Frequently Asked Questions


What can I expect at Lunar Massage and how should I prepare to come? 

Will I be in a private room?

Where’s the menu of massage choices?

What kind of massage does Lunar do?

Where are the sheets and oils?

Naps? Seriously?

I’ve never gotten a massage. Why should I come to Lunar?

What are the health benefits of massage?

Am I supposed to tip the therapist?

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

What if I'm going to be late for my appointment?


 

What can I expect at Lunar Massage and how should I prepare to come?

Lunar Massage is an open studio with two massage tables and two chairs for seated massage. The tables are mostly partitioned off but it's still not the same as a private room. The techniques are applied with the client remaining clothed. If you're coming during or after work, you may want to bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to change in to if you don't want to wrinkle a suit or if you're uncomfortable laying down in a dress.

Will I be in a private room?

No. Lunar Massage is an open studio with two tables that are screened off, so people will be coming and going and there may be street noise. Some people have no problem relaxing into the massage regardless of ambient noise, but others are more sensitive to it. Feel free to use your mp3 player during your massage. Put on your chill mix and enjoy. I also have Bose noise-cancelling headphones if you really want to drown the world out.

Where’s the menu of massage choices?
Lunar’s menu is based on the amount of time or the price point that the customer wants. Most spas or massage places include a complicated list of techniques and modalities that can be confusing or opaque to the customer. Lunar believes in providing a customized experience for its clients that draws from the available techniques in the amount of time or at the price level that best suits the customer. Good therapists can tell what will be best for a customer through communicating with them, being intuitive during the process, and building relationships with regular customers. That makes more sense to Lunar than having a customer pick from a list of techniques. Experienced massage customers may of course communicate their preferences to their therapist.

What kind of massage does Lunar do?

A number of effective massage techniques can be performed without the removal of clothes such as compression, movement and range of motion techniques, acupressure, Thai, and Shiatsu. Deep tissue techniques can also be accomplished through clothes. Lunar’s therapists utilize a combination of therapeutic techniques tailored to your needs and based on their expertise. They also use a light, hypoallergenic nongreasy cream for exposed parts like hands, arms, and neck to help work deeper in those muscles even when you're clothed.

Where are the sheets and oils?

Lunar Massage performs clothed massage in its 1101a 5th St NW location in order to provide an accessible place for people to come during or after their work day to get restorative or therapeutic massage without needing the amount of time required for more traditional massage involving the removal of clothes in a closed room and techniques using oils. Lunar provides a comfortable place for people who are not familiar with or interested in traditional massage. It's also a great supplement for people who do get traditional massages and occasionally want the more affordable price and convenient environment at Lunar.

However, if you REALLY want a traditional massage, we can accommodate you. Give me a call to arrange. 

Naps? Seriously?

Yes, naps. An astonishing number of people are sleep deprived every day. Sometimes a power nap is just what you need – 30 minutes of shut-eye can get you powered through the rest of the day. Stop fantasizing about crawling under your desk for a power nap or crashing in the backseat of your car. Come lay on one of my comfortable massage tables instead. Plug in your iPod in or use my noise-cancelling head phones and an eye pillow and let your body rest for 30 minutes. You’ll be back to work in no time. If you have a case of the noddies, you’re not getting any work done anyway.  Being rested increasees your productivity and keeps your immune system from breaking down.

I’ve never gotten a massage. Why should I come to Lunar?

Chances are you’re uncomfortable with the idea of taking your clothes off or you’re not a “spa person.” But massage has numerous benefits beyond pampering. Stress and back problems are two of the highest reasons for absenteeism and productivity loss at work. Regular massage addresses both of those issues. Lunar has many clients who had their very first professional massage ever here. And I hear a lot of "wow, that was amazing," and "now I see what all the fuss is about." We'll make it easier for you than most places to address pain, stress, and knotted up muscles.

What are the health benefits of massage?

Read about how massage can address a number of health issues such as stress, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, anxiety, depression, even cancers such as  mesothelioma

Am I supposed to tip the therapist?

Massage follows the same norms as salons and restaurants - it is typical to leave a 10-20% tip. This can be added to the credit card payment or left in cash for the therapist. Either way, 100% of the tip goes to the therapist.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

CANCELLATION POLICY: Please call 24 hours in advance to cancel your appointment. If you do not, we will have to take a credit card number with your subsequent appointments and charge a $25 fee if you fail to give cancellation notice. If you have a Groupon and do not cancel your appointment ahead of time or are a no-show, you forfeit the Groupon and can reschedule at our regular excellent rates.

What if I'm going to be late for my appointment?

LATE POLICY: If you are late your appointment will be cut short accordingly and if you are more than 15 minutes late we will reschedule your appointment for another time.


Necessary disclaimer 

All services at Lunar Massage are professional, non-sexual and follow the professional code of ethics. Anyone who makes an inappropriate request will be immediately escorted off the premises and not allowed to return. Jokes about inappropriate massage services are disrespectful and offensive to me as the owner and to the professional practitioners who take their work seriously.