FAQs

We primarily serve clients in and around Thame. Our clinic is conveniently located for those traveling from nearby towns and villages, with many areas just a short drive away. This includes:

• Aylesbury
• Bicester
• Brill
• Chearsley
• Chilton
• Chinnor
• Didcot
• Haddenham
• Haseley
• Henley-on-Thames
• High Wycombe
• Long Crendon
• Oakley
• Oxford
• Princes Risborough
• Wallingford
• Watlington
• Wheately
• Witney

Massage Matters Clinic provides a range of massage therapies, including:

• Massage to Repair: For sports injuries, postural problems, pain and tension.
• Massage to Relax: To help relieve stress and anxiety, or to enjoy.
• Massage and Pregnancy: Special treatments for expectant mothers.
• Massage and Cancer: Therapies for people with cancer.
• Reflexology
• Pilates Mixed Massage: A combination treatment including massage and pilates postures.
• Specialised Treatments: Including ‘The Fantastic Foot Treatment’, face and scalp massage, Gua sha facials, and services for sciatic pain and post-surgery recovery

A key part of the service at Massage Matters is a tailored approach. The best way to determine which massage is right for you is to discuss your specific needs and goals with their experienced therapist. They will ask questions about any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing, your lifestyle, and what you hope to achieve (e.g., relaxation, pain relief, or recovery from an injury).

Based on this consultation, they will recommend the most suitable type of massage from their range of therapies, ensuring a treatment that is personalised to you.

If you would like more information ahead of a treatment or before booking, please call us to have a chat.

Your first visit will begin with a consultation. You will be asked to fill out a health questionnaire so the therapist can understand your medical history, any areas of pain or discomfort, and your goals for the treatment.

Afterwards, your therapist may perform a physical assessment to evaluate your condition. They will then work with you to create a personalised treatment plan and, in some cases, provide exercises for you to take home.

Yes, Massage Matters offers gift vouchers. You can purchase them online through their dedicated gift voucher store. They are available for various treatment durations and can be delivered instantly via email or as a physical voucher by post. The vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Yes, Massage Matters has both male and female therapists. You can view their profiles on the website to learn more about each therapist’s background and specialisations. When you book online, the booking tool allows you to check each therapist’s availability, so you can choose the practitioner you are most comfortable with.

A typical session at Massage Matters can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of treatment you book.

When you book online, you can choose from different durations to suit your needs, with prices varying accordingly.

We are located at 11 Friday Court, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3GA.

There are several public car parks conveniently located a very short walk from our clinic. The Cattle Market car park and the Waitrose car park are both just a 1-2 minute walk away, offering plenty of parking for your appointment.

Yes, we do treat children and teenagers. Massage therapy can be very beneficial for young people, especially between the ages of 8 and 16, as they often experience muscular tension and pain due to growth spurts.

For any client under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present and provide a signed consent form before the treatment. If you are considering a massage for a child or teenager, please contact us directly to discuss their specific needs.

While both sports massage and deep tissue massage use similar techniques to treat deeper layers of muscle tissue, their primary goals and applications differ.

• Deep Tissue Massage is a general technique aimed at relieving chronic muscle tension and pain. It focuses on breaking down “knots” (adhesions) and stiffness caused by stress, poor posture, or sedentary work. It’s a broad-purpose treatment suitable for anyone with general aches and pains.
• Sports Massage is more targeted and dynamic. It is designed specifically to help active individuals—whether athletes or people with very active lifestyles—with injury prevention, performance enhancement, and faster recovery. The techniques used are adapted to the individual’s sport, training cycle, and specific muscle usage.In short, while a deep tissue massage can be a component of a sports massage, a sports massage has a more functional and sport-specific purpose. It’s an outcome-driven treatment for those who want to improve their physical performance and maintain their body’s readiness for activity.

Yes, Massage Matters specialises in treating specific injuries and long-term pain conditions. The clinic offers “Treatments to Repair” and “Injury Management” services designed to address a wide range of physical issues. The process typically involves a detailed consultation where your therapist will discuss your medical history and any pain or discomfort you are experiencing. They may perform a physical assessment to understand the root cause of the issue, followed by a tailored treatment using techniques such as deep tissue massage, stretches, and sports massage. The goal is to relieve pain, improve mobility, and manage the injury or condition.

No, you do not need to be an athlete to benefit from sports massage. While it is commonly associated with athletes, this type of treatment is highly beneficial for anyone who experiences muscle tension, stiffness, or pain from an active lifestyle or repetitive daily activities.

For example, sports massage can help with postural issues from sitting at a desk, general aches from hobbies like gardening or cycling, or simply to support the body’s recovery from the stresses and strains of everyday life. The techniques used are designed to improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and prevent injuries, making it a suitable and effective option for many people.

When addressing pain during a massage, it is important to distinguish between a constructive pain and an uncomfortable or harmful one. With therapeutic massages, such as deep tissue or sports massage, it is normal to experience some discomfort as the therapist works to release muscle tension and knots. This is often described as a satisfying or beneficial sensation.

However, a massage should never be a source of sharp or unbearable pain. Your therapist will always check in with you on the pressure, and it is crucial that you communicate with them throughout the session. If at any point the pressure is too intense or you feel true pain, you should tell your therapist immediately so they can adjust their technique. The most effective massage works with your body, not against it.

