What is massage?

The essential element across all kinds of massage is touch, a basic

way of making contact with others, which we all need. For a

baby, nurturing touch is essential for growth and development.

If a child falls over, we instinctively ‘rub it better’. Massage uses

touch in a sensitive and respectful way, with the intention of

promoting a sense of well being in the receiver.

This means the therapist takes account not just of your physical

symptoms, but of your mental, emotional and spiritual being, and

the circumstances under which you live your life. For instance, if

you have no housing and are unemployed, this could affect

your physical and mental health. Understanding the context in which

problems develop is as important as looking for the symptoms.

A holistic approach is often seen as being the very opposite of

conventional medicine, but not all complementary therapists

work holistically, and conventional medicine can be practiced in

a holistic way.

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Will I have to undress?

For massage with oils, including aromatherapy, you will need

to take off some clothes. How much depends on what feels

comfortable for you. Your privacy will always be respected.

During the massage, you will be covered with towels, except

for the part being massaged. Normally, to have a massage with

oils, you would lie on a massage table or couch. You can ask

to have only your neck and shoulders, or back massage if you

want to try out how massage feels.

For Thai massage, you wear

loose clothes, and lie on a mat or futon on the floor.

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What happens in a massage session?

Sessions can last for anything between 60 and 90 minutes,

depending on the type of massage. One hour is typical. At

your first appointment, You will be asked about your

current and past illnesses, accidents or surgery, and whether

you are taking any medication. Such information is confidential.

It’s part of my job to make you comfortable,

If there are parts of your body where you prefer not to be

touched, please do tell. For instance, the belly is a

sensitive area where many people feel vulnerable. A therapist

should never touch the genital area, or a woman’s breasts. But

the lower back, buttocks and thighs are normally included in a

whole-body massage.

Soft music & candles helps some clients let go of worries or negative

thoughts. Others find music distracting, so please do tell

if you don’t want it.

The massage often starts with the practitioner gently placing

their hands on your back, head or feet for a few moments. From

this connection, an aware practitioner will gain information

that will help them give you a treatment that is right for you.

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You will often be asked for feedback, such as, ‘How’s the

pressure? Is it too light, too strong, or about right?’ If you have

massage regularly, your response to this question will vary,

according to your state of health and energy levels. You

may be encourage  to take a more active part in the treatment,

for instance by suggesting how you can breathe more slowly.

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It’s not necessary to chat during a session, and you are more

likely to benefit if you can quietly focus on your breathing and

bodily sensations. You may find it more relaxing with your eyes

shut, but if you are troubled by upsetting thoughts, having

your eyes open may be a kind of ‘reality check’ to help root you.

Sometimes you will be touched in an area that feels sore, but

also feels as if it needs to be held or pressed. This is sometimes

called ‘nice pain’, or ‘good pain’. Before you get up, take time

to notice how you are feeling and what feels different.

What are the benefits of massage and how does it help?

Having a treatment can be part of how you look after yourself,

and can help you discover what deep relaxation feels like. A

common effect is a balancing one. If you are feeling

agitated, it

will help to calm you. If you are tired and lethargic, it will make

you feel lighter and more energetic. If you are in severe distress,

massage can help you feel more ‘in your body’ and grounded.

Emotionally, massage enables you to feel nurtured and cared

for, and can help you feel more positive about your body. For

those who lack physical touch in their daily lives, for instance

many elderly people, massage can be affirming and nourishing.

If you find talking about yourself difficult, bodywork is another

way that could help you explore how you are feeling.

On a physical level, massage actively promotes the circulation of

blood and lymph through the body, aids digestion, and alleviates

chronic muscle tension. It helps with the symptoms of anxiety and

panic, such as palpitations, a tight chest, and shallow breathing.

It may also relieve some of the side effects of medication. Massage

is good at times when orthodox medicine has little to offer, for

example for relieving headaches, backache and other chronic pain.

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When will I start to feel the benefits?

Because the treatment is individually tailored to your needs at

the time, massage helps bring you into a more balanced, tranquil

state. It can be both calming and stimulating, so that you may

notice sluggish areas feel more active, and ‘busy’ areas quieter.

Many people report sleeping better after a treatment.

After a massage, while toxins are shifting out of your system,

you may experience mild flu-like symptoms or aches. This is

a ‘healing reaction’, and won’t last long. Drinking plenty of

water after a treatment will help to cleanse your system.

The longer-term benefits of regular treatments include becoming

more aware of your own body and its needs. You can learn to

notice the signs of stress in your body sooner, and find new ways

of coping with, or preventing illness. Massage can help you build

up your self-esteem through recognize that you deserve to

receive something good for yourself.  I will suggest

self-help exercises to improve your posture or relieve back pain.

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How often should I have a massage?

This will depend on each person’s particular circumstances, their

health, and their finances. Even a one-off or occasional massage

can be helpful, and may put you in touch with your own body

in a way that could lead you towards other activities, such as

meditation, yoga or tai chi. A massage once a month is good,

if you can afford it.

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Is massage always helpful?

If you are generally healthy, massage can help maintain good

physical and mental health. If there are times when you are

unwell, massage may or may not be a good idea. Many people

who have used mental health services recognize their own early

signs of illness or crisis. At this stage, it’s important to seek known

sources of support, which could include massage, especially if

you have benefited from it before. If you are in mental health

crisis, for instance feeling suicidal, wanting to self-harm, or

hearing voices, whether massage can help will depend partly on

your personal situation. Are you in a place where you feel safe and

supported? This could be a residential project or a day centre, or

at home with a good level of support from people you trust. If

so, massage may be helpful. If you’re not sure, or if you live alone

and are in distress, without much support, it’s better to wait

until you are through the acute phase of your crisis.

If you are physically ill, it may not be wise to have a massage. If

you have a fracture, sprain or bruises, it’s fine as long as you avoid

the site of the injury. If in doubt, ask your practitioner or GP.

Massage in pregnancy is unlikely to be harmful, though many

practitioners will not treat women in the first 13 weeks of

pregnancy, because of the risk of miscarriage. In later pregnancy,

massage can relieve back pain, sciatica and general tiredness.