I have always been active, enjoying sports and outdoor activities, including cycling, running, hiking, mountain sports and surfing

It is my personal experience that inspired me to train as a massage therapist. I was determined to obtain a level 5 qualification to effectively treat injuries, understand pain, prevent further pain flares, and support others on their journey to recovery

My recovery from a chronic back injury
I suffered a back injury lifting and consulted many doctors who put it down to being musculoskeletal.  I saw many specialists, both with the NHS and privately, spending thousands, which included MRI scans, lidocaine infusion, steroid injections in my SI joints, both sides and my piriformis, as I was so desperate to get any relief from the constant pain
 
Over time pain got gradually worse until I was unable to work.  I spent the whole of the Summer only able to walk a few steps, not being able to drive or enjoy activities.  I struggled both physically and mentally, being prescribed strong anticonvulsant medication for excruciating sciatica and nerve pain from my shoulders to my toes.  As the months dragged on, the pain became chronic and much harder to deal with.

Massage using various techniques, starting with gentle Swedish massage and myofascial release, moving on to deep tissue sports massage and trigger point therapy. This really helped both desensitise my nervous system, improve my range of movement and relax/release tight and overactive muscles.

I was really lucky to get an amazing physiotherapist at Royal Devon and Exeter hospital who helped my understanding of pain and the triggers, specifically chronic pain and how it can change our brain and nervous system over time.  Pain receptors become more sensitive and overactive, producing pain messages that can cause muscle tension long after the injury or illness has healed.  Massage was a huge help in desensitising muscles and soothing and retraining pain signals.