Helen Crowley - Massage and PilatesNews
By admin 19/12/2018 Therapy, Training

Why I trained in Pilates

I’ve been going to Pilates classes for a couple of years and I notice definite benefits. My balance is better, I feel more aware of how I move enabling me to get more out of other activities and generally I have fewer aches & pains. Also, I find the focus on mind, body & breath beneficial mentally, giving me a bit of calm in a busy week.

They are subtle, gradual changes but they make a difference to how I feel every day, so for me it feels like a big change.

During this time, I was seeing commonalities in the ‘core principles’ of massage therapy and Pilates. For example, clients who were more relaxed and connected with their bodies during treatment had a greater improvement in their pain or mobility levels. Also, combined with my anatomy knowledge, Pilates-type movements were useful as homework to help clients feel more comfortable in-between appointments.

After a year of recommending my massage clients, friends and family to try a Pilates class and see what it could do for them, I decided to do the teacher-training myself. I have trained in ‘Realistic Pilates’ which is designed for real people with real bodies and based on the principles of Joseph Pilates. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, including those recovering from injury or in pain as well as those who feel fit & well.

I am pleased to be able to offer this alongside massage to help you feel and function better.

By admin 26/10/2018 Therapy, Training

Do your legs make you feel like dancing?

FILMS Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Starring John Travolta as Tony Manero and Karen Lynn Gorney and Stephanie

How do your legs feel today?

After 2 days’ training on leg, knee & foot massage with Jing, my legs feel fantastic!

Massage Therapists learn a lot by practising on each other and experiencing the benefit of treatment. My legs felt ok at the start, I didn’t have any pain or reduced movement, I was pretty happy with how they were working, but now I know they can feel better than ok. So, let me pass that benefit onto you – if you have any leg pain or just want your legs to feel and function a bit better, why not book a leg treatment?

By admin 20/08/2018 Therapy, Training

Do you have happy feet?

With 26 bones and 32 joints there’s a lot going on in your feet and we ask a lot of them. Every time we take a step, each foot is supporting your whole weight. Add into that walking, running and wearing high-heeled or non-supportive shoes and your feet could probably do with some TLC.

Issues that start in the feet can cause pain in your ankles, knees, hips and even shoulders, so looking after your feet is a good preventative measure.

This is why I trained in Thai Foot Massage.

The treatment covers toe to knee and involves a mix of hands-on massage and stimulation of reflex points using a rosewood stick. It’s a great way to look after your hard-working feet and, as it’s both invigorating and relaxing, is a wonderful, interesting treatment to receive.  According to Thai medicine, it also promotes healing on a deep level, so is great as a general health boost or to help re-balance the body after illness.

Indulge your feet to a full hour, or you can include it as part of an hour appointment.

By admin 20/08/2018 Admin

Easier ways to pay

To make it easier for you, I now accept payments via mobile phone.

If you use a banking app, all you need is my phone number
07870 698145
& it’ll save you a dash to the cashpoint.

https://paym.co.uk/how-it-works/

If a bank transfer would be easier:
I can text you bank details & your client code to use as a reference

Transfers can be made on or before your appointment day

 

By admin 19/04/2018 Admin

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement

Your privacy and personal data are important. I will only use your personal data to provide the service you have requested and store it carefully.

GDPR requires me to clearly inform you how I use, store and destroy your personal data. Here goes …

At your first appointment, I collect personal data on your Client Registration Form.

I use your name, address and date of birth to identify you. I use elements of these to create a client code so that my accounts, on-line calendar and electronic client database do not contain your name. The reference file which links your name and client code is password protected and held on a local drive and backed up to a USB stick which is kept in a locked cabinet.

I use your phone number and/or email address to contact you about your appointments and treatment. Please be aware when you contact me via email or text, I cannot guarantee the security of information.

I also enter your name and email address into an online mailing tool which allows me to send an approximately monthly newsletter. I would like to keep you up to date with e.g. training, useful info & availability but you can opt out of this at any time. Mailchimp’s privacy statement is here

At Lavender, I share an online booking tool with other therapists. They will not use your details for marketing purposes. Xandaro’s privacy policy is here  You can choose to use your client code to book to protect your personal details.

Medical, health and lifestyle information are all used to ensure I give you a safe and appropriate treatment.

Client Registration forms and treatment records are all kept in paper format in a locked cabinet.

After 7 years, forms & records will be shredded and electronic records deleted. If, during treatment, the client is under 18 or there is litigation involved with the injury, records may be kept indefinitely according to the guidelines of my professional body, Scottish Massage Therapists’ Organisation (SMTO)

Still awake? You’ve got to the end and are obviously careful with your personal data, so any questions/comments, please get in touch. Thanks, Helen.

