Werribee Massage

• What does a full body massage include?
  Our full body massage service involves manual stimulation of the muscles and fascia across the arms, legs, hands and feet, neck, back, stomach and buttocks. Our massage therapists are professionally trained, if you have any concerns or would prefer not to be touched on a certain area of your body please let our our therapists know at any time during your session and they will respect your wishes.
• How often should I get a massage?
  The frequency of your treatment depends on the issue you’re wishing to address and your personal goals. Much like muscle training or exercise, each massage acts as a building block to a better quality of life so if you only have a massage once every few months it will take much longer for you to reach your personal goals than if you had a massage once a week or once a fortnight. Your massage therapist will talk to you about your specific needs and their recommendations during your consultation.

What are the do’s and don’ts before and after a massage?

• Always drink lots of water before and after your massageHaving a massage can be quite dehydrating due to increased circulation. Staying hydrated allows the body to adapt to structural changes and move nutrients around the body at a faster rate.
• Avoid eating 60 minutes before your appointmentMassage can disrupt the process of digestion after a meal. When we eat our blood travels to the abdomen to absorb the nutrients of our food and massage promotes blood circulation, this can result in feelings of discomfort if you’ve had a large meal and may also prevent the full scope nutrients in the food from being absorbed.
• Stay away if you’re sick
  Since massage promotes circulation of fluids in the body, it can stimulate the lymphatic system. This is a great thing if you’re looking to prevent illness and strengthen your immune system. However, if you’re already sick with a cold or the flu, a massage can have the opposite effect. Massage raises your body temperature and increases the circulation of lymph; which can carry the bug further across your body and can cause an increase in the severity of your symptoms.
• Don’t go too hard at the gym
  We recommend you wait 24 hours after a massage before hitting it hard at the gym. Your muscles may be tender after a massage as blood and nutrients flows circulates through the body at a higher rate. Your muscles will be more sensitive to strain at this time.
• Avoid alcohol
  Alcohol is not recommended before or after a massage. Alcohol dehydrates the system which decreases the rate of circulation around the body and the therapeutic effects of a massage. After your appointment, your body needs to rehydrate so the effects of drinking will not only be stronger but also counterproductive.
• What happens during a massage?
  During massage many involuntary relaxation responses are triggered in the body that have multiple benefits.
  The relaxation state slows heart rate, the rate of breathing and lowers blood pressure. Hormones that activate a sense of wellbeing are also released as muscles across the body relax. This relaxation state is initiated by changes in the nervous system which impacts the function of many other systems in the body, helping them to reset and restore optimum function. These systems include the gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and immune systems.

On a physiological level, massage increases the circulation of lymph and blood. This effectively enhances the function of the immune system and nourishes the soft tissue and cells throughout the body with essential nutrients carried by the blood.

• What do you wear for a massage?
  There are no specific dress rules when it comes to massage. Our therapists use oils during their consultations to induce a deeper relaxation state but none of these will stain your clothes. Some people like to come to their appointment in sportswear or loose-fitting clothing and others prefer to come for a massage straight after work. We recommend you wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.
• What should you not do after a massage?
  After a massage you may be feeling relaxed, loose and maybe a little bit sore. This is completely normal and helps extend the physiological and psychological benefits of massage. Since massage can be so beneficial for your health, we want you to keep that post-massage zen for as long as you can. Here are a few things to avoid after a massage that will help you feel better for longer.

1. CaffeineBecause massage works on loosening up the muscles and getting the body into a relaxed state, a caffeine hit will do an excellent job at reversing the relaxation effect of your massage. If you don’t want to feel like you’ve just wasted your money and time, reach for your water bottle rather than your keepcup. Staying hydrated will keep the body’s systems energised and assist in flushing out unwanted toxins.
2. Intense ExerciseBecause massage works on relaxing muscles, going straight from the clinic to the gym is setting you up for a possible injury. After a massage your muscles are already in a regenerative state and any form of training can overwork them into exhaustion. Give yourself at least 24 hours after a massage to allow your muscles to fully regenerate.
3. AlcoholMassage increases circulation in the body which increases dehydration. After a massage you may be a little dizzy or light-headed because of this. Your massage therapist will always remind you to drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body. Drinking alcohol will not only dehydrate you more, leaving you feeling worse off than before your massage; it’s effects will also be felt faster and stronger.
4. Heavy MealsWe recommend you don’t eat any big meals after a massage as they can leave you feeling bloated and heavy after the detoxification process you go through during a massage.

• How do you give a back and shoulder massage?
  There’s nothing more soothing for the body than getting a massage. Here are a few tips and tricks if you’d like to try massaging your own back and shoulder muscles.

To work on your shoulders we recommend using the hand of the opposite shoulder you want to work on and bring it across to gently press on the muscles surrounding the shoulder. Gently work your way up to the muscles on the side of the neck. To massage your back you can lie on a spikey therapy ball or a tennis ball to help work in to your back muscles.

• How do you give a body massage for beginners?
  Some of the basic tools you’ll need for a full body massage are:
• A Massage Table
• Towels
• Body Oil

When starting a massage, cover the client’s body with towels and only expose the area that you are working on. You can start massaging any area of the body by first applying oil and kneading into the muscles to release tension. Areas of the body that are commonly massaged are the back, shoulders, hands, feet, legs, arms and torso. Breasts and genitals are never included in a full body massage.

• What should you not do before a massage?
  We want to make sure you get the most out of your massage treatment. There’s nothing better than walking out the door with that floaty feeling after a massage. So to help you reap the benefits for longer we’re giving you a heads up of things to avoid before a massage.
• Alcohol Massage stimulates the chemicals in your body to circulate faster and dehydrates the body. Alcohol before a massage does a wonderful job of reversing the benefits you reap as it dehydrates the body beforehand, slowing down the process of circulation and cell nourishment.
• Sunbeds & UV light Sun-sensitive skin can become agitated during a massage after sun exposure. Burnt skin and post-massage dehydration can make a dangerous combination for your health so we recommend you stay away from the sun before your appointment.
• A big lunch Eating a lot before your appointment can leave you feeling bloated and heavy. If you are peckish before your massage help yourself to a light snack and drink plenty of water