Nothing beats a professional massage, facial or Reiki treatment, which should be a relaxing, stress-free experience.

The therapies I offer can help soothe your body, mind and spirit by helping to improve immunity, circulation and anxiety. You’ll even sleep better. But before you book and have your therapy, there are some things you need to know and some prep work involved to make sure that you get the most from your treatment/s. And to avoid awkward moments, wasted cash and potential pain, please read the following tips and advice.

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Booking Your Appointment:

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1. Time your Treatment for the right time

 

There’s no perfect time to schedule a massage, facial or reiki. But you still should consider the best time for you before booking an appointment. Consider what makes sense for you and your schedule. Some people feel invigorated after a massage or facial and prefer to start their day that way. Others use treatments to eliminate day-to-day stress, preferring to book at the end of a long day. You know your body better, so trust your instincts.

 

When it comes to making an appointment, choose the time that works best for you. Ideally you should try to make an appointment at a time when you’re not rushing to get to the appointment  (give yourself time to account for traffic and parking), and at a time when you can go home and relax afterwards (it’s not a great idea to be rushing off to another appointment, doing your weekly shop, picking kids up, going back to work or even to a social event or gathering). You should also avoid any alcohol and caffeine for at least 24 hours after your treatment or therapy session, as well as any heavy meals, as this will only counteract all the work that has been done. Please schedule your therapy when none of these will be a factor.

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Avoid going to the gym, sauna, steam or any intense exercise after your treatment or therapy session, ideally for 24 hours. Please do this before your treatment, at least 3 hours before.

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Avoid microdermabrasion, retinol, and glycolic acid products or treatments at least a week before any facials or facial massage treatments.

Avoid exfoliation of your skin for at least a week before having a facial.

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Avoid booking your facial or specific treatment near a big event, i.e the day before a wedding or special occasion. Book your facial at least 3-4 days before your event or special occasion to prevent any breakouts or skin flare-ups for your special day.

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Avoid sunbathing before and after your treatment, and avoid any heat treatments such as saunas and baths after your therapy or treatment. Ideally, 24 hours before and after. Do not tan or burn your skin near your appointment. Sunburnt skin isn't a good look anyway and doesn't feel good when having a massage or treatment.

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It's best to head home, relax, eat a small healthy meal, read a good book, and sleep as much as you can. That's it! You can do whatever you need to do the following days after your treatment.

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2. Timing is everything

 

If you've never had a massage before, a good place to start is a simple half-hour basic massage, although you're welcome to go for any amount of time. I would recommend though a longer massage if you have a lot of tightness and stiffness and any concerns like painfully tight shoulders, stiff neck and lower back pain, please book 45 mins minimum as 30 minutes just won't make much sense or make a huge amount of different, 45 mins to an hour is best and highly recommended, especially if you have 2 or more problems areas you would like worked on.

 

If you are booking an hour massage and it's your legs, lower back, shoulders, neck and other areas that are affecting you and are the reason for a massage, and they are very tight and need releasing. An hour for all of these areas isn't enough to find the root cause and make a big difference. I would recommend at least 90 minutes, or a 2-hour session, for best results and to address all your areas of concern. This includes Facials also and any Energy Healing Sessions, if you are feeling that you need some extra time for your needs to be met at the correct time for your therapy or session.

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3. When to Re-schedule?

 

It’s also important to think about changing your appointment sometimes. If you are sick or have a cold (particularly if you have a fever) it’s not a good idea to have a massage, facial, reiki or any other therapy that you book for. Apart from the fact that your therapist doesn’t want to get sick, getting a massage, facial, or reiki can actually make you feel worse. Your circulation will increase, including your lymphatic system. When you’re sick, your lymphatic system is already working harder to try and get rid of the infection and cleanse the body. Massage, by pushing it to work harder, will increase the aches, fever, and general yucky feeling.

 

If you need to change your appointment (for any reason), always, always, always call your therapist. It’s common courtesy – after all, if your therapist was sick or had an emergency come up, you would want them to let you know. While it helps to give as much notice as you can, like with my 24-hour cancellation policy, we are all human, and sometimes unexpected things happen. But please keep in mind that I run a busy practice, and I often have clients waiting on my waiting list if I get a cancellation. If I receive your cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice, I often cannot fill the cancelled appointment time, as it's not enough notice for me to fill it again, resulting in a loss of earnings for the duration of the cancelled appointment. Please read my Terms and Conditions to familiarise yourself before booking an appointment. This ensures we are both happy with the booking conditions.

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4. Shave or wax a few days before,

 

I offer many different types of body treatments, and some may cause your skin to react if you have just recently shaved or waxed. Shave and wax at least 2-3 days before; this will allow the pores to close and the skin to be able to receive treatment without any skin sensitivity or reaction. Same for eyebrows and any face waxing for Facials.

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Avoid any facial waxing or laser treatment of your skin, such as eyebrows, upper lip or chin areas, for at least 48 hours before any facials.

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On The Day Of Your Appointment:

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1. Wear comfortable clothing:

 

Think a little about what to wear. Wear comfy, loose clothing. Who wants to pull-up Spanx and slide into stilettos after you’ve relaxed? Plus, after a body treatment, your skin will likely be very moisturised and can almost “stick” to your clothing. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing is a good idea.

