Question 1

What is Advanced Clinical Massage?

Accepted Answer

Advanced clinical massage is a method of massage therapy that combines and applies a range of techniques to achieve a specific outcome – to get people out of pain or reduce it significantly enough to improve quality of life, increase range of motion, improve posture and always to relax.

Question 2

What is Myofascial Release?

Accepted Answer

Myofascial Release is a specialised physical and manual therapy used for the effective treatment and rehabilitation of soft tissue and fascial aches, pains, tension and restrictions.
Fascia is the connective tissue in and around all our muscles and cells. Like other body tissues it can be damaged by stress, injury, overuse and other trauma. Myofascial release is, therefore, an application used to ease tension, restrictions and adhesions in the myofascia in order to restore balance and function.

Question 3

How does Advanced Clinical Massage differ from sports massage?

Accepted Answer

Many of the techniques used in clinical massage therapy are similar to those used in sports massage, but they are applied to patients with specific injuries or pain rather than athletes. Clinical Massage addressed the source of pain slowly and sensitively. The therapist will always have an holistic approach to individual issues and work with the patient who is always in control.
A very important part of Clinical Massage is the emphasis on self-care. The therapist will discuss lifestyle issues if appropriate or teach the patient to do exercises or relaxation techniques at home to ensure that they are fully involved and in control of their recovery.

Question 4

Which health issues can be treated?

Accepted Answer

In addition to general stress and tension, a very long list of condition will benefit from Advanced Clinical Massage. A few examples include:
 • Chronic Pain and dysfunction
 • Pain and injury in shoulder, neck, hip, foot or knee
 • Back pain and Disc pathologies
 • Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
 • Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
 • Postural problems
 • Whiplash
 • Migraines, Headaches, Jaw pain
People with long term medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, ME, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS and depression can also benefit.
If your particular health issue is not listed here, please contact me for further information and a personal consultation.

Question 5

What can I expect from my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

During your first visit I will go through a thorough consultation, a postural assessment (please bring shorts for this) and if needed any range of movement and orthopaedic testing. Following this I will explain my recommended treatment plan and you will receive a one hour hands on treatment to start your personalised therapy. To build on progress I will also show you complementing exercises to do at home.
Subsequent visits will be similar and include a short debrief of how you have been doing since your last visit, a one hour treatment and any relevant exercises you may want to try at home.

Question 6

What is a treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

A treatment plan is your personalised therapy that we will agree following an assessment of the health issue you would like to address.
Your first session lasts 90 minutes and will include a full assessment on the condition or the pain you would like to be treated. We will discuss your general health, range of movement, your expectations from the treatment and feelings towards pain. You are in charge of the treatment at all times and play an important role in your recovery.
After your first treatment I will show you appropriate exercises so that you can continue your recovery at home until the following session. I will help you to understand your power over your pain and body and to heal yourself by keeping up the good work after the treatments through the therapist.
Subsequent sessions typically last 60 minutes. After a few therapy sessions you may want to arrange for another in depth assessment in order to discuss progress, a change in treatment or further advice for home exercises.

Question 7

How many treatments are required?

Accepted Answer

This really depends on the condition and how long it has been present. In general 2-3 one hour treatments should produce a significant reduction in pain or an increase in your range of movement. Chronic conditions such as frozen shoulders can take more than six treatments. For long-term medical conditions and illnesses a long-term approach with treatments every month or fortnight is beneficial.
Depending on the severity of your condition, the sessions could be arranged weekly, fortnightly or monthly. As your pain free time between sessions increases, the frequency of your sessions can decrease.

Question 8

Will I experience any side effects?

Accepted Answer

Like after any massage, clinical or otherwise, you may feel a little sore afterwards. The deep tissue work can cause a similar feeling as if you have been working out at the gym and may last for 24-48 hours. However, you should be able to start feeling the benefits from the massage session quite quickly, for example a decrease in pain or increased flexibility and movement.
If you are particularly susceptible to headaches any work on the neck or head area may cause some pain, though in my experience this is a very rare occurrence. Usually any head and neck work relieves and eliminate headaches.
Another very common side effect of massages is feeling dehydrated. The therapist is working to break up the adhesions, allowing increased blood flow, increased movement, and to restore the muscle to a more healthy state. Opening up these areas releases the metabolic waste through the lymphatic system. Nutrients and oxygen are being delivered to the muscle at a faster rate, and all this uses water from your blood stream, which may give you a feeling of dehydration, or thirst. That’s why I encourage all my clients to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Some clients do experience a feeling of tiredness after a therapy session

Question 9

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

For the initial consultation and postural assessment I recommend you wear sport clothes such as shorts and a T-Shirt, as well as a sports bra or crop top (for ladies). For the massage you will be asked to undress down to your underwear. But please don’t worry, your modesty is kept at all times and the room will be nice and warm.

Question 10

Why are treatments one hour or more?

Accepted Answer

In order to achieve good results it is important for a clinical massage therapist to work slowly and specifically, listening to the whole body. The cause of pain is not always located where the pain is felt. Also, other parts of the body may require treatment where they worked harder as a result of a dysfunction in another area. The client should always get to a state of deep relaxation during treatment so that they can experience its full benefits. Providing after-care advice and teaching stretches as part of a holistic treatment approach is also very important and crucial to the overall effectiveness of the treatment. An hour goes by very quickly!

Question 11

Who can benefit from clinical massage?

Accepted Answer

The answer to this is simple: everyone can benefit from Advanced Clinical Massage! Our bodies work very hard every day and looking after them will help us to enjoy doing the things we love for longer.
Clinical Massage Therapy is generally used to treat pain, injury and dysfunction of the soft tissues (muscles/fascia/ligaments/tendons), but the people who will benefit the most are those with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Some of the more common conditions I see in my clinic are specific and non-specific back pain, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica, piriformis syndrome, rotator cuff injury, RSI (for example tennis elbow), carpal tunnel syndrome, leg, knee and foot pain including prantar fasciitis and many more.
Inviting a trained intuitive therapist who takes an holistic approach to their work is one of the most rewarding investments a person can make. While a clinical massage treatment will focus on a specific problem the therapist still treats the whole person and one outcome should always be an increased sense of wellbeing and relaxation.

Question 12

Are your insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I am fully insured to practice through Balens Insurance.

Question 13

How can I pay for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Payment can be made in cash or by cheque on the day or via bank transfer prior to the treatment.

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