FAQs

We’ve created this page to help you with many of your questions. We want to save you some time and make sure you feel confident when you visit us. We’ll answer many of the most commonly asked questions regarding clothing, pressure, pain, safety, and the expected outcome of a massage therapy treatment. Once you’ve read through our FAQs and still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll do our best to help you.

We have put together these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you better understand our approach to professional bodywork and how to schedule an appointment.

Our massage FAQ page addresses the most commonly asked questions our clients have before, during, and after their massage session. If you are looking to schedule your first massage, or if you want to learn more about sports massage, or if you are interested in learning more about deep tissue massage, then this FAQ page will provide you with the answers to many of the questions you will need to know to make you comfortable and confident before your session.

While it is true that massage is beneficial for relaxation, it is also an efficient way to promote recovery, enhance mobility, and help manage everyday aches and pains caused by work, stress, and physical activity. Once you understand how massage works and what to expect from a massage session, you will feel much more comfortable and confident before your scheduled appointment.

Before a massage session begins, there will always be communication between you and your massage therapist. Your massage therapist will typically ask you several general questions to help them understand your needs and to assess your movement if needed. The questions your therapist asks will help determine whether massage is proper for you and ensure that your massage treatment is both safe and effective.

Your therapist will give you private time to get ready for your massage session. They will use clean towels and blankets during your massage session. Always remember that your comfort and consent are paramount. A massage should never feel like it is being forced upon you; nor should it ever be rushed or unclear.

One question that many clients ask is regarding the differences between relaxation massage and deep tissue treatments. Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that focuses on the layers of muscles and connective tissues to enhance function and relieve long-standing tensions. Sports massage is essentially similar to deep tissue massage; however, it is more specific to movement patterns, recovery, and performance.

Both types of massage are great options for athletes, people who sit at a desk and do the same thing over and over, and individuals with a limited range of motion. Regardless of whether you are physically active, inactive, or somewhere in between, a massage can be adapted to suit your individual needs.

Massage is a collaborative process. While some massage techniques can feel very intense, you must communicate any painful feelings to your massage therapist. Communication is key to adjusting pressure or changing techniques based on your feedback.

Always let your massage therapist know if anything feels uncomfortable, and do not hesitate to speak up if you have any concerns. When a massage therapist is responding to your feedback in real-time, the massage is going to be much more productive and enjoyable for you.

Massage is a collaborative process. While some massage techniques can feel very intense, you must communicate any painful feelings to your massage therapist. Communication is key to adjusting pressure or changing techniques based on your feedback.

Always let your massage therapist know if anything feels uncomfortable, and do not hesitate to speak up if you have any concerns. When a massage therapist is responding to your feedback in real-time, the massage is going to be much more productive and enjoyable for you.

Payment is made in cash (pound sterling) online on the website or via bank transfer card before the treatment.

Every massage treatment is customised for each client, based on what they want to achieve from their session. Therefore, your massage therapist will ask you some open-ended questions to help them identify your objectives and areas you’d like to focus on. The therapist will leave the room to let you get comfortable, and once you’re ready, they’ll return and start your massage session.

To book an appointment, please provide your full name and mobile number. Please note that all your personal information is protected by the UK Data Protection Act 1998. The information we ask for is to ensure a thoroughly professional service.

Before your treatment begins, you may be asked to fill out a health history form and/or participate in some assessments to evaluate your overall condition and potential contraindications for the massage therapy you’re requesting. This process allows your therapist to provide you with safe and effective bodywork.

Yes. Each client is encouraged to stay in touch with our office via phone or email. Whether you choose to visit us once or many times, you are always welcome to reach out to us for further guidance or referral to another practitioner. You may also want to call and review your session, for instance, to modify the stretching exercises that were recommended to you. A good time to call is Monday-Friday between 9am and 12pm, and any time via email.

Yes! Gift Vouchers are the perfect gift for every occasion. Give your friend or loved one a Massaggi Gift Voucher. Buy Massage Gift Vouchers online securely with PayPal. Vouchers are available in £82, £122, or £152.

Typically, you should dress down to your comfort level as much as possible for your massage session—preferably completely nude, particularly when working on your buttocks/gluteals or hips. Your massage therapist will cover you with a towel during the session to maintain your modesty and will only remove it to access the specific area of your body being massaged.

Many people prefer to wear only lightweight, flexible undergarments on the lower half of their body for their massage sessions. While this is perfectly acceptable, more constrictive undergarments (such as men’s long, loose-fitting cotton boxers) will significantly restrict access to the hamstring and adductor attachments; therefore, the therapist will need to work through a towel. Although towel-based massage is just as effective, it can also be a great deal more uncomfortable after the massage session because it is not nearly as easy to pre-warm the area(s) being worked on, allowing for greater depth of pressure and manipulation.

Ultimately, the most critical factor for your massage therapist is your overall comfort throughout your massage session.

