Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question not answered below, please feel free to contact us, we'll be very happy to answer your questions.

Therapeutic massage is based in Swedish massage, with some deeper techniques also used where deemed appropriate or beneficial. This type of massage is suitable for many musculoskeletal and soft tissue problems as well as emotional or behavioural issues arising from poor circulation, posture etc.; from easing built-up tension and general stress relief, to remedial help with headaches/migraines, insomnia, anxiety, poor concentration, for example, or preventative measures for hunched shoulders, tight hamstrings or carpal tunnel syndrome etc.; or general wellbeing and relaxation, and so on. Deep tissue massage, sports/remedial massage and trigger point therapy techniques may also be used if appropriate or necessary to help in the process, and assessed on an individual basis. Unresolved pain of many kinds responds well to this type of treatment including "sports" or "casual" injuries.

Among our clients we have treated hospital housekeeping staff, company directors (both established local and national businesses), senior citizens, other massage therapists, runners (mid and long distance), dancers, dance students (over 16), dance teachers, arts administrators, office workers, theatre staff, counsellors, hairdressers, volunteer workers, school teachers, medical card holders, musicians, singers, housewives, filmmakers, call centre workers.

Complaints include whiplash, numerous other neck problems, frozen shoulder, headaches, numerous hip restrictions, lumbar back pain, mid-back (thoracic) pain, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, tight shoulders, shinsplints, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, tight calf muscles, pulled hamstrings, strained adductors, rotator cuff (shoulder) problems, groin strain.

Other conditions include anxiety, migraines, fibromylagia, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy.

Many people come on a regular basis just to release tension built up over time; our most popular treatment is for the back, neck and shoulders, and is an effective antidote to today's frequently chaotic and stressful pace of life. This is also a popular choice for gift vouchers.

A session usually lasts one hour. The actual treatment time, or length of time on the massage couch being worked on, would typically be around 45-50 minutes. Some people prefer longer sessions (90 mins), which can also be arranged.

Some situations or conditions contraindicate massage and in these cases it would be better to wait until they have improved, healed or stabilised, as a massage therapist may advise against treatment and, in some cases, may refer you to your GP or recommend a specialist. Some are systemic (whole body) and others are local to the area, and may worsen symptoms or affect your health, or spread infection (either to another part of your body or to the therapist).

Whilst an assessment will determine whether massage is appropriate, main contraindications to look out for include acute inflammation, fever, open wounds, infectious, fungal or bacterial skin diseases including spots, blemishes and rashes of certain kinds, recent bruising, scar tissue from a recent accident or operation, unknown lumps, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, pregnancy (depending on trimester & health), menstruation for abdominal massage, haemophilia, cardiovascular conditions, chemotherapy, prolapsed disc and diabetes dependent on type and state. Always seek professional medical advice regarding health concerns.

Courtesy and advice come at no cost so call us for a chat (or contact us) and we'll see if or how massage could benefit you. We can also put you in touch with a client who was treated for the same or a similar complaint; maybe their experience will help you decide.

Hygiene is paramount and we take all necessary steps and precautions to ensure a clean and healthy environment, to protect both ourselves and the client. Towels and draping are used once per client and washed between each use, additionally we use disposable paper couch roll on the massage couch. The therapist will wash his hands with antibacterial soap before treatment and after, and during treatment where necessary. All exposed surfaces and equipment used are also wiped down after use. The treatment room is vacuum cleaned at the start of each day, and if necessary, during the day also. Filtered water, tissues and sanitation (antibacterial spray and gel) are available for the comfort of the client.

On your first visit the massage therapist spends some time taking your personal and medical history. Your doctor's details are also required as a referral might be needed in some cases. Together you decide on a treatment plan that best suits you. In subsequent sessions a few minutes are spent at the start reviewing recent health and agreeing the treatment for the session. Then simply time needed to get undressed to your comfort level & draped with towels, then dressed again afterwards, and conclude the session. The therapist normally leaves the room when undressing or dressing, for discretion, privacy and ethics. The massage therapist will use a light oil to reduce or control the amount of friction on the skin. Treatments usually last an hour and all treatments are completely confidential between you and your therapist.

All registered practitioners must adhere to the code of ethics and disciplinary procedure of their association. It is there to safeguard the client and protect the therapist.

British Complementary Medicine Association's Code of Conduct can be found here.

Irish Massage Therapists Association's Code of Ethics and Practice can be found here.

Your treatment will be given by a male therapist - please see the About page.

For someone coming in for a relaxing massage, the treatment is very soothing and you'll feel more grounded, have a sense of wellbeing and feel freer in the area you had massaged, with usually an absence of a familiar pain or ache, or an ease in restriction. Smooth but firm strokes of varying degrees of pressure are used, amongst others, with a sense of flow in the session's progress. A massage would never be random or jerky, as this would be counter-productive to your benefit.

