FAQs

Ooof that’s a toughie.

Which is why we’ve got expansive session descriptions on our Menu. Click HERE to pop on over & learn more about what each session entails. There’s no right or wrong - simply pick the session that sounds appealing and we’ll go from there!

If you’ve seen our menu and are still unsure, try our Massage Matchmaker Quiz.

(Go ahead, click the link—it’s fun!)

And remember! Communication is key. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but if a session feels painful or unenjoyable, there’s likely a better option.

Disclaimer: massage therapy is not right for every body. If you have a recent injury, are less than a week out of surgery, or are ill, massage may not be appropriate. When in doubt, check with your doctor.

More or less, Integrative Bodywork simply means "we use a variety of techniques throughout the session, in an effort to best serve the body in front of us."

We focus on understanding the situation, and approaching it with the correct tool.

We like to think of it this way: a hammer is a great tool.. when you need a hammer. When you need a wrench? A hammer isn’t so helpful.

We have many tools in our toolbox, and we use a variety of them in our integrative session. (Recently retitled to “The Works”)

Cupping involves placing a “cup” on the skin over an area of tension or pain, creating a gentle vacuum that pulls tissue upward. This suction produces three main effects:

1. Changes in circulation (and lymphatic flow) by drawing fluids into the area.

2. Separates layers of stuck tissue, restoring smooth movement.

3. Calms the nervous system by interrupting pain signals. This sets off a chain response that can lead to lower blood pressure and inflammation.

Cups can be applied with varying intensity and duration to target different needs—from easing chronic pain and scar tissue to relieving headaches, stress, anxiety, depression, and even boosting immune function.

Great question — and the answer is nuanced.

The old “No Pain, No Gain” mindset is outdated. Pain triggers your sympathetic nervous system, or “Fight or Flight,” raising stress hormones, heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension — exactly what we want to avoid.

Our goal is to shift you into “Rest and Digest” mode (parasympathetic nervous system), which lowers stress hormones and boosts dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin — all the feel-good chemicals. In this state, your muscles and fascia are ready to release tension and begin healing.

Everyone’s nervous system responds differently, though. Some people can tolerate firmer pressure - even enjoy it - and we tailor sessions to meet you where you are.

If you prefer the Oomph of traditional deep tissue techniques, book a Barbaric Bodywork appointment with Cristina or James and let them know!

In a word: “Maybe!”

Here’s why:

People seek “Deep Tissue” massage for two reasons.

First, for results—meaning you want effective bodywork that helps your body relax and release pain, regardless of the specific sensation. We can help with that, no matter which therapist you see. It doesn’t have to be DT to be effective.

Second, for the experience—meaning you want firm, aggressive pressure because you like how it feels. If that’s you, be sure to book a “Deep Tissue” massage with Cristina or James and enjoy!

Yes! Absolutely—we have the belly bolster and everything you need.

The belly bolster is appropriate for most prenatal sessions. However, in some cases, it may be contraindicated. Our providers reserve the right to decide on its use at the time of your appointment.

Yes! eGift Cards are available 24/7 online. A link to purchase your own is in the menu header above.

*All gift cards are final sale.

**At this time, additional gratuity is not something we can build in to the price of the gift card.

Maybe!

We’re happy to discuss traveling bodywork for GROUP events like:

• Corporate wellness

• Team appreciation events

• Bachelorette parties

• Girls trips

We don’t currently offer a la carte, single-session traveling appointments. Besides, home is where your stress lives. Leave the dirty dishes and noisy kids behind—come to our quiet, peaceful office and enjoy some well-deserved you-time.

No. Summit Therapeutics is a cash-pay massage studio. We do not bill Insurance directly, nor do we provide a superbill with medical codes.

That being said, we do accept HSA/FSA cards, and we are happy to forward you a transaction receipt for any and all of your appointments.

**Most HSA and FSA programs cover massage. But - it is in your best interest to obtain a referral from your PCP to keep for your records.

All Studios will vary. But here at Summit, the general guidelines are as follows:

1. Have a snack and some water before your session so you get off the table feeling refreshed instead of famished.

2. Please shower at some point before your session. Schvitzing a bit when it’s 85 in August is one thing…but a three-day-old funk is kinda rude, gang...

3. Plan to arrive 10ish minutes before your appointment so you have time to find the place, park, and use the restroom without cutting into your table-time.

4. Wear comfy clothing if possible. We’ve never met a woman who actually looks forward to putting her bra back on at the end….

Excellent question! There’s a link in the footer menu of every page on this website.

If you have a redemption code -- like a gift card or a discount code -- you should* be able to redeem it at checkout when booking. But that's a perfect world. Alas, we live in the Real world…and software updates are a bear.

If you are unable to redeem, double check:
- That what you are booking is in alignment with what your credit is actually good for,
- When it expires.

If everything is correct but uncooperative, book your appointment without the code, tell our system you will pay later (you'll be asked to save a CC to your file: it will not be charged) and, bring the redemption code with you at the time of your service. We will apply applicable credits here at the office. No biggie!

No. Nuh-uh. Nada. Nope.

Hard pass.

It’s illegal in Colorado.

I quite like my career and plan to continue doing it for a good long while, so I don’t play around with any of that.

