Reviews
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Deep Tissue massage is simply a general term for a 'firm' massage thus differentiating it from a 'relaxation' massage. A Deep Tissue massage therapist doesn't investigate the causes of your symptoms or offer a plan going forward. A Sports/Remedial Massage Therapist is trained in Anatomy and Physiology and has a greater understanding of the muscular and skeletal system, soft tissue injuries, rehabilitation, repair and recovery and is better qualified to diagnose and advise.
If you're sporty person with an injury or fatigued from competition or training you may want to refer to your treatment as 'sports massage.' If you're suffering from back and neck tension due to sitting at a desk all day you may want to refer to your treatment as 'remedial massage'. The techniques used are often the same but the approach, assessment and treatment plan going forward will be different.
If we are dealing with an acute or overuse injury you may need a number of appointments in quick succession. Expectations and timescales will be discussed during the initial assessment.
If we are dealing with general, or chronic, build up of tension (rather than an injury) due to work or lifestyle then bi-weekly or monthly treatment may help improve your movement and wellbeing.
If you are a Sports person who wants to avoid injury and recover faster from competetion or training then treatments can be scheduled around your training plan and race schedule.
My speciality is Soft Tissue and I work closely with all 3 above. If you come to me and I suspect your condition is not soft tissue related, or goes beyond my knowledge as a therapist, then I will refer you to one of the above who are medical professionals. Likewise I receive referrals from them when their patients require need soft tissue therapy as in many cases they are not trained in massage and often prefer to avoid doing it.
A brief history is taken prior to the treatment including questions regarding your lifestyle, work, training, goals or event deadlines. I may do some standing tests and no doubt will review your posture (this we do with your clothes on). After we have done this the rest of the session will be hands-on treatment using various techniques that address your condition. We will also discuss a plan moving forward and if necessary schedule further treatments.
I use towels during the treatment and would require that you keep your underwear on. If you feel more comfortable then lose fitting shorts (rather than tight lycra) is best, especially when treating legs and glutes. If I need to treat the back, neck and shoulders then ladies should ideally wear a back fastening bra.
Sports/Remedial Massage is not a test of your pain threshold. Some therapists and patients think you need to be black and blue after a treatment. That is not the case! I will use appropriate pressure that I feel is necessary to fix your problem. And I always explain that it is important for you to give me feedback and if the pressure is too great don't be afraid to tell me. Likewise if I find a spot where I can apply a bit more pressure then tell me. However, it's s not unusual to feel a bit tender in the days following a treatment, and in some cases, especially if you bruise easily, you may have some bruising.