Frequently Asked Questions

I have an ache or pain that has been bothering me. How do I know if sports and remedial massage therapy (SRMT) can help? 
Usually SRMT can help if your complaint is soft-tissue-related.  This can be from a number of causes, such as overuse or overtraining, post-workout soreness, or bad posture.  If you’re not sure if what's bothering you is soft-tissue related, feel free to call or email and we can discuss. Alternatively, you can schedule a free 20-minute consultation during which we review your case history and particular complaint and discuss a treatment program, or if you might need to see a different type of practitioner, such as an osteopath or physiotherapist.
 

I am pretty sure my problem is muscle-related.  How many treatments will I need?

The general rule of thumb is the amount of treatments you need is proportionate to the amount of time it's taken to build up - if you've had years of bad posture that's culminated in shoulder pain you will need more treatments than if you have a bad back from sleeping on a dodgy bed while on holiday.  It varies from person to person and the process can be accelerated if you make changes in your day to day life (stretches, improving posture, etc).  We usually say between four to six treatments close together to start, but you may need less or more depending on your individual situation.

What happens after the first few treatments?

Hopefully the first few treatments eliminate or substantially reduce your complaint. The ultimate goal is to get you to what we call ‘maintenance massage’ which can be monthly, every other month, or even more infrequently, depending on how well you can incorporate stretches and reduce the factors that caused your problem in the first place.

I don't have a particular complaint but am interested in sports massage to improve my athletic performance.  What would you recommend for me?

This depends largely on your goals and training.  Many athletes start out coming weekly and then space massages further apart as the initial muscle tension is reduced.  When training for an event you may want to come weekly or fortnightly, but when training less only have one a month or every six weeks. 

How often should I get a massage?
This really depends on you. I have some clients who prefer to come to me weekly, as they do not have time to stretch or exercise regularly and use massage as their sole source of muscle treatment. Other clients I may see only once or twice a year, as that’s only how often their neck, shoulder, leg, etc bothers them. With regard to massage for sports performance, when training for an event you may need to come weekly or fortnightly, but then when not training as hard, only once a month. As discussed above, it depends largely on your own individual situation, and it’s not set in stone: we can always increase or decrease frequency based on your needs at the time. 
 
You talk a lot about ‘treatment programs’ and ‘future treatments’. What if I only want one massage?
One massage is fine. I may recommend more than one, depending on your specific situation, but ultimately whether you want one massage or a few is completely up to you.

I'm not a member of Fitness First.  Can I still come for a massage?

Yes, the clinic is open to members and non-members alike.
 
Do I have to undress during a massage?
While it is preferable to massage directly on the skin, if you are uncomfortable with that and prefer to have a treatment with your clothes on, we can accommodate you. There are a number of techniques that can be done through clothing. Alternatively, you may find wearing a pair of shorts and a singlet or bathing suit top can be a good compromise.