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FAQS Massage What Are The Different Kinds Of Massage? What is Infant Massage? What Is Massage Therapy?  What Are The Benefits Of Massage Therapy? How Does Massage Help Stress? Why Does Massage Make People Feel So Wonderful? What Are Some Other Benefits Of Massage? I’m Sensitive. Will The Massage Hurt Or Tickle? How Does Massage Help? What Conditions Are Helped By Massage? What Training Is Required Of A Professional Massage Therapist? Who Should Receive Massage? What Can I Expect When Receiving A Massage? How does Massage Help Me in the Workplace? Can Massage Help Old Injuries? Can Massage Help Auto Injuries? Can Massage Help Sports Performance? What About Massage As An Anti-Aging Life Habit? Other Questions What Types of Insurance Do You Accept? What If I Have No Insurance?  What Do Your Charge? What If I Can't Make it To My Appointment? Is My Information Kept Private? What Do I Need to Bring To My First Appointment? Does CFIT Ever Have Client Contests? 1.  What Are The Different Kinds Of Massage? There are many massage therapy techniques, including; Deep Tissue, Chair Massage (Seated Massage), Craniosacral Therapy, Infant Massage. Myofascial Massage, Neuromuscular (Trigger Point), Pregnancy Massage , Relaxation (Stress Reduction), Reflexology, Reiki, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Thai Massage, Watsu, Rolfing  Return to top 2.  What is Infant Massage? Research continues to verify that touch is a crucial element in the proper physical and psychological development of children.  Infant massage is an activity that provides many proven and potential benefits to infants and their parents.  Massage with newborns:  Supports the bonding process between parent and child.  Facilitates physiological development (especially in premature babies.)  Releases “womb tension” and muscular tension created by newly motored skills.  May sedate tense or anxious babies. Relieves symptoms of colic. Massage also assists a baby in discovering their body, potentially improves flexibility, and strengthens their self-esteem.  Return to top 3.  What Is Massage Therapy?  Massage therapy is the soothing and relaxing method of relieving aches and pain, as well as improving health, by stroking, kneading and applying pressure to the muscles and other soft tissues in the body. Massage enthusiasts report astounding results, including dramatically improved health and well being.  Return to top 4.  What Are The Benefits Of Massage Therapy? Everybody knows massage feels good… Time and studies have shown the true health benefits of massage.  Massage is very effective in the relief of pain from aching and stiff muscles, whether due to a particular health problem or from chronic stress. Massage helps increase body motion, promotes muscle relaxation and relieves spasms and cramps. Chronic muscular pain improves dramatically when muscles are stretched and completely relaxed.  Massage increases blood circulation and lymphatic circulation, which helps remove waste and toxins from muscles.  Massage provides emotional benefits including decreased anxiety, tension and fatigue, and an enhanced sense of well being. Return to top 5.  How Does Massage Help Stress? The body and the mind work together. Mental anxiety causes muscular tension. A massage relieves muscular tension and signals the brain to tell all your muscles to relax. Massaging even part of the body can help whole-body relaxation, leaving you soothed, re-energized, and better able to tackle challenges. Stress-reduction massage requires no effort or active participation. A massage therapist does all the work while the client unwinds, enjoying a massage that reduces stress and melts away tension throughout the body.  Return to top 6.  Why Does Massage Make People Feel So Wonderful? Therapeutic massage causes the body to release endorphins; the "feel good" chemicals released when you exercise or laugh. Endorphins make you feel relaxed, happy and stress-free after a good massage.  Return to top 7.  What Are Some Other Benefits Of Massage? Evidence suggests that the immune system is greatly enhanced by the presence of the “feel good” endorphins released after a massage. Some also believe massage causes a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate due to reflex effects through the sympathetic nervous system.  After a massage many clients report sleeping well that night and waking up refreshed. The skin is moisturized and revitalized by the nourishing blend of lotions and oils used during therapy. The deep stroking helps in the penetration of aromatic oils, enriching the skin and soothing the senses.  Return to top 8.  I’m Sensitive. Will The Massage Hurt Or Tickle? Some people like a gentle technique while others prefer a more vigorous one. Talk to your massage therapist about your expectations and concerns so they will be better prepared to help meet your specific desires and needs.  