Frequently asked questions

Tell me more about your price increase

My overheads have increased significantly and sadly I can't absorb all of these new costs. I have therefore raised my prices slightly from April 1st 2024. All appointments from this date onwards will incur my new costs, as follows:

- 1hr massage (pregnancy or standard) in my massage room: £53

- 90min massage (pregnancy or standard) in my massage room: £75

- Couples massage in my massage room: £100

- 90min post-natal cerrada: £85 (+£10 in your home)

- 2hr post-natal cerrada: £110 (+£10 in your home)

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If you have a voucher bought with the lower prices, I will honour the price paid when the voucher was purchased and no additional payment will be necessary. A bulk package of treatments bought before the price increase will also be honoured and no further top-up required.

Thank you for your understanding.

 What should I expect from my first session?

At the start of your first session, you will need to fill in a questionnaire on your previous medical history, to check we are safe to treat. If you have booked in for a pregnancy massage, the questionnaire is online and I send you the link in advance. Then we will have a chat about your aims for the session and why you booked in - this could be because you are stressed and need to unwind, because you have an injury you need to rehabilitate or perhaps because you are experiencing pain or discomfort. Depending on what these aims are, and whether you want it or not, I may then perform a quick postural assessment to see where the issues are lying. This normally takes place with the client wearing shorts and either a vest top/crop top/bra/nothing on the top half - depending on what you are comfortable with. I will then leave the room to allow you to get undressed and comfortable on the table. After the session, if I think it might be useful, I will give you some home care advice, such as stretches or strengthening exercises.

How do I pay?

You will pay after the session. I have a card machine (that also takes contactless) but it adds £1 so most people prefer to pay by BACs on their phones, or by cash. It's up to you! If you cancel or reschedule within 24hrs of your appointment, you will be sent an invoice to pay the full fee by BACs.

What do I wear?

Your comfort is key when it comes to massage. If you feel better keeping your clothes on during your session, I will find a way to work around it. It might make it a little more difficult to work on certain areas though. When my clients get undressed, I leave the room and only come back in when the client says they are on the couch and ready.
When I massage, I cover my clients with drapes and only uncover the part of the body that I am working on. I always ask my male clients to keep their underwear on.

I'm trans/non-binary/gender queer, is massage for me?

I am passionate that massage should be accessible for all. However, if you experience body dysphoria, then getting undressed and having someone touch you can be an unpleasant and anxiety-provoking experience. As I said previously, I can work around clothing and binders if you would like to keep them on. If you want to take them off, but want extra draping over your chest for example, we can put an extra towel over just your chest. Most importantly, I am here to listen to you and your body's needs - massage isn't a 'one size fits all' therapy and we can create a bespoke experience that helps you feel safe and relaxed. 

Am I too big/small/hairy/other?

No, you are definitely not! I strongly believe every body deserves looking after and massage can be enjoyed by everyone. If your massage is in my home clinic, my couch is medical-grade and hydraulic, and can hold a weight of up to 250kg (that's 39 stone). If you book for a massage in your home, you will be treated on my fold out wooden couch that can support up to 127kg, or 20 stone. I will work with your feedback and use bolsters and pillows to ensure you are comfortable throughout your session.

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If you have a lot of body hair, I will just use a bit more oil so there isn't any uncomfortable pulling. Body hair is a natural part of having a body - regardless of what gender you identify as! - and whether you choose to keep it or not is totally your prerogative, but please know I expect there to be body hair and you do not need to shave before a massage!

Do I have to play sports to get a sports massage?

This is actually one of the biggest misconceptions about sports massage. You certainly don’t need to be an athlete to receive sports massage!
Sports massage is simply a more targeted, sometimes deeper kind of massage. It can help address an acute or reoccurring injury, which can include those that aren’t sustained during exercise.
A sports massage session may include stretches and mobilisations, deep tissue work, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and other more advanced techniques.

How often should I have massages?

It very much depends on your circumstances. If you have an acute injury (after the inflammation subsides), or if you have a particularly tight area, I would advise having 3-6 sessions in quick succession - so weekly or bi-weekly. After that, the sessions can be spread out a little more.
In general, having a massage session every 3-4 weeks is a great way to maintain the positive effects of massage, such as stress reduction, better sleep and muscle tension reduction.

Are there any risks with massage?

Massage is a wonderful therapy that has countless positive health benefits. However, there are some rare cases when massage should be avoided or - at least - delivered by a specially trained therapist. Those cases involve the following:

• Blood clots - there are a few risk factors for blood clots, such as certain medication, injury, surgery or in rare cases, pregnancy. Massage may dislodge the entire or part of the clot, which could be very dangerous. These cases are extremely rare and a person with a blood clot will in most cases present with deep (unexplained) pain, sometimes swelling or skin discolouration around the location of the clot. I would not work with anyone with similar symptoms for their own safety and I would refer them to their GP for further testing.

• Brittle bones - this is either a congenital condition or something that develops later in life, perhaps through osteoporosis or arthritis. People with brittle bones can still enjoy and benefit from massage, but they must warn their therapist and ask for lighter pressure to avoid bone fractures.

• Skin infections - anyone with a potentially infectious skin condition should avoid going for massage until it clears to avoid passing it onto the therapist or other clients. If you have a cold sore, warts or athlete's foot, that’s fine - just let me know and I will avoid working on the affected areas. Massage elsewhere on the body is perfectly safe. I always wash my hands between clients and clean sheets to avoid spreading any infections.

• Other undiagnosed/serious condition - unexplained pain, heart and neurological conditions should, of course, always be treated with caution. It’s best to get all clear from your primary health care provider before booking a massage session. People undergoing cancer treatment can benefit from massage greatly, but it’s best to find a therapist who has been trained in oncology massage.

Is massage safe during pregnancy?

Yes, massage is a perfectly safe kind of therapy to receive during pregnancy, including the first trimester. If anything, massage can only benefit a pregnant person because it can help reduce stress levels, improve sleep, alleviate muscle aches and tightness. However, there are some exceptional circumstances if you are having a high risk pregnancy, for which massage may not be advisable. In such cases it is important to check with your primary health care provider if it is safe to receive massage.

What is your cancellation policy?

My time is committed to you as soon as we arrange an appointment and I add it to my calendar. However, I understand that your plans have to change sometimes. To ensure my consistent income, I kindly ask you to give me at least 24 hours’ notice when you need to cancel or re-schedule your appointment. This allows me to offer your appointment time to someone else and saves me from charging you. Cancelled or re-arranged session with less than 24 hour notice will be charged for at full price.

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The best way to contact me if you need to re-schedule or cancel your session is by calling or texting me on 07983611194. If there is no answer, please leave me a voicemail. I don’t check my emails regularly when I work.

I appreciate your understanding and respect of my cancellations and re-scheduling policy.

Do you do tantra/anything sexual?

It will surprise some clients that I need to put this on my website, but I still receive a shocking amount of messages regarding this. In short - NO I DON'T! Clients are asked to keep underwear on throughout the massage - with the only exception being the removal of bras/crop-tops - and there will be nothing sexual at all. Ever. No exceptions.