Blue Boat rower ‘08
HeadStart is the best in the business. Over the past 8 years I have trained hard to compete at the highest level, with some success, although I have seen countless therapists due to being plagued by injury… Until I started seeing Vicki “magic hands” Marsh.
Since my first appointment I have not missed a single training session as a result of injury! Not only does Vicki take care of your body, as an athlete herself she understands the demanding nature of competitive sport: she is a fount of knowledge & useful advice. She runs HeadStart in this holistic & friendly manner.
Headstart have helped my improve my performance: I would have not been invited onto the British Cycling Talent Team through Girls4Gold without their support. I know that with HeadStart Massage on my side, my sporting future will be successful & pain free!
Frequently asked questions
Please refer to the specific Therapy pages to find out more about your specific treatment
- 1. What do I wear?
- 2. What happens during a treatment?
- 3. Who can’t you work on?
- 4. What are the after-effects?
- 5. Is there any disabled access?
- 6. How many sessions will I need?
- 7. Will my Health Insurance cover the cost of treatment?
- 8. What is your cancellation policy?
1. What do I wear?
During the massage you will be asked to remove only the necessary items of clothing appropriate for the area being worked on. Underwear will remain worn at all times. For work on the legs if you prefer you may bring a pair of loose fitting comfortable shorts. Towels will be used to cover any parts of the body that are not being worked on.
2. What happens during a treatment?
For all treatments you will discuss with your therapist what you want from your sessions i.e. relaxation, rehab etc. If appropriate, a detailed history will be taken and we will discuss your current lifestyle to help set realistic targets by which you can see your improvement.
3. Who can’t you work on?
If you have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions it may be necessary to acquire GP for consent before attending your first session with HeadStart Massage. This list is not exhaustive so if you are uncertain about suitability for treatment please contact us:
Diabetic, High/Low blood pressure (on medication), Fever or illness, Abdominal pain, Vomiting/Diarrhoea, infectious skin condition, varicose veins or DVT, recent surgery, cancer, acute injury within 48 hours including bruising, swelling, sprains & strains
4. What are the after-effects?
After your massage it is important to drink water. Due to the effects on circulation caused by massage you may feel tired or dehydrated unless you drink sufficient fluids. Post- massage is a good time to take any supplements, recovery drinks or eat a well-balanced meal. Massage warms the soft tissues of the body therefore making them more permeable and allowing you to take up more nutrients from your food.
You may find that you encounter some stiffness or tenderness in your muscles for the few days following a massage. This is not uncommon and is in indication that the massage has had effect. It can be likened to the stiffness you encounter following exercise if you are not accustomed to it. If you experience any severe increases in pain or new symptoms that were not discussed with your therapist then seek appropriate medical advice.
5. Is there any disabled access?
At HeadStart Massage we work with a range of clients and look to encourage access for all individuals wishing to benefit from our services. We are able to offer good disabled access at two of our centres, Hills Road Tennis Centre and Chesterton Sports Centre. If you have any special requirements then please feel free to contact us to see if we can accommodate you.
6. How many sessions will I need?
Ideally Sports Massage should be used for injury prevention and general maintenance. This means that having a treatment weekly or once every few weeks is often more helpful than only having massage once an injury has occurred or long period of time has passed. If that isn’t suitable for you because of the hands on approach of sports and remedial massage even after just one session people often find a big improvement in how they feel.
7. Will my Health Insurance cover the cost of treatment?
Currently Sports Massage treatments are only provided on PruHealth policies. Therapists trained to the appropriate standard and on the National Register of Sports Massage Practitioners will be eligible to provide treatments covered by medical insurance.Please contact your insurance provider for more information.
8. What is your cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel your appointment with HeadStart Massage we require 24hrs notice to allow other clients the opportunity of booking the slot. If you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment time 100% of the fee will be charged or £20 (whichever is lowest) and must be paid before your next appointment commences.
Bookings and enquiries can be made via:
Tel: 01223 301636
