A safe and clean treatment room has always been high priority, however, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a number of new health and safety rules will now take place.

To ensure a safe environment for both client and therapist, the following commitments will be required from all clients:

Clients will be required to bring their own towels to their appointment. Minimal two towels; one to lay on and one to cover themselves.
Clients will be required to bring their own water to their appointment. I am not permitted to give drinks to clients.
Clients will be required to attend appointments alone.
Clients must NOT attend their appointment if they have had, or been in contact with anyone who has had, the following COVID-19 symptoms over the previous 14 days: recent onset of a new continuous cough, high temperature, loss of or change in normal sense of taste or smell
I will be using the ‘track and trace’ system. Any clients who develop any COVID-19 symptoms after their appointment must let me know ASAP.
Clients must wait outside the clinic, and try not to arrive before their appointment time – I will collect clients from outside the clinic.
Clients must not touch any doors – I will open doors for clients.
Payment will only be accepted via BACS or contactless card payment. No cash will be accepted.

Failure to co-operate with the safety measures will result in the service being immediately terminated with full payment still being taken.

Please also note that whilst I, and all other therapists working out of the Odyssey Clinic, are doing all that we can to provide a safe and clean environment, by booking an appointment, all clients are choosing to be treated at their own risk and Faye Barr Sports Massage Therapy will in no way be liable if the client develops symptoms of COVID-19.

In return, the following commitments will be given by myself:

All surfaces will be sanitised between clients. All single use couch covers will be immediately disposed of after use.
I will keep doors and windows open in between clients to use ventilation to mitigate the transmission risk of COVID-19. I will also keep a 30 minute gap in between appointments to allow the room to ‘air’.
I will sanitise my hands immediately before and immediately after treating the client.
I will wear a face mask at all times.
I will avoid touching my face or face mask.
I will practice social distancing wherever possible.
I will be using the ‘track and trace’ system. I ask that any clients who develop any COVID-19 symptoms let me know ASAP. I will then close the clinic for 14 days and contact all clients who have been in the clinic after said client.

If you have any questions on any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me on email or phone.

Sports massage HAS to hurt to be effective

Sports massage is very similar to deep tissue massage in that both require the therapist to use firm pressure. This pressure CAN be uncomfortable when the muscle is tight or overworked, there is scar tissue present or the client is suffering with DOMS (Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness aka the pain in your muscles the day after intense exercise!). If the discomfort for the client is too much, they may find it difficult to keep the affected muscles relaxed which would lead to an intensified level of pain and a less effective treatment. The common rule is that the client should mostly feel that the massage pressure is tolerable. If the pressure is too soft, the treatment may be less effective. Some people either with a high pain threshold or with healthy muscle tissue may not feel any pain or discomfort at all during treatment. This doesn’t mean that their treatment is less effective than others.

Sports massage releases ‘toxins’

This is a popular myth. Lots of therapists tell their clients that they are ‘releasing toxins’ from the muscles, without really knowing what this means or even what ‘toxins’ are. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine have conducted multiple studies on the effects of massage on the body and none of these show any relation to a release of toxins.

You must drink LOADS of water post-massage

Linked to the last myth, therapists who tell you that they have ‘released toxins’ from your muscles, will usually follow this with advise of drinking ‘plenty of water’ to ‘flush out the toxins’. Despite common misconception, massage does not increase your body’s need for water at all. That being said, you should always drink to thirst and sip water throughout the day to ensure that you stay hydrated and maintain healthy organs.

You shouldn’t question your therapist – they’re the expert after all…

Most massage therapists genuinely want your treatment to be as effective as possible. It is vital that you communicate with your therapist to ensure that the treatment is right for you. This includes telling your therapist if the pressure is not right, they are not quite hitting the spot, you’d like it if they used a bit more oil, you’d like another pillow/towel or anything else that would make the treatment better for you. A good therapist will leave their ego at the door and appreciate that their client feels confident and comfortable enough to ask for what they want out of their treatment.