FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)


1. What should I expect during my first AromatiqueMassage therapy visit?

Your therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on--if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition and to see if you have any inherent complaints.

2. Who will be my massage therapist?

Our selection of your therapist is based on availability, location, and any specific requests you might have made. We'll inform you of the therapist's name during the phone confirmation. Please note that a driving fee may apply depending on the therapist's location, as our therapists are spread throughout Los Angeles. More details on this can be found on our Prices or below for more details.

To secure a session at your preferred time, we highly recommend booking in advance. After your initial call, we usually need a minimum of 1 hour to arrange a therapist, but this can often be longer. Feel free to ask for more specific timing information during your call.

Each of our therapists strives to meet and often exceed your expectations for first-rate therapeutic massage service. Images on our homepage serve representational purposes only, showcasing a sample of our past and present therapists. They do not represent all of our available therapists.

Our therapists always arrive with a welcoming smile and are prepared to deliver a relaxing and refreshing massage experience to you."

3. Where will my massage session take place?

Your massage session should take place in a quiet and comfortable room such as your bedroom or living room. You will lie on a bed, couch, a mattress, mat or massage table (if you have one), wherever you feel comfortable. Since we are a Japanese-style company, we can adapt to a variety of media. Unless specifically requested, we do not bring a massage table at a hotel or an apartment due to the heaviness and bulkiness of the equipment. However, Most of our therapists have massage tables, so please specify if you need a massage table.

4. Should I be concerned about oil staining my garments and/or linens from the massage?

Your therapist will bring a few clean large bath towels on which you can lie down. As long as you are on the towels, you should not have to worry about oil stains. However, if you are wearing your undergarments during the massage, they may be susceptible to oil stains.

5. How should I prepare for the massage?

We recommend you prepare by supplying a bottle of water for your own drinking use and also favorite music that you want to listen to during the session. A therapist can use her own device to play music if requested. We will bring high quality comfortable towels, but if you want to use your own towels, feel free to do so. For a session, typically, you need three large towels, and one small towel.

6. What do I wear during the massage?

Depending on the primary technique your therapist uses, you may or may not need to undress. For a full body massage, most people undress completely. However, you may choose to wear underwear or special garments such as a thong or swimwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on.

7. What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?

Make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she will either move you or will ask you to move as necessary. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during their session; others prefer to talk. It's up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time.

8. How will a massage feel?

While all therapists are trained to perform the set Aromatique massage, the massage may feel slightly different dependening on the subtle techniques and strength differences of the individual therapist. Many massage therapists use a form of Swedish massage, which is often a baseline for practitioners. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes (effleurage) 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. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention if you feel any discomfort so that the massage therapist can use another approach or technique.

9. Will the massage oils used make me break-out?

All of our massage therapists use professional-grade hypoallergenic massage oils and world class hypoallergenic unscented lotion. (*See Supplies for details.) However, if you have sensitivity to certain types of oils or lotion, please bring it to the massage therapist's attention as we have an assortment of oils and also do not need to use the lotion or oil for our therapeutic massages.

10. Is a massage always appropriate?

No, there are several medical conditions that would make massage inappropriate. Please refrain from using our service if you have conditions such as: high blood pressure, a heart condition, infectious diseases, skin disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and pregnancy. It is also necessary that you fill out the health history form before you begin your session. The massage therapist will ask you general health questions to rule out any conditions which prevent you from experiencing a therapeutic, beneficial massage. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, we strongly advise that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to any session.

11. How often should I receive a massage per week or per month?

Although the answer depends on individual health conditions and needs, we recommend at least once a month to gain/maintain your optimal health condition. Massage benefits include improvement of metabolism and immune system, muscle tension and stress relief, and maintaining your overall well-being. The effect of massage therapy for some can be immediate, for others it may take some time.

12. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?

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. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. Massage therapists sometimes recommend a hot Epsom salt bath that encourages the release of toxins that may have been stirred up from the massage treatment.

13. Should I tip my therapist? And if so, how much?

Although not required, any amount of tip is encouraged and appreciated if you're satisfied with her service. All of our therapists generate their income based on their own commissions and by tips.

14. My credit card statement says "Ritsuno Corp." when I pay for AromatiqueMassage via paypal/credit card/over-the-phone. Is this OK?

Yes, it is. Ritsuno Corp. is our parent company, and all your Paypal/Credit Card/over-the-phone transactions with us, AromatiqueMassage, are billed by Ritsuno Corp. Your transaction is 100% secured by Paypal.

15. What is your reservation policy?

You can reserve your session in two ways.  1) Generally*, if you reserve an appointment within 24 hours of your requested session time, we will not require a deposit. 2) However, a reservation fee applies to appointments made 24 hours or more in advance. In that case, all of your total session fee must be deposited through our website using either a credit card or a Paypal account to confirm the appointment. Also, if you would like a massage outside of our phone reservation hours, please call us before 8:30pm the day prior; all early morning appointments require full payment through our website at the time of booking.

In case you cancel or reschedule a confirmed session 24 hours or less within the appointment, the reservation fee will not be refunded.  However, if you cancel or reschedule prior to 24 hours or more, we will refund you back the deposit amount minus a $90 service fee. Rescheduling will be considered as canceling the existing appointment and making a new appointment.

*In case your scheduled therapist becomes unavailable for your reserved session, we will send you another one available with no change in driving fee.  If we fail to deliver you the massage, we will refund you the full amount of deposit. Please go to Prices for details and prices.

16. What is your cancellation policy?

If you cancel any session within 80 minutes of your confirmed session/appointment time, you are required to pay a half (50%) of your session fee upon the cancellation. Failure to do so may prevent you from using our service any longer.

17. Are you open throughout the year?

Please refer to Our Hours of Operation. On the following major US holidays, therapists' availabilities may be limited (apologize for the inconvenience): New Year's Eve. New Year's Day. Independence Day. Labor Day. Thanksgiving Day. Christmas Day. To ensure booking our therapists on those holidays, please call us in advance to set up your session.