Benefits
- relaxes the client & the facial
muscles;
- stimulates the blood and lymph circulation;
- improves overall metabolism and activates sluggish skin;
- helps muscle tone;
- helps cleanse the skin of impurities and softens sebum;
- helps relieve muscle tensions & pain;
- provides a sense of physiological/psychological well-being.
Brief insight
Massage involves working and acting
on the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or
moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical
aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin,
joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels.
The Initial Consultation
First appointments begin with an intake
process, starting with a health history. Generally, I willl ask you about
your medical conditions; areas of concern; your level of pain or discomfort
on good and bad days; what helps reduce the pain and what makes it worse;
and contact information.
Within my code of ethics, let me know
what areas of your body you would like worked on, if there are any areas to
avoid and if you have any techniques that you would like to use or avoid.
If you are concerned about undressing, discuss it with me, as I should be
able to offer you some options and please don't be afraid to discuss any apprehensions
or concerns.
Carrying out a detailed postural analysis
is important as it would help me to establish the best treatment plan for
the you, for instance, you might have muscular pain resulting from poor posture.
Remember: all information you give is
confidential.
What to expect during a session?
After the initial consultation, I will
leave the room so you can undress to your comfort level.
You will then lie down facing the couch
which will be already covered with a disposable lining paper covering the
whole length of the couch. You will cover yourself with another towel. Following
this, I will knock before re-entering.
Make sure you are comfortable and let
me know if you are not. You may want to tell me if you are cold, want to be
covered, don't want an area of your body touched or are experiencing discomfort
with the technique or how it is being applied.
To preserve your dignity, professionalism
and respect, I will only expose the part to be massaged one at a time, as
per previous agreement and written consent given by you. Remember, you are
in charge, and can ask for changes so that It can adapt the treatment to suit
your needs or simply stop the session at any time.
At the end of the massage, the therapist
will leave the room so you can dress in private. Wait a few minutes on the
table as you get grounded, especially if you feel light-headed. Then take
your time getting ready. Once you are fully dressed up, I will knock before
re-entering. Then I will offer you fresh water, debrief the session and find
out what you liked or disliked, your thoughts about the session and give you
after care advice.
After Care Advice
You will feel renewed and you may feel
aching and soreness of the muscles over the next 24 hours, which is due to
the release of toxins. Or you may just feel a little tired initially - this
is owing to the deep relaxation you have felt during your treatment.
You might also experience an emotional
release and dizziness which are due to the release of repressed tension and
drop in blood pressure during the massage.
I will also advise you to drink plenty
of water (as it flushes out the toxins from your body), eat light meals, avoid
alcohol and relax.
Contra Indication
There are a number of situations where
massage is contraindicated, meaning that it is not recommended.
In all cases, it is important to disclose
any underlying medical conditions and concerns you may have during the initial
consultation, so that I can adjust the session to fit your body and needs.
Because massage can affect multiple
body systems, such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, please be honest
about your health.
You should also let me know about any
pharmaceutical drugs or botanical medicines you are taking, because massage
can enhance or reduce the effect of pharmaceutical drugs, such as blood pressure
medication
