Question 1

What should I expect from a Holistic Massage?

Accepted Answer

Holistic Massage is an approach to massage and not a specific technique. It basically means it's person-centred and we tailor everything to your needs, rather than simply following a set routine. Its philosophy is grounded in acceptance, presence and communication. Both of our therapists are trained in a range of techniques: whether you need a light touch or deep tissue work, focus on a particular body area or all-over relaxation, we have you covered.

We send you a consultation form before your session so you can let us know of any medical considerations and give us some of your preferences. Our sessions start with a quick in-person consultation so we can chat in a bit more detail before we begin. All of this helps us get to know you and give you the best massage experience we can.

Here is a quick rundown of what will happen during your session:

The massage area will be prepared for your arrival, with clean table covers and drapes, and your choice of music and oil ready to go. If you've booked a massage for two people, the tables will be adjacent so you can enjoy your massages next to each other. The room is nice and warm, and we use electric table-warmers for extra comfort.
We will sit by the massage table(s) and have a quick chat about how you're feeling and what you'd like from your massage. 
Our therapist(s) will briefly leave the room as you get undressed (usually down to briefs/pants, but it's up to you) and get onto the table, where you'll be covered by a drape. If you are booking a massage for two, we can provide a room divider between you for privacy while undressing.
We'll knock on the door, and if you're ready the massage will begin! We'll follow the plan we agreed on together, undraping one area at a time and working up to your desired pressure level. Remember, this is your massage. If you'd like to change anything about the massage, even during it, your feedback is always welcome.
We'll leave the room again a few minutes before the end of your session, to let you get dressed in your own time (and gently come back from wherever you might find you've drifted off to!)

Question 2

How much will I have to undress?

Accepted Answer

Only as much as you're comfortable with - you will always be given privacy to undress and we cover areas we're not working on with a sheet/drape at all times.

Most people remove all clothes other than their briefs/pants so that we can easily access other body areas, but if needed we can perform a treatment over clothes. 
Please make sure to remove any watches and jewellery for your treatment.

We must emphasise that all our massage is professional, respectful and entirely non-sexual in nature.

Question 3

Do I need to do anything to prepare for a massage?

Accepted Answer

Beforehand:
Fill in the consultation form we send by email so we can maximise your  time on the table.
Plan your travel - please make sure to arrive on time for your appointment. If you're late you won't have as long for your massage, and we ask that you don't arrive more than a few minutes early because the waiting area is very limited. We're based in the Alma Vale Centre at 30 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2HY. You can find tips on public transport and parking on the Alma Vale Centre website.

On the day:
Avoid alcohol, since some dehydration can take place during a massage. We can't offer massages to anyone who's intoxicated.
We recommend you arrive fresh and ready: take a shower and brush your teeth, but consider not washing your hair so that you can enjoy a lovely head massage without worrying about the oil.
Sometimes people ask us if they need to shave (e.g. their back or legs). No need! In fact, stubble can cause extra friction. Body or facial hair is no problem at all.
Wear clean, comfortable and easy-to-remove clothes & minimal jewellery.
Skip make-up or keep it light. (It'll all end up on the cushion otherwise!)

If you become ill or otherwise need to cancel, make sure you let us know as soon as possible. Please see the cancellation policy below.

Question 4

What oil do you use, and will it get in my hair?

Accepted Answer

We use 100% pure, plant-sourced base oils (grapeseed, sweet almond, coconut and apricot  kernel) and a selection of blended aromatherapy oils from the award-winning Simply  Essential UK vegan range.  We'll ask you to pick your favourite on your consultation form, at no extra cost. If you'd like a list of ingredients or have any concerns about allergies, please don't hesitate to contact us. To the best of our knowledge, nothing we use  includes any animal-derived products.

It's common for some oil to get in your hair (especially if you ask for a head massage) but we can avoid the area if you prefer.

Question 5

Who can book with you?

Accepted Answer

We do NOT offer:
- Massage for children (sorry).
- Massage for anyone not able to make it down a flight of stairs to our practice room (sadly there is no lift).
- Massage that is nude / undraped / naturist / tantric / sexual in any way.

Besides the above, we welcome anyone and everyone!