For more demanding work, such as a persistent complaint, you may feel some soreness for a day or two afterwards, and possibly some mild to moderate discomfort during the massage, depending on the body part, the nature of the problem and how you would like it to be treated. Many conditions can be treated pain-free, or relatively pain-free, but this again depends on the extent of work required to resolve your issue.

Whilst a treatment requires some degree of undress pertinent to the body part being worked, you are otherwise draped in towels for discretion, comfort and warmth. The therapist normally leaves the room when undressing or dressing, for discretion, privacy and ethics.

Ages 16 (sixteen) and above may receive massage without prior consent. Anyone under the age of 16 (sixteen) needs a parent or guardian to sign a consent form, allowing treatment to go ahead. Whilst not required to be present during treatment, it is usually preferred that the parent or guardian stay. In some cases, the therapist may insist that the parent or responsible adult be present.

As a massage therapy clinic we specialise in manipulation and release of soft tissue, which includes fascia, muscle, tendons, ligaments and other structures supporting joints and the skeleton; so no we do not crack bones as such. Osteopaths and chiropractors are skilled in the setting of joints (i.e. cracking of bones). This practice is generally discouraged for anyone without specialist training, particularly in self-treatment.

The therapist may be giving a treatment or be in consultation, so please leave a message, remembering to include your contact details, or send a text. Calls and texts are always returned. You are also very welcome to contact us via this website.

Yes, whether to your home or a preferred location (such as an office, hotel, and so on). This service is subject to availability but generally available daytimes, evenings and weekends. Mobile massage is available in the Cork City area and satellite towns, i.e. within reasonable traveling distance, as a travel expense is usually added to the appointment booking.

On-street parking is available in the vicinity of the Firkin Crane, with parking discs or Park Magic parking by mobile phone. The time limit is 2 hours, and restricted to Mon-Sat 08:30-18:30. Parking is free and unlimited outside of these hours, on Sundays, and on bank holidays.

The Treatment Room is located in a quiet and pleasant part of the Firkin Crane so is sheltered from noise from the main dance studios that are in constant use. However, it is next to a small studio (Studio 4) which is occasionally used in the day and more frequently on some weekday evenings. As it is a backstage area, it can sometimes become busy in the vicinity of the room, especially at times of productions in the main theatre, however, people are usually respectful and signs are displayed alerting them to a session in progress.

The Treatment Room is located at the rear of the Firkin Crane on the first floor. Whilst there is a lift from ground floor level, there is still a flight of stairs (9 steps down) between the lift and the Treatment Room. So it would not be suited to wheelchair users, but for anyone else with restricted mobility, it will depend on their level of comfort in negotiating a flight of stairs. Bear in mind urgencies, for example toilets are located on the ground floor (next to the lift), or any unforeseen and unlikely emergency.

After completing 10 treatments, the next treatment is free. Qualifying treatments must be validated on the Remedy Loyalty card. After the free treatment is given, a new Remedy Loyalty card will be issued for following treatments.

When an existing client recommends Remedy Massage to someone, they are entitled to €10 off their next treatment when the new person attends their first appointment and presents their Remedy Referral card. The new person's first treatment will also be discounted by €10. Each person can only be referred once, after which they become a client and eligible for the Remedy Loyalty scheme. They are very welcome, however, to spread the word and recommend us to others!

A Remedy Referral card is available from the clinic, which may be completed and given to the friend to hand in at their first visit. Please note that referring a number of new people entitles the referrer to continued discounted massages; it does not translate into one massage gratis. This referral scheme applies to personal/individual recommendations only and not to occupational or other professional referral arrangements.

Very simply, if you're thinking of taking up a course of treatments, whether it's because of a complaint you want help with, or just for regular relaxation or maintenance, then paying upfront for 5 sessions entitles you to a free session (a generous 20% discount). The scheme normally requires following appointments to be provisionally set, and be no more than two weeks apart at the most. This scheme works particularly well for anyone with a chronic condition and who needs regular massage as a matter of course, or someone presenting a case that will obviously take several sessions to resolve or improve.

Yes, gift vouchers are available at the standard rate of a normal session.

Aviva endorses massage therapy as a day-to-day benefit from IMTA members, with a claim of up to €30 per treatment and subject to your policy. You may need to check with Aviva to see if your policy includes this benefit. Please ask for an IMTA stamped receipt if you wish to claim. The Irish Massage Therapists Association is working with other providers to also support massage therapy as a day-to-day benefit.

Aviva Health Plans

Aviva Tailored Plans