What do I need to wear?
When you have a massage, we generally ask you to remove all clothing except underwear. 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, we can certainly work with you to accommodate that. For a postural analysis, we do recommend that women wear shorts and a sports bra, while men wear shorts.

Why do I need to drink plenty of water?
Your massage will 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 after-effects such as headaches and slight nausea that are possible, particularly after your first massage. With subsequent massages, although you should still drink plenty of water, there will be less metabolic waste to flush out, so less effect will be experienced. It is important that you drink water on its own, not in tea or coffee.

How many sessions do I need?
We initially recommend sessions between 4 days and one week apart, so that the progress can be accurately monitored. Since every case is different, we 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.

Will I ache after?
Occasionally the treatment may produce symptoms that mimic the original condition. For example, you may develop a headache because the points that trigger the headache have themselves been worked on in order to de-activate them. This feeling will lessen with each treatment. The headache may also be due to circulating waste products.

Will I feel tired?
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.

Will I feel sore after treatment?
If you have had a deep massage then you may experience some soreness in the areas focused on. This is just like the discomfort that may be felt after exercising. Once you are hydrated after your massage, it may help to relax in a warm (not hot) bath with Epsom salts or baking soda in it. Add 2 tablespoons of the Epsom salts 10 minutes before the end of the bath. Some find a spa very relaxing, especially before bed. If intense pain develops it may be necessary to use an ice pack (ice or bag of frozen peas in a wet flannel) on the area.