Low Fell Massage Therapy

I offer a full body massage session focused on relaxation. My massage style is a fusion of Lomi Lomi, Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques. I massage intuitively, focused on your individual needs.

My massage space is a body positive and inclusive environment. Men of all ages and sizes who prefer a male therapist are welcomed. Treatment takes place in my home with a comfortable heated massage table, relaxing music and warmed oils.

My belief is that everyone deserves to be nurtured and touch is fundamental. We all need a place to feel safe, let go, and put down the armour we wear to face the world, especially as men.

Massage is a physical therapy that focuses on manipulating the soft tissues of the body (muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints) to promote relaxation, relieve pain, and give a sense of overall wellbeing.  

I use a fusion of the styles below when I massage, with a holistic approach (massaging the whole person) rather than clinical (focusing on key ailments). 

• Swedish massage:  full body strokes that relax and soothe with some deeper and more intense work, on surface muscles and connective tissue, with light to medium pressure.
• Sports/deep tissue massage: specific strokes that work more deeply into muscles and connective tissue. Can be vigorous, intense and stimulating or slow, intentional and deep, depending on what is needed to ease tightness and knots. Particularly beneficial for areas with long-term tension, such as necks, shoulders and low backs.
• Lomi Lomi: long, flowing, rhythmic strokes that move from head to toe that move in a reassuring motion. Hawaiian in origin and known as 'loving hands' massage which sums up its philosophy, to create a caring, nurturing, healing experience.
• Indian Head Massage: focuses on massaging the head, neck, and shoulders to release tension, improve circulation, and promote overall wellbeing. 

If you have specific injuries, I would recommend that you see a physio or other physical therapist with specialist skills to help resolve these.

Creating a safe space with a mutual sense of trust and respect is fundamental to the massage experience I offer. Men from all walks of life book in for massage, and of all ages, shapes and sizes. Some have had massage before, for others it is their first time. You are welcome and warmly accepted, just as you are. I offer you the chance to connect with your body on a deeper level, in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. Massage to me is a two-way 'conversation' that evolves between us. I adjust, refine and tailor the massage in response to what I observe and learn about you. It takes place in a private, warm and comfortable space with no interruptions and no rushing.  We'll have a chat on arrival and get a feel for what you need. Ask any questions. All sessions are 100% confidential and anything shared remains in the treatment room.  During the massage, tensions tend to fade, thoughts quieten and a sense of wellbeing increases. A good massage can really help you to let go and experience a deep sense of relief. It can be transformative. 

A good massage has different health benefits.

Emotionally, massage nourishes and reassures. It helps you to feel connected and more mentally resilient. The physical contact has a mental effect - it eases depression, anxiety, loneliness, stress, exhaustion and low self-esteem. It promotes better sleep and a clearer, calmer mind.

Physically, it helps reduce muscular tension and headaches, tightness, restriction and fatigue. It helps with injury prevention through increasing joint mobility, improving range of motion, circulation and flexibility.

Biologically, your body releases chemical messengers ('happy hormones' and neurotransmitters) such as oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and endorphins – when you get therapeutic physical touch. These elevate your mood, increase pleasure and reduce pain. Your nervous system slows down, your blood pressure and heart rate lower, and your cortisol level (stress hormone) decreases.

Pre-massage consultation.  After you get in touch, we’ll arrange a phone chat to find out more about your needs and what I offer. If we are both happy, we’ll book in a session.

Preparation before you arrive. Take a thorough shower (don’t forget feet). If needed, you can shower at my place before we start (towel/shower gel available). Let me know of any allergies.

Arrival. On-street parking is available (no restrictions) or it’s a 5-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Arrive on time, but not early as there is no waiting area. If you are cycling, you can bring your bike into the front hall.  You will arrive to a friendly and relaxed welcome. There are 9 steps from the road up to the house with a handrail on either side. There are 13 steps with a handrail up to the first floor where the treatment room is.

Consultation. I’ll ask you about your general health and what you want from your treatment for a few minutes. Ask any questions. Once you feel arrived and settled in, we’ll start.

Get ready for your massage.  I’ll leave you to undress to your level of comfort, shower if you need to, then lie on the massage table.  Towels are available for cover as needed. The room will be at a good temperature so you will stay nicely warm throughout. The massage table is comfortably padded and warmed from underneath. You will lie on a soft padded waterproof cover rather than towels which allows the unique Lomi style to take place. There is also a memory foam face cradle to rest your face into.

Treatment. Time to relax, let go, and just be. We start with a few moments of stillness to connect, ground and focus and some initial light strokes. Draping is adjusted as needed, warmed oil is applied.  Halfway through the session, I'll ask you to turn over. Throughout the massage, we can adjust areas being worked on, speed, pressure, temperature as needed.  Drinking water is available.  At the session end, I’ll cover you again with the sheet/towel, leave you for a few minutes to have a rest, then wipe any excess oil off you. Take a shower if needed, then it’s time to dress and say goodbye. You can rebook if you want to but never any pressure.

Aftercare. A special note. As well as feeling more relaxed, grounded and peaceful, sometimes a massage can leave you feeling a little emotional in different ways. You’ve taken off your armour, let down your guard and been open and receptive to a deeper experience, outside of your everyday life.  It can feel profound so it’s important to look after yourself. Ideally, factor in some buffer time immediately after your massage before you need to re-engage with the outside world.  Aim to avoid rushing and perhaps take the quiet roads home. Drink water to rehydrate - you've been quite warm for a while.  Aim to minimise stimulants over the next few hours. Massage can lower your blood sugar a little, so you might want a snack after. You might feel a little sore/tender after bodywork, in the same way as soreness after the gym, but this passes in 24-48 hours.

I’m Steve, 55, a qualified and insured massage therapist with 30 years of massage experience.

My massage journey began with two personal intentions: 1) to overcome my own body hang ups and enjoy being in my body and 2) to learn how to touch another person ‘properly’. It’s been a wonderful, life-affirming experience.

Over the years, I’ve trained in different holistic massage styles (therapeutic, Swedish, Indian head massage, Lomi Lomi) and more remedial massage styles (Sports and deep tissue). Each style offered me different parts of the jigsaw. I combine them when massaging, applying what feels needed most, but at my core I focus on relaxation and wellbeing.

I've received a number of massages over the years, some good, some not so good.  All of this has raised my awareness of what it feels like to be a massage client, which has helped me to refine the massage experience I offer others - care, attention and awareness makes all the difference.

Massage allows me to express something that words can’t. I’m open-minded, non-judgemental and curious by nature. I hope you are too. I aim to make every treatment I give a memorable and life enhancing experience.