+ What should I expect for my first session?

Your first session will include an initial consultation where I will ask questions about your medical history and how you use your body on a weekly/daily basis (e.g. occupation, hobbies etc.)
I might also conduct a quick postural assessment. You can either wear your normal underwear or bring a pair of shorts and a tank top to change into.
I will also ask questions about your massage history, what pressure you like, what you expect from the session and what type of massage is going to be most suitable for you on the day.
I will leave the room to allow you to get undressed and comfortable on the table. After the session, if I think it might be useful, I will give you some home care advice, such as stretches or strengthening exercises.

+ So… clothes or no clothes?

Your comfort is my main concern. If you feel better keeping your clothes on, I will find a way to work around it. It might make it a little more difficult to work on certain areas though. When my clients get undressed, I leave the room unless they tell me they don’t mind me staying.
When I massage, I cover my clients with drapes and only uncover the part of the body that I am working on. I always ask my male clients to keep their underwear on.

+ How will I feel after my massage?

You’ll feel absolutely amazing, of course! It’s common to feel relaxed and a little spaced out after massage. It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and wake up a little bit before driving.
You may also feel a little achy after a deeper massage, but that shouldn’t last more than about 72 hours.
Very occasionally, if you’re experiencing the first signs of cold, a massage can make the symptoms feel worse. It doesn’t mean massage makes you sick, it just quickens the natural course of your cold.

+ Do I have to play sports to get a sports massage?

It’s actually one of the biggest misconceptions about sports massage. You certainly don’t need to be an athlete to receive sports massage!
Sports massage is simply a more targeted, sometimes deeper kind of massage. It can help address an acute or reoccurring injury, which can include those that aren’t sustained during exercise.
A sports massage session may include stretches and mobilisations, deep tissue work, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and other more advanced techniques.

+ How often should I have massages?

It very much depends on your circumstances. If you have an acute injury (after the inflammation subsides), or if you have a particularly tight area, I would advise having 3-6 sessions in quick succession - so weekly or bi-weekly. After that, the sessions can be spread out a little more.
In general, having a massage session every 3-4 weeks is a great way to maintain the positive effects of massage, such as stress reduction, better sleep and muscle tension reduction.

+ Am I too big/small/other to have a massage?

No, you are definitely not! I strongly believe every body deserves looking after and massage can be enjoyed by everyone. I will work with your feedback and use bolsters and pillows to ensure you are comfortable throughout your session.
Please be aware, my massage room is currently located at the top of a few flights of stairs. To give you an idea, my heavily pregnant clients can make it up there, but it might be worth giving me a call to chat if the sound of stairs makes you nervous.

+ Are there any risks with massage?

Massage is a wonderful therapy that has countless positive health benefits. However, there are some rare cases when massage should be avoided or - at least - delivered by a specially trained therapist. Those cases involve the following:

• Blood clots - there are a few risk factors for blood clots, such as certain medication, injury, surgery or in rare cases pregnancy. Massage may dislodge the entire or part of the clot, which could be very dangerous. These cases are extremely rare and a person with a blood clot will in most cases present with deep (unexplained) pain, sometimes swelling or skin discolouration around the location of the clot. I would not work with anyone with similar symptoms for their own safety and I would refer them to their GP for further testing.
• Brittle bones - this is either a congenital condition or something that develops later in life, perhaps through osteoporosis or arthritis. People with brittle bones can still enjoy and benefit from massage, but they must warn their therapist and ask for lighter pressure to avoid bone fractures.
• Skin infections - anyone with a potentially infectious skin condition should avoid going for massage until it clears to avoid passing it onto the therapist or other clients. If you have a cold sore, warts or athlete's foot, that’s fine - just let me know and I will avoid working on the affected areas. Massage elsewhere on the body is perfectly safe. I always wash my hands between clients, use paper roll and clean sheets to avoid spreading any infections.
• Other undiagnosed/serious condition - unexplained pain, heart and neurological conditions should, of course, always be treated with caution. It’s best to get all clear from your primary health care provider before booking a massage session. People undergoing cancer treatment can benefit from massage greatly, but it’s best to find a therapist who has been trained in oncology massage.

+ Is massage safe during pregnancy?

Yes, massage is a perfectly safe kind of therapy to receive during pregnancy, including the first trimester. If anything, massage can only benefit a pregnant woman because it can help reduce stress levels, improve sleep, alleviate muscle aches and tightness. However, there are some exceptional circumstances if a woman is having a high risk pregnancy, for which massage may not be advisable. In such cases it is important to check with your primary health care provider if it is safe to receive massage.

+ What is your cancelation policy?

My time is committed to you as soon as we arrange an appointment and I add it to my calendar. However, I understand that your plans have to change sometimes. To ensure my consistent income, I kindly ask you to give me at least 24 hours’ notice when you need to cancel or re-schedule your appointment. This allows me to offer your appointment time to someone else and saves me from charging you. Cancelled or re-arranged session with less than 24 hour notice will regrettably be charged for at full price.

The best way to contact me if you need to re-schedule or cancel your session is by calling or texting me on 07523 562076. If there is no answer, please leave me a voicemail. I don’t check my emails regularly when I work.

I appreciate your understanding and respect of my cancellations and re-scheduling policy.