We hear you. Not every therapist is the right fit for every client. The Studios is home to multiple independently owned massage and bodywork practices. While we share a booking platform and workspace, each therapist operates their own business and is responsible for their services, treatment plans, and client relationships…sometimes personalities clash, or styles simply don’t align.

If your first appointment isn't the perfect match:

1. Please submit some feedback here on where the disconnect was. We are constantly evolving to better pair clients with their perfect therapist… and we can’t fix problems we don’t know we have.

2. Reach out! We're happy to help point you toward another provider whose style may better suit your needs.

The short answer: because we got tired of bots and telemarketers tying up our time! Also because online scheduling is foolproof for ensuring we have your info, you have ours, and all of our boxes are checked.

The long answer: The Studios is not a spa with a standard menu. We don’t have a front desk or single point of contact because we are 5 independent therapists who have banded together under one roof. We all offer our own sessions our own way, and keep our own unique availability. We tried training a human receptionist on all of our individual scheduling quirks, and it simply proved a hassle for everyone (mostly for the clients). So… we book first appointments exclusively online. Once you’re booked, you get your therapists’ direct cell # to use as often as you need.

If you are truly tech-averse and refuse to book online - instead requiring a human to walk you through the booking process - we completely respect your choice, and wish you luck finding a therapist who can fulfill that need for you.

Massage Therapy is a broad term applied to all variety of techniques. The core similarity of all these techniques is that a massage therapist will rub / knead / push on / stretch a client’s skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Sometimes the goal of a session is pain management. Sometimes it is for relaxation and stress management. Ensuring that you receive the kind of massage therapy session you that is right for you ultimately boils down to communication; so be sure to tell your therapist what your goal for the session is!

Anyone with a body! More people are getting regular massages than ever; and the reasons are as varied as the clientele. Some get it for pain management, some for stress management, some for a bit of both.

It might! First thing’s first: massage therapists are not allowed to guarantee results. (Any one who does is selling something. Quite literally.) But in general, massage therapy is associated with reduced pain and increased flexibility/mobility across all of those listed issues.

(Pain-free) massage is a relaxing experience for a variety of reasons. The calm setting, soothing music, dim lighting, and heated table are usually enough to relax someone on their own. But massage itself stimulates the Parasympathetic nervous system (the programming in your body that’s in charge of your rest-and-digest response) while soothing your Sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight one most of us live our day-to-day lives in.)

Yes! And is continuing to be researched! At present, we know things like:

1. Massage lowers cortisol production. (One of your stress hormones)

2. Massage increases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. (Your happy hormones)

3. Massage stimulates a release of endorphins. (Your body’s natural pain killers)

4. Pregnant people who receive regular massage throughout their pregnancy journey are less likely to experience complications during labor, as well as shorter labor times and shorter postpartum recovery times.

5. There is even some exciting evidence that massage helps slow the signs of aging! Strings of DNA are capped at each end by Telomeres. This keep the DNA from literally fraying. Stress directly impacts telomeres (degrades them). The theory is that lowering stress / managing your stress hormones - in conjunction with proper activity levels and nutrition - can actually better protect your DNA, leading to fewer age-related mutations. Wow! How cool is that?!

Depends on what you book it for! Got an issue? There’s a massage for that! At Summit, we occupy the “help you relax while also working out that stubborn stiffness in your shoulders” arena. But bodywork & massage is helpful for all kinds of things.

1. Recovering from injury or surgery,

2. Stress management,

3. Helping with the aches & pains of shoveling the driveway or playing tennis with your daughter,

4. Stretching with the goal of improved flexibility,

5. Pain management,

6. Palliative care to help ease an end-of-life transition,

7. more

Yes! If they’re not, they’re not technically Massage Therapists. They’re just people offering massages…and don’t get me started on the ethics around all that false-advertisement. If you’re unsure whether the provider you’re seeing is truly an LMT or not, just ask them! They should be 100% candid with where they went to school and when they go their license. If they’re not? Well, then you have your answer.

Generally speaking, a massage parlor was where people would go for a “Rub & Tug” or a “Happy Ending” back in the day. If you are seeking massage therapy services from a licensed massage therapist to help with stress or pain management, then you’d be booking at a massage “Studio” or “Office” or “Practice” or “Spa”…not a “Parlor.”

The long and short of it is that a Massage Therapist is someone who has attended an accredited Massage Therapy training program where they’ve learned at least basic Anatomy, Physiology and etc. They’ve also passed the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEX), maintain an Active license in their state of employment, and carry massage-specific professional liability insurance

A Masseuse is usually a sex worker, and they also usually don’t have much legit training. It is a holdover from when you would see a “masseuse” at a “massage parlour” and get a “happy ending.”

The problem of human trafficking / forced labor / sexual exploitation that can occur in those spaces is a topic all of its own - but that’s not the question you asked - so for now I’ll just say this: Prostitution is illegal in Colorado, and you can’t blame the licensed therapists for wanting to distance themselves from the term and its implications.

If they are licensed to! A Massage License (in Colorado) is only for Massage. Anything else falls outside of the scope of massage and requires its own training / certification. If your Massage Therapist is offering services that complement their massage sessions, do not hesitate to ask about their training! It’s your body; you deserve to receive treatments from someone who’s trained (and insured) in what they’re doing.