Nidra Gong Bath

This week a friend invited me to attend a Nidra Gong Bath at Alchemy Health Clinic in Wimborne. As this was a completely new experience for me I was only too happy to say yes! The hour long session was hosted by Jane Morgan Jones, who leads you first into Nidra Yoga (a kind of yogic sleep) with a guided meditation over an earthy heartbeat soundtrack and Scania Price, who then begins a meditation using gongs, shruti and mantra. The word bath has nothing to do with actual water - it refers to the sound of the gongs washing over you.

All that was required for the session was a yoga mat, a pillow and a blanket and all that we had to do was lie back, get cosy, relax and listen. Easy peasy!

The Yoga Nidra was familiar territory to me, as Jane guided us into a deeply relaxed state by first asking us to focus on each part of our bodies in turn, imagining them getting heavier and sinking into the ground. We were asked to bring attention to our breathing, becoming aware of how the breath entered and left our nostrils. Jane then took us into a journey of visualisation, asking us to picture a series of images in our minds - a blue lotus flower, a palm tree, a field of sunflowers, a smiling buddha and many more besides. She led us down a pathway to a little temple where we found ourselves face to face with our own reflections shining in a large gong ... and that was where the magic began.

Scania uses the gongs intuitively to build and release emotions and tensions - sometimes all you hear is a gentle, reassuring rumble, at other times it builds to an overwhelming crescendo of noise that vibrates and works its way through every cell of your body.  Despite the volume, you remain utterly still and relaxed ... I never once felt like I was going to fall asleep but I was definitely somewhere else ... in that space that exists between consciousness and sleep.

Different people experience different things during the meditation - for me it was a sense of something travelling right through my body and making physical changes, for my friend it was a series of colours and imagery popping up from nowhere. And I'm sure that when I go again it will be a completely new and different experience!

As the gongs died away at the end of the meditation we were brought back round by Scania singing a beautiful mantra and the gentle rustling of leaves - which to me conjured up mental images of a thousand doves fluttering their wings all around us. Finally, Jane invited us to slowly return to consciousness as the aroma of burning sage filled the room.  Afterwards there was the opportunity to ask questions or to comment on our experiences during the meditation. I felt amazing - cleansed, relaxed, energised, a million times lighter ... more alive! It was a truly profound and uplifting experience and I will definitely be going back for more next month.

I would especially recommend the Nidra Gong Bath for anyone experiencing stress, depression or needing to find clarity of thought. It really is good therapy!

I did feel slightly lightheaded and a little nauseous for a while after the session, but as a therapist I recognise this as part of the cleansing and healing process. It's advisable to take a bottle of water with you to drink afterwards, as this will help to facilitate the process and minimise these temporary side effects.

You can catch the next Nidra Gong Baths at the following locations:

The Italian Villa at Compton Acres Gardens, Poole - 17 August, 12pm, £10

Alchemy Health Clinic, Leigh Road, Wimborne - 28 August, 7.30pm, £10

Click here for a video of Scania in action on the Gongs!

Back to School

This weekend I’m taking my first massage training course since I launched Sea Breeze Therapies. I’m not going to lie – I’m a little bit nervous, but also wildly excited at the same time!

The course I’m doing on Sunday is a one-day advanced skills workshop in Sports and Remedial Massage techniques and is being run by TonicSchool of Massage in Henley, Oxfordshire. The course will equip me with some advanced massage techniques to add to my skillset and will enable me to treat more effectively in the fields of sport and exercise therapy. Knowledge of these techniques will be invaluable when I begin the Advanced Clinical Massage diploma that I am hoping to enrol on later this year.

For me, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a no-brainer for anyone employed in the fields of health and bodywork. Whether you are a massage therapist, fitness instructor, nutritionist etc it is vital to keep your skills up to date and continually evolving for your customers’ sakes. You don’t take chances when people are quite literally putting their health and wellbeing in your hands!

One of the terms of my insurance and membership with the ComplementaryTherapists Association (CThA) is that I must accrue a certain number of CPD points each year in order to continue under their strict code of conduct. And as a customer,  this is why it’s vital to make sure you are using a qualified and insured therapist, and preferably one who is a member of a professional body such as CThA or FHT.

I’m really looking forward to getting back into the world of study, and have already dug out my anatomy books to swot up on muscles etc. This weekend’s course will mostly be a practical one, so I’ll be getting hands-on with my fellow students and putting my skills straight into practice.

Hopefully I will come home fully armed and ready to add a new dimension to my treatments – I’m looking forward to trying out my new techniques on you all!

Ladies Nights

I’ve had a brilliant time recently working on two separate Ladies Pamper Evenings, providing massage treatments. Although I have had my massage chair for quite some time and have had a fair few opportunities to use it, I’ve never had to do so under strict time considerations and with such a fast turnaround in customers - so I was understandably nervous!

