Deep Tissue, Sports and Therapeutic Massage in Glasgow

YOUR MASSAGE QUESTIONS

What is Integrated Massage?

Integrated massage is a unique form of massage that combines techniques, strokes and moves from many different massage styles or modalities.

My integrated massage style includes techniques taken from Swedish, deep tissue, therapeutic, remedial, sports, hot stones massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy with elements and inspiration from Traditional Chinese massage, Chi Nei Tsang (Internal Organ Massage) and stretches from Thai massage.

Usually, all these massage styles or modalities would be performed on there own as a singular treatment and many of them such as Swedish, hot stones and Thai massage have a set sequence making each treatment virtually identical. With integrated massage I take all the best bits and the most effective techniques and combine them in to a totally unique and effective 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.

The focus of an integrated massage is always to ease any aches and pains you might be feeling, provide you with greater flexibility and range of motion, release stored up physical tensions and psychological emotions, restore balance and give a deep sense of relaxation for both the body and mind.

Many different problems can be helped by integrated massage, including, recovery from an injury or surgery, daily stresses and tensions of modern life, work related postural problems, athletic performance and general improvement to your physical health and psychological well-being.

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, it is know in Sweden as classic massage, it uses a firm but gentle pressure to soothe and relax.
Therapeutic massage - Similar to Swedish massage but targeted more on releasing muscle stiffness and tension than relaxation. Commonly focuses on one specific part of the body in need of a deep treatment rather than the whole body. Very effective for loosening tight muscles.
Remedial massage - Involves the use of a wide range of massage techniques, including, Positional Release Technique (PRT), Soft Tissue Release (STR) and Trigger Point Therapy (TrPT) to aid the muscles and soft tissues of the body re-align and recover from injury.
Sports massage - Perfect for professional and amateur athletes, pre and post event work consists of specific massage techniques to invigorate muscles prior to strenuous activity and afterwards helping to return the muscles to their natural resting length. Other aspects of sports massage include remedial and therapeutic massage work.
Hot / Cold stone massage - Massage with smooth heated volcanic basalt stones and cold marble stones. Hot stones have a sedative effect making the massage very relaxing, the warm stones also soften fascia and quickly prepare muscles and other soft tissues for deeper work whilst the use of cold stones helps return the core temperature of the body back to normal levels and reduces inflamation and soreness from the deeper work with the hot stones.
Myofascial techniques - Myofascial techniques work with the connective tissue / Fascial Matrix (I often refer to it as Candy Floss) of the body which is suppose to be a fluffy, moist material that enables all the moving parts of the body to glide and move independently around each other. Often this fascia or connective tissue hardens and thickens (like squeezed Candy Floss) in response to extra stress and tension, it then starts to restrict rather than enable good range of motion and often will require work to soften and re-align it. The Myofascia techniques I use come from the Rolfing and Structural Integration tradition and not the John Barnes School of Myofascial Release.
Trigger Point therapy - Trigger Point therapy, sometimes known as Neuromuscular therapy, is primarily concerned with muscle knots and trigger points. These are small areas of hyper-sensitive tissue within muscle and fascia that can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, for further info please read Trigger Points and Knots.
Thai on the table - Often know as Lazy Mans Yoga, Thai massage is usually performed in relaxed clothing and involves compressions and stretches, it is very effective at freeing up the body and loosening all the joints. Thai on the table is an adaption of this style of massage to be effectively used during a table massage.
Traditional Chinese massage - An ancient massage technique that has evolved over many thousands of years and which is extremely effective. Chinese massage is traditionally performed through sheets or clothes with no oil used. With the rhythmical use of thumbs, hands, forearms and elbows this technique penetrates deep into the muscles, fascia and other soft tissues to ease deep seated tensions.
Chi Nei Tsang - Internal Organ Energy massage is a massage that's mainly focused on the abdomen and the massaging of the internal organs of the body such as the liver, gall bladder, intestines etc. Chinese in origin, and specifically interested in releasing negative feelings and emotions stored in the internal organs it can have an extremely powerful emotional effect.
Breuss Massage - The Breuss massage is a gentle spinal massage that focuses on stretching and opening up the spine. It was developed by Rudolf Breuss who believed that wear & tear of interveribral disc was a form of degeneration and that regeneration of the discs was possible. It is often used in conjuction with the Dorn Method which is a gentle method for correct and realign the spine and vertebrae. The Dorn Mthod uses a combination of active and passive movement with pressure toward the joint being treated.

Although each of these styles or modalities of massage are usually offered as single treatments, my integrated massage combines them all within one unique and effective massage treatment helping to relieve tension, restore energy, ease pain and discomfort, loosen the joints, increase range of motion, release negative emotions, open up the body and give a deep sense of relaxation.

How long does a treatment last?

I offer both 1 hour and 2 hour appointment slots.
A 1 hour treatment slot is appropriate if you want to have just a specific area treated, for example, tension and stiffness in the neck and shoulders or tightness and restriction in your legs. The 1 hour treatment typically includes 45 minutes of table work.
The 2 hour slot is recommended for those wanting an in-depth full body massage, the additonal time enables me to work thoroughly through the whole body addressing any problem areas and releasing tensions across the whole muscular and fascial system.
The 2 hour session typically includes 1 hour and 40 minutes on the table. The 2 hour session is not recommended for people who haven't previously had some for of sports or deep tissue massage.
A full body treatment can be done within a 1 hour session but it does mean that I'm unable to give many areas the full attention they might need.

