Hello! I’m Catherine, an experi­enced RMT based at Golden Collective.

It's entirely your choice whether you'd like to bask in silence or engage in conversation to further your relaxation. If you're feeling anxious, stressed, or down, please know that creating a safe and non-judgmental space for you is important to me. Rest assured, I'll adapt to your preferences to ensure you feel comfortable and at ease. Additionally, before each massage, we'll discuss your goals and preferences to ensure a personalized experience that caters to your specific needs.

Prioritize self-care by staying hydrated, eating nutritious meals, engaging in gentle physical activity like walking, or indulging in an Epsom salt bath for relaxation. Most importantly, try to remain calm and self-aware. If you're recovering from surgery, ensure you continue wearing your compression garments, follow your surgeon's recommendations, and maintain consistent self-care practices. Just listen to your body and give it the care it needs.

I recommend arriving with a clean-shaven face or a shortly-trimmed beard for your sculptural face lifting massage. Excessive facial hair can hinder the effectiveness of the massage, particularly in accessing the lower half of your face and performing the intraoral portion of the treatment, which are essential components of the session.

Understanding the duration of post-operative swelling is crucial for your recovery journey. Your unique experience can vary depending on factors such as the type of surgery you underwent, any complications, your age, overall health, time off from work, and how well you adhere to the surgeon's homecare instructions, including the use of compression garments.

Typically, clients experience swelling for about 2 to 8 weeks after surgery. However, for procedures like liposuction, swelling may persist for a few months to a year as your body undergoes complete healing.

I studied the Joana Medrado Method, but primarily use Vodder's manual lymphatic drainage technique.

Vodder's MLD is typically oil-free, although exceptions may be made for individuals with very dry or fragile skin. It involves gentle, skin-stretching techniques using stationary circles and scooping and pumping motions with the hands to stimulate the superficial lymphatic vessels beneath the skin, directing them towards the lymph nodes. This light and flowing movement is most effective when applied from proximal to distal, starting from the neck and moving downwards. Developed by Dr. Emil Vodder, a Danish naturopath, and his wife, Estrid, in the 1930s, it was originally intended to assist individuals with chronic sinusitis.

The Joana Medrado Method utilizes lotion to enhance lymphatic drainage and circulation in the legs, arms, and abdomen. It involves slow upward strokes with the hands, stretching the skin and concluding with lymph node pumping at the end of each movement. This method was developed by Joana Medrado, a popular Brazilian physiotherapist, who created her unique approach to lymphatic drainage and post-op care.