Remember that you will have to take off most of your clothes, depending on which areas you are having massaged or treated, so lots of layers with lots of buttons, zips, and clips are probably not the best option. Wearing your favourite comfy track pants and t-shirt (for example) is a great idea, and it means you’ll be comfortable putting them back on and going home too. After all, you’re having a treatment, so comfort is the number one priority. Many people come to their appointment straight from work, so a good idea is to bring your trackies with you to change into after you get off the treatment bed.

 

Same for Yoga, Meditation and Reiki: please wear loose, comfortable, warm clothing that you feel unrestricted in, so you can sit, lie down, and move easily; this is key to an enjoyable treatment or session.

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2. Leave your valuables and jewellery at home

 

Keep all jewellery at home, especially if it is valuable. I do provide a jewellery box to keep small items in, but it might be easier, time-consuming, and safer to leave it at home.

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3. Workout before your massage, not after

 

Massage or workout, which one comes first? Definitely work out before, not after, your massage or facial. Worked-out, exercised muscles will be tired and benefit most from a massage. Working out immediately after a massage isn't a great idea, since you’re likely to stress and strain muscles that were just relaxed. Plus, you’ll run the risk of being too tired and injuring yourself. In fact, it’s best to wait about 24 hours before working out after any treatment I offer, especially massages. Allow your body to heal after a massage.

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Light stretching before your massage or treatment is recommended to help loosen tight, stiff muscles.

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4. Shower at home before your massage or treatment

 

It's best to avoid showering after your treatment, as this could remove the therapeutic aromatherapy oils or products that are best left on the skin to help maintain treatment results and the benefits of your session. Ideally, at least 12-24 hours if you can, to get the best results from the products. It would be a shame to wash it all off. If you can wash before your massage at home, that's best. Plus, it helps warm the muscles before a massage, resulting in a more relaxed massage and better results. 

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5. Avoid wearing Heavy Make-up

 

Especially if you are having a Facial, avoid wearing heavy waterproof eye and lip make-up, as it will take up precious time to remove, leaving less time for the nice bits like the facial massage, foot, hand, or head massage. Come bare-faced so your therapist has a clean canvas to work on and can spend more time treating your skin. Plus, any remnant of make-up on your skin can mix with the skincare ingredients in your facial and can cause a cluster of breakouts!

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So if it's early morning and your appointment is in a couple of hours, either avoid wearing it or remove it before you arrive.

If it's after work, please remove whatever you can, especially if it's waterproof and tough to remove.

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After your facial, we recommend avoiding makeup for at least 12-24 hours to allow your skin to breathe. So schedule a facial when you don't have any social activities that require you to put makeup back on.

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6. Don’t eat before your treatment or session

 

Please avoid eating before your massage, reiki, yoga or meditation session. Eat a light meal about two hours beforehand to allow for digestion.

Being uncomfortably full will just ruin your experience

Having a big meal right before your massage is not a great idea, and it's contraindicated for massage and some other therapies.

Again, remember that you will have someone pressing on your back (and maybe even your stomach), so if your tummy is full, that’s really not going to be comfortable or relaxing.

 

So eat a light meal at least 2 hours before your booked therapy appointment. If you eat too close to your therapy time, your therapist may not be able to provide your therapy because this is a contraindication, and the appointment will have to be paid for and rescheduled for another date.

 

The same for water: please don't drink any water, tea, coffee, juice, or anything for at least 30- 40 minutes before your therapy session, as water acts as a detoxifier and will affect your digestive tract and your bladder during the therapy booked, especially Yoga and Meditation.

Make sure that your body is fully hydrated at least 2-3 days before any of my therapies that you book. This means drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day for 2-3 days before your therapy to get the results you are looking for from the therapies I offer. 

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7. Avoid alcohol on the day and the day before.

 

Contrary to urban legend, a massage isn’t good for a hangover—it may make you feel even worse! And it can, as your blood pressure drops and you're more susceptible to feeling very unwell. I have had a few clients who have drunk alcohol after their massage and have been rushed to A&E; it's definitely no joke!

So avoid all alcohol before and after any of mine and other therapies. Any alcohol consumed within 12 hours of any treatment or service provided is contraindicated, and treatment will not be able to go ahead and will have to be paid for and rescheduled for another date.

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8. Drink plenty of fresh water

 

Drink plenty of fresh, clean water at least 2-3 days before having a massage, facial or Reiki session, and other therapy sessions, to get the best results from your treatments. This is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! This will give you outstanding results from your session if your body is already hydrated. I cannot recommend this enough!!! Your body will thank you for it!!!

And avoid drinking any water at least 30 minutes before your therapy starts. 

 

Because water acts as a detoxifier and will affect your digestive tract and your bladder during the therapy session that is booked, especially any Massages, facials, yoga, and Meditation.

Make sure that your body is fully hydrated at least 2-3 days before any of my therapies that you book. This means drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day for 2-3 days before your therapy to get the results you are looking for from all the therapies I offer. Including Reiki and other energy therapies.

