FAQ

Swedish massage

Swedish massage is one of the most commonly offered massage techniques. It's sometimes called a classic, or relaxation massage. Swedish massages promotes relaxation by releasing muscular tension.

Swedish massage is gentler than deep tissue massage and better suited for people interested in relaxation and tension relief. It can calm nerves and sooth the body's stress levels.

Swedish massage may loosen up tight muscles caused by daily activities such as sitting at the computer desk, overexertion, or strenuous exercising. It can be very helpful for people who hold a lot of tension in their:

• back
• shoulders
• neck
• glutes
• legs

During a Swedish massage, our therapists use:

• kneading (petrissage)
• long strokes
• deep circular movements
• passive joint movements

These techniques are meant to:

• relax you and reduce stress
• improve blood flow and circulation
• promote a return to homeostasis (the body's optimal state)

A Swedish massage involves the whole body. You will begin on either your back or your stomach and flip over at the halfway point.

If you have an area of particular concern, such as a tight neck, you can ask your therapist to spend more time in this area. Depending on your preferences, your massage therapist will use light, medium, or firm pressure.

During most oil-based, full-body massages, you may need to be undressed. Your massage therapist will ask you to undress for your massage while they wait outside. Please keep your underwear on. Draping towels will be used during the massage to maintain your privacy. If you would prefer not to undress, we recommend acupressure massage, which can be done when clothed.

Your massage therapist will drape a sheet over your body. They will pull back and adjust it as they work their way around. Only areas currently being treated will be uncovered. Your privacy is just as important to us as it is to you.

Your massage therapist will use grapeseed oil to allow for smooth and long stokes. Scented oils are not used in this clinic to reduce overstimulation of the sense of smell.

About deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage is more focused than the Swedish style massage, working deeper into the muscle fibers and releasing tension. Often, deep tissue massage can at times be painful, especially when finding and releasing knots, or when a muscle is particularly sore. Deep tissue is not intended to continue with forcing pain on our clients, instead it is to provide relief from that pain and promote healing to the area. 

Deep tissue massage is best suited for:

• athletes
• runners
• people recovering from injuries

It can also work for people with chronic pain conditions such as:

• fibromyalgia
• lower back pain
• sciatica

Deep tissue massage targets the inner layers of your:

• muscles
• tendons
• fascia (the dense connective tissue between skin and muscles)

Deep tissue massage uses many of the same stroking (effleurage) and kneading (petrissage) movements as a relaxation massage, but there is more focused pressure. This may spark 'trigger points', where the body spasms or reacts to the pain. 

During the massage, your therapist will massage layer by layer of muscle, applying increased pressure and employing advanced techniques with the fingers, palm, the wrist, and elbows to lengthen and loosen that deep tissue.

This type of massage facilitates healing by releasing contracted areas of muscle and tissue. It can help increase blood flow to the soft tissues and may help to reduce inflammation. Metabolic waste, lactic acid, and dead cells are helped out of the muscle by the improved blood flow, and nutrient-rich blood will help invigorate the area.

What happens during a deep tissue massage?

Before a deep tissue massage, you will discuss your problem areas with your therapist. A deep tissue massage can be full-body or focused on one area. You will begin lying on your back or stomach and under a sheet. Your level of undress depends on what areas you are having treated, please discuss with your therapist any concerns or issues you may have. Our therapists will work with you to keep you as comfortable as possible.

Deep tissue massages begin as a more traditional relaxation massage. After the muscles are warmed up, your massage therapist will begin to work deep into your problem areas.

In addition to their palms, finger tips, and knuckles, your therapist may use their forearms or elbows to increase pressure.

It's important to be open with your massage therapist about the level of pressure and discomfort you may have. This may be different for certain areas and throughout the massage. Feel free to communicate with your massage therapist before and during the massage. Pain to be counterproductive to the healing process and you are expected to speak up if you uncomfortable. Massage should be enjoyed, not endured. Tensing the body only causes the body to tighten even more, you heal best when relaxed, and the therapist will be able to do their best work when you are relaxed and comfortable during the massage. Please communicate with your therapist; your comfort is priority.

