What does “therapeutic massage” mean here?
I use the term for a session guided by what the person is feeling and by the reason that brought them to the practice. It is not about applying the same technique to everyone. The first step is to listen, understand the routine, observe movement and adapt the intensity to the body's response.
Massage does not diagnose conditions and does not replace medical assessment or treatment. Its role may be complementary: working with tension, encouraging relaxation, supporting mobility and helping someone feel more comfortable in their body.
When might booking a session make sense?
It may be an option if your body feels stiff or heavy after spending many hours in one position, physical work, training or a demanding routine. It may also make sense when you want to recover from effort, ease the feeling of muscular tension or simply create time for care and rest.
Two people with similar complaints may need very different sessions. The location and duration of the discomfort, sensitivity, type of work and personal goal all influence the approach.
What happens during the first session?
At the practice in Ponta Delgada, the first session begins with a conversation and an individual assessment. I want to understand what you feel, when it began, what makes it better or worse, and whether anything requires particular care or referral.
The work is then adapted to your tolerance and your body's response. Massage does not need to cause intense pain to be useful. More pressure does not automatically mean a better result.
When should you consult a health professional first?
Intense or unexplained pain, recent trauma, fever, significant swelling, loss of strength, a sudden change in sensation or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a health professional. When signs fall outside my scope, I do not press ahead with a session: I refer the person on.
Working responsibly also means recognising when massage is not the right answer at that moment.
This article is for information only and does not replace medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment.