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We have curated some of the most common questions that we are asked about Floatation Therapy.
To redeem your voucher online, simply book in as normal, and then on the payment page simply select ‘pay with voucher’. Just remember to bring your voucher with you to your session and we can then redeem it for you on arrival.
Please be aware that selecting ‘pay with voucher’ online will free off the cost for everything in the basket, so you may be asked to pay for anything extra that wasn’t covered by the voucher upon arrival.
Alternatively, you can simply contact us directly to book in (either over the phone on 0161 941 1902 or via emails at info@zerogravityfloatspa.com), and just mention that you have a voucher – we can sort out the rest!
We ask that everyone aim to arrive 5-10 minutes before their sessions to give us time to go through a few T’s & C’s.
The closest parking is located at the ice rink / train station (WA15 8EW, just off Oakfield Road) if you aren’t familiar with the area, and you can get to the spa by simply cutting through the station to get to the other side – we are located directly opposite.
For more information on how to get to us, please see our How To Find Us page.
If possible we recommend having a float and a massage on the same day as both treatments compliment each other so well!
If having the massage first, you should find it much easier to settle into your float, as you will be physically and mentally relaxed already from the massage – this is why we recommend people on their first few floats to do it this way around. We just ask that if you have a massage before your float, that you make sure to have a thorough shower before getting in the float tank to remove all massage oils that were used.
Alternatively, if you float first and then follow that with a massage, the therapist will find it much easier to work on any leftover knots as your muscles will be fully relaxed from the float already. Also, while in the float you will naturally notice where in your body you are carrying tension (as these parts will take longer to relax into the float), so you can mention this to your therapist and they can target those areas during the massage.
Absolutely! To cancel or rearrange your booking, simply contact us directly and we can sort this out for you. We ask that you try to give us at least a day’s notice if you do need to cancel or rearrange your booking. Please be aware that if you are cancelling a massage booking last minute (i.e. on the day) we will charge a 50% cancellation fee.
On your account page there is an option to cancel a booking – please be aware that this won’t automatically refund any payments. If you do require a refund please contact us.
Absolutely, we’ve always been more than happy to extend peoples voucher expiry dates! Simply contact us requesting an extension for your voucher, quote the code on your voucher, and we will sort that out for you! We typically extend vouchers by around 6 months to give you plenty of time to get booked in!
To book in with your float credits online, simply log into your account, book in as normal, and select the payment method as ‘Pay with Float Credits’.
Alternatively, you can simply contact us directly to book in (either over the phone on 0161 941 1902 or via emails at info@zerogravityfloatspa.com), and just mention that you have float credits on your account, and we can sort out the rest!
Absolutely! All of our packages and memberships are fully sharable, so you can split the cost with someone else, or bring someone along as a gift. You can even use your float credits to purchase gift vouchers if you want to treat someone for a special occasion.
Floatation therapy is a unique method of achieving both deep mental relaxation and physical recovery.
You float effortlessly (like in the Dead Sea) for 60 minutes inside a very large tank filled with warm, body temperature water mixed with Epsom Salts. While you’re in there, light and sound can be removed by turning the lights off and closing the lid (although this is optional) which reduces all the usual senses you have coming into your mind and body.
All of this means that your body can let go and relax, as it doesn’t have to put any work in to support itself while floating so easily, while at the same time your mind is able to completely switch off and destress due to it not having to process so much sensory input!
As stress is often the result of sensory overload and too much going on in the outside world, it can be extremely therapeutic to turn these senses down or off for an hour. The mental benefits of floating (stress reduction, help with Anxiety and Depression) are often compared to those provided by meditation, but we believe that floating is a much easier way to achieve them.
The physical side of the relaxation comes from the fact that all your muscles can let go simultaneously, and all the joints are able to decompress without the effect of gravity. Another added benefit is the ultra-high Epsom salt concentration which is great for muscle soreness, so many athletes use floatation to help with sports recovery!
The experience of a good float typically lasts longer than just the day of the float – people tend to report feeling more relaxed, reduced anxiety and better sleep for a few days even up to a week (depending on how stressful your life is of course!).
For more information on specific benefits of floatation, check out our homepage!
Our float sessions last for 60 minutes, though we recommend you allow for about 90 minutes out of your day overall, as you will need a bit of time before and after your float to have a shower and get ready.
