Frequently Asked Questions
Massage is personal. Whether you are looking for relief from pain, a place to slow down, or simply a massage therapist you can trust, it is natural to have questions before booking.
Below you will find answers to some of the most common questions about massage at Sunyata Bodywork, my approach to working with the body, and what you can expect from your session.
Massage & Your Session
What kind of massage do you offer?
My work blends therapeutic massage with a slower, grounding approach designed to support both physical relief and deep relaxation. Rather than following the same routine each session, I draw from a variety of techniques based on what your body needs that day. This may include focused therapeutic work, myofascial techniques, neuromuscular therapy, deeper pressure, stretching, and slower relaxation-based massage. The goal is not simply to work on tight muscles, but to create a session where your body has an opportunity to soften, unwind, and reconnect.
Do I need to know what type of massage to book?
Not at all. Most clients can simply book a Custom Therapeutic Massage and we will decide together what approach makes the most sense for you. At the beginning of your session, we will talk about what you have been experiencing, what areas need attention, your pressure preferences, and what you would like to get out of the massage. From there, I will shape the session around you. The other services on my website are there to help you understand some of the areas I specialize in, not to make you responsible for choosing the right technique.
Can massage help with pain and chronic tension?
Massage can be a helpful part of managing muscular pain, tension, restricted movement, and the physical effects of stress. My approach to pain relief is focused rather than forceful. I do not believe therapeutic massage needs to mean pushing through intense discomfort. We can work with areas of tension while staying attentive to how your body responds. Depending on what you are experiencing, massage may help reduce muscular tension, improve mobility, and create a greater sense of ease in your body. Massage is not a substitute for medical care, and I am happy to work alongside the care you receive from physical therapists, physicians, chiropractors, or other healthcare providers.
Can you help with headaches, migraines, jaw tension, or TMJ pain?
Yes. Headache, migraine, jaw, neck, and TMJ-related tension are areas I particularly enjoy working with. Sessions may include focused work with the muscles of the jaw, face, scalp, neck, shoulders, and upper body depending on your symptoms and comfort. I have additional training in neuromuscular approaches to TMJ dysfunction and incorporate this work into a broader therapeutic session rather than treating the jaw in isolation. Because headaches and jaw tension can have many different causes, massage is not appropriate for every condition. When needed, I may recommend working with your physician, dentist, physical therapist, or another qualified healthcare provider alongside massage.
Do you offer deep tissue massage?
I can absolutely incorporate deeper pressure and focused therapeutic work when it is appropriate for your body. However, I do not believe that deeper automatically means better. Effective massage can include everything from slow, sustained pressure to more targeted work, movement, stretching, or lighter techniques. We will find a level of pressure that feels productive without making you feel like you need to brace against the massage.
Do you offer prenatal massage?
Yes. Prenatal massage can offer expecting mothers a supportive space to rest while addressing some of the muscular tension and physical changes that can accompany pregnancy. Sessions are adapted to your stage of pregnancy, comfort, and individual needs. Positioning may include side-lying work as well as supported, semi-reclined positioning so you do not need to lie flat on your back. As with every massage I offer, the session is tailored to the person in front of me rather than following a standard prenatal routine.
Comfort & What to Expect
What should I expect during my first massage?
Your first session begins with a conversation. We will talk about what brought you in, any pain or tension you are experiencing, relevant health history, your preferences, and what you would like from the session. I intentionally leave time for this conversation so that you do not have to feel rushed onto the table. Before beginning, I will also explain anything you need to know about positioning, draping, and the session itself. Once we begin, I will continue to check in when appropriate while also giving you space to settle into the experience. My hope is that you leave not only feeling better in your body, but feeling that you were listened to and that the session was genuinely shaped around you.
What should I wear, and do I have to undress completely?
You should undress only to your level of comfort. Some clients prefer to fully undress beneath the sheets, while others leave some clothing on. Either is completely fine. Professional draping is used throughout the entire session, and only the area currently being worked on will be uncovered. If there is an area you would prefer not to have worked on, simply let me know. Your boundaries and comfort always take priority.
Do I have to talk during my massage?
No. Some clients enjoy conversation, while others prefer their session to be a quiet place to rest and turn inward. There will naturally be some communication, particularly when I am checking pressure, working with a sensitive area, or making sure you are comfortable. Beyond that, there is no expectation to carry a conversation. This is your time. You are welcome to talk, rest, breathe, or simply be quiet.
What does trauma-informed massage mean?
To me, trauma-informed massage begins with something very simple: your body belongs to you. Communication, consent, choice, and respect are built into the way I work with every client. You are always welcome to ask questions, change the pressure, adjust the draping, decline work on an area of your body, or ask me to pause or stop at any point. I also tend to work at a deliberate pace, giving your body time to respond rather than immediately trying to force a change. You do not need to have experienced trauma or identify with the word "trauma" to benefit from this approach. It simply means that your comfort, boundaries, and sense of choice matter throughout the session.
About Sunyata Bodywork
What does "Sunyata" mean and how do you pronounce it?
Sunyata is pronounced approximately soon-yah-tah and is a Sanskrit word commonly translated as "emptiness" or "spaciousness." In Buddhist philosophy, emptiness does not mean that nothing matters or that nothing exists. It points toward the interconnected and ever-changing nature of life, and the possibility of meeting our experience with less grasping and resistance. I chose the name Sunyata Bodywork because it reflects something I value in both massage and life: creating enough space to slow down, listen, and meet what is actually here. You do not need to share any particular spiritual belief to work with me. The name simply reflects some of the deeper values that shape the way I approach this work.
Where are you located, and do you offer mobile massage?
Sunyata Bodywork offers in-office massage as the primary way to work with me. The address of my office is 1225 Ken Pratt Blvd, #137, Longmont, CO 80501. I am located inside of the business named Self Transformations Massage. I also offer limited mobile massage, bringing the massage table and necessary equipment directly to your home. Mobile availability is intentionally more limited due to the additional travel and setup involved. Please visit the Mobile Massage page for current service areas and additional details.
How do I know if Sunyata Bodywork is right for me?
My work tends to resonate with people who want more than either extreme of massage: a purely clinical treatment on one end or a routine relaxation massage on the other. Many of my clients are active people, parents, professionals, and people carrying a lot of responsibility in their everyday lives. They may come in because something hurts, because stress has accumulated in their body, or because they simply need a place where they can slow down for a while. You do not need to arrive with a particular goal or know exactly what your body needs. We can figure that out together.