Deep tissue massage (90 mins)

We will agree clear priorities before starting. Even with 90 minutes, it is better to treat the most relevant areas well than to attempt every part of the body.

Depending on your needs, we might treat part of your body or focus on:

• the back, neck and shoulders

• lower back, hips and glutes

• legs following physical activity

• one primary area plus related surrounding muscles

The priority is effective, considered work rather than trying to cover everything.

Your first appointment includes a short consultation so I can understand your needs, preferences and any health considerations.

During your treatment

You will be given privacy to undress to your level of comfort. You will remain covered with towels throughout the treatment, with only the area being worked on uncovered.

You do not need to talk during the massage if you don't want to. Quiet is always welcome.

Massage should always feel like something being done with you, not to you.

Before beginning, we will agree:

• the areas to be treated

• any areas you would like avoided

• your preferred pressure

• whether you are comfortable with the proposed position

• what you would like from the session

You can ask me to reduce pressure, change position, avoid an area or stop the massage at any time.

You will remain appropriately covered throughout, and only the area being treated will be uncovered.

After your treatment

It is possible to feel mild tenderness or increased awareness in the treated area afterwards, particularly if the muscles have been tense for some time.

This should not feel severe. Please tell me during the appointment if pressure feels sharp, unpleasant or difficult to tolerate.

Gentle movement and normal hydration are usually preferable to immediately doing an intense workout after deeper treatment.

Massage is not always appropriate, and in some situations treatment may need to be postponed, adapted or approved by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Please do not attend if you have:

• a fever or contagious illness

• vomiting, diarrhoea or flu-like symptoms

• an active skin infection or contagious skin condition

• unexplained severe pain

• a new acute injury with significant swelling, heat or loss of function

• suspected deep vein thrombosis or a new unexplained swollen, painful, hot or discoloured limb

• uncontrolled bleeding

• an immediate medical emergency

A suspected DVT needs prompt medical assessment and should not be massaged. NHS guidance states that DVT can be dangerous and advises seeking medical help as soon as possible if it is suspected.

Please contact me before booking if you:

• are pregnant

• have recently had surgery

• have recently been injured

• are take blood-thinning medication

• have a bleeding or clotting disorder

• have a heart or circulatory condition

• have uncontrolled high blood pressure

• have osteoporosis

• have epilepsy or a history of seizures

• have diabetes with reduced sensation or circulation problems

• have active cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment

• have lymphoedema

• have a condition affecting your nervous system

• have an unstable chronic health condition

• are under ongoing medical investigation

• have recently had injections or another procedure in the treatment area

Cancer does not automatically mean massage is impossible, but the treatment may need to be adapted and delivered with appropriate specialist knowledge. Macmillan advises discussing massage with the cancer doctor or specialist nurse and using a therapist trained to work safely with people affected by cancer.

Local areas that may need to be avoided

Massage may still be possible while avoiding:

• open wounds

• burns

• recent scars

• bruising

• inflamed skin

• rashes

• varicose veins

• local infection

• fractures

• areas of reduced sensation

• recent injection or vaccination sites

• painful or unexplained lumps

Please contact me before booking when uncertain. It is always better to check than to arrive and discover that treatment cannot safely go ahead.