Frequently Asked Questions

Ray has the right to refuse any service to anyone he feels is not suited for his services. It could be because of your bad health, not giving GP, or MIR reports for your file, or your behaviours that he might refuse to book you in or ask you to leave. (Safety first is a head of money) 

If you have a question that is not here, please ask.

Q: I am a male can I come to you for a 1-hour massage?  

A: 100% No, this is because of the behaviours I have had to put up with over the years. But saying this if your female partner comes to me regularly, then yes, she can book you in for a 1/2 massage for pain management only, which many female partners have done so over the years. I already have many male clients whose female partners send them to me for pain management or they contacted me and asked to be massaged due to an injury, as long as you have a GP letter addressed to me or a surgeon's report for me to read and put in your file. If you don't want to give me this important information, then please look elsewhere for other services that don't care about this information as I put the safety of my clients first over money.

(If you are a genuine guy who is in pain, and you have a GP letter on your problem areas I would consider taking you on for pain management! I have taken a few guys on that have had spinal operations, and they have given me their surgery reports to read and keep in their files)

Q: Can I walk in at any time to get a massage?

A: 100% No, I screen all my clients before they come to me. My clients come and go without seeing other clients for their privacy and for the best protection from COVID-19. 

A: Are you registered for health funds? 

Q: No, I decided to drop my health funds so I could lower my prices for everyone.

Q: Why do you specialise in only women's health and wellness?

A: Because women are no trouble and better to massage as their muscle systems seem to be not as tight as the males as they can relax more while I undo any underlining muscles that are tight. Males never listen and tighten up their muscles when I try to release them, so it hurts and damages my fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulders, etc. 

When a woman comes to see me due to stress or pain they listen, and they don't have underlying issues or misleading information like guys that try to get into see me. There are women's gyms just for women, massages just for women and there are men that will only massage men, so I specialise in women's health and wellness through my services.

Plus, over the years I have had a lot of trouble with men. There are no other underlying issues as to why I would rather massage a female than a male other than what I have said above! 

I still have many male clients whose female partners send them to me for pain management or they contacted me and asked to be massaged due to an injury, must have a GP or surgeon's report for me to read and put in your file. If you don't want to give me this important information, then please look elsewhere. 

Q: What is your youngest client?

A: 10 years old and she comes with her parent.

Q: What is the oldest client you have massage?

A: 97 years only.

Q: I have a colostomy bag, can I still come for a massage?

A: 100% yes just empty the bag and clean around the area before coming. I have worked with people who have a colostomy bag so it's no problem for me to do your massage.

Q: I am a female can I call to have a chat to see if you can help me?

A: 100% Yes you can as I get a number of calls for advice on different matters. Best to text first with a name as I can't always answer the phone as I might be in training or massaging.

Q: Can I come to meet you and look around your studio and ask questions? 

A: 100% Yes if you are a woman, this can only happen if I have no bookings on the time you would like to come for a look. This is for ladies only. 

Q. If I can’t make it to my scheduled appointment, what is your cancellation policy?
A. If cancellation is necessary, please give me as much notice as you can. Last minute, same-day cancellation will be charged in full and will be put onto your next session appointment. Session times are valuable to my small practice as an owner-operator as well as to other clients. Please take this into consideration when booking or canceling an appointment. But saying this with Covid or other underlying mental or other problems, I understand if you wake up and you have the virus or just feel unwell and you need to cancel.  (This is OK and you will not be charged)

Q: Can my child come to you by themselves if they are 17 for a massage?

A: Yes as I have a number of mothers, daughters, and sons who come to me for a massage when their children suffer stress from school or pain from sports activities, or stress from family problems. 

Q: If I am under 16, can I have a massage without my parent's consent?

A: No, you would need to write a letter signed by your parent or guardian with consent for you to have a massage without them being there when you have a massage. Also if you are under 15 years old your parent or guardian must be in the room when you get your massage.

Q: If I have my period can I still come for a massage?