60-minute floats are especially good for first-timers where it can take a bit of time properly relaxing into initially (it’s an unusual environment), but once people have fully relaxed, the time passes very quickly so most first-timers feel like their float has only lasted around 20 minutes.
Also, the more floats people have, the quicker and easier they settle into their sessions – most of our regulars say it only feels like 5-minutes to them because of this!
It’s different for everyone!
If you want to discover for yourself how often to come in, we recommend trying a few sessions spaced different amounts of time apart. If you notice old stresses building back up you may need to float more regularly, whereas if you notice you’re more restless than normal during your floats you may want to space them a bit further apart.
Once you have tried it a few times you will have a feel for how it affects you and how often you would like to incorporate it into your lifestyle. We tend to see most regular floaters anywhere between once a week to once a month.
We just recommend trying not to leave it more than 4/6 weeks in between floats if you can, as any longer than this makes it may feel like floating again for the first time and take maybe 10-15 minutes to settle into your float.
As relaxing as you first float may be people commonly find that floats get better and more effective the more you do, as you settle in quicker and get to a deeper state of relaxation each time you come in! This is because you will get more familiar with the environment, and you’ll pick up tips & tricks along the way to help you get more from each session!
Regular floats will help you stay on top of your mental health in much the same way that regular exercise will help you stay on top of your physical health! You will notice that when you haven’t floated in a while, all of the old stresses will start creeping in again which is a sure sign to book another session!
In between sessions, the water within the tank is automatically filtered for around 15 minutes (and 24-hours a day when not in use). As part of this process, the water is filtered through a 1 micron pool filter (that’s 1/100th the diameter of a human hair!) to remove any physical debris, and at the same time it is dosed with a small amount of Hydrogen Peroxide and treated with a germicidal UV light.
The UV and Hydrogen Peroxide work together to sanitise the solution and keep the water nice and clean!
Also, the high saline content of the floatation environment (similar to the Dead Sea) creates an incredibly hostile environment for microorganisms. That’s why the Dead Sea is called what it is – nothing can grow in it!
We regularly check the Levels of Hydrogen Peroxide, PH, alkalinity (and much more) of the water to ensure that the water is maintained at an extremely high quality, and we periodically send samples off to an independent UKAS accredited lab for deeper analysis.
It is fine to fall asleep in one of our float tanks during your session as you can’t help but float to the high levels of Epsom Salt, and you cant turn over by accident – the amount of effort required to get one side lower in the water to turn over means you would have to be conscious!
Many of our clients do fall asleep in the pods (especially if returning for the second or third time), either purposely or simply due to the deep relaxation. Clients who suffer from insomnia or jet lag in particular get immense relief from floating.
There are no known side effects of floating. Even the magnesium-based Epsom Salts we use at Zero Gravity are good for you. They soften and replenish your skin, and help counteract the magnesium deficiency that most of us have due to depleted magnesium levels in our soil and food.
We set the temperature of our tanks to around 35.7°C, as we want to try to match the water temperature to people’s skin temperature to make it much easier to forget there is any water whilst you are floating! We also have user adjustable climate control in all of our float rooms, so that you can pick the most relaxing room temperature for yourself.
If after your first float you felt the part of your body that was out of the water felt too hot/cold, you may want to adjust the room’s air temperature to make it more comfortable.
Alternatively, if the part of your body that was in the water felt too hot/cold, we can adjust the water temperature for your subsequent visits – just make sure to let us know at least 2 hours before your sessions, as it takes that long to heat up or cool down that much water!
Epsom salt is actually Magnesium Sulphate, a pure, time-tested mineral compound with dozens of uses. Health benefits include soothing muscle aches, reducing inflammation and treating sunburn. From facials and hair volumizers to pedicures and exfoliants, many celebrities – and their beauty teams – use Epsom salt to treat skin ailments and look their best. We only use 100% pure, food grade Epsom Salts in our float tanks so there are no possible impurities added.
Unfortunately, we do not offer double floatation sessions as in our experience it pretty much defeats the point of floatation – floatation is largely about isolating your senses and having someone else in there with you would seriously distract from the experience and therefore many of the benefits.
We do however have four pods so we can accommodate bookings of up to four people.