By admin 13/04/2018 Events, Links, Therapy, Training

Fascia-nating Conference!

The Scottish Massage Therapists’ Organisation holds an annual conference keeping us in touch with pioneers in their fields and the latest research.

2018 was all about Fascia, led by the inspiring Ruth Duncan (founder of Myofascial Release UK) and Linda Currie.

You might have seen recent media articles about ‘The Interstitium’ being classed as a new organ – it’s basically fascia by a different name – how interstiti-eresting!

Fascia runs throughout the body covering all muscles and organs and has often been dismissed in favour of muscles & bones, with the assumption it’s a fairly inert, boring thing.  However, research is demonstrating it’s actually highly sensitive and responsive tissue which plays an active role throughout the body including involvement in muscle contraction and pain perception.

Ruth describes superficial fascia as ‘a big yellow onsie’ as it covers our entire body. As hands-on therapists, we have access to this superficial tissue, which in turn gives us access to deeper tissue – it’s all connected like a 3D web.

For me, it was an exciting and thought-provoking weekend and I want to know more (hence the 2 books and a lot of new internet bookmarks). Although I’ve only just started learning about this, I could probably ramble on, but I think I just heard someone snore so maybe I should move onto:

What this means for you as a client ...

I have some new ‘fascial’ techniques which we could include in treatments

Fascial techniques can be particularly useful in helping chronically tight muscles and persistent pain

Fascia responds to a much more gentle approach and it’s got to be ssslllloooooooooooow – so a hold or pull can last for 5 minutes or more.  It might not feel like much is happening, however, having spent a weekend practising with other therapists, I’d say it’s definitely worth investing 5-10mins of your appointment time to give it a go.

 

If you want to know more …

Intro to Interstitium [Independent]

Ruth Duncan @ British Fascia Symposium 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

By admin 08/01/2018 Availability

New Year, New Location

 

I am excited to be offering massage therapy appointments at a new location on Monday evenings from 29th January.

From 6pm – 9pm, I will be in the beautiful Lavender at 100g Saughton Road North. The Therapy Room offers a calm, cosy space perfect for relaxing massage and there’s a reception area with a sofa and water cooler for a little pre/post treatment time.

To book a Monday evening appointment click here to book online

To book for my Home Therapy Room for Monday daytime and Tuesday-Friday click here to send a message or contact 07870698145

By admin 15/10/2017 Therapy, Training

You need your hips to hop!

I’ve been getting lovely feedback from clients recently – one client described the treatment for his lower back pain as ‘ridiculously good’. I had included new techniques, learnt last month when I spent two amazing days with Jing Advanced Massage Training focusing on the hip & pelvis.

Imbalances in this area can cause issues throughout the body including sciatica, back, shoulder & knee pain so it is important to include in treatment.

During the training, we explored techniques to target specific areas and also covered some general relaxation techniques based on Japanese Anma which apply pressure with the rhythm of the client’s breath.

Do you have hip or pelvic pain? Or lower back? sciatic pain? sore knees? Then get in touch and expect to be offered & experience some of these at your next appointment.

Feedback is a really important part of the treatment process to help us get the best result together – if there are things you like, or don’t like, or want to know more, let me know, it’s your massage!

 

By admin 01/08/2017 Offers

Get yourself a free massage!

I believe loyalty should be rewarded and that there aren’t many things better than free massage

With this in mind, I am excited to launch a new loyalty scheme

Collect 5 stamps and your 6th massage is free!

Pick up a card at your next appointment

More details on the Prices page

By admin 12/06/2017 Events, Therapy

The view from my ‘desk’

This was the view from the massage tent at Tweedlove on the Green – the sunshine between the showers, well, at least it washed some of the mud off the bikes!

It was great to work alongside other inspiring therapists and to work with people pushing themselves to their physical & mental limits. Respect is due.

Practice day for the 5-hour mountain bike Enduro was the busiest – It seems more people are realising the benefits of massage to help their muscles recover and prep for an event, and that it’s a good idea to sort out ‘niggles’ before they turn into real issues which will affect performance. We also had visits from the stall holders (who were suffering from long drives, hefting equipment and days standing in a tent) and from visitors to the Bike Festival for consults on various injuries – everything from trampolining to cleaning.

It’s been a privilege & an amazing experience working at Tweedlove events over the last 3 weekends. The massage team are already planning next year, although I expect the organisers who live & breathe these events to make them happen could probably do with a week’s sleep!

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