ark massage therapy

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ark massage therapy

🎭 | performance & vocal specialist
📍 | glasgow city, east & mobile
🏳️‍🌈 | every body & voice welcome
🗓 | book via website or fresha, link in bio

21/11/2025

So many of you have now started panto rehearsals or are about to embark on what can be a pretty full on but also really rewarding time of year for art freelancers and performers.

Here are a few tips i've picked up along the way which can really help get through panto season - hope they're useful!

1 - WARM UP MINDFULLY | considering responsibilities in-show and related muscle & joint areas - as well as moving through vocal range in performance.

2 - LIMIT EXTERNAL LOAD | press night conversations over loud music and burning that candle at both ends can all have its impact; enjoy yourself but know your limits.

3 - FUEL YOURSELF APPROPRIATELY | you are working hard so firstly make sure you're eating ENOUGH and trying to find a good schedule for eating as well as packing in some healthy, nutritious meals and snacks when you can.

4 - PRIORITISE RECOVERY | get those eyes closed. between shows, before shows, after, whenever you can fit in a recharge.

5 - USE THE COMMUTE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE | whether its a light vocal warm-up or cool down, learning lines, warming wrists/ankles/hands, or getting some rest, all of these can be a really helpful use of time.

Also, ENJOY YOURSELF. Its a brilliant thing to be doing this time of year and brings so much joy to all the folk involved, audience or otherwise.

11/11/2025

Today is my first day back in clinic after a month of jumping back under the saddle into the 2024-25 tour of War Horse. It is a show I'm very familiar with after having been part of all four tours out of the UK over the past 12 years.

This time, however, I was pretty swiftly reminded of just how intensely physical a job it was as I tore my calf at the end of the first week and went straight into rehab mode to get back to show fitness as soon as possible.

Being a puppeteer in War Horse is not without its risks, carrying 40-50kg of Horse puppeteer with an additional 60-90kg of rider is not something to be taken lightly (pun absolutely intended).

Luckily the brilliant .sportstherapy_ was there to advise and help me though what ended up being an extremely quick rehab back into the show.

There's such a stigma of getting injured as a performer so I wanted to pop on here to say it does happen LOTS, and to send positive, recovery vibes to anyone going through an injury as a freelancer, you are not the only one!

Also, BE THANKFUL TO YOUR BODY AND ALL THAT IT DOES FOR YOU. Even if things feel tough and sore and hard, it really in an incredible gift of a thing.

Thats it from me for now but if you're struggling with an injury and passing through Glasgow please get in touch and I'll do my best to help or direct you to someone who can. Andrew 🙏

07/11/2025

Being a performer comes with its unique challenges.
It requires a remarkable amount of physical and mental adaptability and resilience from an individual.

Sometimes this can feel brilliant and sometimes it doesn't - its all part of the gig.

I've been there and I get it.

I've also had treatment from a lot of people that don't, that is what ultimately led me to undergo extensive training in massage over the past four years alongside my career in performance to help artists feel and function at their best.

Live performance is more vital than ever and i'm happy to play a small part in helping that happen. If you feel you need any support, please do reach out.

Andrew 🙏

28/10/2025

Massive thanks to those who have re-scheduled appointments with me due to a last minute jump back under the saddle to join the current touring company of War Horse for a short stint in Cardiff & Norwich. I don't take leaving lightly and am so thankful for all the support recieved from all of you wonderful people I work with in clinic.

I'll share a little more about my experience on here soon but this post mainly serves as a big thanks for your understanding and to let you know if you need any support while i'm away to get in touch as I have plenty recommendations of good, Glasgow based (tried & tested) MTs, VMTs, and SMTs.

I'm back in clinic the week commencing the 10th November with availability from 18th onwards.

Look forward to catching up with you all when I return 😊🐎

26/10/2025

11th, 12th & 15th FULL with waitlist option available.
Booking ahead for the remainder of November and December is encouraged as it's a busy old time and the diary is filling already.

