Do you have toilet facilities?
No, there are no toilet facilities at M&G, please ensure your comfort before arriving.
What treatment times do you do and which should I choose?
I have 2 treatment durations that I offer at M&G, and with the exception of a few, most treatments are available in both durations. As a general rule the 45 minute treatment is perfect for an in depth half body massage, either back, neck, shoulders or front and back legs. You may also choose to have a back, neck and shoulders and back of leg. The 60 minute massage commonly incorporates a full body treatment covering back, neck, shoulders, front and backs of legs. Using your consultation notes, your preferences and my recommendations we can design the perfect treatment for you. If there are any parts of your body that you are uncomfortable having touched please tell me and they will be avoided.
Do I need to wear a face covering? (updated May 2022)
You are not required to wear a face covering when visiting M&G. If you feel more comfortable wearing your mask, please feel free to. I will no longer be wearing a face mask unless requested.
I’m not sure if I have COVID-19, what should I do if I have an appointment?
At M&G Garden Clinic I take your health very seriously. If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or been in contact with anyone who has, please do not attend. If you are suffering from fever, continuous cough, loss or change in your sense of smell/taste or any other flu-like symptom, or have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms, please do not attend. You will not be liable for any penalty for last minute cancellation.
Will I face cancellation charges if I cancel at the last minute due to Covid-19?
No. The safety of all of my clients, and my family is very important to me. Do not attend if you are unwell or have any reason to suspect you may have been in contact with Covid-19. Even if you cancel with minutes to spare, I will not be enforcing my terms and conditions regarding last minute cancellations at this time. I also ask that you bear with me if I need to cancel your appointment last minute due to Covid-19.
What personal data will you collect from me and how will it be used?
With your initial booking online your name and contact information are collected to enable the ability to book appointments and access the appointment reminder emails and texts. I use an online booking system called Acuity who comply with the GDPR and HIPPA Security Rule. To ensure that the treatment I give you is safe for you, and to keep clients records that comply with the terms of my insurance, I gather personal and contact information on my consultation forms. The data I collect includes name, date of birth, telephone number, email address and postal address. I also collect medical and health information on my consultation form, for example, details of an health conditions you have currently, or historically, and medications you are taking. After a treatment I will write brief notes, including which treatment was given and treatment notes, for example which muscle tensions I found, how responsive the muscle were. These after treatment notes help me to plan for your next treatment. This information is only kept in paper format and is secured in a locked filing cabinet, of which only I have access.
I will use your contact information if I need to contact you about a treatment you have booked (for example to confirm or cancel the appointment). I will use your medical and health information to determine if a treatment I am suggesting to you is safe for you. I will use your aftercare notes to personalise your future treatments. I do not use any of your data for any other purposes. I will not use your information for promotional or marketing purposes. I don not share any of your information with third parties unless I have your written consent, for example to lease with consultants, GP’s or other healthcare practitioners. M&G Garden Clinic is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office under the registration reference: ZA242856.
What is the difference between therapeutic massage and sports massage?
I find the easiest way to describe the difference is in the terms of the objectives of treatment. My therapeutic massages are primarily designed with relaxation as the key objective, whereas my sports massage treatments are designed with the relief of tension, or pain, in problem areas as the main objective, and the relaxation felt is a pleasant side effect! Sports massages are not just for those who play sport, jobs and hobbies play a huge part in imbalances in the body. Although I adjust the pressure to suit you, my therapeutic treatments tend to utilise lighter and more relaxing strokes and techniques and feel very soothing and tranquil. By contrast, my deep tissue treatments aim to specifically target or correct tissue in a problem area and utilise deeper more intense massage strokes and advanced techniques to relieve tension and knots in much more localised areas. In reality, most of my treatments combine relaxing therapeutic massage with deeper tissue work in problem areas, so if you are in any doubt which type of treatment would suit you we can discuss this during your consultation.
Are there conditions where massage is not recommended?
There are very few instances where massage is not recommended and these are known by massage therapists as ‘total contraindications’. For example, total contraindications would include being under the influence of alcohol, suffering from fever, diarrhoea or vomiting. There are also ‘local contraindications’ which are conditions affecting specific areas of the body that mean you should not be massaged in that area – for example if you have a cut, healing fracture, loss of sensation, you can still have a full body massage but that area would be avoided. As a Level 4 Sports Massage Therapist I am able to treat you with conditions, such as, diabetes, heart condition, asthma, and if you are undergoing treatment for another medical condition. If you are under the care of a consultant for certain medical conditions i.e. cancer you will be required to produce a letter from your GP or consultant stating that you are OK to receive massage. The conditions mentioned above are for indication only – contact me with any questions you may have.
Should I stay awake during my massage treatment?
You do not need to stay awake and it is very common to drift in and out of sleep during a treatment. It is a good sign that you are deeply relaxed. Your body and muscles will still be gaining benefit from the massage even if you are asleep. Some clients have even been known to fall asleep during a sports massage, this isn’t quite so common. I will wake you gently at the end of treatment so you don’t need to worry if you nod off.
Will I feel any side affects after my massage?