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9. Drink coffee before, not after

 

When booking an early-morning session, drink your morning coffee before — not after — your appointment. Drinking caffeine after your appointment can tense the previously relaxed muscles. Choose a caffeine-free herbal tea instead. Your muscles will thank you for it!

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If you do drink coffee or any caffeine, please drink your coffee or tea at least an hour or two before your therapy or massage or avoid it altogether. Caffeine can be enough to prevent you from relaxing completely during your session. Your body will be tense and will tend to fight against the therapist. In your head, you'll likely be making lists and reviewing things from work or home life, instead of lounging, letting go, and enjoying your treatment or session. 

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10. Be on time, please

 

If you’re returning regularly, please aim to arrive 5-10 minutes early. This gives you time to find parking, use the toilet, and start to unwind and relax. There is nothing worse than running into your appointment late, frazzled, stressed and tense – not a good way to start relaxing. If you're late, it'll cut into your treatment time, which means less time for your massage, reiki, facial, or yoga and meditation session, and less time within your appointment's allocated time. And you will still be paying the full appointment price afterwards.

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Your therapist wants to work on you for your entire scheduled appointment. But arriving 10, 15, or 30 minutes late means cutting your time short to accommodate the next client scheduled after you.

 

If this is your first time seeing me, you will need to fill out a consultation form. This is required for therapists who have therapy insurance, and it is a vital part of the insurance process: updated paperwork and signed consent forms, so we can provide the best service for you. It also helps the therapist to know a little bit more about you, what you’re hoping to get out of the treatment and what things they need to look out for or avoid.

So if you are new, please arrive 15-20 minutes early.

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11. If you have a health concern or condition,

 

Please let your therapist know if you have a health concern or condition, or if you’ve had a change in your medical condition and any changes in your medication since your last therapy session; let your therapist know that too. Telling them halfway through a deep-tissue massage that you bruise easily because you are on blood thinners may be too late. Or that you had an injury such as a broken collarbone or any recent or past fractures. Your therapist will need to know this way before your treatment begins if she/he is moving your arm or legs in different directions.

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During Your Appointment/ Treatment Session:

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1. Please remember to breathe

 

Sometimes, without realising it, we tend to hold our breath. But during a massage, particularly when the therapist is working out a knot, it’s crucial to breathe. In fact, it’s important to breathe fully and deeply. It’s especially important to oxygenate the blood supply to aid tense muscles. Deep and slow breathing, according to research, has even been reported as a complementary approach in the treatment of chronic pain. So don't forget to be aware of your breathing during your session for best results. It deepens the relaxation and accelerates the purification process. Maintaining a good breathing pattern is recommended for the best results in your sessions, whether it's a massage, facial, or Reiki session. This is especially true in a Yoga session.

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2. Be a slacker

 

Be loose and relaxed; don't try to be alert. Trust your therapist and let go. It's OK if you fall asleep; it happens very often, and it's a good sign - that it's doing its job. Be loose and relaxed, especially in all Massages, Facials, reflexology, and other therapies, as well as in Yoga or Meditation sessions. You will get the best results and feel much more relaxed.

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3. Let Go and Relax

 

Let your therapist move your limbs whenever they need to. Relax and let go of all your muscles and tension; avoid moving and holding on to your arms, legs, and hands unless you're asked to. Massage and therapies in general are an up-close and personal experience, and your therapist wants nothing more than to give you the best experience possible. Most importantly, get comfortable, relax, and enjoy. 

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4. Stop Thinking, Start Feeling

 

Do not think of anything else during the massage, facial, or Reiki treatment that you are having. All worries and concerns have to wait for the whole session. The only thing that matters is that you give yourself the time to relax, let go and enjoy this time of relaxation, peace and quiet for yourself. Leave highly critical thoughts, or any judgements, at the door. Don't try to be alert; trust your therapist and let go.

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5. Massage and the "No Pain No Gain" Concept

 

Massage doesn't have to be painful. Some muscle knots and certain forms of tension respond well to firm pressure, and a few clients need a deeper massage. That doesn't mean you need to experience it for yourself. Harder and firmer massages are most of the time a bad massage and can have a more detrimental effect on the body. So it really shouldn't be painful; if it is, please inform your therapist as soon as it gets uncomfortable, as bruising isn't a good look or feel for the body and muscles.

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6. Talk to your Therapist

 

Let your therapist know if anything feels uncomfortable during your session, like the pressure, temperature, or anything else that would help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Your therapist wants you to have the best experience possible. So please keep her informed, even after your session has ended, if you have any concerns or questions. Feedback helps her know what's working and what isn't, so she can customise each session to your needs.

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7. Follow the Aftercare Advice from your Therapist after your session/therapy

 

Take the advice and guidance that your therapist offers after your session/treatment; it's there for a reason and to help you get the best results from your therapy or session. And allow time to relax after your session or treatment back at home. Your body has just received a workout and is still detoxifying your systems, so rest, relax, and be gentle with your body.

Leave jobs and to-do lists to another day. Let this be YOUR day for YOU. And enjoy!