What to expect in a Massage Treatment
At your first appointment, you will be taken through an in-depth, confidential health and lifestyle consultation, in order to gather the fullest picture of you and your very individual body & medical history – there is no extra charge for this time. You will then have a choice of either a more relaxing Swedish massage or a more stimulating deep tissue, Sports Massage treatment. Cathy also offers volcanic hot stones to be incorporated into your treatment at no extra charge. Please give advance notice if you would like this.
Swedish Massage:
This is the therapeutic massage for much of the western world and is suitable for everybody, young and old. It incorporates a variety of specific massage techniques to treat sore muscles, tension, stress and poor circulation. The five main techniques used are effleurage (stroking/gliding), petrissage (frictions), percussion (tapping or pounding), kneading and vibration. Communication throughout the massage is encouraged to customise the massage to your needs, but if you wish to remain quiet to help you relax, that is absolutely fine too! Massage is always directional to the heart and lymph nodes, thus improving your blood & lymph circulation. Your muscles will feel soothed, encouraging relaxation and a feeling of well-being.
Sports & Remedial Massage:
This is also suitable for everybody, not just sports-people! It is a much deeper, more muscle-specific technique, targeting tight or ‘knotted’ muscles and also works on tendons, ligaments and joints around the body. Both acute and chronic muscle tension can be worked on, using trigger-point and myofascial-release techniques which work to soften the fascia or connective tissue and help to realign muscle fibres. Sports massage can also be used to prepare before your event or afterwards to minimise DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Since this is a more stimulating massage, lymphatic drainage is enabled and blood circulation is much improved, leaving a wonderful tingling sensation. The stress hormone (cortisol) is also reduced and mood is boosted by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin (our ‘happy hormones’) therefore a feeling of lightness and well-being will envelop you.
Both massages take place on a warmed, padded couch. Cathy will assess the soft tissues then manually manipulate them using her hands, (fingers, thumbs & knuckles), ulna, pisiform and elbow and sometimes a mechanical aid to help manage and prevent dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorder. Just the body part being worked on will be uncovered whilst the rest of the body is concealed with towels to protect your modesty and keep you warm & relaxed. The treatment is then supported with advice on diet, exercise and stretching. Cathy is a great believer in empowering others to self-heal, rather than establish dependency.
Cathy treats children, men and women of all ages and can easily adapt to pregnancy massage. If your child is under 18, thank you for attending as a chaperone.
For your own comfort, please do not eat a large meal 2hrs prior to a massage.
