Guidelines (archive)

Feedback during the massage

Giving feedback is optional. Providing feedback throughout the massage will improve your comfort levels and pain relief. If you find yourself “in-the-zone” (ie in a state of total relaxation or even entrancement) you don’t need to give feedback. However, feedback can greatly enhance the therapeutic benefits. 

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 (eg your back and shoulders) it is easy for me to find the trigger points but on other parts of the body (eg lower back, hips and buttocks) the trigger points can be buried deep in the muscles and 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 eg arms, hands, legs and feet. If I hit a trigger point it is best for you to simply say “stop” or “there”.

I will apply suction cups and/or the ‘press and hold’ technique, which 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 being held in the trigger point. This process is done slowly and gently so as not to cause you any pain. Sometimes I will synchronise the pressing actions with your breathing pattern.

Cupping

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. When undertaking this trigger point release work, it is best for you to tell me when you have reached your threshold, however if I can see that you are in a state of total relaxation, I will remind you to let me know if we have reached your ‘threshold’.

This process may be repeated 2 or 3 times on the same trigger point and you need to let me know when we  have reached your new threshold for each repeated movement. You can let me know verbally by saying ‘

“stop” or “there” or you can use hand signals, like raising your thumb or a finger, or raising a toe or lifting your foot. 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

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

During the massage you may experience something that is not a pre-existing condition that may cause discomfort or impact your ability to stay fully relaxed.

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 is ‘working’ for you, i.e. it feels really good or is relieving in some way, let me know so I can do more of that for you. You can also let me know 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.  It is usually an involuntary action. 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 be will 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 Consent Form.

Pathways provides a safe environment for all clients and is proud to support the LGBT community.

I am able to massage all parts of the body 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. I will not massage any part of the body without your written consent. I do not provide a sexual service for my clients, however I do recognise the need for healing on parts of the body that some people and therapists consider “off-limits”. 

Pathways offers a professional service so it is safe for you to express your needs.

For asthmatics or people who have experienced prolonged coughing, 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. Just let me know during the massage. However, I am not able to undertake any work on areas of your body that I don’t have written consent for, so you can’t change your mind and request me to work on areas that we haven’t initially agreed to in the Consent Form. 

It is best to wear a G-string to provide access to the buttocks. Alternatively, wear very loose underwear so that I can make adjustments when access is needed. This enables me to glide my elbow and/or knuckles and/or open palms over the gluteus muscles in the hips and lower back area, unhindered and from different angles.

If you prefer to be naked I will use towelling methods to protect your privacy. 

I will always respect your boundaries.

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 therapy 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. Sometimes no marks are left at all. 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 Consent Form to give permission to use the suction cups. 

Read more about Cupping Therapy.

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 in Australia, with the guidance of shamanic practitioner Peter Bowden. It was made with the intention to bring a state of deep relaxation and to help facilitate a state of entrancement. It is made with kangaroo skin and has a quartz crystal incorporated into the beater. 

Peter requested that I obtain permission from any clients that I do drumming for, as he believes the vibrational healing from the drum penetrates on a cellular level and 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. 

You can also guide me to parts of the body you want additional drumming on or no drumming.

Read More About The Medicine Drum

How the massage will end

I will let you know when the massage has ended by ringing a bell. Your water container will be placed onto the table or within easy reach. I usually leave the room unless I need to do pack-down at a hired venue, but I will stay if you ask me to. You are welcome to rest on the table or in the room as long as you need to, unless the room is booked for other clients.

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 experienced a big journey. 
• 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.

Cupping

Drink plenty of water after your session and do not do the following:

• drink any dehydrating beverages such as alcohol or caffeinated drinks for the rest of the day
• undertake any strenuous or energetic activities for a few hours 
• take a shower or clean the cupping marks for at least 30 minutes

Post-treatment plan

• 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 also accumulate on your tongue. On the morning after the massage, 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. 

COVID-19 Safe Practices

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.