Absolutely, although we recommend most people get used to having multiple 60-minute sessions before they try longer sessions.
To book in for a longer float, please contact us directly so that we can discuss your options with you, and so that we can set up your booking correctly on our system.
This is one of the most common questions we get from people, and the vast majority of people that are concerned about potentially feeling claustrophobic do end up thoroughly enjoying their floats!
There are a few things that help with this:
1) The tanks themselves are much bigger than people expect them to be from looking at photos (think the size of a King size bed), which helps make them feel really spacious when you’re in there.
2) It is completely up to you whether to close the lid and/or turn the lights off – just do what feels most relaxing! It is a common misconception that you must have the lid closed and lights off to get the full benefits of floatation, but if you’re not comfortable with that it actually takes longer to relax into the session!
3) If you do decide to try closing the lid, don’t worry it doesn’t close by itself or lock – you can open it again very easily by simply giving it a slight push!
4) The lights in the tank only go off if you turn them off with the switch, and they come back on with just one simple press of the light switch.
5) If you really don’t feel comfortable after a while, even with the lights on and lid open, don’t feel like you have to stay in there! We want to help people relax, not make them feel uncomfortable!
The high buoyancy of the water makes it impossible for the individual to go beneath the surface. Once settled it even becomes difficult to touch the bottom of the pod with your hand just beneath you!
There are a few things you can do on the day of your float to help you get the most from your experience. New floaters may want to check out our First Float Guide (click the ‘New to Floating?’ link at the bottom of everye page), but to sum up a few key points:
We provide most things you may need for your visit, including; towels, shampoo/conditioner/body wash, and even hair dryers!
We recommend that (as long as you feel comfortable doing so) that you actually float naked in the tanks to help remove any distractions, caused by a swimming suit stretching as you move for example, especially as each person is in their own individual float tank in their own private room with a shower and space to get changed.
If you do feel more comfortable in a swimming suit, then by all means you can wear one in the tank.
Don’t think that you have to get to a certain mental state to get the benefits (whether this be completely emptying your mind, or reaching a meditative state) – the more you force yourself to get to that state, the longer it will take to relax! Instead, try to enter the tank with no expectations and an open mind, and you’ll find that you settle in a lot quicker and thus get more from the session!
Initially we recommend getting settled into a comfortable position and then start by scanning around your body to identify areas of tension or any clenched muscles. Body scanning simply involves paying attention to parts of the body one at a time in a gradual sequence from feet to head.
Once you have done this it is a good idea to bring your attention to your breathing. Just breathe naturally and notice how your breathing starts to slow down. Another great technique can be to slowly count down your breaths from 100 to 0.
People sometime have a misconception that you need to completely switch off to ‘float correctly’ or achieve the benefits, but this is not the case – in fact, if people try to force themselves to not think of anything, their brain will still be active trying to achieve that, so they will actually find it harder to switch off!
If your brain does stay active during the session, the best thing to do is simply allow your thoughts to come and treat it as more of a ‘thinking’ or ‘creative’ float. Simply reframing it in this way will mean that the float will be just as beneficial for you and you might even leave your session with new ideas, new perspectives on problems or a fresh spark of creativity, as well as still being very relaxed!
Just remember – the only thing you can do wrong in a float is to think you are doing it wrong!
No, mainly because it won’t feel like an hour – typically more like 20 minutes for first timers (and a lot less for regular floaters)! It’s normal for first timers to take maybe 10-15 minutes fully relaxing into the session as it can be an unusual environment, but once fully settled in, most people get to a state where they’re not sure if they’re awake or asleep – in this state the time passes very quickly!
Sometimes people can take a little longer settling into their sessions, especially if they feel that they should always be doing something productive (such as work or social occasions). In this case its important to remember that doing nothing IS very important to let you recharge and reset – this allows you to be more productive after your floats when you go back to your normal day to day tasks.
In the last 5 minutes of your float some music will start playing to let you know the session is nearly finished, and help bring you back around.
Once that music finishes, the light in the tank will come back on to let you know it’s time to get out.
If relax so much that you somehow miss the music and lights coming back on, the water will start swirling around after the session finishes as part of the tanks filtration process – we’ve not had anyone stay asleep during this yet!
