Massage
Massage
In the October 2009 edition of HARPER’S BAZAAR, Health and Beauty Director, Newby Hands wrote, when reviewing Calcot Spa, Gloucestershire, “My favourites: book in for a massage with Douglas Caird…..“
Initially trained in Swedish Massage, I now offer nourishing holistic massage and therapeutic bodywork, incorporating elements of further learning and experience, including therapeutic massage, Champissage (Indian head massage), Ayurvedic massage and safe sensual touch.
If having a massage is not for you, or you are unsure, or want to move into it slowly, I’m happy to work with you to achieve your individual needs. Exploring and receiving therapeutic and safe healing touch in your life does not have to involve massage in its conventional form, especially if this is not what you want, for whatever reason.
I offer the following ways of working with massage and bodywork which can be used individually or in combination as part of a session:
- Holistic couch-based massage.
- Free Movement Massage™ – my massage chair-based method.
- Noticing Massage™ – This is a combined therapy and coaching session involving elements of a “traditional” massage – massage as a therapy where the session is generally therapy and therapist-led, with a guided exploration of inviting you to notice what it is that you need and ways to find the confidence to ask for it.
- Exploring ways to receive and to ask for the touch that you need or want.
Frequently Asked Questions – Massage and Therapeutic Bodywork
The following questions and answers are based on my experience of working with massage and bodywork – the questions that are most frequently asked. Should you be unable to find the information that you are looking for within the site, please use the General Enquiry Form and I will reply as soon as I can.
It is important with all medical conditions, particularly where prescription medicines are involved, that any changes you experience are monitored and discussed with your GP or consultant.
What is Bodywork?
Bodywork can be described as any therapeutic or personal development technique which involves working with the human body and which might involve manipulative therapy, breathwork, or energy work. I would therefore include Reflexology, Reiki and Emotional Freedom Techniques, as well as massage, as examples of the types of bodywork I work with.
What sort of massage do you offer?
Essentially, the massage that I now offer could be more accurately termed nourishing holistic massage and bodywork in that it intrinsically encompasses elements of all the Approaches I work with.
In essence, your massage will be dynamic in depth and pace in that the touch you receive will range from still holding through flowing strokes of varying depth and rapidity, points of specific focus (knots and areas of energetic stagnancy, as examples) and elements of stretching, rocking and shaking*
I work on both a traditional massage couch and a portable-style massage chair. The work on the chair I call Free Movement Massage™ and has its roots in Indian Head Massage (Champissage). Both approaches have their own unique Benefits.
*I would recommend that, should you want a massage which is mainly based on a solely physical “no-pain-no gain” approach where deep pressure is your main requirement, you should find a therapist who works in this way.
Do you work on sports or other injuries?
Whilst I do work to ease muscle knots and tightness, my intent is on facilitating healing through relaxing and softening the body as a means of accessing deeper holding and noticing, both physically and emotionally. If you’re looking for a more remedial or sports based type of massage to essentially “fix” something, I would advise you to book with someone who works in this way.