FAQ

Where is My Elite Massage located?

My Elite Massage is located INSIDE of Mélange Gallery of Salons in the Acadiana Centre at 400 W Parkwood Ave in Friendswood (across the street from H-E-B). You can enter Acadiana Centre from either Parkwood Ave (528 between Friendswood Auto and Popeyes) or Sunset Dr. just north of the bank entrance. The entrance to Mélange Gallery is between Birraporetti's and The Little Gym in the strip of stores behind Popeye's and Moody Bank.

Once inside Mélange Gallery of Salons, you will be surprised to find there are 41 business locations. To find My Elite Massage, follow the entrance hallway until you reach the central lounge area with hair dryers, tables, TV, and vending machines. Then, turning right, take the hallway on the far left next to the magazine rack on the wall. My Elite Massage is at the end of this hallway next to the "Narnia lamp post". A sign on the door will indicate whether it is okay to enter yet.

Please note that My Elite Massage operates by appointment only. Walk-ins are not feasible.

How do I book an appointment?

Click "Book Now" at the bottom of this page or in the menu and follow the prompts to select your service and time. Links for the forms will be automatically emailed to you so you can complete them ahead of time and have no delays when you come in for your appointment.

How long is a typical session?

That depends on the service, which overall vary in length from 15-90 minutes. Typical lengths for each service are:

• Orthopedic massage: 30 or 60 minutes
• Blended or Relaxation massage: 60 or 90 minutes
• Concussion/TBI Treatment: 90 minutes for sessions 1-2; 60 minutes for session 3
• Scar Release Treatment: 30 minutes
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation: 15 minutes
• Bundles: 60 or 90 minutes

What will the massage or bodywork feel like?

A relaxation massage (for our purposes a.k.a. a Swedish or traditional massage) is often a baseline for clients. In a general relaxation massage, your session will usually start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A massage cream is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The cream also helps hydrate your skin.

Orthopedic massage will still create relaxation of your tissues but targets joint mobility through gentle movements first, and then if needed, the therapist will use a myofascial cream allowing him to glide or grip your tissue as needed in order to release the muscles tight due to joint dysfunction.

Regardless of the massage modality, you should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.

Is there anything I should or shouldn't do before the massage or bodywork session?

Before any massage treatment, avoid large meals or alcohol. It's also a good idea to drink plenty of water and visit the restroom beforehand so you can enjoy your massage without interruption.

If you can, try to give yourself plenty of time on either side of the massage, so that you don't feel rushed either before or after.

Make sure you tell your therapist in advance if any of the following are true of you as they may affect your treatment approach.

• You are or think you might be pregnant
• You have any medical conditions or are receiving any treatment or medication
• You have recently had an injury or operation
• You are allergic to anything, particularly skin allergies
• You have any broken skin or sores on your scalp

Where will my massage or bodywork session take place?

Your massage will take place in My Elite Massage's clinic.

For relaxation or blended massage, the room will be dimly-lit, comfortable, and quiet. Soft music will be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.

For all other services, it will be similar but feel more like a treatment room with the lights raised and music more as background noise. You may be asked to stand, sit, lie, and change positions more often throughout your session depending on your treatment needs.

Must I be completely undressed?

No, not completely. If you have chosen a relaxation or blended massage, you are asked to undress down to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped (covered) during the entirety of the session.

All other services are performed with you dressed.

What should I wear for an orthopedic massage?

If you have chosen an orthopedic massage, please bring shorts (and a sports bra if applicable) to wear during your session. They are not always necessary, but not having them could limit treatment options.

Will the therapist be present when I disrobe or change clothes?

No. For relaxation or blended massages, the therapist will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket.

You remain dressed for any other service but if you need to change clothes for the session, the therapist will leave the room while you do.

Will I be covered during the session?

During the Relaxation or Blended massages, you will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.

During any other service, you will be dressed for the treatment.

What parts of my body will be massaged?

A typical full-body relaxation or blended massage session will include work on your back, hips, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. Sometimes abdomen is included but that and five other areas (scalp, face, pecs, glutes, and feet) require your express written and verbal permission prior to the massage.

In an orthopedic massage, your massage will be assessment-based, meaning that although each of the above-mentioned areas will be tested, treatment is only performed on those areas in need of it.

What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?

During the intake conversation prior to the massage, feel free to ask the therapist any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). During relaxation or blended massages, many people just close their eyes and completely let go, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session.

During any type of massage, remember that the therapist cannot affect a muscle you are using, so do your best to avoid helping or resisting unless the therapist asks for it. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask.

How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days.

On very rare occasions following an orthopedic massage, some people have reported back that the next day they felt like they had worked out at the gym, but then felt amazing the day after that.

What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?

Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.

Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?

Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before your session, you accurately answer the general health questions in the client health history form and your preferences in the intake form. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking and update this information regularly. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes. Patrons 65 and older, current and former U.S. military, 1st responders, and grade-school educators receive a 15% discount on all services.

Discounts are also available via customized monthly memberships (15-25% based upon the number of sessions/month) and Triple-Plays (10+% on 3 pre-purchased sessions).

Do you take insurance?

Not directly. When looking into the possibility, I was told repeatedly that you spend all your time trying to get paid, so I opted for discounts instead. That said, some insurance policies and some HSA's will permit you to submit your receipt for therapeutic massage. You would have to check with them.

For patrons in pain who cannot afford a session, even with a discount, there is a small Good Samaritan Fund which might be available to defer or waive your payment (dependent upon the health of this fund). Use the contact form on the home page to explain your situation and we'll get you booked for a 1-hour orthopedic or blended massage session paid by the fund. Simply replenish the cost of your massage to this fund whenever you are back on your feet financially so the next person in need can use it.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Google Pay, & Apple Pay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our Policies page.