YOUR MASSAGE QUESTIONS





Will Massage Fix me?
What is integrated  Massage?
What are the different massage  styles?
How long does the treatment  last?
What happens during the treatment?
What do I  wear?
Will the massage be painful?
How much does a treatment cost?
How often should I have a massage?
Do you diagnose?
What massage oil do you use?
Do you play music?
Do you do home visits?
 

Massage: A brief  history
Massage is probably the oldest and simplest form
of healthcare. In China a medical text dated as 400 BCE called the Nei Jing or
The Yellow Emporers Inner Classic recommends massage of the skin and flesh. In
the Tang Dynasty, (619 - 907) it's recorded that there were 56 massage doctors
in the Chinese imperial hospital, that's more than the total of herbalist's and
acupuncturist's added together.

Indian Ayurveda medicine incorporated massage
techniques, Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged, both Greek and
Roman physicians used hands-on massage and manipulation techniques extensively,
ever since the Olympic games began athletes have been massaged before and after
events. Massage has been a major component of the health systems used in many
cultures for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.

Many different forms of massage have been
developed over the years, each with its own distinct style and flavour,
different strokes and techniques, from very light touch, rocking, gentle
compressions and shaking to flowing compressive strokes, very deep pressure,
stretching and mobilisations.

Massage has endured for so many years primarily
because it feels good. If it didn't feel good it would be like going to the
dentist, something you do only when you need to but not something you choose to
do on your day off.


 Will massage fix me?
Although many claims have been made over the
years about the effectiveness of massage for many pains, illness and diseases,
there isn't a huge amount of research or evidence currently available to support
most of these claims.

Below is a list of some of the claims often made for massage therapy.

Relieves stress and aid relaxation
Reduces pain and swelling
Reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
Reduces muscle spasms
Enhances joint flexibilityAids athletic performance
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluidsHelps reduce blood pressure
Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
Enhances the health of skinHelps you to improve your posture
Strengthens the immune systemHelps treat musculoskeletal problems

The Truth: Most people agree massage feels good,
it might also make you feel less tender or sore, fitter, healthier,
faster, looser, stronger, more flexible and/or more comfortable within your
body.


 What is integrated massage?
Integrated massage is a style of massage that combines techniques, strokes and moves
from many different massage styles and modalities.

My style of integrated massage incorporates techniques from swedish massage,
deep tissue massage, therapeutic massage, sports massage, trigger point therapy and
myofascial techniques movements and stretches.

With integrated massage I try to take  the 
the most effective techniques and combine them in your massage
treatment. Each treatment is different as the massage techniques and the areas
worked are chosen to meet the needs of your body that day.


 What's the difference between massage styles?
·  Swedish massage - The best known style of massage and what most western styles of
massage are based on. Developed by Per Henrik Ling at the University of
Stockholm in 1812, know in Sweden as classic massage. Pressure varies (dependant
on therapist). Would have originally included stretches and mobilisations but
this is seldom done anymore.

·  Therapeutic massage - Similar techniques to Swedish massage but with the goal of reducing
  muscle stiffness and tension rather than relaxation. Commonly focused on one
  specific body part such as back, shoulders and neck as opposed to full  body.

·    Remedial massage - Uses a wide range of massage and other soft tissue techniques
including, Cross Fibre Frictions, , Positional Release Technique (PRT),
Soft Tissue Release (STR) and Trigger Point Therapy (TrPT).
Targetted and helping the body recover from injury or  surgery.

·   Sports massage - Pre and post event sports massage consists of specific techniques
aimed at preparing the body for activity and helping it recover afterwards.  Other aspects of
sports massage are similar to remedial and therapeutic massage techniques.

·    Myofascial techniques - Targeted at the Muscle (Myo) and Fascia (fascial) of the body and
  including a wide range of techniques from the very gentle (JFB Myofascial
  Release) to relatively deep and slow massage movements (Structural
  Integration). This is known to improve the structure of fascial layers,
  loosening restrictions and soft tissue adhesions, improving pain free range of motion.

·   Trigger Point therapy - Sometimes also known as Neuromuscular therapy, is primarily concerned
  with what we commonly refer to as muscle knots. These present as small
  hyper-sensitive areas under the skin and can be the cause a lots of pain and
  discomfort. We currently have very little scientific evidence as to exactly
  what they are and why they are created by the body.  
 

How long does a treatment last?
I offer half hour, 1 hour and 2 hour appointment slots.

 A half hour treatment is most appropriate if you
just want to have a specific area treated, for example, back, neck and
shoulders. 

The 1 hour slot is recommended for those wanting
a more in-depth full body treatment, the additonal time enables me to work
thoroughly through the whole body.

