FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – James Maddock at The Urban Alchemist

How much do you charge?
Can I get a private health insurance rebate?
What should I wear for a remedial massage?
Is it okay to have a chat with you or should I just be quiet?
What sort of music do you play during your remedial massage treatments?
What are your qualifications?
Do you provide reiki or other forms of energy healing?
I sometimes get emotional during a therapy session. Is that okay?
How did you get into this remedial massage gig?
Don’t your hands get sore?
How do you know what to do during a treatment?

How much do you charge?

Regular values:
45 minutes = $115
1 hour = $140
1.5 hours = $200

This is the same for all types of services, including lymphatic drainage, cupping, health coaching, or exercise prescription & coaching.

If you have a low income health card, get in touch and we’ll see what we can work out.

Can I get a private health insurance rebate?

Yes, absolutely. I’m registered as a provider with all major insurers.

What should I wear for a remedial massage?

You’ll be draped with towels and/or sheets for the duration of the remedial massage.

For women/femmes, wear briefs & a bra. High-hip briefs are best. Tuck the straps of your bra underneath your shoulders for the treatment. We’ll un-clasp you while you’re face down, and re-fasten if/when you turn face-up. You don’t have to wear a bra, but for example, if I stretch your arm out above your head, things can move around quite a lot. But it’s totally up to you.

For men/mascs, briefs (not boxers or boxer-briefs).

For everyone, if you are dead-set on getting your glute muscles worked on, then normal briefs are good but a thong- or tanga-style pair of briefs is ideal. I’ll tuck in your covers in a way that will let me access the muscles one side at a time, while preserving your modesty.

Keep in mind that it’s really hard to get to your upper legs if you are wearing boxers of any style, and pretty much impossible to get to your glutes. We can still work through your clothes or the covers, but this is more like compressions rather than what you would call “massage.”

For some treatment types that involve a lot of moving around and changing positions, you can wear sports shorts (and ladies, a sports bra or strapless) so we don’t have to use towels to cover you while you move around on the treatment table. If you do wear a sports bra, make sure it’s one with straps you can easily pop off one shoulder at a time. Alternatively, if you’re comfortable with it, a strapless bra is ideal.

But ultimately it’s what you as an individual are comfortable with. If you feel like you’re more comfortable with more clothing, we can always make it work.

Is it okay to have a chat with you or should I just be quiet?

It’s your time – it’s totally up to you! If you want to chat, we can chat. If you want to be still and quiet, we can do that.

If you feel like moving your body in response to the treatment, don’t hold back. Some people feel like “shaking it out” as we work through different areas of your body. This is totally appropriate when we’re making changes to your physical self!

Again, this is your time. Ultimately, you get to decide what goes on, and what doesn’t.

What sort of music do you play during your remedial massage treatments?

By default, I normally play chilled out modern piano music using Spotify’s radio function. Here’s an example.

By request I can also change it to some downtempo electronica, soundscapes, lounge jazz, harmonic tones, or just leave the music off and let you have some quiet time.

If you have a really specific request, like early 1990’s arcade game soundtracks featuring synth violas… First of all, ummm, I’ll see what I can do. Second of all, you need to get outside more. ;-P

What are your qualifications?

I hold a Diploma in Remedial Massage, an additional Diploma of Health Science (Health Coaching), a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, I am a Regional Ambassador for the Massage & Myotherapy Australia association, and in 2015 I received that association’s Annual Conference Scholarship Award.

I’m also back at uni at the moment, currently about 2/3 of the way through a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy at Torrens University.

Finally, I have completed several Continuing Professional Education workshop-seminars with world-renowned instructors such as James Waslaski, Til Luchau, David Sheehan, and Shaun Brewster.

Do you provide reiki or other forms of energy healing?

I have no training in reiki or energy healing. The energy I use comes from the intentions I put through my hands. My primary intention is to help you. If you want to call that “energy healing”, I won’t argue the point!

I sometimes get emotional during a therapy session. Is that okay?

Absolutely. This happens more often than you’d think, and I’m prepared to hold space with you if it comes to that. While I am not qualified to offer any counseling or advice I can listen to anything you feel like saying. I also know a bunch of amazing counselors and psychotherapists if you would later like to work through anything that comes up.

How did you get into this remedial massage gig?

Gosh, you’re curious, aren’t you? Hehe. Well, I’ve been many things in my life so far.

I gained a double BA in Political Science and Māori Studies in New Zealand in 2006, then worked in a small law office for 4 years, performing research, drafting, office management, and client liaison duties. I then chased a beautiful woman to Vancouver, went to Burning Man, had a complete emotional and mental breakdown, came home and went bush for a week to get my head straight, and finally decided to move to Melbourne and make massage & manual therapies my main focus in life. (And that’s the short version of the story!)

I chose massage because it stimulates my geek-brain, at the same time as it helps people. I love it when someone gets off the table at the end of a treatment, and I’ve done something that helps them live their lives better.

Don’t your hands get sore?

From time to time, yes. However, we would be remiss as therapists if we didn’t look after ourselves!

I am aware that the average career length for a massage therapist is just under 5 years, and the number one reason for exiting the profession is repetitive strain injury (RSI), also known as occupational overuse syndrome (OOS).

After a long day at work, I often use an ice bath for my hands. I also get regular massage, chiropractic, and osteopathic treatments. Additionally, I keep myself physically fit and I eat very well. All of these habits of my life increase my resilience.

How do you know what to do during a treatment?

I firmly believe that with good assessment, a treatment plan writes itself.

That’s why I’ve focused most of my research and training around learning how to recognise patterns and identify dysfunctions. The actual treatment methods follow on from that. It’s simply not possible to treat someone if you don’t know what’s wrong with them in the first place!

So you could say that I know what to do because I’ve learned what questions to ask to get the answers I need.