Massage FAQs

Even if you don’t have a specific health issue, massage therapy can provide many benefits, such as:

• Increased circulation
• Stimulation of the lymph system, the body's natural defense against toxic invaders
• Release of endorphins, the body's natural painkiller
• Improved range of motion and decreased discomfort associated with lower back pain
• Relaxation of injured and overused muscles
• Reduced muscle spasms and cramping
• Increased joint flexibility
• Help recover from strenuous workouts
• Pain relief from migraines
• Reduce post-operative adhesions and edema, as well as reduced scar tissue

The added benefit of massage therapy at Elements Massage™ is something we call The Elements Promise™. If your massage doesn’t live up to your expectations, let us know — and the next one is on us. 

Please call the local studio where the membership originated or where you had your last massage if you have trouble logging into your online account. One of the studio’s Wellness Membership Advisors will be able to help you gain access to your account.

The massage therapist's time has been reserved especially for you. Please follow the local studio’s policies to reschedule or cancel your appointment to avoid any late cancellation fees.

After your massage that same day, there are some easy, pleasant things you can do to help prevent some of the next-day soreness:

• Be purposeful about your water intake, both before and after your appointment. As mentioned above, hydrated muscles are more flexible. Also, there are some strongly-held beliefs that drinking water after a massage can help to flush away the toxins released by massage. Staying hydrated is never a bad idea, and before or after a massage session is no different.
   
• Do some gentle stretching that evening, paying special attention to your trouble spots that received the most attention during your massage. 
   
• Take a warm bath, ideally with Epsom salts (1/2 cup to 1 cup for adults), and soak for 20-40 minutes. Epsom salts are an inexpensive and effective way to further help your body rid itself of toxins and reduce muscle inflammation. You also get the added bonus of absorbing the beneficial magnesium found in Epsom salts through your skin.

 As your body becomes accustomed to regular massages, you’ll experience the next-day soreness less frequently, making the experience that much more pleasurable.  If you are looking for a wonderful massage, contact your local Elements Massage.

Coupons or discounts cannot be combined with any other offers.

If using a gift card to pay for the session, you must present the gift card at the time of service. Some gift cards are valid only at the independently owned and operated Elements Massage studios identified on the card. Session-based gift cards cannot be split into shorter sessions and are redeemable for the session type identified on the card’s front. Gratuity is not included. Gift Cards cannot be used toward membership autopays or other gift cards. There is no cash value for gift cards and they cannot be replaced if damaged, lost, or stolen. There is no cash redemption for gift cards unless required by law and then only to the extent required by law.

• Studios service minors under the age of 18 with written consent (Minor Consent Form & Client Intake Form) from a parent or guardian prior to performing the massage. Parents/Guardians must remain in the massage room during the entire session.

• All minors must keep their undergarments on for the entire duration of the session and clients of minor age will be matched with the same-sex therapist. If a parent/guardian or minor client wishes to have a massage therapist of the opposite sex, the parent/guardian will be required to acknowledge permission on the minor intake form.

Many clients are unsure if and/or how much they should tip their massage therapist. We recommend you think of your massage therapist as you would a waiter in a restaurant. Our studios’ therapists love what they do and your tip may reflect your appreciation for their service. We recommend tipping percentages be based on the full price of a regular massage, rather than the discounted price.

You should undress to your desired level of comfort. About half of our clients prefer to be completely undressed, while the other half prefers to keep their undergarments on. This is completely up to you. You will undress and dress in the privacy of your massage room and will be securely covered by a blanket and a sheet during your massage session.

A Master Massage Therapist has completed the Professional, Elite, and Master level training or other additional education and has a minimum of 2 years of employment with Elements Massage studio. These massage therapists demonstrate the highest level of mastery of hands-on massage and well-being skills, and continue to maintain high performance standards across all client satisfaction metrics.

For those who use massage as preventative care or to manage daily stress, one massage a month is common. Weekly sessions may be desirable if you are receiving massage for injury relief or to relieve chronic tightness that is interfering with your daily life. There are many people who incorporate massage therapy at least twice a month for optimal therapeutic relief.

If redeeming a gift card for a service, a valid credit card  must be provided to book a session. At the end of the service, please present the gift card for final payment.

An Elite Massage Therapist has completed at least a one year tenure with an Elements Massage studio and consistently demonstrates mastery of The Elements Way. To reach this level, they have successfully completed both the Professional and advanced Elite Massage Therapist training, continuously have performed various session enhancements for individual client needs, and are consistently achieving high client satisfaction metrics.

Studios strive to maintain a comforting and calm environment for clients and staff, so as a courtesy, it is asked that you do not bring in infants or toddlers in. Children may not at any time be left unattended and unsupervised in the lobby and are not allowed to accompany you into massage rooms.