The 2 hour session is a full body treatment.
A full body treatment can be done in a 1 hour session but it means I'm unable to
give many areas the full attention they require. The 2 hour session is not
recommended for people who haven't previously had some form of
massage.


 What happens during a treatment?
When you come for your massage appointment I'll
briefly run through a consultation with you to collect your personal details,
discuss any aches and pains you might be experiencing and note any relevant
health and medical history. You can ask any question you have about the massage,
if this is your first massage I'll talk you through exactly what will happen and
everything you need to know.You'll be given time alone to undress ready for
the treatment. You will be covered with a towel for the entire treatment and
only the body part being massaged will be uncovered at any point.
During the  treatment I may ask questions about how different areas are feeling and check
that the pressure is OK. Passive and active movements are often used during the
treatment.
After your treatment we can discuss the treatment and if required I can give you
some stretching exercises.


 What do I wear for a massage?
As massage is performed directly on the skin you
will be asked to remove clothing covering those areas to be treated. I recommend
both men and women wear comfortable stretchy underwear for massage. 

You will be covered with a sheet for the entire treatment and only the body part being
worked will be uncovered at any point.


 Will the massage be painful?
During your massage you may be more aware of
certain areas whilst they are being worked but in a good way. I believe an
effective massage treatment doesn't have to be painful and in actual fact
working with the body rather than forcing change gives better and more lasting
results. Depending on the type of treatment you need/require the amount of
pressure will be regulated, you're encouraged to give any feedback about how and
what you're feeling during your treatment including if the pressure isn't right
for you.

Occasionally, some people can feel some soreness
the following day, similar to after exercise, if this is the case, don't worry
it should only be a slight tenderness and should ease over 24 to 48
hours.


 How much does a treatment cost?
I have a range of prices starting at $40.00 for a half hour massage at Naremburn or Crows Nest
ranging to $120.00 for a 2 hour massage at your house/business, the range of prices are listed
below;

30 minutes Our Location $ 40.00

60 minutes Our Location $ 60.00

90 minutes Our Location $ 80.00

120 minutes Our Location $ 100.00

60 Minutes Minimum at Your House/Business $ 80.00

90 Minutes at Your House/Business $ 100.00

120 Minutes at Your House/Business $ 120.00
  
Payment can be made in cash or by credit and debit cards by our eftpos machine.


How often should I have a massage?
Everybody is different so this is an impossible question to answer.
As a general guide, if you're experiencing pain or  discomfort, then fairly regular sessions
can be helpful to start with, but only  if you're feeling benefit from the sessions. For relaxation
and the feel good factor, listen to your body and come in whenever you feel it would be helpful.

I believe you should have a massage whenever you  want one, there really isn't any reliable
guide as to how regularly you should have a session. Listen to your body and how you feel,
if you feel like a massage, have one.


 Do you diagnose?
No. Massage therapists, unless also a medical doctor, do not and should not diagnose any
medical condition, we are not trained or qualified to do that. I may during the course of your
treatment look at your posture and range of motion, this is primarily to help me decide on an
appropriate treatment. If you want a diagnosis for a particular injury or condition you're
experiencing you'll need to visit your GP or other medically trained healthcare professional.

Please note, I'm a massage therapist, I'm not a sports therapist or a physiotherapist.


 What massage oil do you use?
I use traditional massage oils, my main oil I use is Sweet Almond Oil, If you have concerns
regarding Sweet Almond Oil I also have numerous other oils such as a Soya Been Oil combined
with Jojoba Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Vitamin E. I also have a 100% Jojoba Oil but as this is rather
expensive, I have a $10.00 surcharge for this Oil. If you're sensitive to Oil or Skin products please
let me know before the start of your treatment.


 Do you play music?
I have recently changed my mind on the the subject of music during massage.

My opinion was that I felt clients benefited from being present during a treatment,
connected to the sensations rather than drifting away on a cloud of relaxing music.

Recently I've been learning more about massage and bodywork in connection with neuroscience and the brain,
this has lead me to change my mind on music as I know see advantages to allowing the conscious
thinking part of the brain to chill out for a little while whilst the evolutionary older parts of the brain take
centre stage and get down to some modulation.
 

Do you do home visits?
Absolutely I do, I understand a lot of people have time constraints or prefer to have me come to
your home for a massage rather than having to drive or walk to a therapists for a massage, as you will
see above on the costs I only have a minimal $20.00 surcharge to come to you, but I will only start at
a minimum 1 hour massage.

I have two rooms, one in the centre of Crows Nest and the other at Naremburn, I am only at Crows Nest
two mornings and one afternoon per week but I am available at Naremburn or for home visits at all
other times. 

If you have any unanswered questions please feel free to contact me and I will do my best to answer them
for you.