F.A.Q
What should I expect on the day?
After your initial consultation to establish what your needs are from the massage, your massage session will take place in a warm, comfortable, quiet room, with soft music to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
What do I wear to the massage?
Most massage and bodywork techniques are performed with the client wearing their underpants: bras are optional it’s just more comfortable to remove them at the beginning of the session to reduce the disruption to your treatment.
At all times you will be covered with a towel. Only the body parts being worked on will be displayed. For women strictly no breast work will be done, as breasts are fatty tissue there is no reason to massage this area.
During winter months you can leave dance/ track pants on to keep you warm it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean towel (the therapist will leave the room while you undress and relax on the table).
What body sensations will I experience during a massage?
It depends on the techniques used. I usually start with some myofascial techniques to gently stretch and loosen the muscles before doing more traditional work. I do this or two reasons; firstly to reduce the tension in the muscles, therefore reducing any discomfort in the massage, also to address any postural imbalances in the body.
As your body becomes more relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting, so communication is very important and focusing on breathing to help the body relax is also advisable.
What types of questions will my therapist ask?
You will be required to fill in a fairly extensive consultation form (it is suggested you arrive 10-15 min early so you will have enough time to fill it in and ensures your session is spent on the table rather than filling out a form). Some of the questions covered in the consultation form will be:
Past and current injuries, short medical overview (circle the complaint: eg diabetes, headaches etc), current practitioners, medications and supplements
What should I tell the therapist about myself?
Good communication is essential to an effective massage. As a client, it is good to communicate what you hope to get out of the session, for example do you want pain relief or relaxation, full body massage or focus on a specific area, the amount of pressure that you find comfortable, preferred techniques, and past medical history and current physical condition.
What should I do after a massage?
It is advised that you drink plenty of water before and after your treatment to ensure hydration of your body tissues. We further recommend that you take a hot shower or bath, this will be especially important after your first massage. The more that you receive massage work, the less likely you will experience post-session soreness.
How will I feel after my massage?
Massage such as sports, will loosen up your muscles and relieve most of your tension. However because the muscles get such a good workout (as if you have been to the gym) you may be left feeling sore and stiff the next day. That is because massage is equivalent to a 20 minute walk; so along with the endorphins that are released; toxins (lactic acid) is also being released and the body will work to process this hence you can feel a little stiff and sore after the massage. To alleviate this discomfort you can do the following things.
For the next three days after the treatment rub in products like deep heat, comfrey or arnica creams into the affected muscles. Place hot packs onto the area, and enjoy hot baths and showers to relieve any discomfort. On the forth day you will feel the beneficial effects of the massage, feeling loose, and comfortable, with a greater range of movement.
Also note that even though a single massage will be enjoyable, the effects of massage are cumulative and a course of massage treatments will bring the most benefits. With the ongoing treatment it would be expected for your regular massages to have the effect of strengthening and toning the entire body mechanism and so help to prevent unnecessary strains and injuries that otherwise might occur due to excess tension and any resulting structural weakness. back to top |
