Which Massage should I choose?
When you go to my booking calendar you will find a menu of Clinical & Holistic massage options. They are based on length of treatment and whether you are coming for the first time or are a repeat client. Please choose 1st appointment minute massage option if you haven't been to me before, if it has been a while or if your health conditions have changed substantially. If you are coming for pregnancy massage for the first time please choose that option.
You will also find a few popular add-ons: therapeutic heat (hot stones/warm bamboo), facial massage, foot massage and reiki. Therapeutic heat can add to the effectiveness and enjoyment of any treatment, whether it is more focused on clinical or wellbeing. Other add-ons can provide a more personalised treatment. If you have a particular enjoyment of foot massage for example, you can add this at booking - OR we can decide during the consultation that you would like a substantial amount of your normal treatment time on feet.
All my massage & bodywork treatments are based on who you are and what you need from the massage. This means that every treatment is different and what you need on the day. The consultation form and initial verbal consultation are really important, so please provide as much relevant information as possible. We can then come to shared idea of what the focus and goals of the treatment are. However, if the picture changes during the massage itself we can easily adapt the plan on the day.
Here is an example of of how wellbeing and clinical/remedial approaches may be used on the day
You are a first time client who has enjoyed a few spa massages in the past, and who is currently experiencing workplace stress. In the consultation we agree on a full body massage, with the emphasis on relaxation, using a NYR Organics aromatherapy oil with lavender, marjoram and geranium blend. However about 10 minutes into the massage you become aware of a pain in your right shoulder blade that you now remember is often painful after you have been sitting at your desk all day, and you are also aware of a lower back 'niggle'. We adjust our treatment plan by using some myofascial and trigger point work followed by stretching techniques to relieve these area, before returning to a more relaxation-based massage focus, including a mini head massage which you find especially relaxing.
When you go to my booking calendar you will find a menu of Clinical & Holistic massage options. They are based on length of treatment and whether you are coming for the first time or are a repeat client. Please choose 1st appointment minute massage option if you haven't been to me before, if it has been a while or if your health conditions have changed substantially. If you are coming for pregnancy massage for the first time please choose that option.
You will also find a few popular add-ons: therapeutic heat (hot stones/warm bamboo), facial massage, foot massage and reiki. Therapeutic heat can add to the effectiveness and enjoyment of any treatment, whether it is more focused on clinical or wellbeing. Other add-ons can provide a more personalised treatment. If you have a particular enjoyment of foot massage for example, you can add this at booking - OR we can decide during the consultation that you would like a substantial amount of your normal treatment time on feet.
All my massage & bodywork treatments are based on who you are and what you need from the massage. This means that every treatment is different and what you need on the day. The consultation form and initial verbal consultation are really important, so please provide as much relevant information as possible. We can then come to shared idea of what the focus and goals of the treatment are. However, if the picture changes during the massage itself we can easily adapt the plan on the day.
Here is an example of of how wellbeing and clinical/remedial approaches may be used on the day
You are a first time client who has enjoyed a few spa massages in the past, and who is currently experiencing workplace stress. In the consultation we agree on a full body massage, with the emphasis on relaxation, using a NYR Organics aromatherapy oil with lavender, marjoram and geranium blend. However about 10 minutes into the massage you become aware of a pain in your right shoulder blade that you now remember is often painful after you have been sitting at your desk all day, and you are also aware of a lower back 'niggle'. We adjust our treatment plan by using some myofascial and trigger point work followed by stretching techniques to relieve these area, before returning to a more relaxation-based massage focus, including a mini head massage which you find especially relaxing.
What Clinical and Holistic Massage?
You may be more used to the terms Swedish and Sports & Remedial to differentiate the intention and style of a massage treatment. Swedish primarily for relaxation OR Sports/Remedial to treat injuries. My approach is a bit different. I started my career 18 years ago as a massage therapist offering relaxation-based 'wellbeing' treatments which were extremely effective for many people with stress conditions and chronic illness. However as more clients presented with pain conditions I wanted to be able to help them resolve these and developed a strong interest in relieving chronic pain.
I have a person-centred approach to treating pain conditions; while working from a holistic wellbeing base, I incorporate effective clinical bodywork techniques to treat injuries and pain conditions as part of the whole-person picture.
Here is a simple example of how this approach may work
You have come to me because you have sprained your wrist quite severely, and have had to wear it in a sling for 3 weeks, leading to weak, short muscles and loss of flexibility around the affected area. Although the wrist and arm still ache and need support they are improving; you are keen to restore more normal function to these areas, which have been very restricted. While your wrist has been immobilised, you have had to find other ways of doing everyday activities, leading to new aches and pains in your other (non-dominant) arm and shoulder. You are frustrated by not being able to cycle at the moment and have not been sleeping well. You have also started to experience headaches due to restrictions in trapezius, leveter scapula and occipital muscles.
A massage treatment with me would take into account all the above and in full consultation with you, work out an effective treatment plan.
You may be more used to the terms Swedish and Sports & Remedial to differentiate the intention and style of a massage treatment. Swedish primarily for relaxation OR Sports/Remedial to treat injuries. My approach is a bit different. I started my career 18 years ago as a massage therapist offering relaxation-based 'wellbeing' treatments which were extremely effective for many people with stress conditions and chronic illness. However as more clients presented with pain conditions I wanted to be able to help them resolve these and developed a strong interest in relieving chronic pain.
I have a person-centred approach to treating pain conditions; while working from a holistic wellbeing base, I incorporate effective clinical bodywork techniques to treat injuries and pain conditions as part of the whole-person picture.
Here is a simple example of how this approach may work
You have come to me because you have sprained your wrist quite severely, and have had to wear it in a sling for 3 weeks, leading to weak, short muscles and loss of flexibility around the affected area. Although the wrist and arm still ache and need support they are improving; you are keen to restore more normal function to these areas, which have been very restricted. While your wrist has been immobilised, you have had to find other ways of doing everyday activities, leading to new aches and pains in your other (non-dominant) arm and shoulder. You are frustrated by not being able to cycle at the moment and have not been sleeping well. You have also started to experience headaches due to restrictions in trapezius, leveter scapula and occipital muscles.
A massage treatment with me would take into account all the above and in full consultation with you, work out an effective treatment plan.