Guidelines

Please familiarise yourself with the guidelines below before booking your session

The following COVID-19 health and safety practices are being observed:

  • Fresh towels used for every massage
  • Massage table, cups and room disinfected after each use
  • All clients screened prior to arrival and phone numbers collected for contact tracing
  • Extra time allowed between bookings to ensure no client-to-client contact

As a practitioner I have found that I have experienced breathing difficulties wearing a mask while delivering massage. Clients have also encountered the same issue as deep pressure massage and suction cups often results in nasal congestion.

You are advised that your therapist will NOT be wearing a mask and will not require that you wear a mask. If you wish to wear a mask during the massage, please provide your own mask.

What to bring

  • A water container with a lid on it
  • A hair band if you have long hair
  • If you are seeking treatment for sciatica or conditions in the lower back, hips or buttocks, please wear very loose-fitting or skin-tight underwear (ie. a g-string). Boxer shorts are not suitable. Towelling will be used to protect your privacy
  • Optional: Surgical mask for virus protection (see Covid19 Safe Practices)

Feedback during the massage

Giving feedback is optional.

Providing feedback throughout the massage will improve your comfort levels, pain relief and therapeutic benefit . If you find yourself “in-the-zone” (i.e. in a state of total relaxation) you don’t need to give feedback. 

Deep pressure manoeuvres are applied with the elbow and knuckles at different times throughout the massage. You need to let me know if I hit any sore points or knots (also known as trigger points). It will not be painful provided you provide feedback if you need the pressure adjusted. 

On some parts of the body it is easy to find the trigger points but on other parts of the body (eg lower back, hips and buttocks) they can be buried deep in the muscles so I will be relying on you to tell me where they are. Trigger points can also be found during stretching manoeuvres and in any part of the body e.g. arms, hands, legs and feet. If I hit a trigger point it is best for you to simply say “stop” or “there”.

Suction cups will be applied and/or the ‘press and hold’ technique used. This technique is similar to a yoga pose when you reach your limit in a stretch and hold it there for a while. You will be guided with a breathing technique to release the tension. This process is done slowly and gently so as not to cause you any pain

Feedback during cupping treatment

Cupping is one of the best ways to release muscle tension and increase the effectiveness and longevity of your pain relief. If you want cupping or are willing to give it a go for the first time, you will need to read the Cupping Therapy Guidelines as cupping is not suitable for everybody.

Suction cups can leave circular marks on your body. These are not bruises. The medical term for these marks is known as ecchymosis, (which is the same as a ‘hickey’ or ‘love bite’). They can range in size and colour from light red/pink to deep purple. It can take anywhere between 3 to 21 days for your skin to return to its normal colour. 

You will find a section on the Client Intake/Consent Form to give permission to use the suction cups.

It is essential that you inform the practitioner if during the treatment if:

  • the cups feel itchy, painful or discomforting in any way. They will either be removed or the pressure adjusted. 
  • you feel light headed, dizzy, chest pains or start to break out in a sweat. To prevent fainting the cups will be removed and you will be required to drink warm water to rehydrate. If you recover quickly, treatment may re-commence. To avoid these symptoms drink plenty of water and eat a light meal or healthy snacks 1-2 hours prior to your appointment.

The pleasure / pain threshold

The pleasure/pain threshold is the point where the sensation in the muscle is mildly painful but also pleasurable. In effect, it is the limit which if you pass it, you will go into pain.

The pleasure/pain threshold is utilised with the suction cups, the ‘press and hold’ technique and during stretches. You need to let me know when you have reached your threshold.

You can do this verbally by saying “stop” or “there” or you can use hand signals, like raising your thumb or a finger. If we have gone too far and it is painful, let me know so I can back off a little.

Some people have a high pain tolerance. However, it is not beneficial to go past your threshold as you will be taken out of your relaxation state and in some cases may damage your muscle.

Your state of relaxation

You are welcome to move any part of your body at any time during the massage.

If I need to move any part of your body during the massage, please stay totally relaxed so that I can position your arm, leg or neck in the correct position. 

Let me know if any of the following unfolds during the massage:

  • Any part of your body becomes too sensitive or ticklish 
  • Any part of your body gets cold (or hot)
  • The pressure is too hard (or soft)
  • The suction cups get itchy or are causing you any discomfort (see below)
  • Your nose gets blocked 
  • Your mouth gets dry or you need a drink of water
  • The music is too loud (or soft) or distracting
  • You need to go to the toilet (please give advance notice and don’t leave it to the last minute)
  • You need to fart (I can leave the room for a while)
  • I have crossed your boundaries in any way (see below)
  • Anything that is challenging your ability to fully relax during the massage

If something feels really good or is especially relieving in some way, let me know so I can do more of that for you. You can let me know verbally, by groaning or giving me a thumbs up.