A: Yes if it's not a heavy period or you are near the end of your period. For health and infection control due to blood please shower and have a clean pad or tampon before coming for your massage. Due to specialising in women's health and wellness, I know this is a part of a women's body function. When you are in pain I don't like turning women away because they have their periods. Many women come to me when they have their periods after they have showered.

Q: Do you do holistic therapeutic breast massages? 

A: Yes, as it's very therapeutic, helps with pain management in the breasts, and is very good for the circulation of the breasts system and skin.   

Q: Can I breastfeed my baby? 

A: 100% Yes as it's part of Oriental Holistic Massage, a holistic approach to mother and child, it's an important part of life and bonding of mother and child to be able to breastfeed their baby. 

Q: If I have to stop to breastfeed my child will I still get an hour session?

A: 100% Yes, if you let me know in advance you need to bring your baby with you then I make sure I don't have another client booked in until about an hour after your session to aloud for breastfeeding if you need to as it's my holistic approach to women's health and wellness.

Q: Can I bring my children to my massage?

A: Only a baby due to safety as having children running around the clinic is not safe, I also have oils etc, that are not locked. (Safety first)

Q: Are you trained in giving services to aged care clients?

A: Yes I have training and certificates in aged care, disability care, rehabilitation, and remedial massage for injuries. I have also worked in aged care for over 10 years giving care, remedial massage, and exercise to residents in their homes and in nursing homes in Canberra.

Q: Do you take credit cards and charge for using them?

A:  Yes, I take Master Card, Visa Card, Apple Pay, GPay, Eftpos, American Express, and PayPal. I use a square terminal for all payments as there is no cash on-site at all. I do not charge an extra 1.9% for using your credit card as some other bigger businesses do. 

Q: Do you charge extra for public holidays or weekends like other places do?

A: 100% No.

Q: Do you have clients waiting for their session?

A: No clients are waiting for their massage. Bookings are a must and in advance by a day or more depending on the time and day you are after. But sometimes I do have 1-hour short notice ones in the morning only.

Q: Do you treat people who have had a full spinal operation?

A: Yes, if I get a copy of the surgeon's report on the operation to put in your file and I go over your report to get a better idea of the work that has been done. As long as there are no underlying problems with their spinal operation. I have a number of clients who have had a partial to full spinal operation. (These clients give me their MIR reports) If you are not willing to leave a copy with me then please don't make a booking. I have a duty of care to you and to myself when I work on any one person with underlying problems whether it be pain or an injury. (No report no massage firm)

Q: Are you a certified Remedial massage therapist and have a Diploma of Remedial Massage under Australian guidelines?

A: Yes, 100%. My diploma in remedial massage is under Australian standards. I have a Diploma in Remedial massage from a registered training organisation (RTO) This is a training provider registered by the Australian Skills Quality Authority ASQA (or a state regulator) to deliver VET services. RTOs provide quality training and qualifications that are nationally recognised within Australia. My Diploma of Remedial Massage HLT52015 is under an approved RTO. This means if I want to I can register for health funds. 

Q: What is the meaning of a registered massage therapist?

A: It just means they are registered for health fund rebates in Australia, nothing more or less. It doesn't mean they are trained better than someone that is not registered for health funds as long as they have a diploma in Remedial massage from an RTO. 

Q: Do you train in non-government accredited schools?  

A: Yes, it's because I look for different schools to what I would like to learn to be able to have an open mind to different areas of interest in holistic sessions to different massages, Deep Tissue Massage, Thai oil massage, and Thai Yoga stretching. Platies, PNF stretching, and any other areas that will benefit my client's health and wellness. To become a good practitioner you need to have a very good skills base, an open mind, and be willing to learn different styles to achieve a good outcome for your clients.  

Q: If I have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs can I still come for a massage?

A: 100% NO firm! 

Q: If I have a skin disease, can I still come for a massage

A: NO sorry, Infection control is very important.

Q: Why won't you answer anonymous numbers or confirm my appointment without a contact number? 

