I qualified in Clinical Sport and Remedial Massage after training with the Oxford School of Sports Massage (OSSM). This is a BTEC Level 5 qualification which is the highest level of Sport and Remedial Massage training available in the UK. The course is validated by the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (ISRM) and recognised by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).

 I am also a Registered Traditional Thai Therapist and Thai Foot Massage Therapist, with an active practice since 2007. To find out more about this therapy, please read the short description below or check out the full page at /thai-yoga-massage.html. I am a Practitioner member of THAI (Thai Healing Alliance International), which is a voluntary international organisation that sets standards of practice and approves practioners and schools of Traditional Thai Massage. If you want to know more, please go to http://www.thaihealingalliance.com

My background was originally in nursing and later in academia as a researcher at the University of Bristol. I became particularly interested in how the body functions and adapts to the stresses we place on it over the years after I ruptured a disc in my lower back (L5/S1) whilst running on a treadmill at the gym and twisting to talk to a friend. The subsequent excruciating sciatic pain was debilitating and life changing and I felt about 90 years old, despite trying to continue running, gym work and yoga practice. It took a long time but eventually I found the help I needed to get the injury sorted out and I am now fit and well - running again, going to the gym and doing a regular yoga practice without any pain. I now realise that it was an injury that was just waiting to happen given the right set of circumstances, because my body had become misaligned over the years after having children, driving, sitting at a desk for hours on end, lifting patients when I was nursing and taking part in sports and exercise. 

My particular interest is in helping people to correct any postural imbalances and misalignments that have built up before they result in injury and dysfunction. Making the very best of how our bodies work, whether you play sport or have particular challenges as a result of your job, hobbies or chronic health conditions. One of the problems I see most often now is the stressful nature of work lives and modern living. Our bodies often 'hold' this stress in different areas, contributing to changes in how we hold ourselves, leading to misalignments. Massage can help to relieve the stress held in muscles and other soft tissues of the body and remedial work corrects misalignments in the muscles and fascia which can cause further dysfunction by altering the alignment of the joints.

Thai yoga massage is a traditional form of healing which encourages the body to balance and remain healthy. It is very different to what we generally think of as massage in the West because you lie on a comfortable futon mat on the floor and remain fully clothed throughout. 

The therapist uses hands, feet and elbows in a series of moves to help free the tension trapped in your body, inducing a profound state of relaxation. Energy lines, acupressure points, muscles, ligaments and joints are stretched and opened, which stimulates energy flow and encourages freedom of movement. However, it is more than a physical therapy and works to balance and harmonise the entire body. Most people report that they sleep exceptionally well after these treatments.

For more detailed information go to /thai-yoga-massage.html

(If you find it difficult to lie on the floor, it can be adapted to work on a traditional massage couch or you could try the Sport/Thai fusion massage which combines the sport and the Thai massage see /thai-yoga-massage.html.) 

This is a new therapy in Thailand which combines elements of Traditional Thai Yoga Massage and Reflexology and works on energy points in the feet and lower legs. 
It is very relaxing and can help to improve circulation, boost flexibility of feet and ankles, combat stress and insomnia and relieve headaches and migraine. It can also prevent or help to relieve a very painful condition called plantar fasciitis, which occurs when the connective tissue under the foot becomes inflamed and tight. Healthy feet are crucial to our well-being and problems in this area can result in difficulties in other parts of the body. 

The massage lasts for one hour and is carried out on a massage couch using creams on the feet and lower legs. 

This is a versatile treatment using Traditional Thai Therapy seated techniques that I have adapted for use in a specially designed chair.  The treatments include work on the shoulders, back, arms, hands, neck and head leaving your employees or customers feeling relaxed, energised and refreshed.

The techniques adapt well for the specially designed ergonomic chair that is particularly good in a work or other environment as the treatment is carried out through clothing and no oils or creams are used. 

Thai Seated Therapy is a cost-effective way of rewarding your staff or customers and showing your commitment to the health needs of the people who work for you.

It promotes the health and well-being of staff members - reducing work-related stress, headaches and may prevent some work-related health conditions and time off sick.

In order to be effective, the treatments are 30 minutes for each person. Please see /thai-yoga-massage.html for more information and costs.

The massage techniques used in Sports massage are ideally suited to provide a gentle but effective massage which encourages the body to heal itself by triggering a healthy reaction in the nervous system and aiding circulation. 

This is a full body massage using long, stroking effleurage and petrissage techniques which are used to warm and soften the tissues, elongate the muscle fibres and aid circulation. This massage will not include any deep tissue work or techniques used to de-activate painful 'knots' in the muscle fibres in order to provide a relaxing, healing and rejuvinating massage.

For more information please go to /massage-for-recovery.html