The number of sessions needed varies from person to person and condition to condition. A single relaxation massage may be enough, while specific injuries or chronic pain often benefit from a personalised treatment plan. This can mean more frequent sessions at first to address the issue, followed by maintenance appointments to keep you feeling well. We’ll discuss your individual needs and expectations during your initial consultation.

You can absolutely still be treated. It is very common for clients to experience pain or discomfort without a formal diagnosis, and our therapists are trained to help identify the root cause of the issue.

Your appointment will begin with a thorough consultation where your therapist will listen to your concerns and take a detailed medical history. This is followed by a physical assessment to pinpoint the source of your pain. Once they have a clear understanding of your condition, they will create a tailored treatment plan to provide relief and help you manage the problem going forward. If we feel massage alone isn’t the best option, we may also recommend or refer you to another specialist, such as a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare professional.

At Massage Matters Clinic in Thame, we offer a variety of relaxing treatments, including aromatherapy massage, Fantastic Foot Treatment, scalp massage, Gua Sha facial massage, Hydrotherm relaxing massage, and reflexology. We also provide specially tailored relaxing massages for clients who are pregnant or living with cancer.

Yes, it absolutely can. At Massage Matters, we offer dedicated Stress Management Massage which uses calming techniques to help you feel grounded and at peace. This type of therapy works on both your body and mind to reduce levels of stress hormones, which in turn can help ease anxiety and promote a sense of well-being. By calming your nervous system and releasing physical tension, a good massage can also significantly improve your ability to fall asleep and get a deeper, more restful night’s sleep.

For some people, yes — it’s completely normal to feel emotional after a massage. The mind–body connection means that muscles and fascia can hold on to emotional tension. When massage releases this physical tension, it can also release the stress stored with it. This may bring up different feelings, such as relief, tearfulness, or a sense of lightness.

It’s also worth remembering that taking time for yourself — whether through massage or any form of therapy — can have a profound effect on how emotions are expressed. This is part of the healing process and shows that your body and mind are letting go of built-up stress and anxiety.

A questionnaire is required for your first appointment. Please arrive 10 minutes early for your first appointment in order to fill this out.

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your appointment. Once in the treatment room, your therapist will give you privacy to undress to your comfort level. Throughout the massage, you will be professionally and discreetly draped with towels or a sheet, so only the area being worked on will be exposed.

It is best to avoid eating a heavy meal right before your massage. Instead, we recommend having a light snack or meal about two hours before your appointment to ensure you are comfortable and not distracted by a full or empty stomach during your treatment.

A referral from a GP or physiotherapist is not typically required to book a massage. However, if you are being treated for a specific injury or have a complex medical condition, we do recommend consulting with your doctor or physiotherapist first. It can be helpful to provide this information to your massage therapist so they can tailor your treatment to be both safe and effective.

Yes, pregnancy massage is completely safe at any stage and is proven to be beneficial.

You can book an appointment on the Book Online page or by calling the clinic on 01844 212022. The phone line is open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

Yes, you can book your treatment online through this website.

We may not be able to offer a refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of a treatment. However, we understand that life can be unpredictable, and we will always take specific circumstances into account (for example, sudden illness, childcare issues, or family emergencies).

Please note that failing to attend your appointment without contacting us (“no-show”) makes it impossible for us to offer the space to other clients, so we reserve the right to charge in these cases.

Currently we do not offer any discounts for regular bookings.

Dependent on availability it is possible to book the same therapist each time. Get in touch with us to arrange or book online.

The session time includes a physical and postural assessment, followed by the hands-on massage therapy itself. For your first visit, the session also includes time to complete a health questionnaire and discuss your goals with your therapist.

We accept all major credit and debit cards — you can pay online when booking or at your appointment.

Cash is also accepted, but please note our therapists may not always have change as we don’t keep a till on site.

When booking online, you will pre-pay for your session. For appointments booked in person or over the phone, no deposit is required.

For first-time bookings, we’ll securely take your card details just to confirm the appointment. These are only held in case of a rare no-show, and we never charge without discussing it with you first.

We do not currently have a loyalty scheme

All of our therapists are professionally qualified and experienced, with backgrounds across different areas of massage therapy. You can learn more about their training, experience, and interests by visiting their profiles on our Our Therapists page.

You’ll also find client reviews on our homepage, giving you a sense of the care and service we provide.

Each of our therapists is professionally qualified and highly experienced. For detailed information on a specific therapist’s training, qualifications, and background, you can view their individual profile page on our website.

Yes, you can request a specific therapist. The online booking tool allows you to choose from a list of available therapists to check their availability and book an appointment with them.

To help you choose the right therapist, you can visit our booking page and click on the picture of each practitioner. Their individual profiles will provide you with information about their backgrounds, specialties, and the types of treatments they offer, helping you find the best match for your specific needs.

You are more than welcome to still book the session with another member of our team who are all fully experienced. Please contact us if you have any issues.

We don’t currently sell products, but your therapist may recommend items to support your self-care and exercise at home.

Collaboration with other healthcare providers is an integral part of our approach to client care. We are happy to work as a team with your physiotherapist, chiropractor, or other healthcare provider to help you achieve your wellness goals.

After surgery or during rehabilitation, massage is generally safe to receive after six weeks. This timeframe allows wounds to heal and bones to begin strengthening. The treatments offered include specialised stretch work, fascial remodeling, and massage to help with pain relief and restoring function.