Walking into a new clinic for the first time brings questions. What do you say? How does the session work? Will you actually feel different when you leave? At Deep Relief, we hear these questions often from new clients booking their first deep tissue massage in Austin, TX, and the answers are pretty straightforward.
This guide walks you through exactly what happens during a first visit, from the moment you arrive to the hours after your session ends.
Our clinic is located at 7101 State Hwy 71 Ste A-1 in Oak Hill, next to Wells Fargo. When you walk in, our front desk team greets you and gets you settled right away.
If you are a new client, you complete a brief intake form covering your health history, current pain complaints, and any conditions our team should know about before your session. This takes only a few minutes and directly shapes how your therapist approaches the session.
Yes, and it matters. The intake form is not administrative filler. It tells your therapist which body areas to prioritize, which conditions to work around, and what outcomes you are coming in for.
Our therapists review your intake before the session begins. If you have a specific complaint like sciatica, lower back pain, or shoulder tension, your therapist will already have a plan before they see you on the table.
This is one of the most common concerns new clients bring in, and it is the exact problem our Perfect Pressure Number System was built to solve.
Before your session begins, your therapist will ask you to rate your preferred pressure on a clear numeric scale. You can update that number at any point during the session, and your therapist calibrates in real time. You are never left wondering whether the pressure is too light to do anything or too heavy to tolerate. The feedback loop stays open throughout.
If you are booking a deep tissue massage, your session follows the DR Hit The Spot™ method. This is our trademarked deep tissue protocol, developed by our founder Dr. Lou (Louisa Tomaio, D.Ac.) from over 20 years of treating pain in both eastern and western clinical settings.
The method targets 7 specific body zones that clinical observation identifies as the most common sources of referred pain:
Each zone is worked using long gliding strokes, muscle stripping, trigger point therapy, and acupressure at key meridian points. The sequence is standardized, which means every session covers the areas most likely causing your pain, not just the spots you mentioned on the intake form.
Tight or chronically tense areas may feel intense during the session. Many clients describe it as productive discomfort, the kind that signals something is actually releasing rather than just being rubbed over.
With the Perfect Pressure Number System, you stay in control throughout. If any area feels like too much, you say so and we adjust immediately. A well-performed deep tissue session should not leave you in pain afterward. Some mild soreness in treated areas is normal within the first 24 to 48 hours, especially in tissue that has been chronically tight.
Drink water and keep movement light after your appointment. For most clients, the 24 hours after a session are when the body continues to process the therapeutic work.
Avoid intense physical exertion immediately after your first deep tissue session. Give your body the time it needs to respond. If you have soreness, that is a sign tissue was addressed, not that anything went wrong.
For muscle tension and soft tissue issues, many clients notice improvement within 24 to 48 hours of their first session. Chronic pain that has built up over months typically requires a series of sessions, usually three to six, before sustained improvement is established.
Our DR Hit The Spot™ protocol is designed to be repeatable and cumulative. The more regularly you come in, the more your body holds the improvement between sessions. That is why our members on monthly schedules consistently report better results than clients who come in only when pain peaks.
Yes. We offer massage therapy, acupuncture, dry needling, chiropractic care, cold laser therapy, and localized cryotherapy at our Oak Hill location. If your condition involves inflammation alongside soft tissue tension, combining massage with cold laser therapy in a single visit is a common and effective approach.
Not sure what to combine? Our team will recommend the right starting point based on your intake information and your primary complaint.
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield for acupuncture and chiropractic services. We also accept U.S. Department of Labor OWCP federal workers’ compensation for massage and acupuncture. If you have a different insurance plan, we can provide a superbill upon request so you can seek out-of-network reimbursement directly.
Verify your insurance coverage before your appointment to avoid any surprises. New clients also receive $30 off their first visit.
What should I wear to my first Deep Relief appointment? Comfortable clothing that is easy to change out of. For massage sessions, you will be draped throughout and only the areas being worked will be exposed. For chiropractic or dry needling, loose clothing that provides access to the treatment area works best.
How long is a first session? Most sessions run 50 to 90 minutes depending on what you book. Your intake adds a few minutes at the start, so plan for a little extra time on your first visit.
Do I need to book a specific therapist for my first visit? You can request a therapist by name or specialty, but all of our therapists are trained in the DR Hit The Spot™ method and the Perfect Pressure Number System. The protocol is standardized, so the quality does not vary based on who you see.
Can I get a massage if I am pregnant? Yes. We offer prenatal massage using safe positioning and techniques designed specifically for expectant mothers. Let our front desk know you are pregnant when you book.
What if I need a different treatment than what I booked? Our therapists conduct an intake assessment before every session. If a different modality is more appropriate for your condition, we can redirect within the clinic. You are never locked into a session that is not right for your needs.
We are located at 7101 State Hwy 71 Ste A-1, Oak Hill, Austin, TX 78735, next to Wells Fargo. Hours are Monday through Friday 10am to 7pm and Saturday through Sunday 10am to 6pm.
We’re here to help you feel better, whether you have questions about our services, want to book a session, or simply need guidance. Reach out to us at:
Our doors are open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday & Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Feel free to call or send us a message. We’ll respond as soon as possible and help you get the relief you’re looking for.
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