No, massage is not intended to cause physical discomfort. Although you may experience some minor discomfort during deep tissue treatments or techniques, it should never be overwhelming. Please inform your massage therapist immediately if you are experiencing too much pressure.

Fractionated coconut oil is used. It is an odourless, colourless, light, non-staining oil that washes easily out of fabric. It soaks into the skin and will not leave you feeling greasy; instead, it has a pleasant moisturising effect, leaving skin feeling silky smooth. That means if you choose to come for a massage dressed elegantly, en route to a fabulous party, you won’t leave feeling greasy and smelling like a hippy’s handbag.

We use a range of tested, safe, natural, and organic massage oils, typically based on grape seed or almond oil. Some of the oils we use are slightly fragranced, while others are not, depending on the type and individual skin sensitivity requirements.

Everybody is different. For acute pain, 4 or 5 sessions may be sufficient. For chronic conditions that persist for an extended period, treatment may be prolonged. We also recommend that clients book regular sessions to help alleviate symptoms such as excessive fatigue, stress from exercise, aches and pains, stress-induced headaches, and other related medical issues. They help replenish depleted energy resources, leaving you feeling recharged and in balance with yourself.

Yes. Many clients say that they are not in pain but want “maintenance”. Getting a massage once a month or every four weeks can help maintain healthy circulation, posture, and overall wellness.

Remedial massage and pregnancy massage tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. Remedial massage helps alleviate chronic pain, injury, or range-of-motion issues. As a result, whether you are recovering from a medical condition or accident or are pregnant, you will still get the most out of your massage treatment.

Sports massage is a form of deep tissue massage that aims to massage and manipulate the muscles, stretch the fascia, and work remedially to ease tightness and restrictions. People are often rightly confused by such terms as ‘NMT’ (Neuromuscular Therapy), ‘STR’ (Soft Tissue Release), and ‘Myofascial Release ‘– but really these are technical terms – and the understanding of such terms is mainly relevant to the sports massage therapist rather than client (unless of course they are interested!). Such techniques form part of a toolkit that the massage therapist can use to work in ways that suit the individual client.

A sports massage focuses on the muscles and fascia to address aches, pains, and mobility restrictions. Your massage may involve applying varying levels of pressure, stretching or moving the muscles or joints. The therapist may assess and test areas of concern throughout the massage and may ask you to move or stretch.

A sports massage therapy session is suitable for practically anybody from all walks of life. We help athletes maintain and fine-tune their bodies, and we help professionals and homemakers improve their quality of life through our targeted, tailored sports massage therapy sessions.

A sports massage is a type of deep-tissue massage that stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, thereby aiding the body’s recovery process. Some sports massage movements utilise trigger point therapy to break down muscle knots and enhance the body’s range of motion. This explains the sensation of ‘freedom’ often associated with Massaggi sports massage therapy sessions.

Yes. For remedial sports massage treatment, your sports massage therapist generally concentrates on a specific problem area, such as a sore neck, lower back, or shoulders, and works the muscles and tissues until the body begins to regain its full vigour.

In today’s world, even an office desk job puts your body under strain. Repetitive work and prolonged sitting can strain muscles and cause sore joints. A sports massage is a tune-up for your body. It is there to keep you humming quietly, ready to take on whatever the day ahead may bring.

Sports massage emphasises injury prevention and healing.

Yes. Swedish massage focuses on relaxation, while deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of the muscles. Techniques are applied to each massage according to your needs and tolerance.

Sports Massage separates soft tissues that are stuck together, and often they no longer feel soft but very hard, stiff and sore. Muscles (and the fascia that surrounds them) become stuck after injury, misuse, disuse, stress, and tension. Sports and remedial massage can soften hardened tissue and restore movement and mobility around stiff, painful joints.

Yes, that’s not a problem. You may prolong the session, subject to our availability.

After your treatment, make sure to drink plenty of water and take gentle stretches. Slight discomfort in certain areas may be expected from deeper tissue massage. If you have concerns regarding your massage, please speak with your therapist.

To avoid overstraining your muscles, it is best to wait 24 hours after getting a massage. Because a sports massage is typically deep-tissue, it is recommended to get one no more than 1 week before the event. It is also important to note that this is only recommended for those who are experienced in receiving sports massages; otherwise, you may want to schedule the massage 10 days before the event so you can evaluate how your body reacts to it.

There are specific health conditions that prevent you from receiving a massage. Before your appointment, your therapist will review this information to ensure your safety and effectiveness.

It is advisable to exercise before a sports massage to make it easier to identify focus points. The therapist can easily assess your mobility, flexibility, and reaction to physical activity.

A sports massage can significantly enhance the performance of both amateur and professional athletes. It can also help speed up recovery time from workouts or competitions, lower the risk of injury, improve sleep quality, increase flexibility and range of motion, improve blood flow to muscles, and reduce muscle tension, thereby promoting relaxation.

