If you are a new client, please arrive at our office ten (10) minutes prior to your appointment time in order to complete the intake forms, discuss your massage treatment needs, and prepare for the massage.

If you are an existing client, please arrive at our office five (5) minutes prior to your appointment time to allow us to discuss your massage treatment needs for the day and prepare for the massage.

You should undress to your comfort level. You will be draped appropriately with a sheet for the entire session. Some clients choose to undress completely, and some choose to leave their underwear, boxer shorts, or other clothing on.

When you arrive at our building, please wait in our lobby on the first floor (5th Street entrance). Your massage therapist will meet you in the lobby once it is time for your appointment.

If this is your first time at Holistic Massage of Hood River, you will have received a link in your appointment confirmation and reminder email/text asking that you complete a confidential client intake form prior to your appointment. If you prefer to fill out a paper intake form you may request that in the office, but please arrive early to allow time to complete it prior to your appointment’s start time. The intake form requires approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.

You will then review your intake form and discuss your needs with your massage therapist to determine the type of massage treatment most appropriate for you. Please do not hesitate to ask questions if you are unsure or have any concerns. For example, if you prefer a lighter or deeper massage, make that preference known. Although the massage therapist will discover your tight and sore areas during the course of the massage and will prioritize the time spent on these areas, telling your therapist about these problem areas now lets them prepare in advance.

The therapist will leave the treatment room for a few minutes to give you privacy to undress to your comfort level and get on the massage table and underneath the sheet. Place your head at the end of the table that has the face rest, a cushioned doughnut-shaped device, extending from the head of the table. Your massage therapist will knock on the door and ask if you are ready before re-entering the room.

Your therapist will let you know whether to begin the massage lying on your stomach or on your back. If you begin lying on your stomach, place your face in the face rest. This allows you to lie comfortably face down and keeps your shoulder and neck muscles relaxed, so you receive the most benefit from the massage.

During your massage the therapist will only uncover the part of your body being worked on to ensure your modesty is respected at all times.

The massage table is heated, so please advise the therapist if you are too hot or cold during the massage and the temperature will be adjusted accordingly.

If you have any questions or concerns (i.e. more/less pressure, discomfort, adjust music volume\type, etc.) at any time during the massage session please let your therapist know.

Once your massage therapy session is complete, your therapist will leave the room, allowing you a few minutes to relax and get dressed. Once you are dressed, please open the door and the therapist will re-enter the room.

We recommend that you drink plenty of water after your massage to flush out any minerals that were released and to rehydrate your muscles.

During your massage, make yourself comfortable. Some people prefer to close their eyes and relax, others prefer to talk. This is entirely up to you. The massage therapist will either tell you what is needed or gently move you (such as lifting your arm) as required through the session. Please let the massage therapist know if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable.

At any time during the massage please let your massage therapist know if, for example:

• the room is too hot or too cold
• you experience pain
• you would like deeper or lighter pressure
• you have any questions related to the massage
• you prefer different music or the volume adjusted
• there’s anything you forgot to mention during the consultation

Whether to leave a tip for your massage therapist at Holistic Massage of Hood River is completely optional. Some clients choose to tip their massage therapist and others do not. While certainly not expected, tips are always appreciated.