LGBTQ friendly massage in London

My name is Louie Robinson (they/them). I am a queer white acupuncturist, facialist and remedial massage therapist, practicing in Walthamstow North East London.

MY PRACTICE IS LGBTQ+ AFFIRMATIVE, TRAUMA-INFORMED & CONSENT LED.

During my acupuncture training, I championed the rights and needs of gender-inclusive care towards all our patients, which formed the subject of my theses. I continue to advocate for inclusivity and diversity in my work and within alternative healthcare.

In my free time, I am involved in queer and local community groups as both organiser and participant. I am currently looking into working within an existing community multi-bed clinic which will allow for low-cost treatments and healing through community.

How I work

I like to work intuitively with each of my clients. This can look like taking more time to settle into the space for one person, a bigger focus on talking through their health with another, or more care and slowness given around needling with another.

I like to take up to 60 minutes with my clients. This allows me the time to create a therapeutic setting to listen deeply to what is going on for you in your body and your life, creating a full picture of you that will then inform the treatment. It creates space for you to unfold in whatever way you need and allows for the fluidity of people bringing different needs to each session.

I am passionate about not conforming to urgency culture. So often there is an expectation to rush through life and be as efficient with our time as possible, mastering the art of multi-tasking. This is antithetical to healing and reconnecting to ourselves. This time is for you to switch off, put down your phone, and find yourself again.

Inclusion policy

My practice is LGBTQ+ affirmative, body-positive, and consent-led. LGBTQ+ people face a number of barriers when accessing healthcare. I am committed to ensuring that these barriers do not factor into my work. I strive to create a safe and welcoming space, and I always appreciate feedback from clients so I can continue to improve my practice.

As a white Western practitioner, I am aware of the power I hold in the treatment room and within the acupuncture community. I am continuing to educate myself on how to be a better ally towards Black, Asian, and other POC patients and practitioners. I am also always open to feedback and to hear the individual needs of my patients.

Qualifications

First class BSc (hons) in Acupuncture from Greenwich University following three years training at the renowned ICOM.

Sports & Remedial massage BTEC (Level 5) from the London School of Sports Massage.

Massage has a number of benefits. It can support the management and relief of acute and chronic pain, improve flexibility, aid the recovery process after injury, and help prevent future injuries. Massage is also a great tool for supporting mental health, encouraging relaxation and reconnection between mind and body.

As a massage therapist, my areas of specialty include sports & remedial massage, soft tissue therapy, deep tissue therapy, and myofascial release. I offer a combination of these techniques in my massage treatments. Like acupuncture, massage is a holistic way of treating the body. For example, the source of a person’s lower back pain may be due to tightness in the quads at the front of the thighs.

Heal Acupuncture offers LGBT+ affirmative care.

Following a quick chat to understand what you want out of your appointment, I may wish to do a quick physical evaluation to better understand your body and where you hold areas of tension. We will then agree on the focus of your treatment, and I will explain the areas I wish to work on. You can let me know if there is anything you feel uncomfortable about. You’ll then have some privacy to get undressed and lie on the couch under the towels that are provided. The massage will take 45 minutes. Once finished you can get dressed, before we have a final check-in and I can offer aftercare advice.

Instagram: @healacupuncture

Email: contact@healacupuncture.co.uk

The Holding Space, 89 Ridley Road, London, E82NH