FAQs & Policies

What if I can’t find an appointment time that works for me?

Please call or email us and we can see what we can work out. We know life is busy and we will try to be flexible, whenever possible. The best place to book is online, on this website, using the “Book Appointment” button at the top of each page. We will respond to any emails and voicemail messages to help find a time that works for both parties, but we do require all clients to book online first so they can complete a simple payment profile and policy agreement forms. This process allows our in-person time to be all about your treatment!

Do you send forms or reminders after I book an appointment?

You will receive an initial confirmation email when you request a session and a second email with a required Massage Therapy Intake Form if this is your initial appointment. You will also receive a reminder email and text 24-hours prior to your appointment. Please confirm that the booking day and time match what you put in your calendar.

What is the parking situation there?

Easiest free parking in Ballard! There’s always plenty of space on the street or in the driveway, right in front of the house. The street is extremely quiet and safe.

What should I expect at my first appointment?

Before you arrive, you will fill out the health history intake form emailed when you book. Todd will greet you at the front door and lead you to the treatment room to discuss your health history, clarify your goals for the treatment, and go over the plan for the session. You will be given instructions for how to get ready, then, after knocking, and ensuring that everything is comfortable for you (temperature, head rest, lighting), your only concern at this point is to relax and receive your massage. Additional details about your massage experience can be found here.

Is gratuity expected?

Absolutely not. The kindest gesture you can do is to continue to re-book, recommend us to your friends and family, or write a review on Google Maps.

How did you choose your rates and no-tipping policy?

The philosophy on which this business is designed is to run on quality, simplicity, and clarity that in turn encourages trust and a sense of ease. We created practices we wanted to see and experience in our community; a business that respects the client experience and encourages them to not just try the service but to comfortably return again. To us, this means a business with fair, clear set prices, at a cost that both considers the therapist’s education and experience, but is not so high that we need to create subscription or discounting schemes. We set our rates at a fair level so that clients want to reschedule at their convenience, as needed, without any fuss over tracking discount coupons, or factoring in tip percentages to compute what amount will show up on their credit card statement. Hopefully, our prices look reasonable compared to other licensed massage therapists around Ballard. We think nothing ruins a wonderful post-massage glow like a discussion of money and tips, or the pressure to re-book on the spot! We have a really great client return rate and believe this is due to both quality of service and the simplicity of the booking and payment process.

Is your space accessible?

There are 14 concrete steps with hand railings from the street to the front door of the home-based massage studio. From there, everything is on the main floor, including the massage studio, bathroom, and seating. If you use a wheel chair or have concerns about walking up steps, unfortunately, this business might not be the right match for you at this time.

What are the benefits of massage?

Massage therapy benefits both the body and the mind through some of the following ways:

  • Increases Relaxation

  • Alleviates stress and anxiety

  • Improves circulation

  • Aids recovery from injury or surgery

  • Reduces soreness and muscle tension

  • Increases flexibility and improve posture

  • Reduces symptoms of depression

  • Improves quality of sleep

  • Reduces migraine headache symptoms

Do you take insurance?

At this time, we do not take any insurance for services, so you will be expected to pay for your massage at the time of service. You can, however, request a “super bill” receipt from us following the service which you then present to your insurance company. Many times a super bill is a way to at least get a partial refund for massage therapy.

To have the highest chance of success:

  • Check with your health insurance plan to make sure it covers massage therapy

  • If your health insurance plan does cover massage therapy, find out if you need to get a prescription before receiving massage (not a requirement for all plans).

  • If your health insurance does require a prescription for massage therapy, visit your primary care provider and request a prescription before coming to your massage appointment.

  • At the end of your appointment, you will pay us directly, and then we will send you a detailed super bill receipt that you can send to your insurance company.

What should I wear on the massage table, and how does draping work?

We encourage each of our clients to undress to the level of their own comfort. For many, this means removing all of their clothing, and for others it means leaving on some of their clothing. Whatever choice you make about undressing is completely up to you.

Much of the massage techniques we specialize in effectively use lotion on skin, and for that we recommend removing as much clothing as you feel comfortable with. Many clients choose to leave on underwear or shorts, which may be ideal if you wish to experience sports or Thai massage stretching during your massage experience, however, we are very skilled with draping to accommodate for all levels of undress. You will always be covered by a sheet throughout the massage, except in the areas where we are working.

  • We respectfully ask that you provide us with a 24 hour notice of any schedule changes or cancellations. Please understand that when you cancel or miss your appointment without providing a 24 hour notice we are often unable to fill that appointment time. This is an inconvenience and also means other clients miss the chance to receive services they need. For this reason, you will be charged 100% of the service fee.

    We also require a credit card number to be given to book appointments so that appropriate fees may be charged if a late cancellation does occur.

    We understand that emergencies can arise and illnesses do occur at inopportune times. If you have a fever, a known infection, may have been exposed to COVID, or have experienced vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours prior to your appointment time, we request that you cancel your session. Inclement weather may also result in the need for late cancellations. We will do our best to give advanced notice if we need to close or cancel due to bad weather and we ask you to do the same. Please do not risk your own safety trying to make your appointment. Late cancellation due to emergency, illness, or inclement weather will not result in any missed session charges, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.

  • Schedules change and you’re welcome to reschedule your appointment! Simply find the “Cancel Appointment” link in your New Appointment confirmation email. If you can’t find that email, you can also log into your portal account from the screen where you made your original appointment, then cancel the appointment under the Appointments tab.

    Once the original appointment is cancelled, then you can simply go to the calendar and select a new time/date that works better for you.

  • We request that you arrive as close to the start time of your appointment as possible, to allow time to answer intake questions and best determine your ideal treatment. We understand that issues can arise that may cause you to be late for your appointment. However, we ask that you call, text, or email to inform us if this ever occurs so we can do our best to accommodate you. Appointment times are reserved for each client, so oftentimes we cannot exceed that reserved time without making the next client late. For this reason, arriving after your appointment time may result in loss of time from your massage so that your session ends at the scheduled time. Full service fees will be charged even when sessions are shortened due to late arrival. In return we will do our best to be on time, and if we are unable to do so, we will add time to your session or adjust the service charge accordingly.

  • Massage therapy, while generally considered safe for most individuals, does carry certain risks that clients should be aware of. These risks can vary depending on the type of massage technique used, the client's health status, and any underlying medical conditions. Clients with some chronic health issues should seek guidance from their healthcare provider to determine if massage therapy is safe and appropriate for them. It is your choice to receive this treatment and massage therapy is not a substitute for medical care, medical examination or diagnosis. We do not guarantee or imply specific results or success. Clear communication of your health history, current conditions or any other contraindications is key to providing you with the best and safest massage treatment.

  • Massage therapy is for relaxation and therapeutic purposes only. There is no sexual component to massage. Any insinuation, gesture, or request otherwise will result in a termination of your session and a refusal of services in the future. You will be charged the full service fee regardless of the length of your session.