Unexpected emotional release

Sometimes during the massage people unintentionally experience an emotional release. This can happen when stored emotional tension held in muscles is released.

If you feel the need to cry you are welcome to do so.  If you need comforting in any way, please ask for it. If you want me to stop and give you some space, please ask for it. If I offer you comforting and you don’t welcome it, please say so – I won’t be offended. I reserve the right to refuse comforting you if I think it may cross our agreed boundaries (see below).

Personal boundaries

Everyone is unique and has different needs and boundaries that will be respected with honour and dignity. It is essential for you to set clear boundaries about what you do or don’t want massaged in the Client Intake/Consent Form.

Pathways provides a safe environment for all clients and is proud to support the LGBT community.  A professional service is being offered so it is safe for you to express your needs.

All parts of the body can be massaged, including areas that some people consider “off-limits”, such as the buttocks. Massaging and/or cupping the buttocks is very effective for the relief of lower back and hip pain. Your consent will be required. 

It is best to wear a G-string to provide access to the buttocks. Alternatively, wear very loose underwear so that adjustments can be made when access is needed. If you prefer to be naked, towelling methods will be used to protect your privacy. 

For people who have experienced prolonged coughing (eg asthmatics) massaging the pectoralis muscles (or pecs) in the upper chest can provide substantial relief. If you are a woman and want this area massaged you will need to specifically request this on the Consent Form as contact with the upper part of the breasts may occur.

You are ‘at choice’ during the massage, so it is ok for you to change your mind and opt out of something you have initially given written permission to do. Work cannot be undertaken on areas of your body that written consent hasn’t been granted, so you can’t change your mind and request me to work on areas that haven’t initially been agreed to in the Client Intake/Consent Form. 

Pathways does not provide a sexual service for clients.

Consent form

Massaging and Suction Cups may need to be applied to the pectoral muscles or buttocks to treat ailments of the lower back, hip, groin and thighs, as well as for sciatica and some sports related injuries. You will need to sign the on-line Client Intake/Consent Form to grant permission to massage and suction cup these areas.

Body drumming with the Medicine Drum

Feedback from clients revealed that the favourite part of a relaxation massage or the Pathways Massage Journey is the medicine drumming. 

The drum is held just above the body and moved from head to toe while being played rhythmically and at different paces. Internal organs vibrate in sync with the drumming, described by some as a massage for those parts of the body that cannot be accessed by touch.

I made the medicine drum under the guidance of shamanic practitioner Peter Bowden. Peter requested I obtain permission from any clients that I do drumming for, as he believes the vibrational healing from the drum can engage the spirit (or ethereal) body. You need to be aware of this and that is why your permission is required. You will find a section on the Consent Form to grant permission to use the medicine drum. 

Feedback after the massage

Your feedback about your massage and any other aspect of the business operations is valuable. It helps to improve the services offered. Both positive feedback and constructive criticism is welcomed. 

If the opportunity arises after the session, sharing your experience with me will be very appreciated. You can also submit feedback online here or you can contact me at a later date by phone or email.

Aftercare

  • It is not a good idea to undertake any energetic activities, including work, straight after a therapeutic massage. 
  • It is best if you can schedule a few hours off to allow time for the healing to settle in and for processing and integration if you have had a long session. 
  • After a Massage Journey some people find they need to take the rest of the day off and don’t feel normal again until they have had a sleep.
  • Deep pressure work and suction cups can release toxins stored in the tissues, muscles and organs. 
  • Rapid detoxification can overload the kidneys, causing lethargy and sometimes a feeling of dizziness. It is essential that you drink lots of water after the massage, for at least 2-4 hours or until you go to bed, and go to the toilet regularly to flush the toxins out of your body. 
  • Do not drink any dehydrating beverages such as alcohol or caffeinated drinks or take any mind or mood altering drugs until you have had a sleep (unless prescribed by your doctor). 
  • Overnight these toxins can accumulate on your tongue. On the morning after your session, before you eat or drink anything, scrape your tongue with a spoon until you have removed all the residue. Then gargle some water and spit it out (you may need to do this a few times). It is recommended to set an alarm on your phone for when you wake up as it is easy to forget to do this first thing in the morning.
  • An Epsom Salt bath is recommended 2-4 days after your massage to keep the muscles relaxed and to further detoxify the body. Add 4 large handfuls of Epsom Salts per half a tub of hot water. Soak in the water for at least 20-30 minutes. Drink plenty of water before, during and after the bath.