Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment if I have a gift card or membership?

All appointments need to be booked through Vagaro using a credit card in case of no-show or late cancellation (as well as for our safety). At the time of service, you can present whatever payment method you want, including physical or electronic gift card. If you are using a membership credit, we will zero out the transaction so that no payment is required.

Are your practitioners willing to mask?

Yes. Our masking policy is that if a client is masked, we mask too. All our rooms have HEPA air purifiers, but you are welcome to bring your own. If you need further accommodations, such as preferring that your practitioner take a Covid test on the day of your appointment, just contact us in advance.

I’m trans or gender noncomforming. Will I feel comfortable here?

We certainly hope so. One of our owner’s primary goals in opening this business was to provide a safe place for queer folks to receive bodywork. All of our practitioners are happy to work with queer folks, but our owner Caitlin has the most experience working on trans bodies.

I’m a super anxious person. What should I expect when getting a massage (or facial or beauty treatment)?

A lot of us are super anxious people too. It’s always helpful for us to know if you’re feeling anxious or uncomfortable so we can be extra mindful, whether that means explaining things more clearly or being more modest with our draping.

The good news is, the hardest parts of a massage or facial are getting on the table, flipping over (massage only), and getting off the table. The rest of the time, all you have to do is lie there. Some people talk. Some people are silent. Some people snore. As long as you’re not acting inappropriately (making unwanted comments or gestures, exposing yourself, or initiating physical contact with us), there’s literally no way to mess it up.

A quick rundown: when you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a receptionist and instructed to sit in the waiting room. Feel free to use the restroom or grab a drink of water; just keep noise to a minimum. Your practitioner will come get you from the waiting room, introduce themselves, and take you back to your treatment room. They will close the door and do a short verbal intake, then go over your session and tell you how to get on the table. For most massages, you will undress fully or to your underwear and start facedown under the top sheet. For most facials, you will undress from the waist up and start face up under the top sheet. As long as you are covered up when we enter the room, we’re happy.

Your practitioner will knock before they come back in the room, then adjust your bolster and headrest if needed. Let us know if we need to turn the table warmer on or off or make any other adjustments. During a typical massage, your therapist will have you flip over about halfway through. They will keep you covered with a blanket and sheet while you turn over and move down about a foot so that your head is on the table instead of on the headrest. They will adjust your bolster if needed.

At the end of the session, your practitioner will instruct you to take your time getting dressed and to meet them outside when you’re ready. “Take your time” realistically means take up to five minutes to do a big cat stretch, slowly get up, put your clothes and shoes back on, and try to put yourself somewhat back together. Your therapist will meet you just outside the room and will walk you back to the front desk, where you will pay. The check out screen will ask if you want to tip (totally optional; we promise we’re not judging you) and then for your signature and if you want an email or print receipt, or none. That’s it! You’ll do great, we promise.

Do you offer “special” services?

No, we absolutely do not. We offer therapeutic services only, and the worst part of our job is dealing with people who can’t tell the difference between the work that we do and the work that s*x workers do. S*x work is real work, but it is not our work. We have a zero tolerance policy for harassment or advances of any kind.

Do you offer outdoor or mobile massage?

We unfortunately no longer have the capability to offer mobile or outdoor massage.

Can I get a prenatal massage if I’m X weeks pregnant?

We are happy to work on pregnant people at any stage of pregnancy and provide as much pressure as desired—the only real difference between trimesters is positioning. Some businesses and practitioners will not work on pregnant folks in their first trimester due to liability concerns. There is no published evidence showing a causation between massage in early pregnancy and an increased risk of miscarriage. We trust that our clients can make educated decisions about their bodies with the guidance of their doctor.

Can I pay using insurance or a health savings account?

We do not bill insurance companies directly, but we do have clients who have successfully submitted itemized receipts for reimbursement. Insurance companies typically require a doctor’s note and diagnosis code, which we must include in our documentation. We do accept HSA and FSA cards and can provide itemized receipts for those as wel.

What should I look for in a massage therapist?

A couple things. First of course is training and certification. You don’t need a license to practice massage therapy in California, and in Davis, massage therapists only need 100 hours of schooling to get a business license. Many therapists opt for the voluntary California Massage Therapy Council certification, which requires 500 hours of education, passage of an exam, and a criminal background check. Only therapists who have been approved by CAMTC can call themselves CMTs, or Certified Massage Therapists.

The second consideration is skill and modality. There are many different types of massage, and it’s ideal to find someone whose style matches up with your preferences and needs. Do some research on massage modalities and call potential massage therapists to figure out if their work will be a good fit for you.

The third consideration is chemistry. We believe that finding the right massage therapist means finding someone who you click with. You should feel safe and comfortable around this person, enjoy their level of conversation before and during your session, and just generally look forward to seeing them. Sometimes, even if a massage therapist is really skilled, you just won’t feel comfortable going to them. Listen to that instinct—it’s okay to be picky about who you trust with your body!

Am I expected to tip?

Tips are always gratefully accepted but never expected.

How long of a massage should I book?

Good question. We offer four massage session lengths to accommodate clients’ varying needs and resources.

30-minute massage sessions are ideal for deep, focused work on one or two problem areas. Many of our clients use these appointments for neck and shoulder work.

60-minute massage sessions are ideal for deep, focused work on more than two areas, or a full-body massage with additional focus on up to one area. For example, if you want a full body massage with extra time spent on your shoulders, 60 minutes will be enough time.

90 and 120-minute massage sessions are ideal for a super-relaxing full body massage or a full body massage when you have more than one area where you want deep work. For example, if you are having shoulder and hip pain and want a full body massage, we will need a full 90 minutes.

I’m self-conscious about my body. Will you judge my (fill in the blank)?

Nope. Really and truly, we’re focusing on your muscles and soft tissue, not on how your body looks. We make it a habit never to comment on clients’ bodies unless there’s something that might be harmful to them or to us (we’ll ask about a rash, for example, to make sure the client is aware of it, and that it’s not contagious).

What does “disrobe to your comfort level” really mean?

Although we can work around clothing if needed, it’s easiest for you to be either fully nude or in your underwear (bras off, please). We will only uncover the body part we’re working on and are always happy to accommodate based on your comfort level. When in doubt, ask your therapist—some of our styles work better with direct contact on the skin, while others prefer to work sensitive areas such as glutes and hip flexors over the sheet.

Do you offer sliding-scale rates?

In limited cases, yes. Contact us for more information. We’re also lucky to be able to refer clients needing sliding-scale services to our colleagues over at Davis Massage & Body Therapy, the only community massage clinic in Northern California, who share many of our values and provide excellent bodywork at more affordable rates.