Treatment Information
ENJOY YOUR OWN Dream Special Unique Best TOP-TO-TOE MASSAGE!
This is your quality time – your personalised massage.
Have you ever wished that you could experience the full-body, flowing massage that you truly desired? Imagine visiting your fully qualified and insured therapist knowing that your massage will be performed exactly as you want it without having to compromise on quality, your safety or application! That is precisely what I set out to do for you whereby from your very first session, you honestly convey to me what you wish for from your massage and you are then able to simply lay back, relax and relish that unique ‘me time’ in which you switch your whole mind into neutral and lose any inhibitions for the duration. In your mind, you go to your ‘special place’ where nothing else matters. When you leave after your massage, you will feel like you are “floating on air”, fulfilled, happy and ready to face the world again, knowing that you will always have the option of treating yourself to another two hours of bliss whenever you feel like it. Just remembering that will sustain you until your next session!
Do check out my FAQ page and just ask if you would like to know more about what a difference a lovely caring, slow, deep tissue massage can do to enhance your day and indeed your week!
Following are just some of the elements that can form part of your personalised massage . . . . . how you shape it is up to you!
Holistic Massage
Holistic massage therapy aims to treat the whole person, allowing you to relax and unwind from the stresses and strains of life whilst addressing the physical tensions that can build up in the body, so you will discover that the session takes into account your emotional wellbeing as well as your physical body.
A massage is best enjoyed with your eyes closed and by focusing on your breathing, you can assist yourself in becoming more and more relaxed, imagining your body becoming heavier and sinking ever deeper into the couch with every out-breath! You will very soon find your mind clearing of any anxieties that you may have been accumulating and you will feel warm, relaxed and very much cared for throughout your session.
Whilst I am here for you if you should wish to communicate during your massage, most clients are peaceful and just fully absorb everything about this wonderfully soothing experience. It is therefore not unusual for clients to doze off during a treatment so please do allow yourself to be fully immersed in the moment.
Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage, which is widely used by practitioners today was introduced to this country in the 19th century so it has been well tried and tested! It is a whole-body therapeutic massage designed to relax the muscles and joints. It has a range of health benefits from lowering blood pressure to easing migraines. I will utilise a variety of massage techniques, including percussive strokes where appropriate, both to help stimulate your circulation generally, encouraging increased blood, oxygen and nutrient levels to reach the body’s essential organs and to focus on highlighted areas of muscle tension and tightness. Whilst I will “read” the body to determine the optimum pressure applied, I may occasionally check in with you to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your session but not in any way to disturb your peace. I am here for you should you wish to sip some water for example or just ask anything along the way.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage literally takes your treatment to another level as it works on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Using slower and firmer strokes, I can work across the fibres of muscles and tendons. You will quickly find that it can ease and release tension deep in your muscles. It may also promote faster healing of muscle pain and stiffness by increasing blood flow and thereby reducing inflammation. This firmer touch can assist in relieving those irritating knots in the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia which supports your muscles.
I adapt the intensity of the massage to the individual needs and preferences of the client.
Although it is ideal for helping with musculoskeletal issues, such as general aches or strains, and can even assist in breaking down scar tissue, it also has psychological benefits in addition to the physical, as it can most definitely help you to unwind mentally, along with the additional bonus of giving your immune system a boost.
Abdominal Massage
This is an area which is too often neglected during massage and yet can only be beneficial to the digestive system by assisting in the removal of waste and toxins from the small and large intestines of the stomach and can help with such conditions as chronic constipation and fatigue. However, you certainly do not need to have an existing condition to experience the wonderfully soothing qualities of this gentle massage.
I would normally include this area in a full-body massage following a consultation, or when the client requests it and it is a beautifully flowing and enveloping massage which becomes integral to the overall ‘wow-factor’ of your holistic body experience.
Gluteal Massage
Many common daily activities using general body movements are dependent upon your gluteal muscles. These muscles are located in your buttocks and can naturally benefit from regular massage. In fact, the gluteus maximus which forms the main bulk of the buttock is the strongest muscle in the body. Sadly, once again, these are too often neglected during a massage, usually due to time constraints and also possibly because some might needlessly feel a little embarrassed when referring to what might be perceived as being a more sensitive area. However, once you have experienced this beautifully slow, deep and liberating massage, you will feel for yourself how by relaxing those tight gluteal muscles, you can benefit in helping to reduce such complaints as lower back pain, leg stiffness, pain around the hips and legs, and aches or pains in the buttocks themselves.
By alleviating many of these issues, you can help reduce any discomfort and stress that you may be carrying and find yourself feeling more comfortable in your day to day life.