Return to top 9.  How Does Massage Help? Massage gets you moving! Therapeutic massage stretches tight muscles and unlocks restrictions, restoring motion to the body, so your body can move naturally, feel good and be well.  The pain cycle starts when injury, chronic poor posture or emotional stress causes pain. The body moves differently, causing muscles and other soft tissues to adapt. Massage helps break the pain cycle by physically stretching and relaxing spasm (muscles shortened from injury or long term inactivity) and trigger points (the swollen, tender areas that may refer pain to other parts of the body).  Also, the kneading of therapeutic massage relieves soft tissue inflammation caused either by traumatic injury or chronic pain. When inflammation and swelling are reduced, pain subsides and motion returns.  Repetitive strain injuries (i.e. carpal tunnel syndrome) are prevented and sports performance improved when muscular tension is relieved and postural balance is restored.  Return to top 10.  What Conditions Are Helped By Massage? Therapeutic massage can provide dramatic results for many conditions, including: Neck pain Arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand pain Mid back / Rib pain  Low back or disc pain  Hip, leg, knee, ankle or foot pain Headaches  Stress and/or tension  Fibromyalgia Work and other traumatic accident Auto accidents / whiplash Sports injury  Return to top 11.  What Training Is Required Of A Professional Massage Therapist? Professional massage therapists are well educated and professionally trained. They complete professional training at an accredited institution, and earn a diploma entitling the therapist to list their credentials. Examples include; CMT (Certified Massage Therapist), LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist), RMT (Registered Massage Therapist).  Many states now regulate massage therapists, requiring licenses, registration and/or certifications, which must be prominently displayed. Additionally, the therapist may have to pass state board exams, and be trained in First Aid and CPR. Training for the modern massage therapist is extensive and includes the study of anatomy and physiology. Also, the connection between mind and body is emphasized as the therapist is trained in a number of massage techniques. Most therapists are insured and have memberships in professional organizations, actively continuing their education.  Return to top 12.  Who Should Receive Massage? Almost everyone can benefit from massage therapy. Either as an occasional treat, or a regular LifeHabit, massage helps you feel younger, longer.  Massage frees up the joints, increasing body motion and affording flexibility. Pain is relieved, stress is minimized, the immune system gets a jumpstart, and vitality is returned.  Devotees of massage include athletes, manual as well as office workers, the elderly, pregnant mothers, those recovering from accident or surgery and those in poor health. The body needs massage therapy just as it needs vitamins and exercise.  Discuss your health conditions and goals with your massage therapist. Ask questions about terms or techniques you may not understand. If your therapist cannot help, you will be referred to an appropriate health care professional.  Your massage therapist can also coach you on other health issues to improve and maintain the quality of your life.  Return to top 13.  What To Expect When Receiving A Massage Plan to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled appointment in order to fill out any required paperwork and to meet your therapist. Your massage therapist will talk to you about your specific needs and expectations. Be sure to ask what types of massage are offered and any other questions you may have.  The massage table will be prepared with fresh sheets in a warm, comfortable room with soft lighting. Most therapists have a selection of relaxing music to play during your massage. The music and lighting help put you at ease, and prepare you for a soothing and enjoyable treatment. A face cradle is provided so you can lie comfortably when on your stomach.  The therapist will uncover only the part of the body being massaged, so you never feel exposed. Professional draping techniques are used with each part of the body being uncovered, massaged and returned to its original position. You're invited to give feedback during your massage, to remark on pressure, or make a request.  After your massage, your therapist will usually advise you drink a glass of water and enjoy the peaceful, post-massage glow.  Return to top 14.  How does Massage Help Me in the Workplace? The 21st century worker spends a lot of time sitting. Over time, tension and stress develop from overusing muscles from unbalanced sitting.  