At the end of a float most people typically take between 10-20 minutes in their room having a shower and getting dressed. You shouldn’t feel like you have to rush to get ready (especially as you will be completely relaxed by this point), though we do ask that people be mindful of others that may be waiting to float on the next slot and try not to take an excessive amount of time getting ready.
We also have separate hair drying rooms where people can go once they’ve left their float rooms to get their hair dried and makeup applied, and you can spend as long as you want here! We just ask that people be mindful of other people that may still be in the middle of their floats, and close the corridor and hair drying room doors before using the hair dryers.
Floating under the influence of drugs/alcohol is strictly prohibited, and we reserve the right to refuse service to someone we suspect to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
This is a safety issue, as floating can sometimes be disorientating at the best of times due to the lack of sensory input. Couple this with the fact that you are unsupervised whilst you are floating, and this is a recipe for disaster.
Over the decades there have been hundreds of thousands of successful floats administered around the world. However, there have been a handful of cases where people misused drugs in a float tank, unfortunately leading to fatal consequences. This is the reason why we have a strict no drugs/alcohol policy.
Unfortunately, we only allow people aged 16 and above to float with us, due to a stipulation from our insurance providers. We aren’t aware of any reason why floating would be unsafe for people under this age, and in fact some centres do allow people younger than 16 to float.
We ask that you avoid floating for around a week after either having your hair, or at least until the colour doesn’t run in the shower or rub off on the towel afterwards.
This also applies to anyone who has recently had a fake tan applied, as any pigments in the hair dye / fake tan that run in water will leach out into the float tank and stain it!
Sometimes people ask us whether they can wear a shower cap to protect their hair. You can wear a shower cap (assuming the colour isn’t running in the shower), but we recommend against it as in our experience they don’t completely keep the water out, and they introduce unnecessary sensory input from the feel of the cap itself on your head.
We don’t recommend floating until the area of your tattoo has completely healed – at best case scenario the sensitive skin will be irritated by the high salt content of the water, and at a worst case scenario it can even promote bleeding and/or potentially damage the tattoo itself.
We always recommend waiting until the tattoo has completely healed for a minimum of 2 weeks, but this number can go up depending upon the size and type of the tattoo in question. Your best bet is to check with your tattoo artist how long it will take for your tattoo to heal fully.
The i-sopod float tanks we use are the largest tanks on the market right now, which means we are able to cater to a very wide range of body shapes and sizes! The dimensions of our i-sopod tanks are:
Length: 2597 mm / ~8.5 ft
Width: 1700 mm / ~5.5 ft
Height: 1300 mm / ~4.25 ft
Water depth: 330 mm / ~1 ft
Also, there is no weight limit to floating, as the water/Epsom salt solution is more dense than the human body (similar to how oil always floats on water). Please be aware though, depending how broad someone is, parts of their body may still reach down to touch the bottom of the tank – this is absolutely fine, and your body is still fully supported by the water, though the touch may slightly distract you during the session.
We do occasionally have people that experience a sense of nausea during their first float (though thankfully this is rare), and after speaking to people the most common cause seems to be that they either suffer from sea/travel sickness, or they used to as a child.
If you are worried about this, you may want to consider taking a travel sickness pill beforehand (just remember to follow the instructions on the packet, and consult with your doctor beforehand, as some sea sickness tablets can cause drowsiness and/or interact with other medications).
Yes, you can float during your period, though it is completely your choice as to whether you choose to or not.
If you do use a tampon, please ensure that it is a fresh new one before entering the tank, and change it after you get out of the tank. You may also want to apply some vaseline to the string to avoid the salt water wicking it’s way up the string.
If using a menstrual cup, make sure to empty if and wash it out with the appropriate soap (our soap may not be appropriate, so we suggest doing this step once you get home).
Whatever you do, we request that you avoid free-bleeding in the tank at all costs. We understand that it is completely your choice if you choose to free-bleed during your period, but in this case we ask that you respect the space you are using, and wait until a different day to float.
Please be aware that in some cases you may experience a stinging sensation around your vagina – thankfully this is quite rare, and is linked to difference between the salt solution in the tank and the PH of your vagina on that particular day. If this does happen, get out of the tank and wash off the affected area, then apply a generous amount of vaseline from the intimate care bag to provide a barrier between yourself and the salt solution before getting back in to enjoy the remainder of your float.
