Whether you are seeking the ultimate relaxation treatment or if you have an issue that you may wish to resolve through stress management or hypnotherapy - you've come to the right place. As a specialised massage therapist and clinical hypnotherapist at SmootheAway I am committed to your comfort and satisfaction and use an holistic approach to all my therapies - thus mind and body. (See 'About me' for my experience and qualifications)

 

Massage has been found to improve circulation, joint range-of-motion and flexibility. It can reduce many common ailments such as stress, muscle tightness, aches and pains - even anxiety and depression.

 

Hypnotherapy has been found to help people give up smoking, lose weight, deal with the fear of flying, nail biting, lack of confidence and much much more. Please see rest of website for further information.

 

This is your time to relax and escape.                                                       David

 

 

 

 

All therapies are for one hour (except first hypnotherapy sessions) and can be carried out at my home therapy room, or I can visit you at your home*. Alternative therapy rooms may be available.  I can also visit your workplace or other suitable venues. I am available for Open Days/Health Days/Pampering Days or other days set aside for the public.

 

*It is preferable that Hypnotherapy sessions are at my home therapy room - though where this is not suitable I will visit you at a convenient, quiet location if possible

 

Not sure what treatment is right for you? You can choose on the day or we can discuss your needs over the telephone or by email. Many of my clients enjoy a mix of treatments i.e A full body massage including a head massage, or some reflexology prior to a body massage - the choice is yours.

 

You can also book as many one hour sessions back to back as you wish e.g a luxury two hour massage including a full reflexology session followed by a relaxing full body massage.

 

 

 

 

 

Aromatherapy uses essential oils for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is a form of complementary therapy designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease by assisting the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself. This is usually a full body treatment, and if at my home therapy room includes soft music and candles. A truly relaxing experience. 

 

This treatment is based on old Ayurvedic techniques involving work on the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve accumulated tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement. 

 

Reflexology can detect subtle changes or ‘imbalances’ in the reflex points of the feet and, by working on these points, may help to restore the body’s natural equilibrium. This can be a treatment in itself or incorporated into other treatments.

 

How often have you had a crick in the neck, knots, painful shoulder, or lower back problems without knowing how you got them? Sports/deep tissue massage helps to identify the root of the problem and un-knot muscles affected. This is not just for athletes!

 

This is the massage you usually see on films where the therapist uses ‘hacking’ on legs and shoulders. It is an invigorating massage which reduces stress, both emotional and physical, thus is not really recommended for a 'relaxing' end of day treatment!

 

Thai Foot Massage consists of working on the feet and lower legs, and is performed with the hands and with a Thai foot stick. The treatment is both relaxing and invigorating, and has the aim of balancing the body and encouraging good health. Can be performed on its own or as part of another treatment.

 

This is where the person sits on a specially designed chair so I can work on the back, shoulders and head. It is normally used for Indian Head Massage or back massage in the workplace or at public open days, though can also be used in the home where someone may prefer to sit down rather than lay on a massage couch.

 

Ear candles have a purely physical function. A light suction action and the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the ear candle (which is hollow, and no wick), generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. This induces a pleasant feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses. It's soothing and helpful for earache and headache, ear noise, stress and nervousness.

 

These are probably the most popular therapies as they include most of the above therapies i.e. Full body aromatherapy but fixing any knots if found, or half reflexology followed by half full body sorting out any issues found. Or half full body, half Indian Head and so on. You choose.

 

 

 

(NB The following refers to physical therapies - not hypnotherapy)

 

Whether or not you have had any therapies in the past the following is a general guide. I well remember my first massage and would have benefited from even the most basic of information! Now, due to the amount of lifting, bending and standing I ensure I receive a massage every week!The first visit will include a medical questionnaire just to ensure you are able to proceed with treatment. This includes basic personal details and considers issues such as allergies to oils and other possible contraindications.

 

All details recorded and indeed all aspects of any treatment are strictly confidential and are only known by myself.