Massage therapy is an excellent way to reduce stress. Employees are helped by improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.  Massage is a great investment as a reward for projects well done, or as a regular company habit encouraging healthy Life Habits.  Return to top 15.  Can Massage Help Old Injuries? People suffering for years from old injuries (i.e. auto accident, workplace injuries, sports injuries, etc) as well as new traumas, have found neuromuscular massage helps eliminate their chronic nagging pain.  The severe pain caused by new traumas as well as chronic pain responds well to the gentle kneading and stretching of massage. Return to top 16.  Can Massage Help Auto Injuries? People suffering for years from old auto accident injuries (whiplash, back pain, neck pain, disc problems, etc) have found neuromuscular massage helps eliminate their chronic nagging pain. The severe pain caused by new traumas as well as chronic pain responds well to the gentle kneading and stretching of massage. Return to top 17.  Can Massage Help Sports Performance? Professional and amateur athletes alike find massage stretches tight muscles and improves motion like nothing else. Restoring full motion and relieving tightness helps athletes stay limber and balanced for optimal sports performance.  Also, new and recurring injuries are prevented when muscles stay flexible and motion is balanced. Return to top 18.  What About Massage As An Anti-Aging Life Habit? With age, the joints stiffen and muscles get tight. The common bent over posture of old age occurs as a result of the body adapting to long term poor posture. As posture becomes more bent forward the muscles have to work harder to keep the body balanced, which makes the muscles progressively tighter.  Massage stretches tight muscles, breaks up adhesions, and works out chronic muscular “knots” (or trigger points) so you feel young and move well. Return to top Other Questions 1.  What Types of Insurance Do You Accept? We accept Medicaid, Medicare, Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and Medical Mutual.  In order to use your insurance for our services, certain conditions must be met in order to stay in compliance with the insurance companies.  If you have a question regarding those requirements, please call Cheryl at (216) 227-8668. Return to top 2.  What If I Have No Insurance?  What Do Your Charge? If you have no insurance or you don't meet the requirements to use your insurance, you will find a list of our charges on the CFIT Express page.  This page will explain the program in greater detail. Return to top 3.  What If I Can't Make it To My Appointment? All of our therapists are independent contractors and are only paid for the services they render.  Missing an appointment in not only an inconvenience to other clients who may have taken your appointment time, but it is also a hardship on our therapists.  We understand illness and like emergencies.  If possible, we'd like our clients to notify us 24 hours in advance of missing an appointment.  In that way, we will be able to fill your appointment time. Return to top 4.  Is My Information Kept Private? CFIT takes very seriously the new HIPPA laws meant to protect our clients from misuse of their personal information.  Your information will never be given out without your written consent.  However, periodically agencies such as Medicare and Medicare hold audits.  By virtue of your being covered by these agencies, we are required to send information to them when they request it. Return to top 5.  What Do I Need To Bring To My First Appointment? You will need to bring your insurance card.  Please be prepared to provide personal information such as your social security number, employer's name and address (if any) and information on the care you are currently receiving.  On the day of your appointment, you will be required to complete a short intake form.  If you are using BWC benefits, you will need your BWC number, the name, address and phone number of your employer, the date and nature of your injury and an authorization number from your BWC case worker.  If you don't have an authorization number, we can help you obtain one. Return to top 6.  Does CFIT Ever Have Client Contests? CFIT regularly holds contests for the clients.  The current contest ends on June 1, 2004.  For every three appointments kept, the client will receive one entry into a drawing for great prizes.  First prize is two tickets to Cedar Point, second prize is two tickets to Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, and the third prize is two movie tickets.  There is one catch to our contests.  If you miss an appointment and didn't call to cancel it, you will lose whatever points you had up to that point and you must start earning them all over again. Return to top