Floating is generally a very safe and enjoyable activity for the vast majority of people, but some people suffering from certain conditions may either have to consult with their healthcare provider beforehand, or they may even not be able to float due to the associated risks.
Please seek approval from a medical practitioner before floating if you suffer from any of the following:
If you suffer from any of the following, we’re sorry but you are cannot float due to the potential risks involved:
Finally, please inform Zero Gravity of all health conditions.
At Zero Gravity we are very keen to make sure everyone can float, however, safety is very important too. If you have a physical disability please first consult with your doctor.
If your doctor gives you the ok then please call up the centre and speak to one of our team. They will explain to you exactly what precautions and measures we need to take to ensure safe and happy floating. We can’t guarantee that every person who comes to Zero Gravity will be allowed to float, and we must speak to you beforehand to understand any physical disabilities that you are managing so that we can put the correct safety measures in place.
Absolutely!
The only things we recommend before booking in, are to avoid floating during the first Trimester, and to consult your doctor beforehand as each pregnancy is unique.
Floating while pregnant can have some unique benefits alongside the normal benefits of floatation, the most obvious ones being to help remove the extra sensation of weight and allowing you to get comfortable on your back for a change, as nothing is pressing against your back. Depending how far along you are, you may want to experiment with floating in different positions such as on your front (though you don’t have to as it is completely safe to float on your back, and most pregnant ladies feel most comfortable like this). If you would like to try this, we can supply some pool noodles for extra support – just ask at reception before you head through.
One of the less obvious benefits to floating whilst pregnant is the extra sense of bonding you can have with your child – afterall, you are going through a very similar sensation to them, floating in a warm, enclosed, comfortable space away from any sound or light. Also, whilst it is normal during peoples floats to just hear their own heartbeat and lungs, depending upon how far through your pregnancy you are, you may even be able to hear not only your heartbeat but also your baby’s!
The only other thing you may want to consider is to avoid floating right at the very end of your pregnancy, as a float tank is not a good environment for a water birth!
Generally, people with impaired mobility and/or impaired vision can float (depending upon their doctors approval), providing that a caregiver accompanies them in the room and sits quietly throughout the duration of the float to provide assistance if required. This is especially important in case of any emergency, as our staff will have many peoples wellbeing to look after, and they do not have the specialised manual handling training necessary to assist people getting in or out of a float tank.
We ask that in these cases you contact us to book in so we can discuss your requirements.
Massage has many health benefits, including:
Having regular massage is important if you want to keep your body and mind in great condition, as it’s healthier to have knots and tension removed from the body regularly before they have chance to build over time and become a bigger problem. If you do have a lot of built-up tension, you may find you get more out of having regular treatments where your massage therapist can work on reducing tension in your body over time, instead of trying to fix everything all in just one session.
If you have a busy life and experience tension in the mind and body, having regular massage is like taking your daily vitamins. Having your Lymph system flushed on a weekly or 2 weekly basis is healthy for the body and improves your mental and physical health.
There are no definite rules with the regularity of massage – typically, just like with exercise, the more frequently you receive massage the greater the benefit. Massage is a beautiful way to rebalance yourself, whenever you feel like you need it.
Most of our clients book in massage sessions anywhere from each week, twice a month all the way up to once every 4-6 weeks, but ideally you shouldn’t leave it until you are experiencing too many aches and pains! One-off massage sessions can be great for fixing a new issue, or one that has built up over time (like tension caused by stress or an injury), however regular massage sessions help maintain your body and mind, which helps prevent these issues reoccurring in the first place!
A lot of people aren’t sure what’s best to avoid before coming in for their first massage. Below are a few things we recommend you do the day of your session before coming in to get the most from your massage:
When you first arrive you will be asked to fill out a client consultation form and offered a cup of water before you get started. Your therapist will then take you through to your room and take a few minutes going through this form with you – this is your opportunity to discuss what you’re hoping to get from the massage, as well as any concerns or requirements you may have.
After the initial consultation, the therapist will leave you along in the room for a few minutes to allow you time to get ready.
