About Charis (she/her)
I trained with Sheffield Centre for Massage Training and I’m fully qualified in Holistic Massage with Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. I’m a registered member of the Massage Training Institute (reg no. 4629) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (reg no. CNHC08828), which exist to drive up standards within our profession. If you have a health cash plan such as Westfield Health, you may be able to claim towards treatment costs.
I discovered the benefits of massage as a gymnast, and my practice is informed by a solid understanding of how our bodies work and how we move. I have a strong background in meditation, which offers wisdom into the mind-body connection, and an ability to be present and work intuitively with you.
I love giving massage, and I’m endlessly inspired by the deeply relaxing and healing power of touch. I focus on empowering you to know your own body, know what feels right, speak up about what you want and know how to care for your body in between treatment sessions. Clear communication and consent are foundation stones of my practice. I’ll work with you to ensure you’re as comfortable as can be, and that you leave the session feeling relaxed, fulfilled, and grounded within your own body.
I work in a trauma-informed way, with women, men, non-binary, queer and trans people. I’m always happy to chat on the phone or meet in person in advance to discuss how massage can support you, and to give you the opportunity to decide if I’m the right massage therapist for you.
About Massage
According to the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council: In all types of massage therapy, the intention is to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and help the body to relax. In a typical massage therapy session, we will discuss symptoms, medical history and the desired results.
Massage can: bring relief from aches and pains, increase flexibility, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address feelings of anxiety and tension, and aid general wellness. It can also be used in support of other therapies, such as physiotherapy, to assist in the rehabilitation of muscular injuries.
Swedish Massage aims at relaxation and incorporates the classic massage techniques of effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading) and tapotement (percussion).
Deep Tissue Massage is aimed at the deeper structures of muscle and fascia, and focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscle. It is used for chronic aches & pains and contracted areas such as a stiff upper body, lower back pain and leg muscle tightness. It incorporates advanced techniques including: assessing postural imbalances, myofascial release, soft tissue release, trigger point work (for muscle knots) and friction techniques.
Each session is individually tailored to what you bring on that day, and can incorporate elements of both Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue Massage.
