Before your session

Kia ora! I’m Joe, I’ll be your massage therapist today.

Swedish Massage is a relaxing and revitalising experience that will leave you feeling deeply rested in mind, and reset in body. Unlike other types of massage, Swedish is not painful or uncomfortable. The focus is on relaxing the nervous system and the muscles, warming and lengthening before going deeper with the right amount of pressure to release knots and held tension.

If it’s your first time visiting Whanganui Wellbeing, I will ask you some questions. I need to ensure that you don’t have any health issues that may be negatively affected by massage. I also want to know what you are hoping for from massage therapy and be sure we are clear about what your expectations and goals for the session are.

I recommend you turn off your phone for the duration of your treatment.

Next, you will be asked to remove your clothing. I will leave the room to give you privacy while you undress. You should take off only as much as you are comfortable removing. A sheet is provided for draping during the massage. During the treatment I uncover only the part of the body being massaged, ensuring that modesty is respected at all times. You should also remove any jewelry or other articles that might interfere with the massage.

Before the massage begins, you may be offered some advice that will improve the quality of your massage. For example, some mindfulness guidance or invitation to breathe deeply.

I recommend that you pay in advance during the booking process so you can simply arrive, enjoy the session and walk out relaxed and revitalised.

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During your session

The massage takes place on a comfortable, padded massage table. Based on your needs, I will tell you what position to lie in on the table.

Expect a peaceful and comfortable environment for the massage. I usually play relaxing music during the massage. If you don’t like music playing, ask to change it or turn it off.

I use organic coconut or olive oil, which reduces drag on the skin while performing the massage strokes. If you are allergic to some oils, be sure to tell me so we can make sure the ingredients in the oil is suitable.

Depending on your needs, I will massage either the full body or only specific areas that need attention. The first session with a new client usually include all the major areas of the body, while a follow up session for a localized injury, pain, or tightness will be focused on a specific area. It is possible to spend most of an entire session on only one area. If there is anything that does not feel comfortable or right or you do not like, please speak up – it’s your massage and it’s your body. Otherwise, feel free to zone out and enter a state of deep relaxation.

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After your session

After the massage is finished, you will once again be provided with privacy in order to get dressed. After your session has ended, please feel free to ask any questions you have. You will be provided with a glass of water or a cup of tea to hydrate after your massage. You may feel a bit groggy as your lymphatic system and other bodily processes are working to fix areas of tension and toxicity highlighted by the treatment. I recommend you keep well hydrated for the next 24 hours, at least 2 litres of water (caffeine and alcohol don’t count!), and to dedicate some time for stretching either that day or the following. Sometimes you can experience a stuffy nose for a couple of hours as toxins are cleared from your system through your body’s natural processes.