Owlfinch  Therapies is an inclusive space first and foremost. We believe everyone  deserves self-care, especially those belonging to marginalised  communities who might find it less easy to feel safe receiving touch  from strangers.
 
We support the LGTBQ+ community, strive to be anti-racist, and champion neurodiversity! We bring lived experience of chronic physical and mental conditions to our practice. We take a holistic, mental health and trauma-informed  approach to massage that takes into account your physical and emotional  needs and puts you as an individual first.

For particular medical or accessibility needs, please get in touch.

Question 6

Is your practice wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not, sorry! Our treatment room is in the basement of The Alma Vale Centre, so there's a flight of stairs. If you have any questions about accessibility or mobility issues, please do get in touch.

Question 7

Do you offer discounts?

Accepted Answer

We sure do! We want to make the benefits of massage as accessible as possible. You can get up to 35% off every session when you come in regularly, and you might qualify for 20% off vouchers and one-off bookings. Plus we do sales and special offers throughout the year - find all the info here.

Question 8

What if I'm ill or have an injury or medical condition?

Accepted Answer

Holistic massage is tailored to the individual, and we can work around (or even help to support the healing of) most medical conditions.  It's important that you:

CHECK YOU CAN ACCESS THE PRACTICE
Our treatment room is in the basement of The Alma Vale Centre, down a flight of stairs. Your massage will also involve climbing onto and off of a massage table, so please consider if either of these will present a difficulty.

FILL IN THE FORM
We'll send you a consultation form before you come in for your massage. Use it to let us know of any illnesses, injuries and medical conditions. Our sessions also start with a brief consultation so you can go into more detail then.

STAY AT HOME IF YOU'RE INFECTIOUS
You cannot come in for  treatment if you are currently contagious with an airborne illness (e.g.  covid-19, cold, flu). This is important for the health of our massage therapists and other  clients, some of whom are immuno-compromised. Please give us as much advance notice as you can, and we'll do our best to rebook you (see our cancellation policy).

MANAGE CONDITIONS APPROPRIATELY
Other  infectious conditions (e.g. verrucas, impetigo, athlete's foot) must be  appropriately managed (e.g. covered with a  plaster or dressing to avoid contamination).

CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF NEEDED
Some conditions might require medical approval, and a massage is always best when you can enjoy it safely with full peace of mind. Please check with your healthcare provider if you're unsure.

Feel free to contact us with any questions - we treat all information received securely and confidentially, and we're happy to help!

Question 9

What if I have to cancel or reschedule?

Accepted Answer

If you can't make your appointment, please let us know ASAP! That includes if you have a medical condition that contraindicates massage or are contagious with an airborne illness (e.g. covid-19, cold, flu). In that case, it's important you don't attend for the health of our massage therapists and other clients, some of whom are immuno-compromised. It's your responsibility to please let us know ASAP so we can reschedule.MORE THAN 48 HRS NOTICE:Rescheduling is free of charge. Cancellations incur a small admin fee (5% of the full service price).LESS THAN 48 HRS NOTICE: We can only reschedule free of charge if your slot gets filled up. Otherwise, rescheduling incurs a fee of 50% of the full service price. For no shows or cancellations, we will have to retain the full appointment fee to cover our costs and loss of income. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO FULFIL YOUR APPOINTMENT:(e.g. due to being ill ourselves), we will always let you know as far in advance as possible and give you options at no charge.

Question 10

What if I'm late?

Accepted Answer

Please do try to plan ahead so you can arrive on time to your appointment. Were based in the Alma Vale Centre at 30 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2HY. You can find tips on public transport and parking on the Alma Vale Centre website. Please make sure you allow extra time if it’s your first time coming to find us.

Our room is rented for specific time-slots and we will still need to finish at the agreed time (and for the same price) so as to have it ready for the next clients.

Question 11

What if I've booked a session for two but only one of us can make it?

Accepted Answer

You have several options!

You can reschedule or cancel (see our policies for notice period and charges).
You can bring someone else (as long as your first +1 doesn't get too envious!). Just make sure you let us and them know so that they can fill in a new consultation form. It's important we have information about the people we massage in advance, so we can offer them the best possible treatment and account for medical issues, etc. 
You can swap for a 4 hands massage (1hr maximum) or an individual massage. Please let us know as far in advance as possible if you'd like to do this.