Firstly, I had to consider what would be suitable treatments to offer. I decided to keep things simple and not overstretch myself, and opted to offer 15 minute seated chair massage (done over clothes and without the use of any oils) or as an alternative, hand and arm massages using one of my deliciously scented massage balms. I also took along some plain Grapeseed oil in case I was required to treat anyone with nut allergies or in pregnancy.

Then there was the question of how to capture details of people wishing to sign up for a treatment. The easiest solution seemed to be to create a form I could leave on a nearby table, which marked out each 15 minute appointment slot and allowed people to sign up to the time of their choice – this seemed to work really well, to my relief! I also used a shortened version of my consultation form, just to ensure I was not treating anyone with a contraindication to massage and to capture some vital contact information from potential new customers.

I also spent a bit of time and money investing in some marketing materials such as a branded polo shirt (easier and more comfortable to work in than a salon tunic), business cards, discount vouchers and vouchers to offer as raffle prizes for the event organisers. I also bought myself a money belt to strap around my waist, meaning it was easier to store payments taken from customers and to find the right change for them.

I needn’t have worried about working on these events. I was inundated with appointments on both evenings and had glowing feedback from those I treated –with any luck I may have found myself some new customers out of it, and at the very least it has allowed me spread the word about Sea Breeze Therapies and give people a taster of what I can do.  The whole experience was brilliant from start to finish - getting out of the therapy room and into the 'real' world made such a welcome change and I met some amazing women - from those who had a massage to my fellow therapists and stallholders.

The best feedback I had was from a lady who resurfaced from her head massage saying “That was amazing. This room is so noisy - how on EARTH do you manage to make us feel like this with so much going on all around?”  It just goes to show that massage really can take you away from yourself and transport you to somewhere entirely different. And I think we all need a bit of that sometimes!

To talk or not to talk?

One of the questions that I often get asked is “Should you talk to your therapist during a massage treatment?”

For me the answer is simple; if you want to talk, do – and if you’d rather lie back and enjoy the massage in silence then that’s fine too!

Normally most of the conversation takes place before the treatment has even started - the consultation process is really important as it allows me to establish why the treatment is needed (eg for relaxation purposes or for a specific health reason), whether there are any contraindications (reasons to not massage) and also allows the client to ask any questions they may have. I always welcome questions, however trivial you may think they are - it's better to ask at the beginning and be reassured so that you can relax on the table and enjoy your treatment.

When I carry out a treatment I allow myself to be guided by the client – after all, they are the ones who are paying and I view the treatment time very much as THEIR time, not my own. There's nothing more frustrating than a therapist who won't let you switch off and relax!

I will usually ask a few gentle questions at the beginning of the treatment to establish that the client is comfortable:

Are you warm enough?

Is this pressure ok for you?

If anything hurts at any time, please do let me know!

After that, I allow the client to choose whether they want to talk or not.

Some people prefer to just relax and lose themselves in the massage, others are less comfortable with silence and we've ended up having a good old chinwag and putting the world to rights! And of course, it goes without saying that anything said during the consultation or treatment process remains strictly between me and the client.

So in short, there really is no right or wrong answer – just whatever is right for YOU!

Thermo Auricular Therapy

There's always so much illness floating around at this time of year, with colds and flu bringing a whole range of ear, nose and throat complications. As a result, one treatment I offer becomes increasingly in demand for its ability to bring balance to the ears and for its warming, soothing and intensely relaxing properties.

Thermo Auricular Therapy (or Hopi Ear Candles, as it is often better known) can help conditions including blocked sinuses, headaches, sore throats, excessive ear wax, tinnitus, rhinitis, catarrh and even snoring! But quite aside from these benefits, it is one of the most relaxing treatments I offer - perfect for warming up a cold winter's day. On an emotional level and spiritual level it can help to release stress and tension, provide relaxation and bring calm to the mind.

This ancient and natural therapy has been handed down by many civilisation, most notably the native American Indian Hopi tribe, from whom the candles take their name.

What are the candles made from?

I use Biosun Hopi ear candles, which are an all-natural product made from organic flax which is woven and then steeped in honey and herbs including sage, St John's Wort and chamomile. After several weeks the fabric is removed and the candles are made - hollow tubes which are then dried and coated in pure beeswax.

What happens during a treatment?

The treatment takes place with the client lying on their side fully clothed - I like to make sure they are kept cosy and warm with fleece blankets, to burn some warming essential oils such as cinnamon and to have some relaxing music playing quietly in the background.

