Just breathe

Why do I ask so many questions during a consultation?

It’s not because I’m being nosey and it’s certainly not about being intrusive.

The information you give me can be really important when it comes to understanding the bigger picture.

Recently, a client who has been having treatments with me for neck and shoulder pain mentioned something that hadn’t been included on their original consultation form. They also have had physiotherapy for another condition and had previously had treatment for lower back pain.

That additional information gave me a much broader picture of their health history and the different things that may be relevant when we’re considering their symptoms, recovery and what might be appropriate during treatment.

This is why I ask about things such as:

• Previous injuries and treatments
• Current or previous medical conditions
• Medication
• Other healthcare professionals you may be seeing
• How your symptoms have changed
• Your general health and wellbeing
• Anything else you feel may be relevant

It doesn’t mean that every piece of information will change your treatment.

But sometimes a small detail can be important.

As massage therapists, we don’t diagnose medical conditions or try to work outside our scope of practice. But we do need enough relevant information to make appropriate decisions about treatment, recognise when something may need further investigation, and know when referring back to another healthcare professional is the right thing to do.

So please don’t worry about whether something is “important enough” to mention.

If you’re not sure whether it’s relevant, tell me anyway.

I’d much rather have too much information than miss something that could matter.

Pain doesn’t mean you’re weak or fragile.

It’s actually very rare to go through life without experiencing some kind of pain.

But when pain sticks around, it’s easy to become afraid of it and to assume there must be one specific thing that has “caused” it.

The reality is usually much more complicated.

Pain is a very real experience, but there isn’t always one simple cause. Experiencing pain doesn’t automatically mean you need to stop exercising either. Sometimes your usual routine just needs a little adjustment while you work out what feels manageable.

That’s also why I’m cautious about anyone claiming they can “fix” or “cure” your pain.

Pain is your body’s way of making you aware that something needs your attention. Understanding why you’re experiencing it can take time, and there isn’t always a quick or simple answer.

You’re not broken and pain doesn’t automatically mean you need to stop moving.

When I started going to the gym after having my second son, I had no idea where it would eventually lead me.

At the time, I just wanted to feel a little more like me again.

But somewhere along the way, the gym gave me something I hadn’t realised I’d lost , confidence.

And that confidence gave me the push to get back into education.

One qualification led to another, and before I knew it I had qualified as a sports massage therapist and found myself becoming fascinated by things I’d never really considered before.

Pain.

The nervous system.

Neuroscience.

How our bodies adapt.

And now, I’m becoming increasingly interested in movement too, understanding how we move, why certain things can matter, but also recognising that sometimes they simply don’t.

The more I learn, the more I realise there isn’t always a simple answer.

Bodies aren’t machines with one perfect alignment or one movement pattern that needs fixing.

Sometimes movement is important.

Sometimes it’s just movement.

And sometimes what we think should matter, actually doesn’t matter nearly as much as we thought.

I’m still learning, still questioning, and still finding my way through it all.

But looking back, it’s quite amazing to think that joining a gym after having my second son would eventually lead me here.

And I’m really glad I took that first step.

It’s the little things,

I had a new client recently who not only left me a tip after their treatment, but also gave me a home grown apple from their own garden.

And honestly, it might seem like such a small thing, but I found it genuinely touching.

There’s something really special about someone going out of their way to share a little piece of their life with you. They could have simply handed me a tip and gone on their way, but instead they thought to bring me something that they’d grown themselves.

These are the moments that remind me how much I love what I do. Yes, I’m grateful for every booking, every recommendation and every tip, but it’s the little personal gestures and connections with clients that mean so much. 🥰

A home grown apple might not seem like much to some people but to me, it meant a lot. 🍎

Thank you

Friday check-in 😂

I’ve recently got into watching Mobland and apparently my idea of relaxing after a week of creating a calm, peaceful treatment room is watching something that’s a tad violent. 🤣

Not quite sure what that says about me, but I’m absolutely hooked!

After a busy week, sometimes switching your brain off with a good series is exactly what you need.

Anyone else watching Mobland? Or what are you currently binge watching?

Have a lovely weekend everyone

When you support a small business, it really does mean more than you might realise.

Every like, share, recommendation, lovely review and treatment you book with me genuinely makes a difference.

You’re not helping a big company hit its targets.

You’re helping me support my family.
You’re helping towards days out and family holidays.
You’re helping me continue investing in my education and professional development, so I can keep learning and provide the best care I can for my clients.

And every time somebody says, “Someone recommended you to me,” I still feel incredibly grateful.

Running a small business isn’t always easy, especially when you’re juggling work, family life and continuing education behind the scenes.

So whether you’ve booked one treatment, become a regular client, shared one of my posts or simply mentioned my name to a friend, thank you.

It all counts, and it really does mean a lot.

Natalie
Just Breathe Sports Massage

There’s nothing I love more about my job than seeing a client’s progress.

Some people first come to see me feeling fragile, worried about their pain and wondering whether they’ll ever feel like themselves again.

Then, over time, things begin to change.

They stick with their exercises.
They gradually get stronger.
They start trusting their body again.
They realise that movement isn’t something they need to fear.

And for some of my clients, the progress they’ve made through consistent strengthening and rehabilitation has even meant that surgery they once thought was inevitable has no longer been necessary.

I can’t take the credit for that, they did the hard work.

My role has simply been to support them along the way. Massage may help settle symptoms, reduce muscle guarding and make movement feel more comfortable, but I’ll always encourage my clients to keep moving, keep strengthening and recognise just how capable their body can be.

Watching someone go from feeling fragile to feeling strong and confident again is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

And yes… I do feel ridiculously proud of them. 🥹💙

Treatment room conversations lately… 😂

Client: “Oh, I was going to tell you something… what was it?”
Me: “That reminds me of something… oh… I’ve forgotten what I was going to say too.”

Followed by both of us looking at each other and saying…

“Menopause.” 🤦‍♀️😂

There’s been a lot of mutual understanding in the treatment room lately when conversations disappear halfway through a sentence.

The good news is, after 27 years as a massage therapist, I haven’t quite forgotten how to do my job yet. 😂

Just occasionally what I was talking about…

Anyone else walk into a room and immediately forget why they went in there? 🙋‍♀️