What happens during a treatment?

When you come for your massage appointment I will 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 will talk you through exactly what will happen and everything you need to know.
You will be given time to yourself to undress ready for the treatment. You will be covered with this sheet for the entire treatment and only the body part being massaged will be uncovered at any time.
I may ask questions about how different areas are feeling and check with you that the pressure is OK whilst I am working. you are invited to ask any questions you might have. After your treatment I will discuss with you what was discovered, if you wish, I can suggest beneficial lifestyle changes and I can suggest how best for you to move forward with any future treatment or maintenance work.

How much does a treatment cost?

A 1 hour massage treatment costs £40.00, the 2 hour massage option is £70.00.
Payment should be made in CASH or a gift voucher at the end of your treatment.

Please Note: I can't accept Credit or Debit Card payments at your appointment.

What do I wear?

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, women may prefer to keep their bra on during the treatment and this is absolutely fine. It is important that you are comfortable and relaxed during the treatment so it is absolutely fine if you wish to be full undressed, fully clothed or something in the middle.

You will be covered with this sheet for the entire treatment and only the body part being massaged will be uncovered at any time.

Will the massage be painful?

During the course of the massage it is likely that some areas of tension, muscle adhesion and trigger points will be discovered. When working with these areas it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable or tendor but I always work within your tolerance levels. You are always in control during a treatment and if any pressure is to too deep just say as it's important you are relaxed throughout the massage for me to be able to get the muscles to release.

Sometimes you may feel some soreness for a day or so after the treatment, if this is the case, don't worry this is fairly common, more so after your first treatment, but should only be a slight tenderness and will ease over 24 to 48 hours.

How often should I have a massage?

Everybody is different so this is a hard question to answer. In general however, if you have come for massage because you are experiencing pain and restricted movement then usually a minimum of 2 to 4 sessions, 1 a week, is recommended, The first 2 treatments would be targeted at relieving the area where you are experiencing the discomfort and then during the following 2 treatments we would work further a field and address muscles that are supporting the problem and bring the body back in to balance. If you are just experiencing some stiffness and general tightness in the muscles, it may be that only 1 or 2 massage treatments is required. For general maintenance work some people like to come for a massage once a fortnightly basis, others once a month, some people will only come for a massage once every 6 months, this decision is up to you and how you are feeling. You will never be encouraged to come for more treatments than is required.

Do you diagnose?

No. Massage therapists, in general, 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 check your posture, flexibility and range of motion, this is primarily to help me understand how your body is balanced and where restrictions are and how they effect your mobility. This enables me to give you the most effective treatment I possibly can. If you want a diagnosis for a particular injury or condition you are having problems with then I recommend you visit a good phyiotherapist (I can recommend several) or a well qualified and experienced Sports Therapist, and of course don't forget to visit your GP too.

What massage oil do you use?

I have completely stopped using traditional massage oils and now mainly use Tui Massage Wax and Balme, both the unscented and vanilla versions, I also have a version that doesn't contain almond oil for those that may be allergic or sensitive to nuts or nut oils. Additionally, I also use a oil free lotion when working the the neck and head region and a product called Bag Balm for myofascial work. Bag Balm gives superior grip whilst working with the fascia of the body and is also none greasy and great for the skin.

Why do you use sheets instead of towels to drape?

Over the years I have tried many different methods of draping my clients and like most UK trained therapists I was initially taught to use towels for this purpose. The problem, I find, with towels is they are heavy, cumbersome and awkward when moving the client in to a new position. In America it is very common for massage therapists to use sheets to drape clients and this is where my use of sheets comes from, although I have adapted it for my own use. They are light and simple to use and crucially they easily maintain your modesty at all times. They are large enough to be able to drag and drape around the body when doing passive stretching and range of motion work. Most therapists who use towels for draping say they use them to keep their clients warm and pampered, don't worry, I have heating to keep you lovely and warm (or cool if you prefer).

Do you play music?

No I don't play music during my massage sessions.
During my treatments, I want you to relax and connect with your body, I believe this is more easily done when you're allowed to tune in to your bodies own natural rhythm rather than that of some relaxation music with running water sounds or the sound of whales. If however you feel you must have music, please bring along a CD of your choice with you to the treatment and I will play it for you. Please mention this when booking your appointment so I can make sure a CD player is available during the session.

Do you do home visits?

I only offer home visits to current, regular clients, I do not offer home visits to new clients. Due to travelling and the time required to set up and pack away it is also an expensive option, if you are interested in home visits please contact me for prices.

My clinic is based in Glasgows city centre within easy reach of bus and rail transport. A 5 minute walk from Central Station and about 2 minutes away from both Buchanan Street underground and Queen Street Station. On street parking is also available although sometimes difficult to find, but Buchanan Galleries car park is only 5 minutes walk away with reasonable prices.

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