The side of the face is protected with a light cloth, and the candle is then lit, inserted gently into the ear and supported there at all times. My hand remains below the red 'maximum burn level' line which is about 3 inches from the bottom of the candle, so is always there as a barrier between the client and the flame.

The chimney effect which is created by the candle gently warms and vibrates the ear, and can help to restore balance in the ear/sinuses and to soften wax. The client gets a feeling of warmth in the ear as the herbal vapour circulates around - the smell is also rather pleasant!

Before the candles reach the red line for maximum burn level they are removed and safely extinguished in water before the other side is treated in similar fashion.

The best way to describe the sensations experienced during an ear candling treatment it is to imagine lying near a fireside and hearing the gentle crackling and popping of the flames as you relax and drift away. The treatment finishes with a beautiful facial massage which aids relaxation and sinus clearing, and is guaranteed to leave you feeling cosy and ready for your bed!

It is worth noting here that ear candles do not draw hard and compact ear wax up inside them. Ear candles may pull a small amount of loose or flaky earwax or dead skin cells from the very external part of the ear, (which is gently brushed free of debris by the therapist using a cotton wool bud after treatment) but the residue that remains inside the candle after treatment is actually beeswax and honey that has not burnt away completely.

Who is the treatment suitable for?

Hopi Ear Candles are a safe treatment for all, apart from in the case of ear inflammation or infections, perforated ear drums, grommets or epilepsy. It's important to remember that they are not a cure-all treatment, but they may provide some relief from the conditions listed earlier. Why not give it a go?

Looking back ... and forwards!

As is natural for this time of year, I've been reflecting a lot on the events of the last 12 months - and what a year it has been!  I've enjoyed seeing my beautiful children continue to blossom and grow into confident young people. I'm lucky to work full-time in the wonderful world of arts marketing, which presents me with so many fantastic experiences and the chance to meet some amazingly talented people. I've been blessed to spend some brilliant times with the incredibly grounded, supportive and loyal friends that surround me - beautiful souls, all of them. And best of all, I've managed to successfully launch Sea Breeze Therapies - a long-term dream of mine that at times seemed just that - a dream.  It's been a long time coming (7 years, in fact!) but I've been utterly overwhelmed by the support and response I've had in such a short space of time.

I've taken the time to write a little about my intentions for 2015 - sometimes it helps to get it all down on paper (well, on screen at any rate!) I think the quote above is spot on, and the reason why many New Year's resolutions fail - we need to change our way of thinking before we can make any real changes to our lives.

Wellbeing

I started off 2014 in a state of flux with my health, having been plagued for many years with widespread muscular pain, often crippling fatigue and what can only be described as 'brain fog'. Finally in May of this year I was given a diagnosis of the chronic pain condition Fibromyalgia.  I had suspected it for some time, so it was no great surprise, but it did mean that I could finally eliminate the possibility of rheumatism or arthritis and start a course of exercise that would see the weight which had piled on during my diabetes-ridden pregnancy drop off. I've lost a stone and a half since May and I feel so good for it! I feel like I'm beginning to get the measure of this condition, and really hope I can continue to feel great in the new year.

Healthy Eating

This year I began to practice mindful eating. By this I mean, being totally aware of what you are consuming and when.  I start my day with a cup of hot lemon water - it's cleansing and refreshing, gets vital fluids into your body first thing and gives your digestive system a kick-start. For breakfast I have fresh fruit, a handful of nuts and a couple of tablespoons of low-fat natural yoghurt, perhaps with a drizzle of honey.  Lunch is usually a delicious, nutritious soup - chunky veg or those with beans are great for long-lasting energy release.  I also allow myself as much fresh fruit or raw veg as I want and drink plenty of water throughout the day (2 litres is recommended).  I tend to eat 'normally' at dinner times - when you work full time and have two small children planning separate meals is not practical!  I usually cook healthy family meals from scratch - spaghetti bolognese, risottos, jacket potatoes with tuna and salad, tacos, fajitas and pesto chicken salad are all firm favourites in our house. I try to be mindful of the portion sizes I eat, and I do steer clear of puddings. I really don't miss them any more - something I never thought I'd hear myself say!  So in 2015 I plan more of the same. Ideally I'd like to lose another half stone but I'm not going to stress it - 2014 has taught me that if I am more mindful when it comes to food, excess weight will come off when combined with a sensible exercise routine.

