Float Therapy Wilmslow offers eight hands-on massage treatments with our therapist Jade — deep tissue, aromatherapy, Indian head, body sculpting, lymphatic drainage, pregnancy, mother & baby and young athlete & wellbeing — in private, quiet rooms on Chapel Lane. Treatments start from £35, and every session begins with a short consultation, so the pressure and the focus are matched to you rather than to a script. Open 9am to 9pm, every day.
Massage is often the simplest way to undo the tension we carry without really noticing — the tight shoulders from a week at a desk, the stiffness after training, the low hum of stress that stops you switching off. Whether you already know what you need or you are not sure where to start, here is an honest guide to what we offer, who each treatment suits, what to expect, and what the research shows.
The massages we offer
In short: aromatherapy is for full-body relaxation and stress, deep tissue is for stubborn muscle tension, and Indian head massage is for tension held in the head, neck and shoulders. All are with Jade, and all begin with a short chat so the session fits you.
| Treatment | Best for | Pressure | What it involves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aromatherapy | Stress, winding down, better sleep | Gentle to medium | Flowing full-body massage with essential oils |
| Deep tissue | Chronic tension, knots, sports or desk aches | Firm | Slow, targeted work into the deeper muscle layers |
| Indian head | Tight neck and shoulders, tension, mental fatigue | Light to medium | Scalp, neck, shoulders and upper back |
| Body sculpting | Circulation, fluid retention, skin tone | Firm | Rolling movements with wooden tools (wood therapy) |
| Lymphatic drainage | Puffiness, fluid retention, recovery | Very light | Light rhythmic strokes following the lymphatic system |
| Mother & baby | New mums, with baby close by | Gentle | 45 minutes, Tuesdays only from 6pm |
| Pregnancy | Pregnancy-related tension, from 13 weeks | Gentle | Side-lying and cushioned, 45 minutes |
| Young athlete & wellbeing | Under 16s — sport, school and everyday tension | Gentle | 45 minutes, parent or guardian present |
Aromatherapy massage
Aromatherapy is the one to book when the goal is simply to feel calmer. It pairs a flowing, full-body massage with essential oils chosen for how they make you feel — grounding and relaxing rather than stimulating. It is a gentle, deeply restful treatment, well suited to stress, a busy mind, or the run-up to a better night's sleep.
If a calmer, more restful hour is what you are after, book an aromatherapy massage.
Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue works slowly and firmly into the deeper layers of muscle to release the knots and long-held tension that a lighter massage tends to glide over. It is the treatment most people book for a specific complaint — a tight lower back, stiff shoulders, or muscles that never quite recover between training sessions. It is not about being as hard as possible; Jade works to the pressure your body will actually respond to, checking in as she goes.
You can book a deep tissue massage online, or read on to see whether another treatment suits you better.
Indian head massage
Indian head massage focuses on where so many of us hold tension without realising: the scalp, neck, shoulders and upper back. It is wonderfully relaxing, and a natural choice if you spend your day at a screen or feel the strain settle around your neck and jaw. You stay clothed for this one, so it is an easy first massage if you are new to it.
Prefer to start gently? Book an Indian head massage.
Body sculpting massage
Body sculpting uses firm, rolling movements with smooth wooden tools — a technique often called wood therapy. It is brisker than the others and works along the body rather than into a single knot, encouraging circulation and lymphatic flow, easing fluid retention and helping to smooth the look of the skin. People tend to book it as a course rather than a one-off.
Book a body sculpting massage.
Lymphatic drainage massage
Lymphatic drainage is the gentlest treatment on the menu. Very light, rhythmic strokes follow the lymphatic system to help the body shift fluid that has settled — useful if you feel puffy, heavy-legged, or you are recovering from illness, travel or a procedure. The pressure is far lighter than most people expect, and that is the point.
Book a lymphatic drainage massage.
Mother & baby massage
A treatment for mum with baby in the room, rather than an hour spent wondering where baby is. You get a proper massage; baby stays safely close by throughout. It is deliberately 45 minutes rather than a full hour — long enough to feel like something, short enough to be realistic with a small person nearby. Mother & baby massage runs on Tuesdays only, from 6pm.
Pregnancy massage
Pregnancy changes where you carry weight and where it aches — usually the lower back, hips and shoulders. This is a gentler, shorter treatment built around that, with side-lying positioning and cushioning rather than lying face down. Pregnancy massage is available from 13 weeks onwards for clients with uncomplicated pregnancies. If you have any concerns or pregnancy-related complications, please consult your midwife or healthcare professional before booking.
