Service Contraindications & Considerations
These guidelines explain when services at The Traveling Sole may need to be modified, postponed, or declined. They are not exhaustive and do not replace the required intake process, professional judgment, or medical advice.
Please provide complete and accurate health information before your session. If you are uncertain whether a service is appropriate, contact me before booking. Massage and bodywork should not be used to delay evaluation of a new, severe, or worsening medical concern.
Some items below are firm policies of The Traveling Sole, while others require individual review or medical clearance. Final service eligibility and any necessary modifications are determined based on safety, scope of practice, training, and the information available at the time of your appointment.
Barefoot Massage & Bodywork
About Barefoot Massage & Bodywork
Barefoot massage uses slow, broad, sustained pressure delivered with the feet and controlled body weight. It may be a good fit if you enjoy deeper pressure and prefer slower, focused bodywork rather than light-touch relaxation massage.
Pressure is adjusted within safe limits according to your comfort and individual needs. If you are uncertain whether barefoot massage is appropriate for you, please contact me before booking.
Barefoot massage and bodywork services are available to clients 18 years of age and older.
Barefoot Massage Is Not Offered If You:
* Are pregnant or trying to conceive
* Have an active contagious illness, fever, infection, cellulitis, phlebitis, or contagious skin condition
* Have a known or suspected blood clot, active thrombosis, or unexplained one-sided swelling, redness, warmth, or pain
* Are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
* Have severe osteoporosis
* Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or an unstable or serious heart condition
* Have a recent fracture, dislocation, major bone or joint injury, or surgery that has not healed sufficiently
Please Contact Me Before Booking If You Have:
Having one of these conditions does not necessarily prevent a session, but modifications, postponement, or medical clearance may be needed:
* Osteopenia or another condition affecting bone strength
* Varicose veins or a condition affecting circulation, sensation, blood clotting, or healing
* Diabetes, hypoglycemia, hemophilia, kidney disease, or a history of thrombosis or aneurysm
* A pacemaker, stent, shunt, or serious cardiovascular condition
* An autoimmune or neurological condition, including neuropathy
* Numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, progressive weakness, or unexplained pain
* A spinal or disc-related condition
* Surgical hardware or implants, including joint replacements, rods, plates, screws, fusions, mesh, or an IUD
* A recently placed breast, pectoral, gluteal, or calf implant
* A recent injury, surgery, injection, epidural, nerve block, Botox, cortisone treatment, or eye procedure
* An active autoimmune or digestive flare
* Long-distance air travel exceeding six hours within the previous 24 hours
* Any condition or medication affecting sensation, circulation, bleeding, inflammation, healing, or your ability to tolerate firm pressure
During Your Session
Barefoot massage involves firm, sustained compression and is not a light-touch modality. Please communicate if the pressure becomes uncomfortable or causes pain, numbness, tingling, dizziness, or another concerning sensation. Pressure will be adjusted or the technique discontinued when needed.
Direct barefoot pressure will not be applied over varicose veins, vulnerable implants, recent surgical sites, active inflammation, contagious skin conditions, or areas with significantly impaired sensation. Another service may be recommended when firm compression is not appropriate.
These guidelines are not exhaustive. Final eligibility, pressure, positioning, modifications, and any need for medical clearance are determined according to safety, scope of practice, professional judgment, and the information available at the time of your appointment.
Vibroacoustic Therapy
About Vibroacoustic Therapy
Vibroacoustic Therapy uses low-frequency sound converted into gentle vibration through transducers beneath the massage table.
It may be offered as a standalone PureVAT session or incorporated into massage, bodywork, or Reiki using Vibroacoustic Music (VAM).
VAT is designed to be gentle, and the intensity is adjusted for comfort. The information below helps identify when a session may need to be modified, postponed, or approved by a medical provider.
Vibroacoustic Therapy Is Not Offered If You:
* Are pregnant or could be pregnant
* Have a known or suspected blood clot, active thrombosis, or unexplained one-sided swelling, redness, warmth, or pain
* Have active bleeding (excluding menstruation) or an uncontrolled bleeding disorder
* Are currently experiencing psychosis or have recently experienced a psychotic episode
* Cannot safely use the massage table or reliably communicate discomfort
Please Contact Me Before Booking If You Have:
Having one of these conditions does not necessarily prevent you from receiving VAT:
* Very low blood pressure or a history of dizziness or fainting
* A pacemaker or another implanted electronic medical device
* A history of blood clots, abnormal bleeding, or a blood-clotting disorder
* Post-traumatic stress disorder, a significant trauma history, panic attacks, or dissociation
* A history of psychosis that is currently stable
* A serious cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological condition
* A recent injury, surgery, medical procedure, or area of acute inflammation
* Dialysis, an implanted port, catheter, shunt, or another medical device
* Significant numbness, altered sensation, vertigo, or sensitivity to sound or vibration
* Any condition or medication that may affect bleeding, blood pressure, sensation, alertness, or your ability to tolerate the session
During Your Session
Vibration should feel comfortable—never painful or overwhelming. The intensity and table heat can be adjusted or stopped at any time.
