Soft Tissue Massage Therapy​

Prior to treatment you will need to fill out a health questionnaire. The information in this form will help Gary to create a bespoke treatment plan. It will help him to see “the bigger picture” of how and why you might be injured, and some of the current demands on your body. Always be open and honest in your communication regarding your prior and current health status. This way Gary will be able to help you achieve the most beneficial results from your sessions. 

Your massage session will take place in a warm, comfortable and quiet treatment room. Soft music may be played to help you relax, however no whale music or pan-pipes will be played during your session (Hehe!). You will lie on a heated massage couch, with pillows and bolster cushions available for your comfort. Clean towels will be provided to help keep you warm and comfortable. 

Gary has a holistic “whole body” approach to his treatments. For example, although you may have shoulder pain, Gary might discover that you also need some treatment around the lower back and up into the neck as part of your shoulder treatment. For treatment, you will need to undress down to a level that you are most comfortable with, which for many means down to underwear. Gary will give you privacy to undress and you will be covered with a towel at all times during treatment except for the area being treated. 

Make yourself comfortable, relax and breathe calmly. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session; others prefer to talk. It’s up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time and give feedback as to how you’re feeling. 

It depends on the techniques used. Your session may start with broad, flowing strokes (effleurage) that will help calm your nervous system and relax muscle tension. As your body becomes more relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relieve areas of muscular tension. A light oil (sweet almond massage oil) is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. 

As and when appropriate, Gary may use certain stretches as well as massage to help improve flexibility in certain muscles. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention if you feel any excessive discomfort so that we can adjust our approach or technique 

We use Sweet Almond massage oil. However, if you have any allergies or sensitivities to certain oils / lotions please let us know before your appointment. 

No, there are several conditions that would make massage inappropriate. That is why it is important that you fill out your initial health questionnaire thoroughly and you should always tell Gary of any changes to your medical health. It is very important that you inform us of any health problems or medications you take. If you are currently under the care of your GP, a consultant, or having ongoing investigations, it is strongly advised that you get written recommendation / consent from your doctor before proceeding. If in doubt check it out. 

Massage therapy sessions will vary in length but generally last for about 75-90 minutes. Sometimes these sessions can take longer depending on what we find and circumstance. Please try to avoid planning too many activities directly before or after your appointment. Giving yourself some time both before and after your appointment will give your body its best chance to relax and benefit from the treatment 

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water before and after your massage appointments. If deeper massage techniques have been used, it is not uncommon to feel a little uncomfortable for a day or two after treatment. This will soon settle, leaving you with increased flexibility and freedom of movement. 

While it is never our intention to “hurt” anyone during treatment, there may be an element of discomfort in order to make progress. This is often referred to as a “feels good kind of pain”. Sometimes it can feel quite uncomfortable if Gary is trying to relieve tension that has built up over time, especially if deeper massage techniques have been used. Usually within a couple of days this feeling is replaced by a feeling of looser muscles and often a greater range of movement is enjoyed. Everyone’s perception of pain varies and for this reason massage pressure can be adjusted accordingly. We will always work with your body’s natural response to pain rather than against it. If not we run the risk of taking away the relaxing effects of the massage. Longer term we are hoping to replace unwanted tension with a nice relaxed muscle tone. This new relaxed muscle tone will be more comfortable for you to live with, and often improves your flexibility and function. 

This varies depending on the individual. We will discuss your treatment plan together, taking into consideration any injuries and your goals. If you are looking for some help with muscle relaxation, then a session about every 3 to 6 weeks may be perfect for you. However, if you are looking to address a specific injury or niggle it will be helpful to have treatment more frequently at first and then slowly taper down to a maintenance schedule. Some people choose regular ongoing treatment as a preventative measure in order to avoid pain and discomfort in the long term. 

Each person, their condition, and their ability to heal and recover from injury or tension is unique to them. The number of sessions you choose to have will ultimately be up to you. This will depend on your goals, any changes to your lifestyle, your muscle’s ability to adapt to change, and often postural issues. Gary will always work with you as a team, to achieve the improvements that you seek. Some people choose regular ongoing treatment as a preventative measure in order to avoid pain and discomfort. 

Your first appointment will always be a one-off “Initial Meeting”. This allows you to try us out without committing to a block of treatments when you don’t really know what to expect. Most people usually tend to book a block of five or six treatments after they feel the benefits of that first appointment. A lot of our clients feel that they greatly benefit from choosing our, “Best of Both” package. This package gives you access to 3 soft tissue massage therapy with Gary and 3 Physio sessions with Charlotte. She will suggest self help type exercises to get you to stretch and strengthen your muscles to help you live your best life. 

You should not book a massage appointment if you have any Covid symptoms, fever, cold or flu, or a contagious skin infection. If you do have any of these symptoms, please give 48 hours notice and reschedule your appointment for another time. Some conditions will require approval from your physician before you receive massage, such as cancer, certain heart conditions and pregnancy. Always be open and honest in your communication regarding your previous and current health status. This way your therapist will be able to help you achieve the most beneficial results from your sessions.