As always, any queries or concerns pop me and message and i'll get back to you ASAP.

Andrew 🙏

17/09/2025

Niggling injury holding you back?

Sports Massage at ark massage therapy is designed to create an optimal environment for healing. This window of opportunity could be just what your body needs to enable gradually increased load, determine imbalances, and feel better moving and working the way you want to.

Robbie and I had a great session last week and was kind enough to leave this review on fresha.

For more info. and bookings visit my website link in bio. A 🙏

15/09/2025

Sometimes the thing that's holding us back is simply the ability to let go. So;

Take a deep breath,
Relax that jaw,
Wiggle your toes,
Sigh it out,
and watch those beautiful leaves fall,
making way for something new.

11/09/2025

What does massage mean to you?

Dictionary and AI definitions (slides 6 & 7) slant towards technical elements and manual 'manipulations' rather than a more symbiotic, two-way, person centred process.

Massage therapy means different things to me with each person I work with and where on my journey of learning I am, as a therapist AND as another human being in the room.

SO i'd love to know what it means to you, and if there are any of these you prefer?

Pop your favourite number in the comments!

10/09/2025

I have a confession to make...

I've started taking creatine & electrolytes.

OK ok, it does this make me feel about 150 years old that I'm making this cocktail on the weekends rather than my previous go to of rum & ginger ale BUT the main positive is that it has severely reduced (almost completely eradicated) the exertion related cervicogenic headaches i've been having regularly for the past year (and occasionally for much longer).

These headaches massively limited my ability to do strenuous exercise without fear of having a really hard time the following day so I just reduced and limited activity which is just not how I want to live my life SO I looked at the research for creatine and felt it was time to give it a try. I also know from past usage that electrolytes had really helped facilitate increased load in theatre performance (with lots of sweating involved).

BUT ANDREW WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!

Well, that I'm old now. But also...

SUPPLEMENTS, ARE THEY WORTH IT?

Targeted supplement use has been really effective for me in the short term and allowed a window to get back to training. I intend to shift to more sporadic usage around times when my body is under more stress and might be thankful of the support going forward.

This has also allowed me the time to look into my underlying nutrition and hydration and really try to support my body in the way it needs as it ages and changes.

Are you taking any supplements or considering some? Share your experience in the comments or send me a DM.

[I'm not an expert nutritionist. The above info. is purely based on my personal research and experience to be used as an anecdotal case study.]

01/09/2025

I've been there. I know what its like to have injury take you out of work and feel like there's nobody there to help you get back on track.

This is why I work with BAPAM as one of their listed clinical practitioners - in order to offer help (& hope) to anyone struggling with their voice that there are routes of support and ways to facilitate that support.

Through BAPAM you can apply for FREE sessions with me (usually through Royal Society of Musicians & Help Musicians) should you ever have a problem.

It was a real privilege to help Jonathan and I thank him for the exerpt above (and the consent to post) from a testimonial he gave me after 6 sessions together entirely funded by RSM.

30/08/2025

Have you made a pact with yourself to solidify good habits for a contract or building towards a specific vocal goal?

Perhaps you're changing your meal patterns/timing to fit in with your show schedule better or promising to do a cool down after sustained vocal use.

Making yourself accountable with non-negotiables can be really helpful.

What are yours? Pop them in the comments!

Andrew 🙏

17/08/2025

Many things can be discovered during sessions or recognised from perceived change in the hours, days, or weeks afterwards. Some can be made instantly - others may take time and space to unfold.

All I can do is my best to nurture trust, safety, and create an environment enabled to access subtle shifts in body and brain.

All you can do is carve our that time for yourself.

Address

Glasgow

Telephone

+447876594799

Website

https://www.fresha.com/book-now/ark-massage-therapy-aqa32mzm/all-offer?id=747432&pId=702362, http://www.arkmassagetherap

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