What should I expect during my appointment?

The therapist will carry out a full consultation with you which will include some medical health history. They will ask general questions to establish what needs to be worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and determine if massage is appropriate for you. It is important to inform your therapist of ALL health concerns and medications so they can adapt your treatment to your specific needs without doing harm.

What shall I wear?

Loose fitting clothing is best as if you are not comfortable removing items of clothing your therapist maybe able to fold and tuck your clothing appropriately to be able to treat the specified area. You might want to have a pair of shorts available. Ladies, please do not wear sports bras with no fastenings if you are not comfortable removing your bra. A normal bra can be undone and left in place on the massage couch. Ladies, it is also advisable to wear appropriately sized knickers to save embarrassment. Gents, I recommend wearing more fitted underwear (boxers or briefs) as they provide more support.

Do I have to be completely undressed?

You should undress to a level you are comfortable with. Your Therapist will maintain your modesty at all times. They have been trained to drape towels/sheets in specific ways to gain access to the area requiring treatment whilst keeping other areas covered. They will not ask you to remove any unnecessary clothing (e.g. for leg massage it is fine to keep your top on).

How long does a treatment last?

Most treatments are 60 minutes long. However certain conditions can be aggravated by lengthy treatments and your therapist might decide to shorten the treatment. Please note that all first treatments will start with a full consultation which can take up to 20 minutes.

Is the treatment confidential/private?

Absolutely yes, all Therapists are bound by Data Protection and patient confidentiality agreements, Therapists will only ever discuss your treatment with another practitioner with your consent and if they have any concerns about your progress or if you are presenting with any worrying symptoms.

Does the treatment hurt?

This will depend on the type of massage you are having. There is definitely a "grateful pain" that feels good and an "ouch, please stop" pain. If you feel you have to tense up and fight against what your therapist is doing which negates the relaxing effect of the massage, then that isn't beneficial.

Do I need to do anything specific to my skin before treatment?

The answer is no. It is better however to remain moisturiser free as sometimes it can interfere with specific techniques as it makes the skin slippery.

Is the Therapist insured and qualified?

Yes, your Therapist has attended intensive training courses and is required to maintain a certain level of knowledge by attending Continuous Professional Development courses. Your Therapist is fully insured. Please feel free to request to see the qualification and insurance documents, your Therapist will be happy to show them to you.

Can I talk during the treatment?

It's your treatment so if you'd like to talk, go right ahead! There maybe times when you need to speak up if your Therapist is doing anything that makes you uncomfortable, let them know immediately.

How many treatments will I need?

How long is a piece of string? Everybody is unique. It may need one treatment or it may take several. You can discuss this with your Therapist after your first treatment.

When should I avoid massage?

Do not get a massage if you have a fever, flu, contagious or infectious skin conditions, sun burn or are being treated for cancer. You shouldn't get a massage if you are under 12 weeks pregnant. Other conditions may require your therapist to adapt their treatment techniques (e.g. osteoporosis) so please inform them honestly of any health or injury concerns.

How will I feel after the treatment?

Many people feel very relaxed, some fall asleep during the treatment. This is perfectly ok. Some experience a decrease or freedom from chronic pain. You can feel tired for a short period of time and then notice an increase of energy, heightened awareness and increased productivity which can last for days. Sometimes you can feel slightly sore or bruised the day after a very deep tissue massage or after the application and removal of kinesiology tape. This is completely normal. Increase your water consumption to rehydrate your tissues and flush your system through to get rid of the toxins.

Massage Contra-actions

A contra-action is the body's normal reaction to massage, especially when extremely stressed or new to treatment.

Contra-actions may include:

• Tiredness

• Muscular aches

• Headaches

• Heighten emotional state

• Frequency in urination

• Change in sleep pattern

• Active bowels

• Increased urination

• Spots

• Dehydration

Any possible contra-actions you may experience are absolutely normal and will subside within 24 - 48 hours post treatment.

Massage Aftercare Advice

To get maximum benefit from the treatment received and to reduce contra-actions, please follow the advice below:

• Drink plenty of water to help flush toxins from the system.

• Avoid alcohol and excessive tea or coffee drinking for up to 24 hours after treatment. Due to dehydration the effects of alcohol may be increased.

• The detoxifying process can cause feelings of nausea. If this is the case, drink plenty of water.

• Rest after the treatment to allow the body to heal and get the full therapeutic benefits of the massage.

• Only eat light meals to help the body focus on natural healing.

After your treatment you may be given some stretches and after care advice. Make sure you follow the advice carefully.