About Tania Velásquez, LMT

What to expect in a session

👋🏽 Hi, nice to meet you


Thanks for visiting my website.

I’m Tania, a licensed massage therapist in NYC with two decades of experience and a clinical approach that’s tailored to you.

My work is evidence-informed and assessment-driven. Clients book with me for orthopedic-focused massage, recovery support, stress relief, and persistent pain that has been hard to move past.

People come to me because I stay current, communicate clearly, and work with precision. If your situation calls for additional support, I have a solid referral network and I’m happy to collaborate.

Think of me as part of your broader care team. I’m here to help you understand your body better, answer your questions, and help you feel more like yourself.

Who I Work With

My clients include athletes, creatives, professionals, fellow healthcare providers, and people living with chronic conditions. Some come in for persistent pain that’s been affecting quality of life. 

Others want recovery, relaxation, and improved body-mind connection. Either way, you can expect care that’s professional, tactful, and designed to put you at ease.

Over the years, I’ve seen the timeless value of massage bring about longer-term shifts in how people move, recover, regulate stress, and experience comfort in their bodies.

🤲🏽 Philosophy & other tidbits


I take an integrated, trauma-informed approach and have been fortunate to learn from exceptional teachers throughout my career.

Massage therapy also runs in my family. My great-grandmother, Doña Teresa García Aveiga de Velásquez, was a curandera who practiced Ecuador’s indigenous Quechua healing methods. 

I carry forward that meditative, respectful practice alongside Eastern traditions and modern, science-based modalities.

I also teach this approach in a course I developed called OPEN Bodywork.

📌 Education & projects 


  • Founder, Pinpoint Education

  • Developer, OPEN Bodywork

  • Pinpoint DNM and Tui Na instructor

  • Former adjunct faculty, Pacific College of Health and Science (10 years)

  • Former member, Massage Therapy Foundation Research & Education Committee

For more info, visit my umbrella website here →

What to Expect in a Session

Everything you need to know before your first massage

  • • Reschedule if you're sick
  • Before you schedule...
  • • 
  • • Intake + assessment...
  • • During the session...

  • •  Draping + privacy...
  • •  Comfort preferences...
  • •  After the session...
  • •  Home visits (if applicable)...
  • •  Client/patient rights...


✋🏽Before scheduling

  • If you’re dealing with an injury or medical condition, make sure you’ve received appropriate medical clearance. If you’re not sure, we can talk through it during your free 15-minute consult.

  • Please allow a little buffer time before and after your appointment so you don’t feel rushed.

  • If you can, give yourself some quieter time after your session. If you can’t, that’s okay.

  • Try not to come in on an empty stomach or right after a heavy meal.

  • Please avoid alcohol before your session. Caffeine isn’t ideal right beforehand either.

🤒 If you’re sick, please reschedule

To keep everyone healthy, please reschedule if you suspect you’ve been exposed to a contagious illness (cold, flu, COVID), or if you’re currently experiencing symptoms like:

  • fever/chills

  • cough, sore throat, congestion

  • shortness of breath

  • nausea/vomiting/diarrhea

  • new loss of taste or smell

  • widespread rash, infection, or skin irritation that may be contagious
    If you’re unsure, reach out and we’ll decide what makes sense.

📝 Intake + assessment

Before your first appointment, you’ll complete a confidential intake and consent form (often in advance). We’ll review it together briefly before we begin. This helps me work safely and tailor the session to your goals within the time we have.

You can tell me:

  • what you want addressed, and what you want avoided

  • pressure preferences (gentle, deep, somewhere in between)

  • anything you’re nervous about

You can ask for changes at any time.

    💆🏻 During the session

    You can stay in loose, comfortable clothing, or undress to your comfort level and use draping. We’ll make sure you’re fully comfortable before we begin.

    Please tell me if you:

    • feel cold or want more/less pressure

    • want to avoid an area

    • need a break or water

    • want quiet or different music

    Communicating is welcome and encouraged.

        🙏🏽 Draping + privacy

        You will be covered securely at all times. Your comfort and modesty are always respected.

            🤲🏼 After the session

            When the session is complete, I’ll step out so you can get ready in private. Take your time getting up slowly.

            How you feel afterward can vary depending on the techniques used, session length, and what you do later that day. Many people feel relaxed and clear. 

            Some feel energized. Occasionally, mild soreness can happen. It shouldn’t feel sharp, alarming, or linger beyond about 24 hours. If it does, tell me so we can adjust next time.

                ✅ Your rights as a client / patient

                You have the right to:

                • a professional, sanitary environment

                • clear information about what we’re doing and why

                • privacy and confidentiality

                • pause, change, or refuse any part of the session at any time

                    🏠 Home visits (if applicable)

                    For home visits, a massage table is required. If you don't have a table yet, I'm happy to help you choose one before our appointment.

                    • Your appointment time is my arrival time. Please plan for a few minutes of setup and breakdown.

                    • Please have a clean, clear space ready for the table with enough room for me to work around it comfortably for you.

                    • You’ll provide clean sheets for the table. 

                    • A restroom with soap and water needs to be available nearby.

                        .