What to Expect from Your First Massage at Held by Hannah

Let's be real: 

Booking your first massage can feel a little nerve-wracking. 

What do I wear? 

Will it be awkward? 

Do I need to clean my house? 

Should I talk or stay quiet? 

And when it's a mobile massage, someone coming to your actual home, those questions multiply. I get it.

I've spent enough time as a nurse working in people's homes to know that inviting someone into your personal space feels vulnerable. 

But here's what I want you to know right up front: you're not hosting me. 

You do not need to tidy up, offer me snacks, or entertain me with small talk. 

I'm coming to your home to provide you with professional therapeutic care, and then I'm going to pack up and leave you to enjoy the rest of your gloriously relaxed day.

My goal is simple: I want you to feel more comfortable and relaxed in your body.

And the best part? 

You get to do that without fighting Austin traffic or dragging yourself off the massage table to drive home. 

Let me tell you exactly what to expect.

The Actual Logistics: What You Need to Know

What I Will Bring to Your Home

When I arrive to your appointment at the booked time, I bring everything needed for a complete spa-quality massage experience:

• Professional, heated massage table 

• Fresh, clean sheets and linens

• Supportive bolsters for proper positioning

• Heated Eye mask (if you want one, trust me you do!)

• Professional-grade massage oils and lotions

• Calming music

• Relaxing scents (if you want them)

• My nursing knowledge, skilled hands and compassionate heart

You don't need to provide anything except space, which brings us to our next point.

The Space Requirements

Here's all you need: 3.5 feet wide by 7 feet long of open floor space. That's it.

This can be in your bedroom, living room, guest room, bonus room; wherever feels right to you. I've set up massage tables in all kinds of spaces. 

(If you need to move some small furniture to make room, I'm happy to help with that.)

The only other thing I need is access to a sink to wash my hands before and after your session.

What About Parking, Pets, and Other Details?

Parking: Regular street parking or your driveway works perfectly.

If there's anything special I need to know such as gate codes, visitor parking passes, complex entry instructions, just include that in the notes when you book.

Pets: Your pets are absolutely welcome to hang around during your massage if you want them there.

I'm comfortable with all animals, and honestly, they usually figure out pretty quickly that massage time equals calm time.

Most pets just settle down and enjoy the peaceful energy. If you'd rather have them in another room, that's fine too.

Temperature: As long as it's not uncomfortably hot (say 78+ degrees), your normal home temperature is perfect.

Setup and teardown: It takes me about 8 minutes to set everything up and 5 minutes to pack up afterward.

You don't need to help or hover, just keep doing whatever you're doing and know that your time to relax is being prepared.

Booking Your Appointment

You have two options for scheduling:

Online booking: Visit heldbyhannah.com and follow the prompts.

You'll select your service length (60, 75, 90, or 120 minutes), enter your address, and choose your preferred date/time.

After booking, you'll receive an intake form via email asking about your health history, current issues, and goals for massage.

Phone consultation: If you prefer talking to an actual human (me!) or have questions first, reach out through the contact here; https://www.heldbyhannah.com at the bottom of the page.

I'm happy to chat, answer your questions, and book your appointment directly.

Pricing and Service Area

I'm based in Southwest Austin and serve the greater Austin area, anywhere within 15 miles of downtown Austin, including Lakeway, Bee Cave, Kyle, Buda, and throughout central and south Austin.

If you’re more than 15 miles from downtown Austin, I would be happy to take a little road trip to visit you and an additional $25 dollars will be charged. 

• 60-minute massage: $150

• 75-minute massage: $170

• 90-minute massage: $190

• 120-minute massage: $220 

• Additional travel fee: $25 for locations beyond 15 miles from downtown Austin

  
  

While I offer various session lengths, I typically encourage 90-minute appointments. 

This gives us time for deep, focused work on your primary concern plus full-body integration. 

The exception is for seniors who might find extended time on the table uncomfortable, 60 or 75 minutes often works better.

What Happens During Your Massage

Before We Start

After I set-up, we will review your intake form together and check in about how your body is feeling that specific day. 

Bodies change constantly, maybe your neck was bothering you all week but your low back is now the real problem.

This conversation ensures the massage addresses what you need right now; client-centered tailored massage.

