What to Expect During a Holistic Massage Session

People often ask me why I wanted to be a massage therapist, and the answer is simple - I like looking after people. I'm also a big fan of doing quiet work in a calm space with nice folks.

I founded Be Kind Unwind in November 2021 following completion of my Level 4 qualification in Holistic Massage at the Sheffield Centre for Massage Training. Holistic massage focuses on aiding relaxation and stress relief, resolving minor aches and pains, and helping you to feel more present and grounded in your body. Lovely stuff.

In September 2024 I leveled-up and qualified to Level 5 in Advanced Clinical Massage at the Jing Institute of Massage in Brighton. This form of massage is primarily for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain - mainly for chronic pain, but also for acute pain conditions, stress relief and relaxation. I see clients with a whole variety of conditions ranging from whiplash, sciatica and chronic low back pain, to dystonia, tennis elbow, chronic shoulder & neck pain, and everything in-between.

If you're experiencing acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain, please consider booking a Massage Fusion session rather than a holistic massage so I can take you through a thorough in-person consultation & assessment before treatment. Pain is often complex and it's essential that we have plenty of time to talk everything through and carefully plan a course of action together.

Holistic Massage Treatments

The holistic treatments I offer are The Unwind, Unwind Your Mind, Create Your Own Unwind & Hot Stone Unwind, ranging from 45 to 90 minutes in duration. You can find full details about all of these on my Treatments page.

My Locations | Accessibility

I work from two spaces in leafy Nether Edge in Sheffield. On Fridays I'm at Soul Fire Studios in a cosy space up a few flights of stairs. On Saturdays I'm at Fiveways Therapy Centre in a larger space on the ground floor with level, step-free access. Both locations have waiting rooms and Fiveways has an accessible toilet.

For more detailed information about accessibility at Soul Fire Studios and Fiveways Therapy Centre, head to my Contact page, and if you have any questions or requests, please get in touch using the form on that page. I'd love to hear from you and I will always try to accommodate requests where possible. I'm more than happy to do silent appointments, keep the lighting low, switch the music off, or play your favourite relaxation playlist.

When You Arrive For a Massage

You're welcome to arrive up to five minutes early for your massage session - before that I'll be setting up the room, having a break and eating snacks. 

Both Soul Fire and Fiveways have doorbells. Soul Fire has a general doorbell at the top of the entrance stairs, and I'm in Room 1 at Fiveways so you can just press the buzzer next to my flamboyant name magnet. Then I'll come and let you in.

Before Your Massage

When you come for a holistic massage you will have completed an online form in advance to provide me with information about your health history, lifestyle and any muscular and / or joint-based issues that you're experiencing. 

When you arrive, we'll sit down and talk through anything that has come up in the form, any specific issues or areas that need attention, and any questions you have about the massage experience. 

Then we'll agree on the plan for the session and I'll tell you which way up to lay on the massage couch and which clothes to remove. You can undress as much as you feel comfortable but pants are always to be kept on.

The Best Bit | Your Massage

Towards the beginning of the massage I'll check in with you about the pressure I'm using, but you're welcome to tell me at any point during the treatment if you'd like more or less pressure, or if anything doesn't feel good.

I'd like to acknowledge the power dynamics that exist between me as the massage therapist and you as the client. Rest assured that I will not be offended if you speak up or raise a hand during the session - you're in control of the pressure and you can always advocate for yourself.

Massage can bring up feelings, sensations and emotions that you may not be expecting, so if you want or need the massage to stop at any time, then it will stop.

I'm a big advocate for you taking time to zone out and enjoy the massage in silence, but I know some folks enjoy a nice chat so I'm equally up for that. The only time I'll initiate conversation is if I need you to change position on the massage couch.

At the end of the massage, I'll quietly let you know that the treatment has finished, I'll invite you to take two or three deeper breaths in case you're feeling a bit light-headed, and there'll be water available for you. I'll then leave the room for a few minutes while you get dressed. 

After Your Massage

I'll always knock on the door and wait for you to give me the ok before coming in. Then we'll have a chat about how you found the massage, how you're feeling, anything that came up for you during the session, and any questions you have about the treatment. You're also very welcome to book your next massage, or you can book it online when you get home.

I know some folks don't always feel like having a big chat after their massage and that's absolutely fine. We can wrap everything up nice and quickly with minimal talking, and you can pay by cash or card if you haven't paid beforehand.

Then I'll ensure you find your way safely out of the building, we'll say goodbye and hopefully I'll see you again soon!