What Can I Expect From My First Treatment or Therapy Visit?

Before a Holistic Treatment

So you have chosen to book a relaxing holistic treatment or service. This is the first step to looking after you and improving wellness and wellbeing in body and mind.

First of all, make sure it is a good time for you to have a treatment, facial or any other holistic therapy treatment. Reschedule your visit if have a cold or a fever, skin irritations (such as poison ivy or sunburn), or if you are trying to stabilise your medication (because some therapies can affect the dosage needed).

Make sure that you have enough time free for yourself before your treatment and enough time free after your treatment to do nothing afterwards. As having this free time will allow you to benefit more from the natural benefits from the treatment. Instead of coming straight from work or picking up the kids. This can cause you more stress, if there is traffic, mishaps at work or at the school gate or any late appointments or meetings that often run over.

Try a time when you have nothing to do, such a day off or a morning appointment when the

kids have gone off to school, you have done your jobs, shopping etc… and you just have lunch to make when you get back home after your massage or therapy and have some quality time for yourself for either some self refection and some sleep if needed.

So think about the day and time that would work really well for you in the long term, think about the reason why you are coming for the massage, is it to relax more?

In the days before your treatment, drink plenty of water. This will allow your body to be well hydrated before your treatment and you will feel so much better, your muscles will feel better and more relaxed and less stiff, so that you can really enjoy the pleasure of a wonderful relaxing therapy and experience much better results in your long term results.

Do not eat just before your massage. Ideally eat a light meal at least 2 hours before your scheduled appointment to allow your body to have enough time to digest the food well enough before your therapy or treatment. As most of the treatments that I offer will detoxify your body, so you don’t want it to interfere with your body’s natural digesting process after a meal, it will be incredibly uncomfortable and may make cause you to become sick if otherwise.

Give yourself enough time to arrive on time and relaxed at least 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time for the appointment that was made. If you are rushing and arrive stressed, it will take longer to get into a relaxed state.

And come in loose comfortable clothing that you can wear after your treatment and avoid wearing lots of jewellery as these will need to be removed before your treatment, so best to leave your jewellery at home. Same goes for make-up before a facial, ideally if you can come without full make-up on before a facial would be recommended.

Health History

Generally, first appointments begin with a consultation process, starting with a health history. The health history may be mailed out to you so you can complete it beforehand. If not, arrive early for your first visit to fill it out at least 10-15 minutes. Generally, a health history will ask about:

• Medical conditions

• Areas of concern

• Health and wellbeing questions

• Your lifestyle

• Contact information

You will also likely be asked to sign forms that explain your right to privacy such as HIPAA Consent and Disclosure.

The Holistic therapist will review your health history and ask questions. Because any of the therapies that I offer can affect multiple body systems, such as the cardiovascular and nervous systems, be honest with the therapist about your health.

You should also let the therapist know about any pharmaceutical drugs or botanical medicines you are taking, because some treatments can enhance or reduce the effect of pharmaceutical drugs, such as blood pressure medication.

Knowing your history allows your therapist to determine if there are any reasons you should avoid a therapy or a particular technique.

The therapist will ask you questions to better design a session that meets your needs and goals within the time allotted.

Let the therapist know what areas of your body you would like worked on, if there are any areas to avoid, and if you have any techniques that you would like to use or avoid. If you are concerned about undressing, discuss it with the therapist, who should be able to offer you some options. Don't be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. All information you give is confidential.

The therapist will outline what will happen in the session and then leave the room so you can undress to your comfort level.

When you are ready, lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with the sheet or other draping on the table. The therapist will knock before re-entering.

During a massage treatment

Generally, you will lie on a massage table, covered by a sheet or large towel. Make sure you are comfortable and let the therapist know if you are not. Tell the therapist if you are cold, want to be covered, don't want an area of your body touched, don't like the music, or are experiencing discomfort with the technique or how it is being applied.

Remember, you are in charge, and can ask for changes or stop the session at any time.

Draping

A professional massage therapist will never expose genitals or breasts, or any other areas you identify. Only the area the therapist is working on will be exposed.

Music

The therapist may play music, but be sure to tell your therapist if you would prefer a different type of music or if you would like it quieter.