You may experience some soreness or discomfort in the days following your deep tissue massage. Your therapist may recommend treating with:

• heat - including heat packs, wheat bags, or heat patches.
• stretching and passive joint movement
• ointments or creams
• Find the right massage therapist. Look for a therapist who specifically identifies the massage type you're interested in as part of their practice and background. Also check if the therapist is licensed or certified according to state requirements.
• Talk to your therapist about any injuries. Be clear about the extent of your injuries, when they happened, how long they have been healing, and what your current pain level is.
• Talk about your comfort levels. Tell the massage therapist which areas you do not want them to touch. For example, some people are uncomfortable with their buttocks being massaged.
• Talk about your goals and expectations. Do you just want to relax? Are you trying to recover from an injury?
• Discuss pressure. Talk to your therapist about what level of pressure is best for you.
• Be open. Let your therapist know if you have privacy concerns or areas that you don't want touched.
• Warm up. If possible, warm up your muscles by taking a warm shower, soaking in a hot tub, or spending a few minutes in a sauna.
• Hydrate. Drink plenty of water after your massage. Massage can dehydrate you, as the body works to remove metabolic waste, your kidneys will help with the removal of waste through urination.

Remedial Massage is targeted treatment to an area requiring advanced therapies. Often used when treating chronic issues, relieving deep, or troublesome areas (shoulders, neck and back), sciatica and hip and gluteal pain, as well as applying a stronger, more focused level of technique to relieve aches and pains.

Remedial Massage is sometimes covered by health insurance, please check with your health care fund if you are covered prior to making a booking with your massage therapist. Rebates vary from health care fund to level of cover, and our therapists provide an emailed receipt for online health care claims.

Remedial Massage is firm, focused, and targeted in its approach to pain relief, generally treating one area rather than the whole body. The body is first warmed up with massage before firm techniques are applied. Remedial massage is best for sports or injury recovery (after a period of healing), targeted chronic pain management, and pain relief.

Remedial massage uses stretching, joint movement, kneading, firm massage, and compressions to help alleviate symptoms. Depending on the severity and duration of the issues, it can take additional sessions to improve the situation. Our therapists will work with you to bring you back to your best.

As with Swedish massage and deep tissue, any issues or concerns you may have can be discussed with your therapist.

1. Avoid eating or drinking too much before a massage.

2. Let your therapists know of any concerns you may have. You should be comfortable and at ease for your massage. 

3. Use the bathroom and take a shower before your massage (where possible). 

4. Remove any jewellery that may interfere with a massage (necklaces for neck and shoulder massage, rings and bangles for hand and wrists massages (where possible).

5. Remember at any time you can end the massage if you feel uncomfortable. Please let your therapist know if you need a break, or are feeling nervous or anxious. Adjustments can be made to pressure if it is too light or too firm.

6. Discuss your needs with the therapist before beginning the massage, who will provide you a guide of what they can perform. If you are happy with the procedure to begin, give informed consent to start the massage. *Remember, point 5 always stands, you can end the massage at any point.

7. Inform your therapist of areas you would like to focus on or to avoid. 

Informed consent is when the client agrees to the schedule of treatment that therapist has advised. The therapist will read your intake form, and ask any questions relating to your needs and offer a treatment appropriate to your condition. If you have any concerns you can raise them and they will tailor the massage to your needs. 

Yes, and No. depending on the type, style, and area being massaged, you may not need to undress at all. Dry Massage, known as an Acupressure massage, does not use oil and can be done over a base layer of clothing. 

Oil-based massages, such as relaxation, deep tissue, sports, and remedial, may require you to remove clothing. Let your therapist know if you do not wish for an area to be worked on, or would prefer to leave a piece of clothing on. For example, if during your relaxation massage you would like your legs attended, but would rather not remove your clothing, you can leave your pants on and have a dry massage to that area.

Therapists will do their utmost to ensure your privacy, proper draping techniques will keep you covered, warm, and private.

For Women, you can remove your bra before laying down if you are comfortable to do so, or leave it on and clasped, and the therapist can either undo it while you are laying down, or they can work around it. Just let your masseur know and they will work to your needs. Underwear stays on.

For Men, please leave your underwear on.