During your first massage you may find things that you like/dislike or want to adjust – this can include things like the pressure of the massage, the temperature of the room, or a position that’s becoming uncomfortable for you. If this is the case, make sure to speak up and let your therapist know – the more they know the details of your likes and dislikes, the better they can make not only this session better, but also subsequent sessions! Rest assured that for our therapists responding to this feedback and information is a normal part of their service – dont worry if you think you’re asking something silly or not that important!
At the end of your session, your therapist will again leave the room giving you a few minutes to come back around to the real world and slowly get dressed. When you come back out into reception your therapist will offer you some more water and lastly go through a bit of aftercare advice so you know how to make the most of the benefits of your session.
Please be aware that above all else, the massage sessions offered at Zero Gravity are professional treatments undertaken by qualified therapists – we take a ZERO-TOLERENCE approach for anyone asking for anything of a sexual/inappropriate nature, and we reserve the right to immediately terminate a session and ask the client to leave the premises (without a refund) if we believe they have crossed this line.
Below are a few guidelines of what we consider inappropriate behaviour from a client – if you aren’t sure what may be considered going too far, we strongly advise you err on the side of caution.
Some people like to chat all through their treatment, and that is fine. But please don’t feel you have to talk to fill the silence. We allow the client to lead the conversation, and will engage if we are talked to, however many people like to just enjoy the massage without conversation and listen to our soothing music to help relaxation.
A good massage takes energy and concentration on the therapist’s part, so do not feel bad if you do not talk for an hour, we are quite happy focussing on the work we are doing on your muscles.
The short answer is, no it shouldn’t!
Depending on the type of massage and the depth of the strokes, you may feel the pressure more. A light, relaxing massage does not probe very deep into the muscles and should not hurt. With that said, there is a ‘feels good’ hurt and an ‘ouch – stop it!’ hurt.
The ‘feel good’ hurt is when the massage therapist applies pressure onto a sore spot, you feel this hurt for a moment, and then it seems to ease the pain. The feel-good sensation does not only come from the physical aspect of your massage, but the chemical release caused by the massage plays a significant role in easing your pain.
A good massage (even a really strong Deep Tissue or Sports massage) should always stay in the ‘feels good’ hurt range. It is important to differentiate between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ pain. At times you may experience discomfort, particularly in areas where there are adhesions/scar tissue, but it should not be overly painful.
The ‘no pain, no gain‘ mantra does not apply – pain can cause you to tighten up and negate the relaxing effects of the massage. The most effective and deepest massage always works with your body’s natural response, not against it.
Most people feel relaxed! Some experience significantly decreased, or freedom from, aches and pains. Many feel a little slowed down for a short period of time and then notice an increase of energy, heightened awareness and increased productivity that can last for days.
If you receive a Deep Tissue or Sports massage, you may feel slightly tender or sore for the next day – like a good workout at the gym. The muscle tenderness that you may feel after a massage is due to the strength of the pressure and used to penetrate the uppermost layers of muscle. Muscles will then feel relaxed, potentially causing fatigue or muscle aches. Again, any pain or discomfort felt after your appointment should only last a few days.
Your massage therapist should give you a professional recommendation at the conclusion of your massage session. These recommendations could include how often you should get a massage, benefits of regular massage as well as a piece of self-care you can take away from the session to increase the cumulative effects of your massage.
Examples of this might include rolling a golf ball under your foot, a particular stretch for a muscle group, or paying attention to how you use your arms whilst driving.
If you feel a little sore after a deep tissue or sports massage, stay away from overly hot baths, showers, saunas and other products that produce heat – sore muscles are already inflamed, and heat will only inflame the muscles more. The best way to treat sore muscles post-massage is to apply some ice to the area for 10-15 minutes to decrease soreness.
After your massage, we recommend increasing your water intake to help keep the body’s tissues healthy and hydrated.
Massage usually isn’t a one-and-done therapy, and it’s important to know what you should do between sessions to enhance the positive effects.
It’s standard practice to undress to your underwear for a massage, you will not be required to undress further than this. This allows the massage therapist to work comfortably and effectively through the back, arms and legs. Your therapist may recommend working on your Glutes (‘butt muscles’) with your consent, to help with your lower back pain. If you agree, the massage is performed through a towel, keeping the massage dignified.