 

After consultation I will leave the room for you to undress, and cover yourself with towels provided. I will then re-enter the room, turn down the lights, play some relaxing music and commence treatment. (NB Indian Head Massage can be carried out fully clothed, but for those with bare shoulders or back oils or talc will need to be used. Oils can be used on the hair also which can be decided on the day. Thai foot massage only requires access to knees, lower leg and feet). Treatments will be followed by advice on appropriate lifestyle changes, posture, stretches and exercises

 

 

 

 

As with all therapies Stress Management is offered to individuals, community groups and those in a workplace setting. Indeed some organisations add therapies as an integral part of a stress management programme, and as such is becoming very popular.

 

This programme needs a minimum of 6 hours to be of benefit, and is a very much shortened version of what can take up to 2 to 3 days. Individuals, groups or organisations interested can contact me to discuss various timing options. Cost will depend on number of sessions, number of people, distance, number of packs required etc.  Sessions cover Recognition of stress in self and others, Coping Strategies and methods of relaxation (which can include any of the therapies offered either during sessions or at a later date) 

 

All the above body therapies are available at your workplace. Seated massage can be carried out at the person's desk or preferably a private room. Other treatments require a private room. For workplace costs and discounts please call to discuss options

 

 

Using massage in schools is quite a new concept in modern day society. Although massage, in some native and traditional cultures, is as old as mankind itself. It is only in the past century that science has been able to explain the benefits of massage. When the profession of massage therapists became recognised in modern society, studies regarding massage began to emerge everywhere. The studies give credibility to the practice of massage itself as a tool for health, stress management and well being.

 

Massage therapists have also developed massage approaches for individuals with special needs, young children in pre-school, and elderly people living in nursing homes. It is only recently that massage was introduced in schools. It has been done at local levels by individuals searching for ways to help the well-being of children at schools.

 

Various authors have written books on massage for children. Some of these approaches were for therapeutic reasons and some were developed for massaging children in hospitals. Others were developed for the nurturing touch and the enjoyment of massage, and many times the parents were included.

 

The idea of children massaging each other was slowly brought to consciousness by individuals who saw that there are amazing ways of improving relationships and social skills among children.

 

 

The Massage In Schools Programme (MISP) was officially founded in the year 2000 by Mia Elmsater from Sweden and Sylvie Hetu from Canada. Both believe in the contagious effect of a credible, well-structured yet simple program. It is with this spirit that they combined their experiences to create MISP.

 

They also believe in the principle that a shared common core curriculum as a solid base is necessary for a program to be successful. This solid base can also serve as a tool to help credibility and professionalism to become an integral part of the ethos of the program.

 

 

 

 

There are many schools of thought and many forms of massage. Massage therapy schools offer a wide variety of different types of massage courses. Some massage therapists have developed approaches directed to specific populations and age groups. Infant massage is now well recognised throughout the world mainly because of the work of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). IAIM was founded by Vimala McClure, who became inspired by the massage she observed while working in an orphanage in India. Subsequently, she created a routine of massage strokes for parents that consisted of Indian massage, Swedish massage, reflexology and other treatments. Other approaches to baby massage brought into modern culture have also been mostly inspired by massage in traditional culture. This is offered to individuals, or groups.

Click below to see latest courses.

 

 

 

 

 

Want to stop smoking, lose weight, regain confidence, want to stop nail biting or have a fear of flying or a phobia? Hypnotherapy can help with many of these issues and more. For those who have never experienced this therapy before please do not base your knowledge on stage hypnosis or what you see on TV! Clinical Hypnotherapy is to help you - not make you do silly things! I use a range of techniques to help you, all of which is discussed prior to treatment. If you have any queries or just want to know more about this service please do not hesitate in calling me. Past life regression and emotional freedom therapy are just a few techniques used to help clients - but more will be explained when you call.

Many issues can be dealt with in a single session - some may need a number of sessions. Again this will be explained at first contact. It may be obvious but is worth noting that the best results are with those who genuinely want help e.g. whilst anyone can attend to stop smoking it will only usually work if the client truly wants to quit, and not because they have been told to. Even so, I am more than willing to hold smoking cessation sessions without hypnotherapy - but this may take longer to see any results. I am registered with The Central Register of Stop Smoking Therapists (http://www.crsst.com)

 

Cost: £35 per hour at my therapy room. Other locations please call to discuss