Question 12

How do vouchers work? Can they be refunded/exchanged?

Accepted Answer

Our vouchers are lovely and simple, and they make perfect gifts! You can buy them here for a range of services.

When ordered online, they arrive immediately and automatically via email. Included will be an order number, which serves as the code to redeem when booking, and an attached PDF image you can print if you want a physical voucher to put in a card, etc.

Vouchers are valid for a year from purchase and can be used by you or passed on as a gift. They cannot be refunded for cash, but can be exchanged for a voucher of equivalent or lesser value (e.g. you can swap a Four-Handed Massage for a Couples Massage of the same duration and price). Simply get in touch if you'd like to make a swap.

Question 13

How do I travel there & where do I park?

Accepted Answer

We're based in the Alma Vale Centre at 30 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2HY. You can find tips on public transport and parking on the Alma Vale Centre website. Please make sure you allow extra time if it’s your first time coming to find us.

Question 14

What are your privacy / data handling policies?

Accepted Answer

1. Consent: by filling in our consultation form or any of the forms on this website, you  are giving your consent for Owlfinch Therapies to hold your personal  information. The information you supply on the forms will be held  together with any clinical records or purchasing information, as  applicable. We use your information to give you the best possible  service and for insurance purposes.

2. Email marketing: with your permission, we will  send you emails about our services, special offers, and other updates.  You will need to positively opt in (on the website, on your  consultation form, or by otherwise telling us) to receive these updates. You can unsubscribe at any time, either through an ‘Unsubscribe’ button or by emailing us at hello@owlfinchtherapies.com. 
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3.  Links: some links on this website may direct you to other sites. We are  not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites and encourage  you to read their privacy statements.
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4.  Storing your information: your information is stored securely in the  cloud by Google and Wix. We do not store personal data in physical form  or on any portable devices such as a memory stick. All documents that  contain personal data are password protected. Personal data is stored  via cookies on this website, which you will be asked to consent to when you first visit the site. These cookies are used in the functioning of  the site and to process third party services such as payment gateways.
 
5.  Retaining your information: you have the right to ask us to destroy  your records at any time if you wish to terminate our working  relationship. Otherwise, records are retained for eight years following  our last date of contact. 
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6.  Accessing your information: your records are accessed by our team,  either for clinical or retail purposes. You have the right to request a  copy of your records at any time. These will be sent by email, in a  Microsoft Word document attachment.
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7.  Sharing your information: we will never share your information without  your permission – it will be kept strictly confidential unless there are  legal grounds for us to disclose something which you have told us to a  third party. We shall always inform you if we feel that disclosure is  necessary and seek your permission and co-operation first.
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8.  Complaints: if, for any reason, you are unhappy with how we are  handling your data, please raise your concerns with us first, so that we  can seek a resolution. If you are still not satisfied, then you have  the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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9.  Buying online: when you purchase something from our store, as part of  the buying and selling process, we collect the personal information you  give us such as your name, address and email address. When you browse  our store, we also automatically receive your computer’s internet  protocol (IP) address to provide us with information that helps us learn  about your browser and operating system.
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10.  Third-party service providers for online payments: payment gateways and  other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies  in respect to the information we are required to provide to them for  your purchase-related transactions.
 For these providers, we recommend that you read their privacy policies  so you can understand the manner in which your personal information will  be handled by these providers.

In  particular, remember that certain providers may be located in or have  facilities that are located in a different jurisdiction than either you  or us. So if you elect to proceed with a transaction that involves the  services of a third-party service provider, then your information may  become subject to the laws of the jurisdiction(s) in which that service  provider or its facilities are located.

Once you  leave our store’s website or are redirected to a third-party website or  application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or our  website’s Terms of Service.
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We take confidentiality seriously and will not pass on or sell your data to anyone unless there is a legal reason.
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We  may amend this privacy policy from time to time when required by  legislation to do so. You should check back periodically to check for  any changes. This privacy policy is effective from the 14th of January 2022.

Question 15

I have more questions!

Accepted Answer

Drop us a line and we'll be happy to help! hello@owlfinchtherapies.com

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