.

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What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing. The session may begin with you sitting, walking or standing for assessment. When receiving work on the table, most clients remove outerwear. If you prefer to remain clothed while on the table, please wear soft, lightweight, non-binding, cotton clothing.

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Do you have gift certificates?

Yes, absolutely. Orthopedic Bodywork makes a wonderful gift.

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Can I pay with my credit card?

Yes, a 3% processing fee is added to the total. Most clients pay by check, but cash is also fine.

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Can you bill my insurance?

The Orthopedic Bodywork office can provide you with a statement to submit for reimbursement. We do not bill insurance directly. Reimbursement is common for treatment after motor vehicle accidents, but general health insurance policies usually do not cover this treatment. Your accountant can advise you if the fees are a tax-deductible health care expense.

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What are the fees?

The standard rate is $120/hour. We may schedule two hours for the initial consult ($240) Most sessions are 90 minutes ($180).

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What about a free initial consultation?

You are welcome to contact me by phone or email with questions about how this work may benefit you. I do prefer to know something about your needs before we meet. In some cases we may schedule a free evaluation.

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