How to get the most from your massage

• Be as open to the process as you can

• Relax and try to let your thoughts go. Let go of the daily thoughts and to do lists in your mind as well as your expectations and any distractions that there maybe. One way to do this is to focus on how the touch or technique feels and to focus on your breathe and with every out breathe allow the thought or the feeling or pain to release and let go.

• Remember to breathe, as this helps you to relax even more.

Sometimes people hold their breath when a sensitive area is massaged, but it is best to breathe through it.

In the same way, tightening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. If you can't seem to relax your muscles, let your massage therapist know. They may need to adjust the massage technique.

• Allow your body to sink into the bed and the pillows as much as you can, really let your limbs and head and neck be completely weightless. This allows the massage therapist to work with the body easily and freely without any restrictions in the movement of your body, allowing for a more relaxing and beneficial massage session.

Answers to common questions during the massage

• Is it common to experience emotions?

It depends. You might be having a day filled with emotions: sadness, joy or exhaustion. Sometimes the safe touch, music that brings up memories, dates that are linked to events, or the smell of the massage oil may release feelings. The body can react by crying, laughing, or "shivering from cold." this is all very natural and it's best not to hold these natural responses and emotions back, your therapist understands the effects that massage can have on us all, so its important to let these out so that they can be released naturally from the body.

The mind can also become absorbed in the feelings rather than the massage. Your therapist will simply ask if you are okay to continue receiving touch and given your answer, he or she will monitor how you are doing and adjust the session goals accordingly. For example, he or she may shorten the time, change the strokes or the music or add more draping.

• Is it okay to talk?

Yes, it is okay to talk, but you may get more benefits from a relaxation massage if you let go of your everyday worries or concerns.

If you are nervous about the process of receiving massage and need to talk to feel safe, your therapist will understand. They are trained not to talk about themselves during your session, but will simply answer your questions with a yes or no. If your session is rehabilitation-based, the therapist will need to stay in constant contact with you regarding pain levels and measuring relief.

Because it's important that you offer specific feedback to the therapist, she may keep talking to keep you from drifting off.

• What if I am embarrassed about my body?

Remember that massage therapists are professionals who are sensitive to possible client issues with touch and are non-judgmental about your body weight, amount of hair, skin conditions, scars, disabilities, medical conditions, or personal history of trauma.

After the massage

At the end of the massage, the therapist will leave the room so you can dress in private. Wait a few minutes on the table as you get grounded, especially if you feel light-headed. Turn onto your right side of the body before slowly coming up to seated position on the bed and then come down off the bed completely. Then take your time getting ready.

When you leave the treatment room and enter into the reception area, the therapist will offer you a glass of water. It is a good idea to drink some water to help the body flush waste products and to help rehydrate the body again after the massage. Massage can make you feel a bit dehydrated, this is normal and water will help with this. Keeping in mind to continue drinking at least 3-4 more glasses of fresh water when you reach your home.

If possible, allow some quiet time after the massage and don't go back to work or other responsibilities immediately.

How you feel after the massage will vary based on the style of massage used, the length of the session, and the demands you place on your body afterwards.

Feelings range from being relaxed, renewed and centered, to invigorated, excited or experiencing a rush of clarity or new energy and insight, to recognizing your true level of fatigue (particularly if you can be "off duty" for the rest of the day) and wanting only to rest.

Some types of massage may leave the body free from chronic tightness or acute pain patterns, but may replace it with a mild soreness from the pressure applied. After this type of massage, you may want to rest the area before jumping back into the activity that produced the soreness.

Realize that the benefits of massage tend to be cumulative, so typically, you will feel better as you get additional massages.

Answers to common questions after the massage

• Can I go back to work after my massage?

Of course, but plan on enough time to re-adjust. Be aware that your perception of motion (driving, stairs, distances may be "off" for 20 minutes or so after the session). Also, realize your relaxed state may bring your feelings close to the surface.

• Will the oil ruin my clothes or mess up my hair?

Most massage oils will not damage your clothing. If you have any concerns, bring a comfortable set of clothes to put on afterward. A well-trained therapist can design a session that does not mess up your hair or make-up.

To find out more of my hand tips and advice regarding massages and different therapies that I provide to prepare you for your 1st session or ongoing sessions and frequently asked questions please check out my before-your-treatment tips and advice

And if you would like to go ahead and book a treatment or a massage, please call or email kelly at pureblissretreats@mail.com

I look forward to pampering you soon one day.

Best Wishes

Kelly