In sports massage, the sessions are specific to the athlete and are aimed at the muscle tissues (muscles), whereas a regular massage is aimed at relaxation.

Definitely not! Sports massage is beneficial for anyone seeking a deep tissue massage that soothes, eases, and mobilises the muscles – rather than solely stroking the skin. A common misconception is that sports massage is only for sports people – it’s not! Whilst it’s invaluable to athletes who might need pre- and post-event work to either loosen, repair, or refresh sore, aching limbs, sports massage is also ideal for those who don’t necessarily play sports, but perhaps sit in the same position for long periods or carry out repetitive tasks. It can restore stiff, sore muscles to ones that move with pain-free ease, giving freedom from pain and discomfort.

Our sports massage is about listening carefully and responding to the individual’s unique needs. To summarise, sports massage aims to restore function and alleviate muscular pain, whether the discomfort has originated from poor posture associated with desk work or from the physical demands of playing rugby or football.

A massage therapist treats sports injuries such as shin splints, hamstring tears and tennis elbow, and also conditions such as scoliosis, sciatica, RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury), frozen shoulders, tight calves, sore glutes, breathing difficulties and sore, tight shoulders, as well as stress-related conditions such as tension headaches and migraines.

Massage sessions are charged per hour. The cost ranges between £80 and £150. However, the price may vary depending on other complementary services, such as sliding-scale options.

In deep tissue massage, pressure is exerted to manipulate the deeper tissues in the body. The therapist works on the tissues that lie on top of the muscles. On the other hand, sports massage involves manipulating muscle tissues to hasten recovery, relieve pain, improve performance, or ease fatigue in athletes.

Sports massage doesn’t have to hurt to be effective. Your massage therapist should focus on muscle-specific exercises rather than exerting pressure. However, you may experience mild pain the day after the massage. This is dependent on how clogged your muscles were and how they loosened up. The same happens when you hit the gym.

Sometimes sports massage can be a little uncomfortable, but it is only ever a ‘good’ pain—that is, you will instinctively know it is doing good. Please remember that you are always in charge, so if you’re uncomfortable in any way, please let us know, and we’ll try a different approach.

Often, clients will report having gone for a massage treatment with other styles of massage therapists and found it unsatisfactory, as it was far too light and not deep enough. There is undoubtedly a place for this type of massage, but it is not something we find our clients request very often here. Of course, if you want it light or lighter, please say—we aim to give you the massage you wish, not one we deem ‘appropriate’.

It is not unusual to experience minor post-massage soreness for a day or two after a deep-tissue massage. This is normal and indicates that valuable work has been done – and that the body is healing. Common post-massage advice includes warming the area with a hot bath or a hot water bottle, drinking lots of water, and gentle but progressive stretching.

If you are worried in any way about being sore or have an important event the next day or two, please communicate this; it’s no problem to work around. 

A sports massage is unlike a typical spa visit. It is more athletic-oriented and may not be the same for all athletes. The first step is assessment, where your therapist tries to identify the focus points. They may involve you in light exercise to observe your posture, mobility, and flexibility. Then, they will try to determine the trigger points and give you instructions for your inhalation and exhalation to reduce discomfort. The therapist will focus on muscles. You should expect results after a day or two.

After a sports massage, you will feel more refreshed and rejuvenated. Your muscles and joints may experience mild pain, but it should only last a few hours. Post-massage benefits include improved performance, enhanced blood circulation, accelerated recovery, increased sense of well-being, reduced risk of injury, and improved sleep quality.

Bruising is a common occurrence in sports massage, but it typically resolves within a short period. The essence of massage is pain reduction rather than creating it. However, because the therapist must target the muscles, you may experience some bruising, which should subside within one to two days.

Sports massage is an integral part of optimal performance for both amateur and professional athletes. A sports massage helps improve performance, hasten recovery, reduce the likelihood of injury, enhance sleep quality, increase flexibility and mobility, improve blood circulation, and promote relaxation.

It is recommended to avoid straining your muscles for 24 hours after a massage session. However, because sports massage is deep, you should get one only a week before the event. This should only be the case when you are used to regular sports massage. Otherwise, you might have to do it 10 days earlier to have enough time to assess your body’s reaction.

This is not a doubt. The exercise increases mitochondria, which improves how the body utilises oxygen. Consequently, sportspeople can endure more in the field. Apart from that, sports massage hastens injury recovery, giving you more time to practice and participate in events.

After a sports massage, you might experience mild pain. In some instances, bruising may also occur. On the positive side, you will likely feel more relaxed, and any physical pain may subside after a day or two. Reduction of muscle spasms is also a common experience after sports massage.

Our Massage FAQs are here to help you, but if you need additional assistance with your massage, don’t be afraid to ask; we will be happy to assist you with your initial massage and provide general information as needed.