About

About Vetiver Massage
Vetiver Massage is just me, Amy. I chose the name because I really like how the scent of Vetiver makes me feel – warm, safe, happy, grounded. It’s also traditionally considered to be deeply calming and sedative, and there is even a 2015 study (among others) demonstrating it’s capacity to treat anxiety.

The Q&A below is intended to give an idea of my personal style of massage and answer any questions a new client may have, but if there’s anything else you’d like to know, please feel free to get in touch.

What is holistic massage?
There are many different types of massage, with many different theories and opinions on what makes each type beneficial. Holistic massage employs diverse techniques to treat the ‘whole person’, taking into account their unique physiological, mental and emotional wellbeing on any given day.

Every treatment will begin with a short consultation, and every massage will be tailored on the basis of this, incorporating a range of techniques from practices such as Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release and joint mobilisation.

What should I expect when I come for a massage?
As mentioned above, each massage begins with a consultation to assess your individual needs. This will include questions about your health and wellbeing, which are entirely confidential. I will also check if there are any areas you don’t like to be touched and what depth of pressure you are comfortable with.

Once we have agreed a treatment plan I will leave the room to allow you to get ready and onto the massage table before beginning the session. Most people wear only their underwear, but we can discuss what’s comfortable for you.

During the treatment I will check in with you every now and again to see if the pressure is correct for you. You can also let me know at any time if you feel in any way uncomfortable.

At the end of the session I will give you a little bit of feedback from the treatment.

Hopefully by this point you are feeling deeply relaxed, so it’s advisable not to have any immediate plans afterwards, to allow you to feel its full benefits!

What are the benefits of massage?
Feeling good is good for you, and being massaged makes most people feel good, so even if it came with no further benefits beyond the pleasure of the experience itself, I’d still believe it held significant value.

On a deeper level, massage can encourage proper functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system – the part of our nervous system that keeps many important bodily functions (like the digestive, respiratory and cardiac systems) operating consistently. Most people spend a lot of their time in a high state of alertness (due to busy lives, stress, anxiety, overwork etc.) which impairs the functions of the parasympthetic nervous system, potentially leading to digestive, reproductive, respiratory or cardiac issues. The ability of massage to reduce stress is one of several ways we can keep our nervous system in equilibrium.

The calming effects described above also have clear benefits to our mental health. As highly social animals physical touch is deeply important to us, for communication, and also for expressing and receiving compassion. Purposeful and empathetic touch can relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression and trauma. For this reason it’s not unusual to feel very emotional during or after a massage. Expressing those emotions is entirely welcome in the treatment space.

Probably the most commonly known benefit of massage is the relief of muscular tension. Massage techniques can relieve the aches and pains we pick up going about our lives, and also help identify which areas are in need of better daily care, through improved posture, stretching techniques, exercise etc.

Executed properly, massage can also help in recovery from injury. Although most common injuries (such as fractures, sprains, bruises etc.) must not be directly treated until fully healed, massage can help relieve muscular tension in other areas of the body that are suffering due to the injury. For example, someone with a fractured ankle may experience stiffness and fatigue in their other leg as it’s been carrying more than its usual share of the weight. Massage can help relieve these areas of referred pain. Once healed, massage can also help those injured regain use of affected limbs and joints, by encouraging movement and sensation to return.

Something I don’t see discussed often in terms of massage is the altered state of consciousness that it can bring about, akin to experiences achieved through practices such as meditation or yoga. For me, being massaged can invoke a state where I allow my mind to relax and wander, free from the constraints of focus and attention. Although it’s not guaranteed to happen for everyone I hope to encourage this relaxed mind state in my clients as well.

Generally I don’t like to be touched – would I still benefit from massage?
Some people are less tactile than others, for all sorts of reasons. For some, physical contact just isn’t enjoyable for them and that’s perfectly normal. For others it can be due to trauma, unpleasant past experiences, or just a lack of positive experiences of touch. If you think any of those reasons apply to you, but would still like to try massage, feel free to contact me and discuss what would help you feel comfortable and safe.

Rest assured that even without any prior knowledge of a client I am dedicted to creating a safe, trusting environment, without which deep relaxation could not be achieved.

What are your qualifications?
I hold a Level 4 Holistic Massage diploma from the Massage Training Institute, including the study of anatomy, physiology and pathology. I pursue continual professional development through self-guided study, attending workshops on specific techniques and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.