It is common for your muscles to feel temporarily tired or heavy, similar to how you feel after a workout. A small number of clients receiving a massage feel achy, flu like or complain of headache. This is due to all the toxins that have released from your muscles. These symptoms are completely normal and should pass within 24 hours.
Some people feel cold after a massage as the massage has encouraged blood to flow near the surface of the skin causing heat loss. During the treatment blankets and towels will prevent you feeling cold, please bring warm, comfortable clothes to wear home.
Following a sports massage it is common to feel targeted muscle soreness on the areas that have been treated. This is again totally normal, I would advise that you refrain from heavy training/exercise for 24 hours after your treatment.
Will the massage be painful?
Everybody is different when it comes to pressure, some prefer deep tissue massage, while others find a soothing, gentle massage more relaxing. What feels right to one client might feel painful for another or too light and ineffective for someone else. I will use a variety of techniques, some working deeper into the muscles than others. Massage should never be painful but you may feel discomfort if deep tissue techniques are used on tight or overworked and stressed muscles. It is therefore really important that you communicate with me regarding your objectives and pressure preference and inform me of any pain or discomfort during your treatment. I will never be offended if you ask me to adjust pressure during a session.
Aftercare – what should I do after my treatment?
You will be given a leaflet to take home explaining how to get the most benefit from your treatment, and minimise any side effects. The main advice is to avoid exercise, heavy meals, caffeine and alcohol immediately after your treatments and drink plenty of water to help your body to flush out any waste toxins. Try and keep warm and remain in a quiet state for as long as possible to feel the full benefit of the treatment.
Do you leave the room to allow me to get undressed?
Yes. Your dignity, privacy and comfort are important to me.
What if I am embarrassed about my body?
I am a professional therapist who has worked with all body shapes and sizes. I am also a middle aged mum of two with a ‘real’ body of my own! I am non-judgemental about your body weight, amount of hair, skin conditions, scars, disabilities, medical conditions, or personal history. Your dignity and modesty will be protected at all times using towels and blankets to comfortably drape your body and protect your modesty.
Should I shave my legs before a treatment?
It is not necessary to shave prior to treatment, please don’t feel embarrassed if you have hair on your body. For the men – hairy legs can sometimes result in irritation of the follicles from the friction from the treatment. I will alter the amount of oil that I use and will sometimes use massage wax instead to help reduce this. If you are a regular massage client and in certain sports it may be beneficial to shave/wax.
Will the oil ruin my clothes or mess up my hair/make-up?
The oils I use should not damage your clothing, but to be sure please wear comfortable clothing and avoid delicate or unusual fabrics such as silk which may be damaged by oil. Some massage techniques could disrupt make-up or hair, particularly facial massage and neck massages. My goal is for you to benefit fully from your massage treatment – but please inform me if you would like me to avoid disruption to your hair or make-up.
Can I listen to my own music?
I have been known to play rock, jazz, opera and chart music! I am also not adverse to the massage staple of Enya. I will usually play music depending on the tempo needed. If you would prefer silence or your own music please just ask.
What should I wear?
During all of my full body massage treatments you will be required to wear knickers, pants or boxer shorts. If your treatment is for upper body only then keeping your trousers on is perfectly ok. For male clients, it is preferable to wear pants or short boxer shorts rather than longer style cycling shorts, as this allows easier access to upper legs during the session if needed.
Do I need to bring a towel or robe?
No. everything for your treatment will be provided.
Is it ok to talk?
Your treatment is your valuable time and opportunity to relax. If chatting helps you to relax, that is fine. I have been trained not to talk to you during a treatment and will not be offended if you don’t talk to me. I won’t usually initiate conversation but will follow your lead. You must of course communicate with me during your treatment if you would like me to adjust the pressure or feel any discomfort.
Do you offer gift vouchers?
Yes, please browse through my treatments and prices and then you can buy online from my gift voucher page. I offer two gift vouchers for the two treatment durations that I offer – 45 and 60 minutes. Please note all gift vouchers have a 12 month expiry date. There is more information on the terms and conditions page.
Where are you located?
My treatment room is based in Melksham, Wiltshire. Please check my contact page for a map and directions. Please contact me on 07438 771057 if you are having difficulty locating me.
What appointment times do you offer?
My clinic is open on the following days/times. I have 5 appointments available on each day.
- Tuesday 9am – 5pm
- Wednesday 12pm – 8pm
- Thursday 9am – 5pm
- Friday 12pm – 8pm
What payment types do you accept?
I accept payment by cash, gift voucher or online payment. When you book your appointment online you will be asked to fill in your card details but no money will be taken from your account. This is to secure your booking and is a security for non attendees. When your treatment has finished you can either pay using cash or I can used the saved card details to make an online payment. I am not shown any of your card details during this online transaction.
Do you have parking?
Yes, I have easily accessible driveway parking.
Do you offer massage therapy treatments to men?
Yes, I have a 50/50 male – female client base. Most men initially book a sports massage but also get to realise the benefits of treatments to aid with reducing stress and helping wellbeing. I hold the right to refuse any treatment if a client is physically or verbally abusive or demonstrates inappropriate behaviour. Such behaviour may result in a partial or total ban from M&G Garden Clinic, and may result in criminal proceedings.