• What should I expect during my first massage visit?
• What do I wear during a massage? Do I have to undress?
• What do I do during a massage session?
• Can I have someone else there with me?
• How will a massage feel? Will it hurt?
  
• When should I not get a massage?
• I bruise easily, can I still get a massage?
• Are there any preparations I need to make before my appointment?
• After my appointment, is there anything specific I should do?
• Will you offer follow up support or advice after my massage?

At the first appointment, prior to any massage therapy being given, a brief lifestyle and medical history is taken. An assessment is then made to identify problems and if any existing conditions will be adversely affected by massage therapy. A massage will then be fully discussed and agreed. Download, print and complete Intake Form HERE prior to your initial appointment (optional). Robert will have forms and complete them with you at the time of appointment if printing of this form is not possible. As for Hygiene, Robert takes this very seriously. For your peace of mind, all massage equipment is sterilised with antibacterial wipes prior to any home or office visit and Robert shall apply antibacterial hand gel before applying massage creams or oils to the client. Robert also expects the client to be as equally hygienic (a hot bath or shower not only cleans but expands joints, tendons and muscle fibre for a more rewarding massage, office visits are understandably excluded). Following the massage session, exercises and stretching techniques may also be advised, particularly when massage is being given to help with the rehabilitation of injuries.

Make yourself comfortable. If Robert wants you to adjust your position, he will either move you or will ask you to move to what is needed. Otherwise, change your position anytime to make yourself feel more comfortable. Many people close their eyes and relax completely during a session, whist others prefer to talk - it is entirely up to you. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time.

Yes, you are welcome to have someone else with you at the time of the massage appointment. I am aware that some ladies may feel uncomfortable being treated alone by a male masseur, especially on their first visit. If this is so, it is recommended that you bring along a friend to the home visit, as this will allow you to relax.

That depends on the type of massage and the depth of the strokes. A light massage that doesn't probe very deep into muscles shouldn't hurt. At the same time, the light massage won't be able to work out any stress that's deep within those muscles. A muscle that is relaxed will be supple and soft and won't hurt when rubbed. Muscles that are tight, and in many cases have been chronically tight for a long time, may have that "good hurt" feeling with a deeper massage. Think of that "good hurt" as the feeling you get when you stretch a sore muscle during exercise or a yawn. Muscles can be very sore from overuse or tightness, and that good hurt can become painful. A sharp pain may indicate a muscle that has been injured and has some sort of inflammation. In this case, you don't want the deep work to continue in this area. A deep massage with tight muscles may leave some residual soreness the next day. Everybody has different thresholds of pain. The depth of a stroke may not be deep enough for one person's liking and may cause pain for another. Some people want the massage as deep as possible regardless of the soreness. Others want something much lighter, more sensual and pleasing, to help them relax rather than deeper work that might be sore. So make your preference known to Robert, and give feedback at any time during a massage that the depth of the strokes is more than you'd like.

There are several contraindications for receiving a massage. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not get a massage:

• Fever
• Any type of infectious disease
• Systemic infections
• Severe cold
• Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury
• Liver and kidney diseases
• Blood clot
• High blood pressure (unless under control with medication)
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Open skin lesions or sores

The guidelines here are pretty straight forward. You don't want the massage to make an underlying medical condition worse, and you don't want to pass anything contagious to Robert. If you're unsure about whether a minor condition should prohibit you from getting a massage, please feel free to call Robert before your appointment. If you have a chronic medical condition, check with your doctor before proceeding on a course of massage therapy.

Yes. However, it is important that you make this clear during your intake consultation. You will also be asked why i.e. medications, medical condition, etc. Your massage will then be adjusted so that the pressure and techniques used prevent or minimise bruising.

It is recommended that you do not consume a large meal in the 90 minutes before your massage. During a massage treatment, blood is taken from the digestion process into the muscles in a similar manner as during exercise. This has the potential to cause digestive discomfort.

Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during massage, it is recommended that you drink plenty of water following your massage. This will help to assist in the removal of these toxins. In addition, an epsom salt bath is recommended to soothe and calm muscles, enhancing the benefits of the massage. This will help to alleviate any post-massage stiffness you may feel the next day.

Yes. All clients are invited to remain in touch via email or telephone. Even if you only ever come for one massage you are very welcome to get in touch for advice or referrals to other practitioners at any point in the future. You may wish to go over what was discussed during the session – to revise stretching procedures for example.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Robert