about my work
I believe strongly that specialising in LGBTQ+ people not only means having an awereness of the needs of our community in accessing massage therapy, but recognising the prevalence of trauma and chronic pain pathologies within our community. It is difficult to seperat what parts of my work exist due to specialism in LGBTQ+ people and what exists due to a background in trauma. Sometimes I feel that you cannot specialise in LGBTQ+ people without specialising also in trauma as the two are so often linked by our experiences of growing up Queer and experiencing the trauma of othering. To this end, I have listed the ways in which I adapt my work not only in line with specialising in LGBTQ+ people, but also as someone working with people with high levels of trauma and chronic pain.
key elements of my work
Specialist in Gender Dysphoria and impacts of hormone treatments and gender affirming surgeries.
This is my area of clinical and therapeutic expertise and I regularly contribute to supporting other healthcare practitioners in a variety of fields in understanding Transgender bodies and health needs.
Experienced in pathologies prevalent within the LGBTQ+ community.
As with other marginalised communities, we see an increase in chronic pain pathologies within the LGBTQ+ community. These can include Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Hypermobility, Fibromyalgia, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome etc. I'm also experienced in working with these pathologies within a comorbidity. This is whereby an existing health issue is interacting with another to produce unique symptoms. For example, Gender Dysphoria connected body posture interacting with Fibromyalgia, or a phalloplasty contributing to nerve based pathologies such as Sciatica or Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
LGBTQ+ inclusive setting and language through out our practice
I practice from my own clinic, Silk. Silk is a LGBTQ+ specialist well being space where the needs of queer people are front and centre. We use pronouns, avoid unnecessarily gendered language and hold space for the ways in which LGBTQ+ people may need additional support to feel safe.
LGBTQ+ sensitive and trauma informed pre-massage consultation.
Before any physical treatment, we sit and discuss your body together so as to better understand what you want to get out our work together and what health issues are present. This could be anything from anxiety you are feeling connect to Gender Dysphoria, to a lower back pain following a phalloplasty procedure. From here we plan out our massage together so that you are informed every step of the way.
Active consent
Even though we have already established what the massage will include, I will check in through out to ensure you are comfortable and let you know what I'm doing to your body and why. This is called active or affirmed consent and helps to calm your nervous system.
Clothing and draping adaptations
My massage can take place with you fully clothed, in your underwear, or with you naked - the most important aspect is you feeling safe and comfortable and you will never be forced into undressing beyond a level which feels safe for you. Likewise, we will discuss the placement of linens to ensure this feels comfortable for you.