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Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions Answered

I’ve put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information about & Relax Massage Therapies. If you have a question that you can’t find an answer to, please contact me here.

  • Your first massage treatment will begin with a detailed consultation being carried out which will involve discussion about your health and lifestyle, medical history and reason for seeking treatment. For sports and clinical massage treatments this will also involve a postural assessment and ROM testing and orthopaedic testing where necessary.
     
  • The consultation is a very important part of your initial treatment as it helps your massage therapist assess the best treatment for you and tailor your treatment plan accordingly. 

There is plenty of free, on street parking along School Lane.  

  • It is important for you to feel comfortable during your treatment and what you wear may vary depending on the treatment. For clinical and sports massages it is recommended that you wear loose comfortable clothing, sports shorts and a loose fitting top are ideal.  

  • For relaxation treatments it is best to dress down to your underwear. However you should undress to what is most comfortable for you and your therapist will work around what this is. Please remember you will be covered by a towel at all times with only the area of the body being worked on exposed at any time. 

I use Songbird massage wax for all treatments. They are a 100% natural beeswax based massage medium, using top quality, natural ingredients and essential oils. The choice of massage wax selected is based on the individual needs and skin type of the client. It is important that the client discloses any allergies they have during the consultation to help prevent the risk of adverse reaction occurring.

Payments can be made in cash, via bank transfer or by card. 

– Low Back Pathologies
   – Non-specific low back pain
   – Acute or chronic herniated disc
   – Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Dysfunction 
   – Spondylosis
   – Spondylolisthesis
   – Facet Joint Irritation Syndrome
    – Muscular low back pain
   – Strains, sprains and sporting injuries to the low back
 
– Neck and Shoulder Pathologies
   – Muscular Neck & Shoulder Pain
   – Acute and chronic herniated disc (cervical)
   – Headaches / Migraines
   – Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
   – Torticollis
   – Problem involving the hand and arm (such as numbness & tingling)
   – Acute and chronic whiplash
   – Strains, sprains and sporting injuries to the neck
 
– Shoulder Girdle Pathologies
   – Strains, spains and sporting injuries to the shoulder
   – Supraspinatus tendinopathy
   – Rotator cuff injuries
   – Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
   – Pectoralis Minor Syndrome
   – Subacromial bursitis
   – Shoulder instability and subluxation
   – AC joint separation
   – Shoulder impingement syndrome
   – Bicipital tendinopathy
   – Muscular shoulder pain
 
– Forearm, hand and wrist pathologies
   – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
   – Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis (Tennis/Golfers Elbow)
   – Olecranon Bursitis
   – DeQuervain’s Contracture
   – RSI
   – Dupuytren’s Contracture
   – Osteoarthritis
   – Rheumatoid Arthritis
   – Muscular forearm, hand and wrist pain
   – Strains, sprains and sporting injuries to the forearm, wrist or hand
 
– Leg, Knee and Foot Pathologies
   – Patellar tendonitis
   – Plantar Fasciitis
   – Achilles Problems
   – IT Band Friction Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
   – Shin Splints
   – Groin Strains
   – Knee Issues (Arthritis, chondromalacia patella)
   – Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
   – Prepatellar Bursitis
   – Osteoarthritis
   – Muscular leg, knee and foot pain
   – Strains, sprains and sporting injuries to leg, knee or foot
 
– Hip and Pelvis Pathologies
   – Sartorius Tear
   – Sciatica
   – Iliolumbar ligament sprain
   – Piriformis Syndrome
   – Trochanteric Bursitis
   – Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS)
   – Osteoarthritis
   – Muscular hip pain
   – Strains, sprains and sporting injuries to the hip and pelvis

Yes. These can be purchased by treatment, or by a monetary value of your choosing. Gift vouchers can be collected in person from myself or alternatively posted out to you. Please note if you require them posting you will need to cover the cost of the stamp in addition to the gift voucher value. 

Absolutely. The majority of the issues my clients experience haven’t been the result of a sporting injury, usually it’s just the result of day to day to life! For example, prolonged periods sat at desks, or driving and commuting can lead to neck and shoulder pain or low back pain. Whatever the problem I will endeavour to provide the most suitable treatment to get you back to living life to the full and pain free. 

