LMT is an acronym for "Licensed Massage Therapist" and means that I have taken and passed the New York State Board exams and am legally licensed to practice in the state of New York. My license number is #016399-1. New York is one of the most stringent states requiring a minimum of 1000 hours of training which includes subjects in anatomy and physiology, medical pathologies, ethics, massage and therapeutic touch modalities as well as clinical practice. More information can be found at the Office Of The Professions: New York State Education Department.

The following are some general guidelines depending upon your need for massage.

Stress Relief and Relaxation

For people under light to moderate stress, I recommend 1-2 times per month. Sessions at Heartworks can provide you excellent health benefits and reduce the physical and emotional effects of stress as well as enable you to take your health to that "next level" as you deeply engage your relaxation response on a continued basis.

High Stress Management

If you are in high stress situations, or you are a highly sensitive person and consequently experience a stress response more easily than others, then you may want to consider sessions at Heartworks on a weekly basis. Because of the unique approach at Heartworks using sound, vibration and massage, these sessions will take you deeply into your relaxation response and restore systemic balance while flushing hormonal toxic wastes due to a sustained stress response.

Pain Reduction and/or Injury Rehabilitation

If you are recovering from an injury and/or managing a condition such as lower back pain, muscle strains or sprains, fibromyalgia, lupus, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ syndrome, tension headaches, etc. then the frequency of your treatments will have a higher occurrence in the beginning and diminishing over time as your pain reduces or your injury heals.

Not at this time. Unfortunately, the insurance companies, as well as other agencies such as the Workers' Compensation Board and auto insurance No-Fault claims, are becoming less supportive of the therapeutic process. The beauracacies and paperwork involved, as well as poor reimbursement rates, have made it prohibitive for me to offer insurance filing services.

However, if you have a health care spending account, you may be able to receive reimbursement for massage therapy treatment sessions. These plans enable you to make before tax contributions for health care benefits not usually covered under your primary health insurance plan.

The 60 and 90 minute sessions are ideal for systemic, deep relaxation and restoration as well as specific muscular work. These sessions provide you the opportunity to experience a profound difference in your mind and body as you experience the wonder of your natural resting state and the ravages of your stress response are reversed.

The 30 minute session is useful for localized, specific work with an injury or muscular trauma. However, you will not necessarily get the benefit of initiating your nervous system's relaxation response.

I practice an integrative set of modalities as well as sound and vibration as it effects the nervous system. The modalities are detailed on this website's Modality Page. The sound and vibration work are detailed on Sound/Vibration Page.

No, it is not absolutely necessary. Your comfort level is of utmost importance. For best results, though, especially for systemic relaxation where the back and spinal column play an important role in initiating your relaxation response, it is recommended. You will always be professionally covered with sheets and only the area being worked will be exposed, thus insuring your privacy at all times.

In most cases, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This is where treatment sessions at Heartworks excel since we are deeply taking you into your natural healing state -- the parasympathetic aspect of your nervous system. This means that you will experience less pain and heal faster.

However, there are some conditions which need to be approached with caution or are not appropriate for massage at all. For example, particular care and caution is required for conditions such as thrombosis, phlebitis, and edema. Massage is not appropriate for people with fevers, contagious diseases, or most skin conditions and rashes (please see our excellent Esthetician, Deb Pernell, for these). If you are under medical supervision or have any doubts, check with your doctor before getting a massage.

No. The massage will not hurt because you and I will be in constant communication about the appropriate pressure to use on your body when working with your specific issues. In fact, the work will be just the opposite and pain-free as contracted tissues are softened and released, leaving you with more freedom of movement and muscular resiliency and ease.

The only exception is deep tissue work for chronically tightened muscles. It is sometimes necessary to use deep, soft pressure to release these tissues. This often results in what people call the "feel-good pain," meaning that on one level it hurts and yet on another it feels good. Once released, these muscles often exhibit residual soreness because of their long-term, chronically contracted state. But after a day or two of soreness, you will feel incredible because the muscle is now supple, being nourished with oxygen from the increased blood flow and no longer locked in a chronic, contracted state.

During the first appointment, we will review your medical history and discuss the particular reasons you are coming to massage. This conversation will help determine the most effective course of treatment for your session. I will also explain the work, what to expect, etc. and answer any questions that you may have.

At this time, no, only cash and checks are accepted. There is an ATM machine conveniently located two doors down from Heartworks. Gift certificates, however, can be purchased online using a credit card here.

For rates and hours, please visit the Rates & Hours page here.