The immediate effect of including the glutes is that I can effectively “extend” the lower back which you will perceive as adding a much deeper and more satisfying sensation to your massage.
It is good to know that this massage can not only help reduce pain issues that you may have in your lower back, but it can in some cases help alleviate other discomforts experienced throughout your body. Sometimes people don’t realise that ‘sympathetic pain’ is their problem. For example, if your legs are constantly sore and tense, it might actually be related to your lower back or buttocks rather than stemming from your legs directly. Massage can assist in reducing stress and pain over many areas of the body to help maintain correct function.
I will naturally ask you about your preferences regarding areas to be worked on before your session commences as no one specific massage will ever suit everyone and this is all part of the process to personalise your treatment in order that you can always be assured of a beautiful massage, designed just for you.
Endorphins help diminish the perception of pain and are produced by the brain and spinal cord, for example when stimulated through massage. A by-product of this can be a feeling of euphoria as these ‘feel good chemicals’ affect the whole of your body, and so my aim is much more than just about benefiting the local area that is being worked on. Your whole body will sense a delightfully tingly energy, yet at the same time, an intense relaxing and calming effect that will help you feel positive in many different ways while assisting your muscle health at the same time. It’s all about enjoying a wonderful holistic massage experience!
Foot Massage
One thing that clients occasionally remark upon is how much they appreciated having their feet massaged; how soothing it was. It is quite remarkable how many have never previously benefited from this delight and let’s face it, feet are very important extremities of the body which work extremely hard for us on a daily basis, too often taking quite a lot of abuse in the process! I can’t help feeling that the feet are very much taken for granted and are so deserving of some precious time devoted to them. Most people will have heard of the benefits of reflexology and these are due to the relationship that the different sections of the foot have with other parts of the body. During your initial consultation, I would establish whether you would like your feet to be included in your session, as although I personally would love them to be part of my 2-hour treatment, I am also aware that there are some ladies out there who simply would prefer their feet not to be touched, which is absolutely fine, so, as with everything else, I will not presume anything. It can be lovely though!
Hand Massage
How often are your hands held by someone else? When was the last time? Hand massage, particularly when carried out as part of a full-body massage, can have surprising benefits.
For example, it can help reduce anxiety and depression, improve your mood, help reduce high blood pressure while improving circulation and even assist in reducing pain caused by Arthritis when massage is received on a regular basis.
Above all else, it feels so relaxing and that after all, is what you are here for; to be soothed and pampered from head to toe!
Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage is an advanced massage in which I will utilise smooth, heated Basalt stones which form an extension of my hands, both in applying the massage and also by placing the heated stones on targeted areas of the body. By doing this, you will experience a wonderful warming effect of the muscles which can penetrate up to seven times deeper than a regular massage and it is deeply relaxing. The heat will allow for a comfortable yet deep massage treatment as it assists in the release of muscle tension. Some clients, having experienced a Hot Stone Massage, might prefer it over a regular massage although I should add that you will soon discover that there is nothing ‘second best’ about my regular massage!
During my regular massage, I ensure that at no stage do I lose contact with your body, (apart from when you turn over of course) as this enhances your sense of continuity and flow which is very important. With a Hot Stone Massage, there will inevitably be short interludes as I introduce or replace the different stones during the session.
Consultation
Prior to your first massage, I will carry out a short consultation to ensure that your treatment is safe for you and to establish that there are no contra-indications which may restrict or prohibit a massage. All information provided on your consultation form will be used solely for the purpose of providing the most appropriate treatment for you.
We will also establish at this time what you want most from your massage, so that you can truly make it your own.
Your personal data is strictly confidential, will be stored securely in hard copy, not electronically and will not be shared with anyone else.
After Care Advice
On arrival, you will be offered a glass of filtered water as we can become dehydrated, especially during and after a Hot Stone Massage but regardless of the type of massage you enjoy, please ensure that you drink plenty of water following your treatment. This will cleanse and nourish body cells, thus helping your body to expedite the post-massage release of harmful wastes and toxins. Assisting the body to increase your resistance to sickness is just one of the many benefits of massage. It is possible that you may experience an increased frequency of visits to the toilet, thereby allowing your body to get rid of waste. Your body may possibly also react afterwards by showing slight signs of stiffness, aching muscles and/or tiredness. Although this certainly doesn’t affect everyone, it is quite normal as your body is just re-adjusting following the session in what we could refer to as the ‘repair phase’. Please allow time to take it easy after your massage and do nothing strenuous in order that you can reap the full benefits.