A license means that a massage therapist has met the requirements and paid the fee to legally practice massage in your city, county and/or state. To obtain a license, a massage therapist will usually have to complete a minimum number of training hours at an accredited or accepted school or training center and will have to undergo a full background check prior to receiving that license. Each state has specific licensing and/or certification requirements for massage therapists.

You will be properly covered or draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed. No areas will be exposed without your consent. You should always let your therapist know if you are uncomfortable for any reason during your massage session.

A session consists of massage, time for you to dress and undress and time to communicate with the therapist to make your massage truly customized. Each time you visit an Elements Massage™ studio you will go through our service path called The Elements Way®. This is done to ensure each and every massage session you receive from us meets or exceeds your expectations.

At Elements Therapeutic Massage Mission Viejo, we take pride in our therapists and the expertise they bring.  We focus on the following therapeutic methods, although they make up only a portion of what our highly skilled therapists are trained in.  We will be continuing to add more in-depth articles through our blog each month.

Deep Tissue Massage:  Working on loosening stressed muscles, Deep Tissue Massage can do more for the body than relaxation alone.  It can also be helpful in the elimination of scar tissue by breaking up the tissue and increasing blood circulation to the area to help restore your movement.  Through stretching of muscles to release tension, Deep Tissue Massage helps encourage the body to return to its natural state of alignment, helping to improve posture.

Hot Stone Massage: This cold day favorite massage technique can help combat negative effects that cooler temperatures can take on your body by warming your muscles and your mind from the inside out.  Hot Stone Massage enhances a regular massage by incorporating hot stones on specific trigger points throughout your body easing muscle tension without deep pressure. 

Prenatal Massage: Beginning after 12 weeks of pregnancy Prenatal Massage is used to alleviate the main ailments of pregnancy; decreased circulation, joint pain, and muscle fatigue.  During pregnancy there are specific points to avoid for health reason and Prenatal massages is always customized to the individual. Our therapists understand the effects of the hormone relaxing which enables muscles, ligaments, and cartilage to stretch and the care that needs to be taken to avoid overstretching.  Given the physical and mental benefits associated with Pre-Natal massages and acknowledging this special time in your life, we encourage you to discuss massage with your prenatal care provider prior to adding it to your prenatal program.

Sports Massage: Highlighted for athletes, Therapeutic Sports Massage is also beneficial to anyone in an exercise program.  From preparing muscles for training and optimal performance to recovering from an athletic event, Therapeutic Sports Massage can help prevent minor issues that prevent and derail exercise programs.

Trigger Point Massage: Best for Highly localized 'knots' where the body holds tension.

Swedish Massage: Relaxation massage for stress relief and a good 'first' massage modality, Swedish Massage can start helping through the decreased stress build-up of our daily lives.  Our mental well-being is just as important as our physical well-being and reducing the stress in our lives have an overall positive impact on our overall well-being.

Additional Modalities:

TMJ Massage: Temporomandibular Joint dysfunctions or any disorders of the jaw have been referred to as TMJ syndrome and include, but are not limited to, locking of the jaw, inability to close the mouth comfortable, clipping, headaches and pain in the neck, shoulder and back.  While not the primary cause, a reduction in stress and relaxation of muscles can improve TMJ symptoms.  TMJ Massage pinpoints affected muscles in the jaw to help stretch and relax the muscles to promote proper realignment of the jaw bones to relieve the effects of TMJ.

Lymph Drainage Massage: Also known as Lymphatic Massage, Lymph Drainage Massage works to increase the level of production in the lymph system helping in the removal of toxins.  The lymphatic system works to help cleanse and filter out toxins and bacteria from the body.  When not working correctly, frequent colds and flu infections, headaches and migraines, joint paint, loss of appetite and depression can all occur. Lymph Drainage Massage can also be helpful in edema, sports injury, lack of energy or those suffering from a sluggish immune system.

Chair Massage: Chair massage can help give the body relief from the physical and mental stresses of everyday life.  Providing your mind and body with a chance to unwind, massage has also been shown to increase serotonin levels which, in turn reduce the chances and effects of depression.

Arthritis Massage: Specialized Arthritis Massage can provide general pain relief, relax stiff, sore muscles and help reduce inflammation and swelling of the joints.  Arthritis Massage can increase circulation, helping to remove toxic build up in joints, a contributing factor to Arthritis.  Arthritis Massage requires a specialized technique that needs to be done by an experienced therapist and with a lot of communication so different techniques can be used with inflamed joints.

Fibromyalgia Massage: Therapeutic Massage has been used to; increase blood circulation in muscles to promote faster muscle repair, produce increased stimulation of oxygen supply to needed cells, and release toxic waste products from the tissues into the circulatory system. People with Fibromyalgia can benefit from reduced pain, stiffness, stress and depression, and improve sleep patterns associated with Therapeutic Massage.

Reiki Massage: While not a specific massage, Reiki healing can be incorporated into your massage experience.  Performed by a licensed and experienced therapist who is also a Reiki practitioner the two practices can be combined for optimal results in therapy.