The Therapeutic Approach 

I practice integrated therapeutic massage, which means I blend multiple techniques based on what your body needs:

• Swedish massage: Long, flowing strokes that promote relaxation and circulation

• Deep tissue: Slower, deliberate pressure reaching deeper muscle layers

• Trigger point therapy: Focused stationary pressure on specific tension points that refer pain elsewhere

• Myofascial release: Sustained pressure that releases restrictions in connective tissue

• Manual lymphatic drainage (Vodder method): Light, specialized techniques that reduce swelling and support healing - especially beneficial post-surgery

• Pin and stretch: Combining pressure with movement to release adhesions

  
  

I don't follow a script. I respond to what I feel in your body and what you've told me you need.

What to Wear (or Not Wear)...

For purely myofascial or trigger point work, you can stay clothed. 

If you are wanting Swedish, Lymphatic Drainage or deep tissue you will need to be undressed to your comfort level, under the sheets and each body part is draped properly.

Here's the thing about underwear: I can understand that it may feel more comfortable to keep it on, but it makes it more difficult to effectively work your glutes with Swedish/integrated work…and trust me, almost everyone's glutes need attention; they literally hold your top and bottom together. 

That said, your comfort is the absolute priority.

You'll be under sheets and a blanket the entire time. 

I use proper draping techniques, meaning only the specific body part I'm working on is exposed. Everything else stays covered, easy as pie!

Your private areas will always remain covered, as I strictly follow all Texas draping laws.

If you've never had professional massage before, you might be surprised how natural and clinical this feels; my nursing background helps on many levels.

Communication During the Session

Always speak up if you need anything; pressure adjustment, position change, bathroom break, whatever.

Your comfort is my priority.

I'll check in with you a few times about pressure, but beyond that, I try to minimize talking.

There's a good reason: talking keeps you in your thinking mind and prevents your body from fully dropping into your healing, parasympathetic state where real release happens.

When we're quiet, your nervous system can finally shift out of fight-or-flight mode. 

That's when chronic tension lets go. 

That's when healing happens.

What Massage Feels Like

Swedish strokes feel smooth and rhythmic, generally pleasant and relaxing. 

Deep tissue work is more intense but shouldn't be painful and does not need to be painful.

You might feel what people describe as "good pain" ; pressure that makes you want to breathe deeply but doesn't make you tense up, this is our therapeutic window where tissue change can happen. 

Trigger point work can create brief, sharp sensations that refer to other areas, also eliciting that “good pain” feeling.

Myofascial release feels like sustained, sinking pressure. 

Lymphatic drainage is surprisingly light, gentle and quite rhythmic.

You might notice areas that are more tender than expected, emotional release, deep relaxation, warmth spreading through your body, or occasional muscle twitches. 

All of this is normal and means the work is effective.

After Your Massage

When we're done, I'll step out back to the sink to wash my hands/arms/elbows and give you a moment to slowly reorient yourself. 

Take your time, that spacey, deeply relaxed feeling is what we're going for and want to stay there as long as you would like, part of why you have me come to you.

Aftercare Recommendations

I'll give you personalized suggestions based on the work we did, but common recommendations include:

Epsom salt or magnesium baths: If we did particularly deep work, you might feel some soreness the next day or two (like post-workout soreness).

A warm (100-104 degree) epsom salt or magnesium flake bath is double self-care; the heat alone will help tremendously and you get the magnesium replacement to help with muscle recovery and keep you in that relaxed state.

Hydration: Massage stimulates circulation and helps release metabolic waste.

Drink plenty of water to support this process (but too much, over working your kidneys is not beneficial either)

Specific stretches: I'll recommend particular stretches based on what I felt in your body.

Rest: Move gently for the rest of the day. Your body just did significant work even though you were laying still. Let the body continue to heal and recover.

The Best Part? You're Already Home!

This is the most underrated benefit of mobile massage.

When I pack up and leave, you don't have to get in your car.

You don't have to be alert and functional when you're in that blissful state.

You can shuffle to your couch, make tea in your own kitchen, take that bath in your own tub, put on your comfiest clothes or robe on, and simply be.

This continuation of the therapeutic experience is something you simply can't get when you have to drive home from a spa.

How Often Should You Get Massage?

For acute pain or recent injury: Weekly or biweekly sessions initially. 

Your body will tell you when this can be reduced.

