Massage at WNT - 3 different practitioners, 3 different approaches

We are lucky at WNT to have 3 fantastic massage therapists, each with a different approach. You can see Erika for relaxing, therapeutic deep tissue massage and pregnancy massage, Miha for tuina massage and Tessa for sports and remedial massage. Read on to find about more about how and why they do what they do and the love and compassion that goes into their work.

Please can you share a bit about your individual approach or style of massage?

What I do could probably be described as a holistic/deep tissue massage. I sometimes call it “regular massage”. My approach and intent is shaped by the interaction between nervous system and tissue. When there is mental ease and relaxation, the nervous system down-regulates and muscle tissue can ease and get space to relax. Equally massaging and manipulating the muscle tissue, using both strong firm touch and subtle touch, invites the nervous system to down-regulate and the mental tension can ease and the mind calms.

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I believe that a good massage is based on communication. An interchange of information between the hands of a practitioner and your tissues. That is the focus of my practice. To establish harmony and safety, in which the tissues can slowly release and reorganise to their natural form. This provides a fully personalised experience, as I prefer to be lead by what I am feeling, rather than doing the same for everyone.
My massage treatments are based on Chinese Holistic Massage (Tuina) which allows me to ascertain which of your muscle pathways (following alongside the meridians) are mostly affected. This is infused by Zen Shiatsu, which brings an element of calm and restful stillness.
However, when stronger touch is needed, I combine a few Osteopathic techniques with the dynamic elements of Tuina to create a deeper openings.
I also have been incorporating Dissolve Therapy into my massages, which as the name states, has an incredible way of dissolving habitual tensions in both the physical and emotional body.

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I've been a massage therapist for over thirteen years now and have developed a style of massage that is a combination of several techniques.
At the start of a massage I favour traditional effleurage and petrissage (massage strokes and kneading) with more 'pin and stretch' techniques after locating the more stubborn areas that I need to work into more deeply.  I sometimes use medical acupuncture to release trigger points and to assist me with working on more than one area of the body at once.  I am constantly talking to the client, checking how they are feeling and asking them to change positions so that I can access muscles from different angles. It is quite an active hour on the couch so if you are looking for a relaxing 'spa' type massage, I don't think I'm the therapist for you. 

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What kind of clients do you mostly treat?

I see a great variety of clients ranging in age from the not yet born, coming with pregnant mothers, to the very senior seniors, the eldest regular recently turned 90.

Most come to me for general issues with tension and aches and pains before it has evolved into something more severe. Many clients come as a part of maintaining good health and well-being.

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I often incorporate my massages into my Acupuncture treatments. Thus I see a lot of clients with shoulder and back issues. Especially 'trapped nerve' presenting conditions such as sciatica.

I also find it useful when supporting distressed clients. There is something magical about connecting with people through attentive, compassionate touch.

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I would say 85% of my clients do some kind of sport or class-based exercise. They come to see me either as part of their injury rehabilitation, for injury prevention or purely for maintenance, to help reach their optimum performance during their training programme.
The other 15% come to see me for many reasons.  They could be struggling with postural problems, whether that is from being hunched over a computer for hours, aching from breast-feeding or repetitive strain injuries from manual work. I see people who are recovering from surgery, struggling with decreasing mobility from issues such as a frozen shoulder or osteoarthritis.

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What do you enjoy about using massage to work with clients?

It’s a work where love and compassion for your fellow human beings is of the essence. It’s a very enjoyable connecting through touch with a variety of people with unique circumstances helping people feel better.
I also enjoy the aspect of creating a tranquil place for peace and quiet, both internally and externally.
In order to enjoy busy buzzing places and living in a bustling city like London, there is a need quiet and calm to counteract that intensity. A massage session can be such a sanctuary from from all that.

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I love how versatile massage can be. There are many many different techniques in our toolkit. Some are good to relax the nervous system (rocking like waves), to release muscle 'knots' (dynamic deep pressure), or to open the joint spaces (passive stretches).

Every treatment is fully adapted to your specific needs in that moment. 

Staying present with what we have is, often 'half the battle' won.

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There are so many elements of massage that I enjoy.  It is fascinating how each person's body and skin feels absolutely unique, how I can detect a change in tissue quality from even the lightest of touch, how muscles respond and relax under my hands. I can see and feel the client's apprehension lifting, the body relaxing. There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing someone who arrived concerned and in pain, leave looking relaxed, happier and telling me how they feel so much lighter in so much less pain.  What's not to enjoy about a job which makes myself and other people feel good every working day?

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Erika is at WNT on Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoon/evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Miha is at WNT on Thursdays and Sundays.
Tessa is at WNT on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.