Essential Info

A sports massage is a two-way process in which you, the client, are involved at all times.   That means I’ll explain what I’m doing, how and why I’m using particular techniques and ask for feedback from you about pressure, comfort levels and what you are feeling.  At each stage I’ll make sure you understand the process and that you are happy to proceed.

Registered sports massage therapists have had to make some changes to minimise risk to both clients and themeselves. Here’s what you can expect.

Massage is contraindicated for more people than before.  Please see ‘Medical Info’ above.

Before your appointment

• You’ll need to complete a Covid screening and consent form on the day of your appointment and bring it with you. I’ll keep it with your notes and each time you come I’ll ask you to resign and date it.
• Please bring and wear a mask/face covering
• Please leave as much of your kit/bags/coats in your locked car boot rather than bringing it inside, including jewellery/watches etc. As far as possible, come ‘massage ready’, clothes-wise. However, because of the need for ventilation between clients, you might need to keep clothes on if you think you might get cold. I’ll have the heater on.  
• Ideally you’d sanitise your hands before you leave the car, but I’ll ask you to wash your hands again when you arrive
• An email beforehand with an update on any symptoms/massage objectives would be useful
• Consultation for new clients may happen on the phone or via Zoom before  you arrive for your appointment.

When you arrive

• I’ll be watching out for your arrival – please don’t ring the door bell. Before you come in I’ll take your temperature and record it. As far as weather allows, we’ll do our initial brief consultation outside.
• I’ll ask you to leave your shoes outside the room
• Let me open doors for you
• I’ll be wearing a mask. For the actual massage I will be wearing gloves and if I’m working on your back, neck and shoulders, I’ll also be wearing a visor.

Your appointment

• The room is rather empty and clinical to allow frequent, thorough cleaning and sanitising
• Towels, couch roll, my uniform etc will be fresh for each client and everything will have been washed and disinfected between clients, including the floor
• There will only be couch roll on the bed – no towelling cover.
• I’ve provided a lidded plastic box for your clothes. This is disinfected between clients
• When your massage is finished, please let me clear up. Please don’t be helpful and start removing/folding towels etc

After your massage

• Payment can be by BACS/online in advance, by card or by phone. For online payment the bank details have changed: Candover Consulting Ltd, 55-50-05, 55602185
• Card: Contactless but you’ll need to insert your PIN. The card reader will of course be disinfected between clients
• Phone: my understanding is that there is no contactless limit using Google Pay or Apple Pay
• If you’d like to pay by cash, please bring the correct amount in an envelope
• After careful consideration I’ve increased the price for a massage by £5 to £50 (£45 for WADAC members).

For your info (no action required) I will also supply a copy of my risk assessment document outlining the changes I’ve made according to government and professional guidelines. I will also ask you to sign my own daily Covid declaration statement indicating that I too am asymptomatic and well. You may bring your own pen or I will supply a disinfected one (wiped with alcohol wipes in front of you).

Any questions please do get in touch. Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing you.

Absolute contraindications ie massage cannot proceed:

• Trauma/acute inflammation – fractures, open wounds, new sprains and strains, head injuries, haematoma, surgery within past six months
• Young people under the age of 16 without an accompanying adult
• First trimester of pregnancy (or longer if there were complications in a previous pregnancy)
• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or recreatiional drugs
• Infectious skin complaints, rashes, infections
• You have been contact/traced as having been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 or you believe you have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19.
• You have symptoms of Covid-19, even if it could be a cold or other viral infection. There is no cancellation charge – please ring/email asap and cancel your appointment.

Potential contraindications (which may or may not mean massage cannot proceed on that particular day):

• cardiovascular conditions eg high/low blood pressure, angina, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, recent heart attack etc
• arthritic/respiratory/neurological/skeletal conditions
• infections (bacterial, viral or fungal) – including apparently trivial infections such as colds, coughs, athletes foot, ingrowing toenails
• cancer, tumours.

Covid-related contraindications which may or may not preclude sports massage (please contact me to discuss massage if you fall into one of these categories):

• Aged over 70
• suppressed immune system
• type 2 diabetes, overweight (BMI over 30)
• cardiovascular disease/stroke
• respiratory conditions
• pregnancy
• if you are an NHS or frontline worker (including in a care home)
• you are living with someone who is shielding
• if you feel there is anything else you feel might put you at risk.

This is not an exhaustive list.  Please contact me in advance if you are unsure as to whether to book or keep an appointment. If you have a condition which may be a contraindication to massage, it is a good idea to consult your GP/specialist first and to ask them to write you a letter and to bring along a copy of that letter that can be kept with your notes. It should outline the circumstances under which it is ok to proceed with massage.

Please do not come for the massage if you have a heavy cold or flu. I understand that these things can strike out of the blue and we can rearrange your appointment. If you are ill, massage is not good for you, for me (if I catch your cold) or for other clients coming that day.

Sports massage benefits depend on you and your needs at the time.  There is no set routine or set of techniques and no two massages will ever be the same, even for the same person. However here are some things you could expect:

• You may need to demonstrate the movements/actions that are causing you problems
• I may need to observe your whole body even if you have identified a problem in one specific area
• You will probably need to remove some clothing to allow me to work on the problem area(s)
• Only the area of your body being worked on will be exposed. Everywhere else will be covered with towels
• I will probably need to tuck a towel into your clothing, partly to protect it from oil and partly to expose the area to be massaged. I will always ask for your permission first
• I may ask you to work with me with some techniques and to move around during the session.

Overall it is best to wear loose, comfortable clothing, that are easy to remove if necessary. If in doubt, get in touch.

 

A sports massage is a two-way process in which you, the client, are involved at all times.  That means I’ll explain what I’m doing, how and why I’m using particular techniques and ask for feedback from you about pressure, comfort levels and what you are feeling.  At each stage I’ll make sure you understand the process and that you are happy to proceed.

There is lots of evidence to show that regular massage can prevent injury and keep muscles, ligaments and tendons in good condition.  Many elite athletes and coaches believe in two or more massages a week.

Everyone has different needs and responds differently to massage. A single session can have a huge positive effect and you may just benefit from a single session to be in top condition for a specific event.  However, if there is a lot of work to be done (eg if you have had a problem for a long time or if you have been doing lots of training without massage) it may take several sessions to get your muscles etc to respond usefully.  Everyone is different.

I aim to maximise the effect of each session by giving you ideas and techniques for self-treatment so that you can continue the good work between sessions.