Please communicate any physical discomfort, dizziness, emotional distress, or unexpected response. The session will be modified or discontinued if needed.
Vibroacoustic Therapy is supportive wellness care and does not replace medical or mental-health treatment. These guidelines are not exhaustive. Final eligibility, modifications, and any need for medical clearance are determined according to safety, scope of practice, professional judgment, and the information available at the time of your appointment.
Fascia-Focused Bodywork
About This Service
Fascia-focused bodywork may include hands-on or barefoot techniques, guided breathing, supported positioning, and guided use of a Block Therapy block during your session. Pressure, positioning, and block placement are adjusted for your comfort and safety.
In-session block use is different from the official self-guided Block Therapy Starter Program, which includes its own instructions and safety guidance.
This service is available to clients 18 years of age and older.
This Service Is Not Offered If You:
* Are pregnant
* Have an active contagious illness, fever, infection, cellulitis, or contagious skin condition
* Have a known or suspected blood clot, active thrombosis, or unexplained one-sided swelling, redness, warmth, or pain
* Have a recent fracture, dislocation, or surgery that has not healed sufficiently
* Have severe osteoporosis
* Are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
* Are experiencing an active autoimmune flare
* Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or an unstable or serious cardiovascular condition
* Cannot safely maintain the necessary positions or reliably communicate pressure, sensation, or discomfort
Please Contact Me Before Booking If You Have:
Having one of these conditions does not necessarily prevent a session, but modifications or medical clearance may be needed:
* Osteopenia or another condition affecting bone strength
* Diabetes, neuropathy, or another condition affecting sensation or healing
* A bleeding, clotting, or circulation disorder
* A pacemaker, stent, shunt, or serious heart condition
* An autoimmune or neurological condition
* Surgical mesh, joint replacements, spinal rods, plates, screws, fusions, or other implants
* A recent injury, surgery, injection, epidural, nerve block, or cortisone treatment
* A spinal condition or history of a significant rib, chest, or abdominal injury
* Unexplained pain, numbness, tingling, dizziness, or weakness
* Any condition or medication affecting sensation, circulation, bleeding, inflammation, healing, positioning, or your ability to tolerate sustained pressure
During Your Session
Pressure and positioning should feel manageable and should never cause sharp pain, numbness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or a sense that something is wrong. Please communicate any discomfort immediately so the session can be adjusted or stopped.
Blocks and direct compression will not be applied over vulnerable implants, recent surgical sites, active inflammation, areas with significantly impaired sensation, or other locations where pressure may be unsafe.
After Your Session
Temporary mild soreness, tenderness, or fatigue may occur following bodywork and should improve rather than become progressively worse. Severe, worsening, or persistent symptoms should not be assumed to be a normal release or “healing crisis” and may require medical evaluation.
These guidelines are not exhaustive. Final eligibility, positioning, pressure, use of equipment, and any need for medical clearance are determined according to safety, scope of practice, professional judgment, and the information available at the time of your appointment.
Himalayan Hot Stones
About Heated-Stone Use
Comfortably warmed Himalayan salt stones may be incorporated into certain massage or bodywork sessions. They may be used briefly in selected areas or more extensively when included in a stone-focused service.
The temperature, placement, and length of heat exposure are adjusted according to your comfort and individual needs. These safety guidelines apply whenever heated stones are used.
Services incorporating heated stones are available to clients 18 years of age and older.
Heated Stones Are Not Used If You:
* Have an active fever, contagious illness, or infection
* Have an open wound, burn, sunburn, skin infection, or contagious skin condition in the treatment area
* Have an acute injury, active swelling, or significant inflammation in the treatment area
* Have a known or suspected blood clot or active thrombosis
* Cannot reliably sense temperature, communicate discomfort, or reposition safely
Your session may proceed without heated stones when appropriate.
Please Contact Me Before Booking If You Have:
Having one of these conditions does not necessarily prevent the use of heated stones, but reduced heat, modified placement, or medical clearance may be needed:
* Diabetes, neuropathy, numbness, tingling, or reduced temperature sensation
* Heart or vascular disease, circulation concerns, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or varicose veins
* Cancer or active cancer treatment
* An autoimmune condition, epilepsy, or a seizure disorder
* Pregnancy or the possibility of pregnancy
* A recent surgery, injury, injection, or medical procedure
* Sensitive skin or another condition affecting the skin
* A history of heat intolerance, dizziness, fainting, or becoming overheated
* Any condition or medication affecting sensation, circulation, blood clotting, blood pressure, or heat tolerance
During Your Session
The stones should feel comfortably warm—never painfully hot. Please report excessive warmth, burning, stinging, numbness, dizziness, nausea, or other discomfort immediately. The temperature and placement can be changed, or the stones removed, at any time.
Heated stones will not be placed over active inflammation, open or irritated skin, vulnerable implants, recent surgical sites, areas with impaired sensation, or other locations where heat may be unsafe.
These guidelines are not exhaustive. Final use, temperature, duration, and placement of heated stones are determined according to safety, scope of practice, professional judgment, and the information available at the time of your appointment.