“Touch was never meant to be a luxury. It’s a basic human need. It’s an action that validates life and gives hope to both the receiver and the giver” – Irene Smith
Welcome to my massage page. I’m Dani and Ive been a massage therapist for over 30 years. Here is an intro for what I offer and areas I choose to specialise in. As well as sports massage therapy, I also offer remedial therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, deeply nurturing treatments for pregnancy and the postnatal recovery period, where the focus can be on specific areas as well as full body treatments, including facial and scalp massage.
The fees for remedial therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy & postnatal massage in your home are charged in various time blocks:
| 90 Minutes | £85 |
| 60 Minutes | £65 |
All my treatments are MOBILE and carried out in the comfort of your own home. Please note* I have a strict ground floor policy. Mobile visits outside of the Harrogate district may incur added travelling costs. A warm and welcoming therapy room in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire can be made available if home visits are not convenient for clients.
Cancellations/rescheduling with less than 24 hours notice will be charged at full price
Sports Massage
Sports massage is based on Swedish massage, it’s a deep tissue massage technique that focuses on problem areas. It can help in preparation for an event and optimise your recovery afterwards. Regular treatment as part of your training programme can help you build that consistent, injury free training block that allows you to progress. Sports massage is not just for the fit and your pain and discomfort does not have to be sports related to benefit. Many people can develop postural issues through their work which may develop into chronic pain and discomfort. Sports massage can help alleviate your symptoms and get you back to your best.
When muscles are stressed they inhibit blood flow, impeding the distribution of oxygen and nutrients around the body. As a result toxins build up in the muscle and they may become inflamed. A sports massage helps loosen muscle tissues. Sports massage works on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The purpose is to “unstick” muscle fibres in order to release tension, remove toxins and relax and sooth the muscles. This enables blood to circulate properly, releasing toxins from the muscles to aid recovery.
The benefits of sports massage therapy include:
- Enhancing sporting performance
- Increasing joint mobility
- Improved muscle function
- Reducing compacted tissue (knots)
- Reducing postural imbalances
- Prevention of scar tissue
- Increased circulation
Sports massage therapy can be used to treat:
- Back pain
- Tension headaches
- Sports injuries
- Neck & shoulder pain
- General stiffness in the joints
- Foot pain
Ongoing medical conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis can benefit from regular massage.
Pregnancy Massage
The Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a very special time for any woman – bringing joy and excitement but also additional physical and emotional pressures. Massage can help support a mum-to-be through this period and beyond. Specially devised to meet the needs of expectant women, pregnancy massage can help alleviate the common aches and pains of pregnancy and reduce stress levels. Baby also benefits as the “feel good” endorphins released by mum during massage are passed on to baby. Helping to both connect and bond during this sacred time.
Specific benefits of regular pregnancy massages include:
- stimulating circulation – encouraging the distribution of essential nutrients and fluid to all the vital organs of the body, especially the placenta
- releasing muscular tension, particularly around the upper back and shoulders and the lower back which can often suffer in later pregnancy
- lymphatic drainage – eliminating toxins from the cells and helping reduce oedema (swelling due to fluid retention)
- helping avoid varicose veins from developing
- helping lower high blood pressure or keep blood pressure balanced
- reducing emotional stress and anxiety, creating a sense of positive well-being
- encouraging deep relaxation and peaceful sleep
- helping to become more aware of and more comfortable with her own body and the natural changes it is going through.
This is also a time when a woman can feel “taken over” by the pregnancy, the focus on her bump, and any associated medical processes. Pregnancy Massage can be a great way to restore the balance by providing a nurturing, relaxing environment, for you to focus on you and your needs.
What to expect
As with all my massages, the treatment is carried out in the comfort of your own home and tailored in line with your wants and needs.
As a guide, a normal pregnancy massage lasts for one hour using oils and involves mum-to-be lying comfortably on my prenatal bean bag, well supported by pillows and covered by towels and blankets to ensure warmth and dignity. Gentle, nurturing massage is given to the back, neck and shoulders (with more attention to the lower back area in later pregnancy). An extended treatment can also include arms and hands, legs and feet and a restoring facial and scalp massage, if required. At the choice of the client, gentle massage of the abdomen can also be given, with the oils helping nourish the skin and reduce stretch marks.
Ensuring safety for you and your baby
- Massage can then be carried out from 14 weeks to birth.
After the birth: Post-natal massage offers a great way to nurture and restore the body after the monumental changes that childbirth brings to a woman’s body. Regular massages offers new mums a chance to step away from the physical and emotional demands of motherhood and invest in their own health and wellbeing.