When improvements start lasting longer between sessions, we can taper to maintenance.

For general wellness/maintenance: Every 3-4 weeks, or up to 6 weeks depending on your activity level and stress load.

Most people find 3-4 weeks is the sweet spot.

Here's my philosophy: if you're going to work hard, you have to rest hard too.

The way we live now; constant stress, screen time, commuting, news cycles means even "normal" life creates significant amounts of tension in our bodies.

Regular massage isn't a luxury anymore. It's a necessary counterbalance.

Who Benefits Most from This Work

While almost everyone benefits from massage, certain people particularly thrive with my approach:

Seniors: I'm passionate about being Austin's go-to massage therapist for seniors.

Mobile massage eliminates transportation challenges, and I'm skilled at working with aging bodies, mobility limitations, and neuromuscular conditions.

I'm also happy to work with family members making care decisions for loved ones.

Post-surgical recovery: My manual lymphatic drainage certification makes me especially effective after knee, hip, or shoulder replacement if released by your surgeon.

It reduces swelling, speeds healing, and supports recovery.

Chronic pain conditions: My integrated approach using multiple modalities is effective for fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, arthritis, headaches, and complex pain patterns.

My nursing background means I understand the medical side and can work safely with various diagnoses.

Stressed professionals: Regular massage resets your nervous system, improves sleep, reduces anxiety, and builds resilience.

Mobile service fits into busy schedules without adding travel time for you.

Athletes and active people: Massage prevents injuries, speeds recovery, and keeps your body functioning optimally.

My Story: Why I Do This Work…

I've been a Licensed Massage Therapist since early 2024, but my journey with helping people feel comfortable in their bodies started much earlier.

I became a Certified Nurses Assistant at 15 years old.

At that age, I was already learning to be present with people in vulnerable moments, to provide care that was both technically skilled and deeply human.

I became a Registered Nurse in 2017 and spent four years in pediatric nursing, both bedside and case management, learning how bodies grow, develop, and heal.

Then I was offered the amazing opportunity to work as a Hospice Case Manager Nurse, supporting people through the end of their lives.

This experience fundamentally shaped how I understand healing and the human body.

When you sit with people who are dying, you learn things that can't be taught in any classroom.

You learn to hold space for big emotions.

You learn that healing isn't always about fixing, sometimes it's about allowing someone to simply feel what they're feeling.

You learn that the body and the mind and the heart are not separate things.

I'm what I'd describe as a highly sensitive person. For a long time, I thought this was something to manage or overcome.

But I have thankfully come to understand it as one of my greatest strengths in this work.

I'm naturally attuned to subtle shifts in energy, to what's not being said, to what the body is communicating beneath the surface.

My Bachelor's degree in Nursing gives me a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, and how body systems interconnect.

I don't miss contraindications that other therapists might overlook.

I know which techniques will be most effective for specific conditions.

I can read an intake form and immediately recognize where I can assist.

But more than the technical knowledge, my years as a nurse, especially in hospice and pediatrics, taught me how to simply be with people. 

How to create safety.

How to honor wherever someone is in their journey without judgment or agenda.

When I transitioned to massage therapy, it felt like coming home.

Touch is powerful medicine. Creating space for people to rest, to feel, to release what they've been carrying.

This is healing work in the truest sense.

I became a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist because I wanted to serve people recovering from surgery and dealing with swelling.

I've built a referral network of other practitioners because I know that if massage isn't helping your pain, I want to connect you with someone who can.

My philosophy is simple: everyone should be allowed to feel in order to heal.

Our culture doesn't give us permission to slow down, to rest, to acknowledge discomfort or pain.

My massage table becomes a place where you can do exactly that.

I want you to appreciate not just the relaxation of massage, but the professionalism, the therapeutic benefit, the logistical convenience of having this level of care come directly to you.

I want you to understand that taking 90 minutes to receive skilled, compassionate bodywork isn't selfish or indulgent; it is necessary.

Taking the First Step

The next step is a simple one:

Book your first appointment here; heldbyhannah.com.

Or reach out directly if you want to chat first; (512) 774-5993.

Your body has been carrying you through life; adapting to stress, holding tension, doing its best to keep you functional despite everything you ask of it.

You deserve attention. You deserve care. Your body deserves to be held.

That's exactly what I offer.