Massage with a stoma. You are welcome here.

A client booked in recently and mentioned on their intake form that they had a stoma. They did not say much more than that. When they arrived, they were visibly anxious. Not about the massage itself, but about the stoma. They felt embarrassed. They felt ashamed. They were not sure how it would work or whether it would be a problem.

I could see how much it had taken for them to book. That kind of anxiety builds up over time, and it should not be the reason someone misses out on treatment that could help them.

I asked them a simple question. What do you need, and what would make this comfortable for you? They said they were not sure. They had not had a massage since their surgery. Their biggest worry was lying face down and the bag leaking.

So we worked it out together.

What we actually did

We put an extra towel down underneath them for reassurance. Then we placed a small pillow below the stoma and another one above it, so when they lay on their front they were not putting any pressure directly on it. That was it. Simple adjustments that took about 30 seconds to set up.

I also let them know that side lying was an option at any point during the session. If lying face down felt uncomfortable or they wanted to change position, we could do that without it being a problem. No fuss, no awkwardness, just a different position.

The session went without a hitch. Nothing leaked. Nothing went 'wrong'. They received a full treatment and left feeling relieved, not just physically but emotionally. Some of the shame they had been carrying for years started to lift, because someone had simply said "this is fine, let's make it work for you."

Why people do not book

I think a lot of people with a stoma assume massage is not for them. They worry about the bag being visible. They worry about leaking. They worry about having to explain it. They worry about the therapist being uncomfortable or not knowing what to do.

So they do not book. They go without treatment they might really benefit from, not because of a physical limitation but because of anxiety and embarrassment. That is a shame, because the adjustments needed are usually small and straightforward.

This is not just about stomas

The broader point is that massage should be accessible. If you have a health condition, a disability, a surgical history, or anything else that makes you wonder whether massage is an option for you, the answer is almost always yes. It might need adjusting. We might need to work differently. But the starting point is always the same. Tell me what is going on, and we will find a way to make it work.

You should not have to miss out on treatment because you are worried about something that can be solved with a pillow and a conversation.

A note on physical access

I do want to be honest about the limitations of my clinic space though. My treatment room is at my home in Sissinghurst. There is a sloped drive down to the front door and a step at the entrance. That means full wheelchair access is not currently possible, and I am sorry about that.

If you have mobility difficulties and are unsure whether you can manage the access, get in touch before you book and I will talk you through the layout so you can decide. I would rather have that conversation upfront than have you arrive and find it is not going to work.

I am based in Sissinghurst, just outside Cranbrook, and I work with people from across the Weald of Kent.