During your massage, you will be draped with towels. Draping is the technique of uncovering only the part of the body that is being worked on during the massage. Draping allows you to be undressed to your comfort level underneath a sheet or towel, and feel safe, warm and comfortable.
If you are not comfortable in undressing for massage, loose fitting clothing such as shorts & vest tops can be worn instead, however this may limit the massage therapist’s access to certain areas. Some massage therapies can be done while fully clothed and still maintain their full effectiveness such as Reiki, Thai foot, Aromaflexology, Chakra balancing, Indian head massage and crystal healing.
If you are unsure if you are suitable for any massage you should consult your GP or a medical professional prior to booking in.
You need to inform your massage therapist if you currently have (or have had in the past six months) any of the following conditions/symptoms, and if you have suffered with any of them in the past six months, the massage therapist may require written consent from your doctor. These contraindications may not disallow you from receiving a massage, but we may need to discuss prior to arrival to take any precautions or extra steps to ensure the massage proceeds safely.
Musculoskeletal issues
Circulatory issues
Neurological issues
Skin issues
Respiratory issues
Immune issues
Digestive issues
Miscellaneous issues
Many people seek massage therapy for pain after an injury, but this should only be done in certain circumstances and with specific methods. Massages help with the healing process as well as relieving pain, and this is especially true for acute soft tissue injuries. The important thing to keep in mind is that healing happens in stages – if you are unsure it is always best to consult a medical professional before any massage treatments.
You can get massage therapy when you have an acute injury, as long as the therapist you work with understands soft tissue conditions and is qualified (Level 4 Sports Massage or above). They help relieve muscle tightness, pain and knots by working on the connective tissues surrounding the muscles, tendon, ligaments, bones and organs.
In terms of injuries in general, acute refers to those that are sudden and caused by impact or trauma Falls, strains, sprains and collisions (think car accidents and sports injuries) can all result in acute soft tissue injuries. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, tenderness and inflammation.
The first step in treating an acute injury is usually R.I.C.E. – Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Rest allows your body time and energy to start the recovery process. Ice prevents spasms and swelling. Compression can slow swelling and haemorrhaging in the affected area. Elevation also helps produce the same effects, but only if the injury is lifted above the level of the heart.
Getting a massage when sick is not a good idea in the early stages. While massage does boost the immune system and relieve your tension, when your body is already fighting off a virus (due to Cold, Flu or even simply a sore throat or headache with body chills), it means you are sick and your body needs to stay warm so your Lymphocytes (White Blood Cells), which are provided to clean your body, can activate to make you feel better.
Rest allows your Lymphocytes to multiply so they can then work efficiently to battle infection. This is always best done when you are resting and warmly tucked up.
Although the idea of having a massage while you’re ill might sound soothing and relaxing, and you may feel that you need a pain reliever, massage can overstimulate the movement of toxins through internal organs when your body most needs to conserve energy to take away the virus. This is because unknotting your muscles will actually push toxins into your system.
It is important to tell your massage therapist before any treatment if you are allergic to any oils or creams that disagree with you and make your skin come out in a rash.
Our massage therapists mostly use either Sweet Almond Oil or a Grapeseed Oil/Soy Wax blend. Grapeseed oil is fragrance free, and great for people with sensitive or aging skin and is specifically chosen to be least likely to lead to an allergic reaction.
If you wish, your therapist can instead use any of a range of pre-blended massage oils such as our Warming blend (Ginger & Juniper with a conditioning base of Sunflower, Almond and Whetgerm oils), or a Soothing blend (Almond, Avocado and Jojoba oils, fragranced with balancing Geranium, Palmarosa & Cyprus and relaxing Lavender & Bergamot).
While massage cannot stop an allergic reaction you may have to everyday allergens (e.g. hay fever), it can help modify and dissipate the symptoms. The health benefits that are normally associated with massage therapy such as stress reduction, improved circulation and improved immune function can improve your tolerance of allergy symptoms.
Please see our list on contraindications to massage as these still apply, however there are additional conditions that relate specifically to pregnancy that the massage therapist needs to be aware of.
Be sure you get clearance from your doctor prior to booking in, especially if:
A massage therapist may require written consent from your doctor and a liability waiver from your before performing pregnancy massage. Pregnancy massage must be used as a complimentary therapy and does not replace & is not an alternative to normal maternity care.
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