What to expect from your bodywork session

Preparing for your session

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Thank you for booking with Olive Tree Therapies. I look forward to welcoming you to the studio. If you have never had massage or bodywork before, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how I ensure your comfort and safety.

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Before you arrive

• Alcohol & Nutrition: Please do not consume alcohol on the day of your treatment, and avoid eating a heavy meal within an hour of your session. This ensures your body can respond safely to the work and you remain comfortable during the session

• Consultation Form: You will receive a link to the consultation form in the appointment confirmation and reminder emails. Please complete this before you arrive. This information helps me tailor your treatment safely and effectively ahead of time

• Privacy: For more details on how your personal and medical data is handled, you can read the Privacy Policy

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When you arrive: the consultation

We’ll begin with a brief chat to discuss your form, answer any questions, and agree on the plan for your session

• The Plan: Together, we’ll decide which areas of your body to focus on and how long to spend on each

• Ongoing Consent: Everything we do is led by your comfort. Consent is not just given at the start; it is a continuous conversation. You can change the plan, skip an area, or stop the session at any time for any reason

• Communication: The Traffic Light System

To make it easy to adjust the pressure and ensure ongoing clear communication, I use a simple Traffic Light system:

• Green: "I would like to change the pressure/pace."

• Amber: "This feels great and it’s exactly how I want it to be" or "No more and no less, it’s good."

• Red: "This is too much."

 

What to expect

Each treatment has a slightly different setup. You can find detailed descriptions of each modality on the Massage & Bodywork page.

Western Style (Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Aromatherapy, MLD)

I’ll leave the room to give you privacy to undress to your comfort level. You’ll be offered towels and blankets to stay warm and covered throughout; I only uncover the specific area being worked on. You are always welcome to opt out of blankets if you prefer.

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Therapeutic Thai massage

You’ll be given a set of clean, loose-fitting clothes to change into. This is performed fully clothed on a cushioned floor mat or a massage table. I will guide you through a series of supported postures and stretches, checking in as we go.

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Samādhi massage

This follows the Western setup but includes a short guided breathing practice at the start and a quiet 10-minute integration period at the end where I’ll leave the room so you can rest or do what feels right.

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During your session

• Sensory Experience: Your environment matters. We can adjust the music volume, room temperature, or your posture with cushions at any time

• Silence & Sound: I generally work in silence to allow you to settle, but I will check in periodically. You are welcome to speak up or have a chat whenever you need to

• Oils: For oil-based treatments, I use high-quality organic oils (such as coconut, grapeseed, or sesame). We will confirm any allergies during our opening chat

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After your treatment

I’ll leave the room so you can get up slowly and get dressed in your own time. Water will be available to help you rehydrate and reorient gently before you leave.

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Have questions? Check out the FAQ’s section or get in touch.