What is ‘Bespoke Holistic Massage Therapy?’

What is ‘Bespoke Holistic Massage Therapy?’

A new client recently asked me “What is ‘Bespoke Holistic Massage Therapy’?” So this month, I thought I would explain what it means when you book your first (and any subsequent) treatments with me, and why I may provide a difference experience than other spas or clinics.

Meeting the Need on the Day

As a therapist that has been working for over 22 years now, qualified in multiple disciplines, my aim is always to best meet the needs of the client on the day, right in that very moment.

Our morning can be different to our afternoon, which can be different again to our evening. A single phone call, conversation or situation can change how we feel, and what we then need, from one moment to another. So, I firmly believe that to treat most effectively, is to work with what I am presented with on your arrival, each and every time you visit my clinic.

On your first visit, we will go through a detailed Healthcare Consultation Form together, to decide what outcome you would like for your treatment that day, to identify any areas of concern, and to ensure that massage therapy is suitable and safe for you. Follow up appointments will have a brief consultation on arrival, to establish our aim for the session, and for you to provide me with any new medical or other important information since your last treatment.

Your needs may be mainly physical – aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, back, or other areas of the body. You may need help with mobility due to a recent injury. It may be emotional, following challenging times, or hormonal due to menopause or other factors, or there are many other situations that may have brought you to me. You might have chosen to come yourself, or via a loved one – the important thing is that you are here, and ready to receive some help and much-needed care.

Going through these consultations together, we find out what is the most important aim for your treatment each time you come. Techniques are then drawn from multiple therapies, to create the most appropriate and efficient treatment for you, taking everything we have discussed together, with regards your medical history and other individual needs into account.

I have separated out the therapies that I am qualified in on my website, so that folk can read more about each of these for a greater level of understanding. However, I believe that treatment always works best when all (or some) of these different therapies come together for a truly ‘Holistic’ approach.

This is why when asked “What therapy should I book in for?”, I usually respond with “Just book an hour – we’ll work out what is best for you when you come”. No two people are the same, just as no two treatments are the same.

Massage Techniques

I use a wide variety of massage techniques in my treatments – each with different benefits, and each more suitable and appropriate for some clients than others.

Some deep tissue and Swedish massage work may be required in certain areas of the body (usually in the larger muscles), whilst using more gentle work on the delicate face and neck areas brings comfort and relaxation.

It may be useful for me to incorporate some Acupressure work if the client has Sciatica for example – using pressure points to ease the pain, alongside stretching out the muscles. Where a client may suffer from headaches, migraines, stress or anxiety, I may also use Acupressure points on the head and face, to ease tension.

Where the client may not wish to get fully undressed, we may choose to use more Facial massage and Indian Head massage techniques, along with some Reiki to bring healing and relaxation, rather than perform a full body treatment. I will always respect your privacy (I can leave the room when you undress if required) and I obviously keep your Consultation Forms private and confidential.

Sometimes if greater mobility and flexibility is required, I may build in some Thai stretches from my training in Chiang Mai, and concentrate on working around the joints too, whilst working on the muscles above and below them. I may build in some Thai Foot massage techniques if the client is suffering from any pain or discomfort in the feet or ankles.

If a client requires more warmth and deeper pressure (without the thumbs or elbows going deeper) I may bring in the Hot Stones. These bring a wonderful heat and comfort to the treatment, and enable a deeper session without the discomfort sometimes associated with deep tissue work. This does require booking in advance though, as I need 3 hours notice, to warm these up sufficiently!

If a client requires more help in one or more areas of the body, then we recognise that, and just concentrate on those areas rather than doing the whole body. Some clients only want their upper body working on, whilst others may need more work on their legs! Most enjoy a full body treatment, but it’s important to use the time wisely and for greatest benefit.

Some treatments will be very physical to help the muscular and skeletal systems, whilst others may be more gentle and grounding to support the nervous system. Some folk may need help with their digestive system, others with their hormonal system or respiratory system. No two treatments are the same, so I always tailor techniques and Essential Oils to suit you there and then, on the day. This is why I describe my treatments as truly ‘Bespoke’.

The most important thing always, is that the therapist (ie me!) ‘listens’ to your body, watches how it reacts to the touch, and responds accordingly. I foster an environment of safety and calm, without judgment, where each person is treated as an individual, with their own needs, and treated with care, and with techniques, pressures and Essential Oils that suit their requirements. This type of therapy is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution, and never should be. The care and love put into the treatment in my opinion, is as important as the physical skill.

It may be necessary to choose firmer massage pressures for some clients where a deeper treatment is needed, but equally I may need to ease up a little when treating more elderly clients, pregnant clients, those with hypermobility, hypersensitivity, or just where they prefer a more gentle approach.