This is a very difficult question to answer as there is no one size fits all solution and many different factors are involved. The benefit of carrying out a full consultation and assessment at your initial appointment allows the most suitable treatment plan to be agreed. This takes into account your health, your desired outcome, training program, schedule as well as your finances etc. in order to establish a personalised treatment plan and after care advice. A good way to look at this is to decide what the main purpose of the massage treatment is. 

  • Relaxation – Recommendation for treatment every 4-6 weeks. A number of clients come for a massage treatment for general relaxation and general health maintenance. The benefits of massage in this instance is to release areas of tension, encourage good blood circulation aid better sleep.
  • Stress & Relief of muscular tension – Recommendation for treatment every 2-4 weeks. A vast majority of people will experience periods of increased stress over their lifetime, particularly as a result of the jobs they do. Stress can cause a build up of muscular tension, particularly across the back, neck and shoulders. Clients who spend a lot of time sat in front of a desk, or who spend long periods of time driving will commonly experience this increased tension which can often lead to feelings of pain and discomfort.
  • Sports & Remedial massage – Recommendation for treatment every 2 – 4 weeks, then gradually reducing the frequency depending on how your injury/condition improves. Individuals who frequently exercise and carry out intense, physical activity on a regular basis, often benefit from more specialised sports massage and soft tissue treatments. These specialised treatments can help to prevent injuries occurring, can speed up the muscles natural repair and recovery and lead to enhanced performance. In summary, sports massage therapy can help to strengthen and condition muscles prior to exercise and activity and speed up healing of muscle tissue afterwards. The frequency of massage therapy is therefore very unique to the individual and their needs. 
  • Clinical Massage – Recommendation for treatment every week for a period of 1-6 weeks. For individuals suffering with chronic pain conditions it is recommended to follow a 6 week treatment plan with treatments every week for up to 6 weeks depending on how the client responds to the treatment given. As the pain condition improves the frequency of treatment can be reduced and a maintenance schedule can be agreed. 
  • Typically, massage treatments are relaxing and no pain is experienced. Nevertheless, during deeper and more targeted soft tissue work, such as during sports and remedial massage work, there may be instances when some discomfort is felt. However, it is important to remember that there is no gain from pain. A large misconception in the world of sports massage is that it follows a “no pain, no gain” mentality. This is incorrect! Causing unnecessary pain and discomfort triggers a stress response in your sympathetic nervous system. This, in turn, not only leads to muscle tension but also amplifies the pain signals in your brain… the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve!
     
  • As a Jing Method™ massage therapist I will work with your body in a way that is within your pain tolerance. At the beginning of the appointment this is discussed and a signal is agreed for the client to indicate when they feel pain or discomfort. This could be a verbal cue or a hand signal.

If you’d prefer to have your initial consultation virtually please contact me using one of the above methods to arrange a zoom call, FaceTime or WhatsApp video call.

To identify the most suitable treatment for you, consider which of the following three categories best described your situation. Remember, you don’t have to be a sports person to benefit from a sports or remedial massage!

  • I’m suffering with chronic pain. In this instance an advanced clinical and remedial sports massage is best for you.
  • I’m suffering with a long term injury or have recently suffered an injury – Again the best treatment would be a remedial sports massage
  • I just want to come and switch off and enjoy a relaxing and soothing treatment. In this instance your best treatment would be a holistic massage or Indian head massage. This method can help calm the nervous system, leaving you with lasting pain relief as well as feeling deeply relaxed, renewed and ready to go. 

I understand that unexpected events can disrupt your plans. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please get in touch, and I’ll make every effort to find a convenient alternative time for you without any cancellation fees being charged. 

I appreciate that sometimes the only option is to cancel. For cancellations made with more than 48hrs notice no cancellation fee will be charged to you. 

Cancellations with less than 48hrs notice will incur a charge of 25% of the cost of your treatment. 

Cancellations with less than 24hrs notice will incur a charge of 40% of the cost of your treatment. 

*Charges for cancellations made with less than 48hrs notice will only be waivered at the discretion of the therapist