MASSAGE & BODYWORK

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 Before we begin, we’ll briefly discuss how you are feeling, any areas of tension or sensitivity, relevant health information and what you would like from your session.

Your treatment can then be adapted to your individual needs and comfort on the day. You will be appropriately draped throughout the massage, with only the area being worked on uncovered.

 For massage treatments, you may undress to your level of comfort; however, underwear must remain on throughout the entire session.

You will be appropriately covered with towels or draping at all times, with only the area being treated uncovered. Your privacy, comfort and personal boundaries are always respected throughout the treatment.

 It depends on what you are looking for.

Relaxation Massage is ideal when you simply want to slow down and unwind, while Hot Stone Massage adds the comforting warmth of heated stones.

 Lymphatic Drainage uses a much lighter, rhythmic technique, and Foot Reflexology focuses specifically on the feet.

Massage + Reiki combines therapeutic touch with energy work, while Spinal Energetics™ + Back Massage offers a more nervous system–focused experience.

If you are unsure, feel free to contact me before booking and I can help you choose.

 Yes. Pressure can be adapted according to your comfort and the type of massage you have chosen.

Please feel comfortable letting me know at any point during your treatment if you would prefer more or less pressure.

 Yes. Your safety is always considered before treatment.

Massage may need to be modified, avoided in a particular area or postponed depending on your health and individual circumstances.

Please let me know before your appointment if you are pregnant, taking anticoagulant medication, have recently had surgery or an injury, have a history of blood clots, severe osteoporosis, flu, fever or acute illness, active infection, open wounds, significant inflammation, or another medical condition that may affect your treatment.

If there is any uncertainty about whether massage is appropriate for you, medical clearance may be requested before proceeding.

 Please tell me if you are experiencing tingling in the leg together with pain and unusual warmth, particularly if these symptoms are new, unexplained or affecting one leg.

These symptoms — particularly when accompanied by swelling, tenderness or changes in skin colour — require caution and may need medical assessment to rule out conditions such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

If a blood clot is known or suspected, Massage or Lymphatic Drainage will not be performed until the condition has been medically assessed and it is safe to proceed.

 Yes. Although Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a very gentle technique, there are circumstances in which treatment should be postponed or medical clearance may be required.

Please let me know before booking if you have a known or suspected blood clot, DVT, thrombosis or thrombophlebitis; acute infection or fever; significant heart or kidney disease; sudden or unexplained swelling; active cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment; have recently had surgery; are pregnant; or have another significant medical condition.

Some conditions do not necessarily mean that Lymphatic Drainage cannot be performed. Treatment may instead need to be modified or require clearance from your healthcare professional.

 If you have active cancer or are currently undergoing cancer treatment, medical clearance from your doctor or treating healthcare team is required before booking Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

Whether treatment is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances, including the type and stage of cancer, current treatment, previous surgery and lymph node involvement.

For example, some people undergoing or recovering from breast cancer treatment may be able to receive appropriate massage or lymphatic therapy, while for others treatment may need to be modified, postponed or avoided.

Once medical clearance has been provided, the session can be adapted according to your healthcare team's recommendations and your individual needs.

 Lymphatic Drainage does not burn body fat and should not be considered a weight-loss treatment.

Because the technique encourages the movement of lymphatic fluid, some people may notice changes associated with fluid accumulation or swelling. Any temporary change in measurements associated with fluid movement should not be confused with loss of body fat.

 Please always let me know if you are pregnant — including during the early stages of pregnancy — so that I can determine whether the treatment and positioning are appropriate for you.

Pregnancy itself does not automatically mean that massage is unsafe. However, additional care is required, and certain techniques may need to be modified or avoided depending on the stage of pregnancy, your health and pregnancy history.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, bleeding, significant abdominal or pelvic pain, a history of pregnancy complications or any other concern, medical clearance may be required before treatment.

 Yes. Because Hot Stone Massage combines massage with heat, additional precautions are required.

Please let me know before your appointment if you have diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, reduced or altered sensation, significant circulatory problems, acute inflammation, fever or infection, open wounds or active skin conditions, or a recent injury.

Hot Stone Massage may need to be modified or avoided when a condition affects your ability to safely perceive temperature. Pregnancy and certain medical conditions may also require additional precautions or medical clearance.

 Yes. Foot Reflexology may need to be postponed or modified if you have an acute foot or ankle injury, open wounds, active skin or fungal infection, significant inflammation or another condition affecting the feet.

Please also let me know if you have a history of blood clots or are currently experiencing unexplained swelling, pain, unusual warmth or colour changes affecting one leg or foot.

If DVT or another acute vascular condition is suspected, treatment will not proceed until appropriate medical assessment has been obtained.

 Reflexology is based on the traditional principle that specific areas of the feet correspond with different areas of the body.

At Portal I AM, Foot Reflexology is offered as a complementary wellbeing practice for relaxation, grounding and body awareness. It is not used to diagnose medical conditions and does not replace appropriate medical assessment or treatment.