Work related stress

Thank goodness for the internet! I have spent time looking into work related stress and how to   prevent as much as possible and I am, pleased, to say that there has been a lot of other work and useful information has been collated and can be found at;

www.hse.gov.uk/stress

www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/directory/s/stress-workplace

I have previously worked in stressful professions and 
now can utilise my experiences in coping user pressure 
to help my clients. The balance between responsibility and 

perceived abilities needs to be monitored and training and 
support are vital for companies. 

Massage in the office or factory can be seen as a reward
for hard work, but I prefer companies to view them as a
way of showing that you support and understand
their needs and are prepared to support them.















Step off and take a breath.

Half term

Busy slotting in work and childcare? Not easy is it.

massage with an injury - yes or no??

In line with current thinking on exercise and injury I am often  being asked about the effectiveness of massage on an injured area. There are a number of things that would mean a massage would need to be adapted and a very few reasons for not having one at all, and it is always worth asking a therapist before booking if any condition may alter your treatment.

It is now viewed that moderate exercise is beneficial to recovery and gentle massage too can assist in healing. A therapist registered with an organisation such as the Federation of Holistic Therapists will have undergone training in Anatomy and Physiology to a good standard for the treatment offered. Don't expect someone trained soley in Indian head massage to be able to give you advice on exercises for Iliotibial Band Syndrome, but someone trained in deep tissue can support a recovery program.

Massage following an operation can ease your body back into the world of movement and many find Manual Lymphatic Drainage really helpful in keeping swelling down whilst they are unable to get up and about. (swollen ankles etc. occur when the Lymph doesn't flow back up to the nodes for a number of reasons including lack of movement because unlike the blood there is no pump to move it round the body and it is pushed around by muscles contracting)

If you have an injury or recent operation you most likely can get a massage and you are highly likely to find it beneficial. Those suffering with long term pain have found massage and aromatherapy a way to cope with the chronic pain and function easier on a daily basis.

Going into offices and not having a full 15 minute consultation before an on site massage my therapists use careful questioning and close observation to gauge what the needs of their client are in regards to recent or long standing injuries and will give the most appropriate support.

Massage is a complementary therapy. I work alongside doctors and other medical staff with them taking the role of lead professional. Massage is not an alternative, if my kids fall and break a limb I would take them to the hospital to get it set and not rub the area with essential oils.

In answer to the question, "yes" most of the time, but we will know when you should avoid a massage.

new massage couch as good as my on site chair

The end of last week I took possession of my new Affinity athlete massage couch to use with my 'at home' clients.




This is considerably heavier than my last portable couch, but is so very much superior. The more sports people I massaged the more I was becoming aware that my couch was too narrow at the shoulders, too wide at the hips, to hard and most importantly far too unstable for me and clients to continue to enjoy massaging (enjoy for me more than some of my runners!!)

I bought an average couch for mobile work and it did OK for a year, but as a professional therapist the equipment you use has to be the best you can afford and be the right tools for the job.

When I started going into offices to massage I looked long and hard to find a chair that would be perfect and meet all my needs. The main thing is that people can feel comfortable once seated and the chair remains firm during shiatsu and massage.




A great piece of kit and going strong after 2 years. The best thing is the speed at which I can alter the height for clients and spend more time massaging.

Eating your vitamins and minerals

Eating your vitamins and minerals

The best way to get a good amount of vitamins into your body is to eat fresh food. At this time of year it is so tempting to reach for high fat and sugar processed foods to feel full and comforted, but with a high prevalence of virus' flying around we need to arm ourselves against poor health. I make a massive bowl of fruit salad at the start of the week and by Wednesday need to re do because the family have snacked on it and taken tubs to school and work. Roast veggies with lashings of olive oil and garlic with whatever herbs take your fancy to present a bright and appealing accompaniment to meats or rice. it can be a bit of a drag to cook from fresh, but unless you have someone on the autistic spectrum at home (like us!!) trying dishes is fun.
Our youngest is the only family member using packaged vitamins and that's because of his eating issues due to having Aspergers syndrome. We have never 'pandered' to his needs and keep trying different foods with him, but when he refuses to eat a main meal for three or four days and I refuse to give him biscuits etc we rely on him getting the minimum from his supplements, until I serve a meal he will eat.
When I go into an office I love to support the company in providing basic advice on eating well to live happier healthier lives.

It's cold outside

The weather has finally turned seasonal and we are all scrambling around for warm coats and scarves.   I have to admit to not being a lover of cold, wet British winters, but can see the benefits of a walk on a crisp sunny day. Too many people seem to have a cough or cold right now, including me. I have not had anything other than a slight snivel for a good few years and was shocked when a thickly cough failed to depart after being blitzed with eucalyptus, cinnamon and lemon steam. It has been a week and I have fought hard, even bringing out thyme and ginger (I am not at all fond of them) but finally I am able to spend more than an hour without coughing.
This week I will be in offices in Southampton to deliver massage at work and have a few clients needing de stressing at home. Final massage for one of my regulars today for a few months as she heads South for the winter. She will be swimming and strolling along the WA coastline soon and I have to admit a pang of jealousy.

go for a walk

Not many people can afford to have a daily massage and I have not yet met the employer prepared to pay for a 15 minute seated acupressure massage every day at work (I'm still searching!) So between the massages a great way to keep body and spirit in order is to go for a walk.

A walk in the fresh air is amazing for anyone ready to take the first step.
The benefits of this simple form of exercise are enormous.
Anyone with legs in working order can grab a pair of trainers and head out the front for of their home or office for a 20 minute stride out.
We are so very fortunate in Hampshire with the many and varied places to engage with nature that not to go for a walk is a waste of a day.
With every step taken;
a little bit of fat gets burned to power your stroll
your glutes get stronger and tighter - a big need in the office worker
the body absorbs the right things from the food you have eaten - take a lunch break walk after eating
It makes you smile
You hold your head up and open your chest
walkers can feel their minds reigniting on getting back into the office
you will see something beautiful, like the trees in my photo, or a dancing plastic bag in mayfield Park Southampton
many more benefits can be found when you start to stride.
If during a walk I find a stretch of grass/sand/rock/mud that looks untainted by dogs I will take off my shoes and socks and continue barefoot. Once you start walking barefoot you will want to bare those toes at any opportunity.

Thank you Mayflower theatre

From my family and clients with additional needs I would like to thank the Mayflower theatre in Southampton for their relaxed performance of Aladdin over the festive period. Everyone had the most fantastic time.
well done and keep them coming mayflower

My website

good morning.
I am going to try to get a link into my website to enable this blog to be viewed there. Until I have managed to swap my therapist head to a tech one I will simply promote my site here.
The website to help those in Hampshire UK get great massages at work


This morning I have received another huge number of emails and Facebook pages telling me to get going on my 'detox', 'cleansing', 'juicing' diet. Nothing you eat acts as a cleanser or detoxifies the body. Juicing is a great way to get fluid, sugar and some nutrients from fruit and veg in, but I would prefer to eat a fruit salad or have a spicy stir fry with veg. That way your digestive system has a job to do, you get the pleasure of feeding and the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals from your meal, not to mention the fibre!

I'm finished with my advice on the whole detox thing for 2016.

January is a busy time of year for accountants and clients have booked in to get massages towards the end go the month for those working hard to get the accounts in. Some of the firms are putting in huge numbers of hours sorting through and preparing the accounts and a 15 minute seated acupressure massage seems to be well received by the accountants.