Exercise

This is a tricky subject for me. I love exercise - I used to be a great cross-country runner and spent all my formative years working with horses, which requires a considerable amount of fitness, strength and balance.  Fibromyalgia does not allow you to exercise easily - the pain can be crippling and the fatigue means you often just want to curl up in a ball and sleep.  But perversely, exercise is the single most useful thing you can do for this condition. Each person is different, and it's finding the right balance and working within your limits that is key. I've always loved yoga and this has been my saving grace this year. I devised a yoga routine that incorporated some more traditional strength building exercises, and do this every night, whilst watching TV. It's no hardship, believe me!  I combine this with a small amount of cardio (usually a fitness DVD, although I steer clear of those 'no pain, no gain' high intensity workouts) and run once or twice a week (no more than a mile, as that's all the tolerance this condition will allow me.) Weight has come off, yes, but it's the way my body has toned up and strengthened  that I'm particularly pleased with. My goals for 2015 are to work on my upper body strength.

Family Time

As I mentioned at the top of the page, I work full time, and fit massage treatments in during my evenings. My husband also works 3 or 4 evenings a week, so our time together is really limited. We have made a pledge to have at least one night a month where we give each other our undivided attention, and either have a night out or spend time together at home.  So vital for any relationship! 

Sea Breeze

This is the part I'm really excited about!  I have so many ideas buzzing around in my head about what I want to do, but I need to take some time out to do some proper business planning first. Priorities for 2015 will include renewing my insurance cover and my membership to a professional body. Training is high on the agenda - there are so many courses I want to do - I'd like to keep adding to my skills and knowledge so that I can provide the best treatments possible. I also want to do more with my Facebook page and blog - offers and discounts, interesting articles, giveaways, competitions, reviews etc.  I'd also like to develop a new corporate ID for Sea Breeze - something that will give my business a distinctive and appealing image.  And last but not least, I hope to continue to increase my client base, and always go the extra mile for each and every one of them. I have been blessed with some wonderful clients already, who have given me fantastic reviews on my Facebook page, referred friends to me and just in general talked about how much they enjoyed their treatments. I love getting to know my clients - most of them become good friends in the process and I am utterly blessed to have their support.

Whatever your intentions for 2015 I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy new year! Be kind to yourselves, spend time with family and friends and do whatever nourishes your soul.

Happy new year everybody! xx

Massage for Sciatic Nerve Pain

A new client came to Sea Breeze this week, presenting with the classic signs of sciatic nerve pain.

If you’ve ever experienced sciatica yourself you will know exactly what I’m talking about – a pain, usually on one side of the body only, which travels from the lower back, through the buttock and down the back or the side of the leg.  Sciatica can range in intensity from weakness, numbness, tingling or a mild pain through to out and out excruciating agony. The pain is often lessened when the person bends forwards and is felt more intensely when walking, coughing or sneezing.

What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain?

Symptoms of sciatica occur when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body, and starts in the lumbar (lower) region of the back, branching out from the spinal cord down the back and side of the leg.

A number of conditions can give rise to sciatica:

• A herniated (or ‘slipped’ disc) putting pressure on the nerve
• Piriformis syndrome; the piriformis is the pizza slice-shaped muscle which lies deep within the buttocks. If it becomes tight or inflamed it can irritate the nerve
• Spinal stenosis; when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the nerve
• Spondylolisthesis; when a vertebrae slips out of position, putting pressure on the nerve

Other causes include infection or injury to the spine, a growth in the spine (such as a tumour) and the rare but serious condition cauda equina syndrome. Sciata is often experienced during pregnancy, due to the growing baby putting pressure on the sciatic nerve.

In most cases of sciatica the person will recover within around six weeks, but in more extreme cases surgery may become necessary.

How Can Massage Help?

I tend to approach cases of sciatic nerve pain with caution. It’s vitally important to take a full personal history from the client and assess each person on a case by case basis. Sometimes massage will be appropriate and can help, other times it could the make the situation much, much worse (for example, where a herniated disc is involved).

As part of the consultation process I start off by trying to get an accurate description of the type of pain and its pathway, any relevant medical history, the person’s lifestyle and exercise choices, how the pain first started and what steps they have already taken to relieve the pain. It’s always advisable to ask the client to approach their GP first, to ascertain any contraindications (reasons to not massage).

I find it can be helpful to use heat to warm tight muscles before working on them - this also makes the treatment much more pleasurable for the client! A range of massage techniques can be employed on the muscles of the lower back to free any tightness, especially those around the hip and spine, before moving onto the gluteals and piriformis deep within the buttock.  There is usually a 'trigger point' (tight spot of knotty muscles) in the piriformis and if the client can bear it, sustained pressure on this point can encourage blood flow and a lessening of the tension and pain. The other area I like to work on is the back of the legs, the hamstrings in particular, as this is the path that the sciatic nerve (and therefore the pain) takes.

Self-Help

Finally, I like to offer some home-care exercises that will gently stretch the piriformis, glutes and hamstrings.  There's a really great video here which provides some lovely yoga stretches - why not give them a go!