Young athlete & wellbeing massage
A gentle, age-appropriate treatment for children and teenagers — whether they are training hard for sport or simply carrying the everyday tension of school, screens and growing. The 45 minute session is £55 and is shaped by a full consultation and medical history, so it can focus on relaxation, muscle tension, flexibility and recovery. A parent or guardian must give consent and remain present throughout the treatment. If you are not sure whether it is right for your child, get in touch and Jade will happily advise.
Book a young athlete & wellbeing massage.
Which massage is right for you?
If you are not sure, here is the short version — and Jade will help you decide when you arrive:
- You have a specific ache or knot (lower back, shoulders, post-training) — deep tissue
- You want to switch off and de-stress — aromatherapy
- You carry tension in your head, neck and shoulders — Indian head massage
- You are new to massage and unsure — start with aromatherapy or Indian head, both gentler introductions
- You feel puffy or are holding fluid — lymphatic drainage
- You want to work on circulation and skin tone — body sculpting
- You have a small baby and no childcare — mother & baby massage (Tuesdays from 6pm)
- You are pregnant and past 13 weeks — pregnancy massage
- Your child needs support with sport, school or everyday tension — young athlete & wellbeing massage (under 16s, parent present)
You genuinely do not have to decide before you book. Every treatment starts with a short consultation, so if you arrive thinking "deep tissue" but really need something gentler that day, Jade will adjust.
What the research says about massage
Massage is not just a nice hour to yourself — it is one of the better-studied ways to help your body reset, and the recent evidence is genuinely encouraging.
- Muscle recovery: massage is one of the most effective recovery methods there is. A systematic review comparing ten recovery techniques found massage delivered the biggest reductions in muscle soreness and fatigue of any method it tested, and a 2025 umbrella review in the journal Sports Medicine, pooling 863 clinical trials, rated massage among the therapies with strong evidence for easing muscle soreness after exercise.
- Stress and relaxation: a meta-analysis of 37 trials found even a single massage significantly lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and reviews of the research consistently show that massage lowers cortisol, the body's main stress hormone.
- Mood: in that same meta-analysis of 37 trials, the researchers found a course of massage eased feelings of anxiety and low mood by an amount they judged comparable to a course of psychotherapy.
- Sleep: a review of randomised trials found that aromatherapy, especially when delivered through massage, significantly improves sleep quality.
None of this makes massage a medical treatment, and we would never claim it cures anything. But as an evidence-backed way to ease tension, calm a busy mind and sleep more soundly, it more than earns its place in your week.
What to expect at your appointment
Your treatment starts with a short, relaxed consultation so Jade understands what you are after and anything she should know. Sessions run around 30 to 90 minutes, and we would suggest allowing a little extra time either side so you are not rushing in or straight back out. You will be in a private, quiet room, and afterwards you are welcome to sit with a herbal tea before heading back into the day. There is free on-street parking on Chapel Lane and the surrounding roads.
Massage, floating and contrast therapy — all under one roof
One thing that sets us apart from most massage rooms in the area: we also offer float therapy and contrast therapy — infrared sauna and ice bath — in the same building. That means you can build a session that does more. A spell in the infrared sauna before a deep tissue massage warms the muscles so the work goes deeper; a float afterwards can carry the calm on for hours. If that sounds like your kind of hour, just ask when you book and we will help you put it together.
Where to find us
You will find us at 82 Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5JH — open 9am to 9pm, every day, with free on-street parking nearby. We are an easy trip from Alderley Edge, Altrincham, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Poynton, Prestbury and Bramhall, and across South Manchester, and we have more than 350 five-star reviews from people across Cheshire.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a massage in Wilmslow? Treatments start from £35. You can see full, up-to-date pricing on our pricing page or when you book.
How long does a massage last? Around 30 to 90 minutes. We would suggest allowing a little longer for your visit so you can arrive calmly and relax afterwards.
Do I need to choose the type of massage before I book? No. Every session starts with a short consultation, and Jade will help you choose the right treatment and pressure on the day.
Which massage is best for tension in my back and shoulders? Deep tissue is the usual choice for stubborn muscle tension, as it works into the deeper muscle layers. Research associates massage with real relief of back and neck tension, and many guests find regular sessions keep that tension at bay.
Is massage actually backed by science? Yes. Large systematic reviews rate massage among the most effective ways to ease muscle soreness after exercise, and research links it with lower stress hormones, better mood and improved sleep. It is a well-evidenced way to relax and recover, even if it is not a medical treatment.
Can I combine a massage with a float or a sauna? Yes. We offer float therapy and contrast therapy in the same studio, so you can pair treatments. Just let us know when you book.
Is there parking? Yes, there is free on-street parking on Chapel Lane and the surrounding roads.
Book your massage in Wilmslow
Ready to unwind? Book a massage with Jade online in a few clicks, or call us on 07810 145975 and we will help you find the right treatment.