Welcome to ExeActive
I'm Helen, a Level 5 qualified sports massage and soft tissue therapist with over eight years of experience.
My clinic is a dedicated treatment room on the first floor of my home in Tiverton, with facilities and free parking. Working from my own clinic means I can offer flexible appointments and personal, unhurried care for every client.
Whether you're recovering from an injury, living with long-term pain, or simply want to stay active and comfortable, I'm here to help you keep moving, in a welcoming and professional environment
Why I became a therapist
I've always been active, enjoying cycling, running, hiking, mountain sports and surfing. So when a back injury from lifting stopped me in my tracks, it turned my life upside down.
I saw many specialists, both NHS and private, and had scans, injections and strong medication for nerve pain, yet the pain only got worse. Eventually I couldn't work, drive or walk more than a few steps. As the months went on, the pain became persistent, and it affected me mentally as well as physically.
The turning point came with a referral to the pain clinic at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. There, an amazing physiotherapist helped me understand the latest pain science: how long-term pain can change the nervous system, so that pain signals carry on long after an injury has healed. Hands-on therapy was recommended to calm my nervous system, improve my movement and ease tight, overactive muscles. Starting with gentle Swedish massage and myofascial release, then moving on to deeper sports massage and trigger point therapy, massage made a huge difference to my recovery.
That experience inspired me to train to Level 5, so I could understand pain properly and help others on their own road to recovery. Happily, today I'm pain-free, and I know first-hand how long-term pain affects both body and mind.
If you're living with long-term pain?
Find out more about how I support persistent pain
Qualifications
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BTEC ISRM Level 5 Soft Tissue Therapy
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VTCT Level 3 and 4 Sports Therapy / Sports Massage
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Swedish Massage and Hot Stones
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Gym Instructor Level 2
I keep up to date with industry standards and evidence-based practice through ongoing training
My approach
Every treatment is tailored to you. We start with a free consultation to understand your pain, your goals and what you'd like to get back to doing.
I combine sports massage, Swedish massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, stretching, movement and kinesiology taping, along with practical advice you can use at home.
My own recovery taught me that pain is about more than muscles. I take time to listen, and treatment always goes at a pace that feels right for you
Supporting our community
I'm proud to support local clubs, events and charities
Debbie's 60 marathons
Supporting Debbie as she ran sixty marathons in her sixtieth year, raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance
The Royal Marines Charity: supporting Heather Crawford's 50-mile ultramarathon in Scotland and raising awareness of the charity's work
Exeter & Culm Vale Hornets Hockey Club: donating a free massage for the club raffle
Grand Western Canal 10K for Young Lives vs Cancer: raising funds and donating a 45-minute treatment for the prize draw
Tiverton Harriers Uplowman 10K: running my first 10K road race, with tea and cake afterwards!