Frequently Asked Question

Massage

What is Sports Massage?

If you’re an athlete or someone who loves to stay active, you know how important it is to take care of your body. That’s where sports massage comes in! Sports massage is a specialized form of massage therapy designed specifically to help athletes and active individuals improve their performance, prevent injuries, and recover faster from training and competition.

How often should I get a massage?

Should I train right after a massage?

It depends on the type of massage you received.Some athletes enjoy a light to medium pressure massage prior to training, as it can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, reduce muscle soreness and decrease stress, which can be helpful before a big event.

However, if you received a vigorous deep tissue massage that targeted specific areas, you may want to allow some time for your body to recover before engaging in intense training.

Should I train right before a massage?

I am badly hurt (from falling off my bike, rolling my ankle, tearing my muscle…); should I come for a massage to ease the pain?

If you have an acute injury, characterized by symptoms such as severe soreness, heat, swelling, and inflammation, it is not advisable to receive a massage. It is crucial to seek medical attention and consult with your physician before considering any form of treatment. Once your recovery has initiated, indicated by a reduction in swelling and pain, and with your doctor’s approval, a massage can be beneficial for your healing process.

Should I get a massage right after a race or competition?

Receiving a massage immediately following a race or competition can promote muscle recovery, enhance circulation, and reduce both muscle and mental tension after a challenging event. However, it is important to prioritize replenishing your body and allowing for a proper cooldown before getting a massage.

Additionally, it is crucial to communicate any injuries or areas of concern to your massage therapist so that they can adjust the techniques accordingly.

While many athletes find immediate post-event massages beneficial, some individuals may choose to postpone a massage for a day or two to allow their bodies to recover naturally before seeking therapeutic intervention.

Should I get a massage right before a race or competition?

Some athletes enjoy a light to medium pressure massage prior to a big event, as it can improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, reduce muscle soreness and decrease stress, which can be helpful before a competition.

However, a deep tissue massage is not recommended as it can take a few days for the muscles to recover afterward.

Please make sure to let your therapist know if you have a big event coming up so they can adjust the pressure accordingly.

Will I be sore after my massage?

It is common to experience some soreness after a sports massage. The intensity of the massage techniques used during a sports massage can sometimes leave the muscles feeling tender and sore. However, the level of soreness can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s tolerance, the duration and intensity of the massage, and the current condition of the muscles. It is important to communicate with your massage therapist about your comfort levels during the session, and they can adjust the pressure accordingly. After the tenderness recedes, you will have a new-found looseness in your muscles, confirming that it was all worth it!

How should I dress for my massage?

What is Phila Massages’ zero tolerance policy?

We provide professional sports massage therapy – our services are strictly non-sexual in nature.
All Phila Massages staff and contractors practice a Zero Tolerance Policy at all times with regard to any and all inappropriate client behavior to include:

Inappropriate and/or sexual speech (written or verbal).
Inappropriate and/or sexual contact with staff member(s) and/or contractor(s).
Any and all forms of action, inaction, or general behavior deemed personally inappropriate by the staff member(s) and/or contractor(s) involved.
Failure to cooperate with professional draping practices during any massage therapy session.
Click here to view Phila Massages’ complete zero tolerance policy.

Appointments

How do I book an appointment?

You can book an appointment online instantly by using our online booking system:

Click here to book in our Philadelphia location

You can also email us for questions or help with booking: contact@philamassages.com.

If you wish to talk to someone over the phone, you can call or text us at: (215) 965-0002. Please note that our office is run by our therapists – while we may not be able to answer you immediately, please leave a message and we will respond within 24-48hrs.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Please note that we have a cancellation policy in place for our appointments. We kindly ask that you notify us at least 12 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Clients who do not show up for their scheduled appointment without any prior notification will be charged 100% of the appointment fee. For cancellations made within 12 hours of the appointment, a fee of 50% of the appointment will be charged. You may notify us by replying to your appointment email notification, by emailing contact@philamassages.com, or by calling or texting our office at (215) 965-0002. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

I need to reschedule my appointment.

If you need to reschedule an appointment that is scheduled for 12 hours or more from now, please use the link provided in the confirmation email you received when you booked the appointment. This will allow you to easily select a new date and time that works better for you. Additionally, we would like to remind you of our cancellation policy, which requires that any cancellations be made at least 12 hours before the appointment to avoid a cancellation fee (see “What if I need to cancel my appointment?” above to view our cancellation policy). Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

What happens if I am late for my appointment?

If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to accommodate others whose appointments follow yours. Full payment for your session will be expected.

In the event that you are late, please notify us as soon as you can by replying to your appointment email notification, by emailing contact@philamassages.com, or by calling or texting our office at (215) 965-0002. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Payment And Insurance

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept all methods of payment, but prefer using any credit cards added to your client profile.

Can I use my FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to pay for my session(s)?

The eligibility of using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for a massage depends on various factors, including the specific guidelines set by your FSA plan and the medical necessity determined by your primary care physician. While some FSAs may cover massage therapy if prescribed by a physician for a specific medical condition, others may have more restricted guidelines. It is advisable to consult with your FSA provider and primary care physician to determine if massage therapy is an eligible expense under your plan and if a prescription is required.

The massage therapists at Phila Massages are unable to maintain or confirm such details, so it is imperative for clients to ensure that they are permitted to utilize their FSA account for each massage session.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not work directly with insurance companies; however, we would be delighted to provide you with itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. To facilitate this process, please obtain a prescription for massage therapy from your primary care physician, along with a corresponding diagnosis code, and verify that massage therapy is covered by your insurance plan. Please email us with this information to request the itemized receipts at contact@philamassages.com.

General Inquiries

What Services do you offer?

We offer Sports massage therapy, injury support and in home massages. For more details about each service, please click here.