Always Ensuring it is Safe to Treat

I may have to consult your GP or Specialist prior to treatment if you have any of the ‘Contraindications and Cautions’ listed at the bottom of the treatment list, on the ‘Therapies’ section on my website. Some are ‘Total Contraindications’ (which means we are sadly not able to treat you), some are ‘Medical Contraindications’ (where I need approval from your GP or Medical Consultant before we go ahead), others are ‘Local Contraindications’ (where we just have to avoid certain areas) or just ‘Cautions’ (where I may just need to adapt the session a little, being mindful of your personal circumstances). The vast majority of the time it is safe to treat everyone, but occasionally we may need to postpone or adapt a session, to keep you safe, and very rarely I have to explain why it is not safe to treat you.

I will always check with a new client what kind of pressure they prefer, and as clients become more regular, it becomes intuitive, so I will naturally give them what their body needs, knowing their preferences, and how their body responds.

I will always let you know if I think a different therapist will be more suitable for your needs. I have other massage therapists, reflexologists, physiotherapists and osteopaths nearby that I am happy to recommend and refer you to, if I feel they better match your personal requirements. The important thing is that you get the most suitable and effective help and support you need, to improve your wellbeing.

Essential Oil Selection

I have always believed that my clients deserve to be involved in selecting the Essential Oils that we use (and that they may love!), every single time they come, along with guiding them to some oils that I know would be helpful, in giving them what they are looking for from their treatment. It is no good me selecting oils that I think will benefit them, if they don’t like the aromas! We always select Essential Oils together, to ensure that both they, and I, are happy with the blend chosen.

There is no taking a pre-blend off the shelf here. There’s no ‘do you want relaxing or uplifting’ as the only Essential Oil Blend choices. You get to choose Essential Oils every single time you come (and take any remaining blend home). Some clients have favourites that they choose every month, whereas others like to mix it up a bit!

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is helping my clients to understand the oils, and what they are good for, and it is lovely when a client has been a few times, and then arrives, having given time to thinking about what mood they are in, what needs they have, and what oils they might like that day.

There is a very strong link between our limbic system (that which regulates our emotions, behaviour and memory) and our olfactory system (our sense of smell), so it is vital that a client likes the Essential Oils we choose, for the treatment to be of greatest benefit. I remember a time when I treated a good friends husband. He and I chose oils together that he liked (and that were good for what he needed), only for him to be put into the spare bedroom when he got home, as he apparently smelt like one of her ex-boyfriends!

We are all very sensitive to aromas. Sometimes just one sniff of an Essential Oil can bring back the most wonderful memory, or sometimes the opposite! Just as music can evoke memories instantly, so can aromas, so I think it is absolutely crucial to get it right! A tiny sniff of Lily of the Valley Essential Oil transports me straight back to one of my great-aunts houses. Smelling Lemongrass takes me back to my treatments and training in Thailand, and on smelling Sandalwood, I’m back in Bali, where we visited the most amazing Sandalwood factory. Frankincense is my all time favourite Essential Oil, and is wonderful for just about everything!

Some Essential Oils such as Black Pepper, Rosemary and Ginger are great for treating muscular aches and pains, whilst others such as Lavender, Frankincense and Sandalwood are wonderful for relaxing the nervous system. Some such as Sweet Orange, Grapefruit and Eucalyptus are fantastic for uplifting us, whilst Essential Oils such as Geranium, Cypress and Rose are great for hormone balancing. Carrot Seed, Patchouli and Rose Geranium are lovely for treating skin conditions, and Roman Chamomile, Lavender and Valerian are all great for treating sleep problems. There are so, so many more I could list, all with varying properties, some physical, some emotional, and some wonderful Essential Oils that treat both. I carry around 80 Essential Oils at any one time, so you can rest assured we will be able to find something that you love, that will also do you good!

You always receive any leftover blend from the treatment to take home, and I often put together extra blends for my clients, for their friends or family members as required.

If you would like to know more about using Essential Oils at home, do scroll right back to my blog from November 2020 for loads of ideas to inspire you, with ideas of how to get these beautiful oils into your everyday, at home. There are many other blogs on here with recommendations for certain groups of oils that support certain systems of the body – so do have a browse through! I started the blog in July 2020 during the Covid lockdown, as a way to still connect with my clients, and I have posted each month since, so there is lots of different subjects and information on here.

Benefits of Monthly Membership

If you enjoy your first session with me, you may want to consider becoming one of my ‘Wellbeing Account Clients’. These precious clients receive a generous discount every single month when they commit to a monthly session, along with many other benefits. You can find out more about this on my website under the ‘Therapies’ page on the website, looking at the first item in the drop down menu ‘Wellbeing Account Clients’. Or – you can look back at my blog from February, where I give much more detail about joining the monthly scheme, and what inspired me to set it up in the first place after visiting and studying in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I would love to hear from you.

My treatment space is in a lovely relaxed, peaceful location in Holmbury St. Mary, with our own bathroom, and free client parking. It is also good for people with limited mobility as it’s only a few steps from the parking, and only 2 steps up to my room and a further 2 steps into the toilet. We are also very close to ‘Heartwork Coffee’ for any daytime clients who might want to grab one before or after their session!

I have low cancellation fees compared to most salons (especially for my monthly clients), and I always try to be as flexible as possible in terms of fitting around your diary. I do not share the unit, so you can relax knowing it is just us, with no chance of disruption, receptionists or other therapists or clients around!