FAQs Related to Student Clinic
- How do I schedule an appointment?
- When are sessions available?
- What are the general benefits of massage?
- Is there an age recommendation in the clinic for receiving massage?
- What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
- What should I do to prepare for this massage?
- Where will my massage take place?
- What do I wear during the massage?
- What do I do during a massage therapy session?
- How will a massage feel?
- Will the massage oils used make me break-out?
- How long will my massage session last?
- How will I feel after the massage?
1. How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, please call us at 734-389-2464. Clients are encouraged to call in advance to schedule appointments, but we will schedule for the same day if we have an opening.
2. When are sessions available?
Our student clinic is usually open five days a week for your convenience. The clinic is occasionally closed if the students are scheduled for a weekend workshop.
3. What are the general benefits of massage?
4. Is there an age recommendation in the clinic for receiving massage?
The AAIMT Student Clinic provides about 3,000 massages to the community each year to clients ranging from 6 to 90 years of age. Massage is great for all ages, but parental permission and presence is required when we work with children under the age of 18.
5. What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
Your student therapist will require you to fill out a short health history form. The student will then ask you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed, and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your student therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition and to see if you have any presenting complaints.
6. What should I do to prepare for this massage?
With massage, the student therapist is touching your skin with her/his skin, it is important to bring us a clean body. Since the student will be using some oil, lotion or crème on your skin, please have clothes with you that will not be effected by those substances. Also, please try to arrive five minutes early for each appointment, except for your first appointment, then arrive 15 minutes early to fill out your health history form.
7. Where will my massage take place?
Your massage will take place in our Student Clinic area on the main floor. There is a teaching area with hospital curtains around your table if you are with a semester one student; or in a private room if you are with a semester two student. There will be others receiving massage within the teaching area with session one students room at the same time. They will also have curtains around their tables. There will be soft music playing to help you relax. We ask that you keep your conversation with the student to a minimum, only speaking about the massage in a lowered voice during your session. If you feel someone else in the room is being loud, please ask your therapist to take care of the situation for you.
8. What do I wear during the massage?
For a full-body massage, most people undress to their underpants for Student Clinic as this makes it easier for a student to keep you professionally draped. We require you to wear underpants during your massage. You will be given privacy to undress and redress; you will be covered with a sheet and possibly a blanket at all times except for the area being worked on. There are some massage techniques that can be performed on a fully clothed body. If this is a concern for you, ask about those techniques.
9. What do I do during a massage therapy session?
Make yourself comfortable on the table. If your student therapist wants you to adjust your position, she/he will either move you or ask you to move what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to keep yourself comfortable. Many people choose to close their eyes and relax completely during a session. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your massage at any time.
10. How will a massage feel?
It usually depends on the techniques used. Most massages are a form of Swedish massage – often a baseline for student therapists. In a general Swedish massage, your session may begin with broad, flowing strokes to help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body relaxes, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil, lotion or crème is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention if you feel too much discomfort and the student will change to another approach or technique. Some discomfort, not pain, is normal if you have tight muscles.
11. Will the massage oils used make me break-out?
Most massage oils, lotions or crèmes used in Student Clinic are hypoallergenic. If you have sensitivity to certain types of oils, lotions or crèmes, please bring it to the student’s attention so she/he may use another type for you.
12. How long will my massage session last?
You may schedule ½ hour, ¾ hour, 1 hour, 1 ½ Hour or 2 Hour sessions in the Student Clinic . If you are new to the clinic, please be here 15 minutes early to fill out a short health history form prior to your appointment time.
13. How will I feel after the massage?
Most people feel very relaxed. Some may experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity over time. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink a good deal of water following your massage to help flush those toxins from your body. Often we recommend a hot Epsom salt bath that encourages the release of toxins as well.