Alison Gean Davis
MA Scottish History
MA Peace Studies
Advanced Remedial and Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Hyperton-X and Reiki Practitioner
Member of the Professional Massage Association, Scotland (PMAS)
Member of the Maya Abdominal Massage Association (MAMA)
Member of the Scottish Doula Network.
About Alison
Alison first became interested in massage in 1989 and spent time exploring various schools and training methods while she also gained MAs in Scottish History at the University of St Andrews and Peace Studies at Bradford University.
“I loved the focus on the body as opposed to that on the mind that my previous education had emphasised. We have a culture that concentrates on the neck and above and ignores the rest of the body, unless there is a problem....... Massage for me redresses the balance.”
Alison’s main massage training was with the Scottish School of Professional Massage, which is now based in Peebles. She gained her initial qualification with them back in 1998, while she was working as a group support worker for Pain Association Scotland, a charity that supports people with chronic pain. One of Alison’s main tasks here was to teach pain management skills and she continues to be grateful for the introduction to relaxation training, Reiki and pain management that she gained through this job. Alison’s background also includes facilitation and groupwork skills, leading and organising workshops on conflict resolution, listening skills, assertiveness, spirituality, nationality & identity.
Since 1998 Alison has gone on to do further training in Hyperton-X, Indian Head Massage, Slavic Massage and myofascial techniques. She also has specialist training with Carole Osbourne Sheets in Pre- & Perinatal Massage and has been involved in the Scottish Doula Network since 2002
“I have had three children while working as a massage therapist, and it is largely my own experience of needing and receiving great body work during this child bearing period that has driven my interest in this work. It was weird to me that more wasn’t offered to pregnant women – so I went to find out what could be done!”
Alison is currently an apprentice of Dr Arvigo in ATMAM (The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage™) having done both the professional and certification levels of training. She is one of only two such therapists in Scotland. She is also doing “Love Your Guts” training in September 2009 - more massage to help the digestive system.
“My approach is a professional and listening one; I respond to your needs and respect these and your modesty at all times. Treatment sessions may involve deep tissue massage, sculpting, trigger point work, orthobionomy (spontaneous release) and myofacial work as well as energy balancing, muscle testing, exercises, stretches, postural work and relaxation techniques. I am also experienced in the fields of stress management, handling conflict and change, communication skills and spirituality. As Gean Therapies I aim to combine all these skills to promote respect for our bodies. I believe feeling good in ourselves can be the norm as well as being an achievable, affordable option. All treatment is covered by a strong code of conduct and confidentiality is assured at all times.”
Alison is a student of Zero Balancing and plans further studies into massage for the abdominal region.
"Over the years I have had many types of massage from many different therapists all over the world, and in my opinion, Alison is the best I have been to. She offers so many kinds of useful therapies that all complement each other. Alison is thorough, empathetic and deeply intuitive. Her ability and skill have kept me returning for over seven years."
Jane Ryder, former BA Pilot and mother of one
