WHAT TO EXPECT

Initial consultation

During a deep tissue massage appointment at our Guildford clinic, you should expect that your therapist will begin by asking you a few questions which may include:

• Areas of concern: What you’re hoping to achieve from your massage whether that is pain relief, relaxation, rehabilitation or stress relief to name just a few possible outcomes.

• Pain tolerance: Our experienced therapists will want to establish how firm you like your massage to be. The pressure that some people think is firm can be considered a light touch by others!

• History: A brief medical history to make sure that your massage is suited to your individual needs.

Preparation

You’ll usually be asked to remove some items of clothing - the therapist will clarify what is appropriate depending on your treatment - and then lie on the massage table ready for the treatment to begin.

Treatment

Your therapist will use a variety of techniques for your deep tissue massage including a combination of slow, deliberate strokes and focused pressure designed to target deeper layers of muscle. They may use the fingers, thumbs, forearms and elbows to apply the appropriate pressure. You may experience some discomfort when your therapist is focusing on specific knots but you can always let your therapist know if the pressure is too intense for you.

After the massage

Once your deep tissue massage has been completed, you might feel some stiffness - similar to that which you would experience after a workout. This is common and nothing to worry about. It should go away within a day or two but you can help your body to recover by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.