Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear? How much clothing will I need to remove?

That depends entirely on your comfort level and what part or parts of yourself you'd like massaged. For a full body massage to allow me to provide you with the best massage I possibly can it is best to wear only brief style underwear. However I can work around trunks or boxers if needs be and I can also work around a bra, unclasping it once you're in position on the couch and refastening before you get up or turn over.

Of course if you only want a specific body part massaged you will only need to remove clothing from that part of your body and the surrounding area so for instance for a foot massage you'll need to remove your shoes and socks and it's best to roll up long trousers slightly to prevent getting oil on them or for a back massage it's only necessary to remove clothing from the upper body and loosen the waist of whatever you're wearing on your lower half, perhaps inching it down just a little for better access and once again to prevent oil getting on your clothes.

Also of course I'll keep you as covered as possible at all times, only undraping body parts when it's time to work on them and covering them again once we're done.

Will you leave the room when I undress?

Of course, after showing you into the room I will leave you to undress, lie on the couch and cover yourself with a towel. I'll wait just outside the door to the therapy room and won't re-enter until you tell me to.

The only exception to this will be if you need help getting onto to couch in which case it is entirely possible for me to do so without exposing you in any way.

I have medical issues. Is it ok for me to have a massage?

There are a number of conditions that can either prevent you from having a massage entirely, require you to consult with your doctor beforehand or stop you from having a specific part or parts of your body massaged. Please see the new client page for more information.

Will the massage hurt?

Absolutely not at all if you don't want it to. If you just want a gentle, relaxing massage I am perfectly happy to provide you with one. However, that being said...

...I am a firm believer in ‘good’ and ‘bad’ pain. I have been receiving massage myself for many years and I can honestly say some of the most painful massages have also been some of the most therapeutically effective for me.

Manipulating tight, tense muscle tissue, working through knots and adhesions and stretching out stiff muscles can be a little uncomfortable at the time but in my experience in the hands of a good therapist the pain relief and improved flexibility, strength and mobility afterwards have been worth it every time.

How soon will I need to come back?

That's entirely up to you. There is no such thing as too many massages in my opinion, personally I would gladly get one every day if I could! However, in the real world all of us are of course constrained by time and money so the best answer I can give you to this question is simply as often as you can comfortably afford and find time for. Assuming you're finding the treatment beneficial that is...

For me personally I have always found a weekly schedule to be optimal simply because I am a very active person and I find the weekly massage beneficial enough to justify the time and money. Many people find a fortnightly or monthly treatment to be perfectly adequate for their needs.

I will never put you under pressure to come any more often than you want or need to anyway and there is no requirement to book back in before leaving after your appointment if you don't want. Simply contact me when you feel like it's time for another massage and I'll fit you in.

How long until I feel better?

The vast majority of my clients (and myself too for that matter) feel the benefit of the massage immediately after if not during the treatment. How long that benefit lasts depends largely on the state of your overall health and how well you take care of yourself after your massage.

There is also the possibility you could feel a little tired, sore, nauseous or generally unwell after the massage, especially if it's your first time or your first in a while. Massage is a powerful stimulator of blood and lymphatic flow and can sometimes create a 'healing crisis' whereby the venous and lymphatic systems have to eliminate a lot more toxins and built up waste products than they are used to coping with. This does not generally last long though and is actually a strong indication you have gained significant benefit from the massage.

There is more information about the after effects of massage on the new client page as well as some after care advice to ensure you get the most out of your treatment.

What do I do if I’m self conscious about my body and am not comfortable about being undressed?

You are far from alone in this I'm afraid. Many new clients are shy or embarrassed about the way they look however, I have not had one yet who regretted conquering that embarrassment in order to receive a treatment. In fact over time most of them seem to end up with improved self-esteem.

I will of course keep you covered at all times except for the body part I'm working on, I will shield your body with a towel and look away when you need to turn over and I will do everything in my power to protect your dignity at all times. This is a safe place and I am not here to judge you.

What if I snore or my stomach rumbles or I have some other embarrassing body issue during the massage?

Massage done right switches on the body's parasympathetic nervous system which is to say it places the body into a relaxed state in which it is best equipped to heal and to nourish itself. This can make you extremely relaxed and sleepy and it also leads to increased digestive system activity.

Firstly, not only is it normal for you to fall asleep (and snore if you happen to do so) or for your stomach to rumble but these things are like a round of applause for me. They tell me I have done my job well. Frequent urination, defaecation and increased flatulence are also all very common after effects of massage so please don't be embarrassed if you have to go to the toilet right after or even during your treatment, it's not at all unusual.