What to expect from your bodywork session
Preparing for your session
Thank you for booking with Olive Tree Therapies. I look forward to welcoming you to the studio. If you've never had massage or bodywork before, this guide will help you understand what to expect and how I ensure your comfort and safety.
Before you arrive
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Alcohol & nutrition — please don't 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 throughout
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Consultation form — you'll receive a link in your appointment confirmation and reminder emails. Please complete this before you arrive, as it helps me tailor your treatment safely and effectively
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Privacy — for details on how your personal and medical data is handled, see the Privacy Policy
When you arrive: the consultation
We'll begin with a brief chat to discuss your form (please complete the form found in the confirmation and reminder emails before arriving), answer any questions, and agree on the plan for your session.
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The plan — together, we'll decide which areas of your body to focus on and how long to spend on each
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Ongoing consent — everything we do is led by your comfort. Consent isn't just given at the start; it's a continuous conversation. You can change the plan, skip an area, go back to an area, or stop the session at any time, for any reason
To make it easy to adjust pressure and keep communication clear, I use a simple traffic light system:
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Green — "I'd like to change the pressure or pace"
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Amber — "This feels great, exactly how I want it"
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Red — "This is too much"
What to expect on the day
Setup varies a little depending on the type of session; for example, Nuad Thai is performed fully clothed, while most other treatments involve undressing to your comfort level under towels and blankets. Full details for each treatment are on their individual pages, including Massage & Bodywork, Nuad Thai, and the Samādhi Journey.
Whatever the format, you'll always be given privacy to undress (where relevant), kept warm and covered throughout, and only uncovered in the area being worked on.
During your session
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Sensory experience — your environment matters. We can adjust music volume, room temperature, or your posture with cushions at any time
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Silence & sound — I generally work in silence to allow you to settle, checking in periodically. You're always welcome to speak up or chat whenever you need to
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Oils — for oil-based treatments, I use high-quality organic oils such as coconut, grapeseed, or sesame. We'll confirm any allergies during our opening chat
After your bodywork session
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.
Have questions? Check out the FAQs or get in touch.
Aftercare advice
To get the most from your session, I recommend:
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Stay well hydrated
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Minimise caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol for 24 hours if possible
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Avoid strenuous activity and intense workouts for the rest of the day; not because it’s harmful, but because vigorous activity shifts your nervous system back into a more activated state, which can cut short the quieter, more restorative window the session may have opened
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Skip hot showers or sunbeds immediately afterwards, to let the oils nourish your skin
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing
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Give yourself time to rest and reflect
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Try to stay curious about what your body might need in the hours after your session. That might be rest, a gentle walk, something nourishing to eat, time in nature, warmth, or simply doing nothing for a while. There’s no right answer, just an invitation to notice and respond to what arises
You may experience:
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Mild soreness or redness in treated muscles
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Headaches – usually relieved by hydration and rest
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A feeling of emotional release, or simply feeling emotional
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Increased urination or thirst
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Lightheadedness or a “spacey” feeling, usually relieved by orienting yourself to your surroundings and grounding your body; take things slow if this happens
These are normal responses and typically resolve within 24–48 hours. If you’re ever concerned, please contact me directly.