Frequently Asked Questions~

If you haven't had a massage before, there are likely to be questions you have about what will happen during the session. I have tried to answer some of these below. Even if you have had prior experience of massage, since each practitioner works in their own way, you may find that certain aspects differ from what you are used to. It is an excellent idea to mention any techniques you have found effective in the past.

Please feel free to ask about anything you are unsure of.


1. What are the possible after effects of deep treatment massage?
After a relaxation massage, you will generally feel comfortable and are unlikely to experience any unpleasant after effects, unless you have a highly toxic system. However, after deep and/or treatment sessions, you may experience some of the following:
Muscle Soreness
If you have had a deep/treatment massage then you may experience some soreness in the areas focused on, either later that day or the next morning. This can be similar to the discomfort that may be felt after exercising and is part of your body adapting as healing takes place. Once you are hydrated after your massage, it may help to relax in a warm (not too hot) bath with about 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts or baking soda in it. Some find a spa very relaxing, especially before bed.

Feeling Spaced out
At the same time as the spasms or sore points are being dealt with, all the accumulated waste products which may have built up in your tight tissue are released into the circulation. This may give you an initial fuzzy or washed out feeling. It may take a little time for the body to adjust to its new state. The massage may unsettle your emotions too, which may make you feel different. Make sure you are alert before driving home.
2. What should I do after my massage?
Your massage is likely to release metabolic wastes that were caught in the constricted tissues. Drinking water straight after the session and hourly through the rest of the day, will flush out these wastes and help prevent possible after-effects such as headachy feelings or feeling a bit fuzzy, particularly after your first massage. With subsequent massages, although you should still drink plenty of water, there will be less wastes to flush out, so such effects are less likely. It is important that you drink water on its own, not in tea or coffee. You can add a little lemon juice if you don't like the taste of water on its own. Also keep warm, since lying still on a massage table reduces the heat that is normally generated by muscle contractions.

Homecare
You may be given 'homecare' to aid in your recovery, including the following: (please try to make every effort to do what is suggested before your next session, as you will then reduce the time/number of treatments needed to resolve your muscular problem).

Stretching
Gently easing and elongating the tissue helps to promote circulation and maintain the range of motion. The joints will then stay free. This is best done a few days or so after the treatment soreness has gone and after the body has been warmed up with exercise or heat packs. We recommend a contract/relax (C/R) sequence of stretching. Ask your therapist more about this.

Mobility Training
You may be shown some mobilisation techniques designed to create an awareness of impeded movement. Try these to help calm down the nervous system and help switch on alternative and improved movement patterns.

Strengthening
We believe that strengthening should happen only after the pain and soreness have been reduced and the flexibility has improved.

3. How many sessions will I require and how frequently?
If we are treating you for a specific problem we initially recommend sessions between 4 days and one week apart, so that the progress can be accurately monitored. Since every case is different, I cannot say how long it will take to work with you, but your involvement in the healing process is central to the successful outcome of the treatment. This may involve stretching and lifestyle modifications, or just a positive emotional outlook.
If you are having massage for maintenance of health or stress reduction, anything from weekly to six-weekly sessions will aid your body in achieving maximum vitality.

4. How deep will the massage be?
I am trained to be able to provide specific deep tissue massage. I vary the depth depending on your wishes and the needs of the treatment plan. Good communication means that you get the massage you want. If you want a purely relaxing session, you can be sure that is what you will get.

5. Will I have to take my clothes off?
If clients are having massage on their whole body, they will generally remove clothing except their underpants. Any areas that are not being massaged at any time will be carefully draped with towels to maintain modesty and warmth. (It goes without saying that we never expose the breast area on women or the genital areas of either sex.) However, if you feel more comfortable keeping on more clothing, such as bra and trousers, we can certainly work with you to accommodate that. If you are coming for your first Neuromuscular therapy session, we are likely to do a postural analysis. It is recomended that women bring shorts and a sports bra, while men bring shorts to facilitate the analysis.

6. What training has your therapist had?
I have a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage, I am a Certified Neuromuscular Therapist and a Master Practitioner of NLP. I am a registered therapist with our industry association, Massage New Zealand. I also have training in Fascial Kinetics (Bowen Therapy) and continually update my training and study the new research being published on massage and bodywork.