A: Over the years I have found that calls from blocked numbers are from males wasting my time and asking for services I don't do. I need your number to confirm the appointment a day before. Please remember that no bookings will be confirmed without a valid mobile contact number.  I take your privacy and anonymity very seriously. (Remember trust goes both ways)

Q: Where will my massage session take place?
A: Your massage session will take place in a comfortable room with a soft electric massage table especially designed for comfort and safety to get on and off the table.

Q: Must I be completely undressed?
A: My massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed. If you want you can wear one of my new G-string disposal underwear or not as it's 100% up to you what you wear or don't wear or you can wear your own clean G-string or non-tight underwear if you want. If your underwear is tight, I will not massage your glutes (Bottom muscles) as it has damaged my fingers in the past trying to pull tight underwear up to be able to do a good massage to release tightness in the Glutes to help with lower back pain, this is also good if you have lower back pain, etc.

Q: Will I be covered during the session?
A: Yes, you will be properly draped at all times. Only the area being worked on will be exposed at any one time. There will be a towel on the small table or on the massage table for you to cover yourself. It's up to you whether you want to be covered or not by a towel, if not leave the towel on the small table and this will let me know you don't want to be covered by a towel, I still ask before turning you over to make sure. This is part of my holistic approach whether you are female or male as the massage is for you and your comfort at all times.

Q: Will the massage practitioner be present when I disrobe?
A: No, I will leave the room to wash my hands while you undress. Then call out once you are ready for me to come in, then and only then will I come in.  

Q: What parts of my body will be massaged in a full body; it will depend on what massage you are having.
A: A typical full-body session will include work on your full pectoralis muscles (chest) for males if not too hairy as it pulls the hair, full holistic therapeutic breasts massage for females, full back, full Glutes (bottom muscles), arms, full legs up to the groin area, feet, hands, head, neck, face, shoulders, full tummy down to the edge of the mons pubis area as this is where the tummy (Abs) muscle connect of the and sides of your body. If you ask me to spend more time on one area, then I might not be able to complete the full body massage in the time you have booked.

Q: What should I do during the massage session?
A: Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the massage therapist any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The massage therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm, turning over, etc.) Communicating is important if and when they need more or less pressure or anything else relevant to the session like your injuries. 

Q: How will I feel after the massage?
A: Everyone is different, but most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. It is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. You will be given a sealed bottle of water when you leave. You might feel some discomfort for a day or two depending on the deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy or stretching therapy you may have had. 

Q: Do you need people for your hands-on training or holistic sessions and is it at a cheaper rate? 

A: Yes, it is at a cheaper rate, and only on Saturday or Sunday morning when I and updating with new and improved techniques so I can update my skill set to stay at a higher level of injury management and holistic stress management session. But only if you are healthy-looking as health is very important. To get the best hands-on training I only work with a healthy-looking body with any of my training sessions. 

Q: What is the cost of training sessions?

A: The cost starts from $50 for 1 hour depending on the session. Saturday and Sunday mornings with some mornings during the week.

Q: Do you use any massage tools on my body if I ask?

A: Yes, only plastic suction cupping for myofascial release therapy. (Not the Chinese system cupping)

Q: Are you a non-smoker and have a smoke-free studio and grounds? Smoking before you come for a massage is not good as it leaves a bad smell in the room which other people will smell.

A: Yes I am a 100% non-smoker.

Q: Are there any medical conditions that would make massage inadvisable?
A: Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the massage therapist will ask general health questions after you have filled in the health and consent assessment form. It is very important that you inform the massage therapist of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, like cancer treatment it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage prior to any session. 

If you have any open cuts or wounds of any kind small or large, you can come once they have healed 100%. Infection control is very important so please only make an appointment if you are in good health. If you have lots of pimples, I will not massage you for health and safety. If the pimples are bleeding, I am unable to do the massage due to safety.

Q: Do you have a SAFETY DATA SHEET on all the massage oils you use?

A: Yes 100% I do as I believe in safety first.

Important notice: If you have low blood pressure, had a stroke, heart attack, or any skin problem, skin infections, and blood infections.  Please see your doctor before booking a massage and get their OK in writing to have a massage. (For any open sores or broken skin, I will not massage you for best infection control practices)