ianbloomfield
REMEDIAL & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS CALL 07713 155583
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect if I've never been for a massage before? At the start of your first treatment I will talk to you about any medical history, previous injuries, the reason you have come to see us and a bit about your lifestyle. Before a sports or remedial treatment, I will most likely carry out some tests on your movement and look at your posture before beginning the massage. A treatment plan and after care will be discussed at the end of the massage
What should I wear? During your initial postural assessment (for sports, remedial and some deep tissue massage treatments only) you will be asked to undress to your underwear - or clothing that you would be comfortable wearing to a pool or beach - so please wear or bring appropriate clothing. During treatment, I will ask you to remove clothing so that we can access the treatment areas. It would be useful for females to wear a back fastening bra so that, if necessary, the upper back and shoulders are easily accessed. Towels are used during the treatment to protect and maintain modesty. Only the areas of the body being worked on will be exposed. Please note: you are in full control and only undress to a level with which you are comfortable.
Do I have to play sport to have a sport massage? Despite the name, you do not have to play sport to have a sports massage. Sports massage aims to enhance performance, assists recovery and prevents injury, but these are benefits that we can all enjoy. Our everyday movements can put stress on our bodies, if this goes untreated over time it may lead to more long-term issues. Regular sports massage can help ease the stress we put on our bodies through our work and family life. Sports massage can help everybody, whether you spend long hours at a desk or behind the wheel, whether you are suffering from stress, or if you're training and competing for your local fun run or even the Olympic Games!
Are Sports and Remedial Massages painful? No. Sports massage and deep tissue massage can be uncomfortable and sometimes challenging - especially when locating areas of chronic tension. However, none of the massages or treatments should ever be painful in the extreme. Often the objective is to encourage the muscles and other soft tissues to relax, and this can't be achieved using unnecessary, painful techniques. Muscles tense under pain which is counterproductive to the massage. To avoid any unnecessary discomfort, good communication between client and therapist is essential. I will continually ask you if pressures being applied are within your pain thresholds - and adjust accordingly.
How will I feel after the massage? You may feel a little sore after a sports or remedial massage - but hopefully nicely relaxed and calm after a gentle Swedish massage. To aid recovery, drinking fluid is key. Massage mobilises toxins within the body and keeping hydrated will help with their removal. It is normal to feel some stiffness and a little achy for 24/48 hours after a massage
How many treatments will I need? This depends on many factors, and all patients are individuals. Following your assessment and initial (and subsequent) treatments, we will discuss the anticipated number of treatments. You will be re-assessed on each visit and if progress plateaus or no improvement is seen then this will be discussed and your treatment altered accordingly. If necessary, referral on to other specialists at this stage may be an option.
Are there any circumstances when treatment may not be possible? During the initial consultation you will be asked about your medical history. From this information, I will make an assessment as to whether you present any contraindications which either prevent treatment from taking place for 24-48 hours or which may first require your GPs consent. Whilst massage is a generally safe form of treatment, there are certain conditions which may preclude treatment or advise that treatment only be carried out with consent of your GP. This will be fully discussed with you at your consultation.