An Intro to Kate: Why do I love massage?

Hi, I'm Kate, a sport and remedial massage therapist & scar therapist at Oak Park Clinic.

My first introduction to Sport remedial massage was in 2004 when I was suffering from severe migraines and was needing help with managing the pain. I was invited by a friend who was offering these treatments to experience one to see if it would help me. I was blown away by the positive effects it had with pain management. It certainly was not a cure but by tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system and releasing all the positive hormones of Oxytocin this really helped to relax my mind and in turn reduce the regularity of migraine pain. This then sent me on a journey to learn and understand this treatment protocol myself and this was really the turning point in my career.

I did a basic Swedish Holistic massage course but wanted a little more medical knowledge to be able to help a wider audience. This led me to doing a sport and remedial massage course which took me on a huge journey which I am still on 20 years later!! I have not stopped doing courses and learning about the body ever since! Every day is a school day in the massage world. I have treated a huge variety of patients from young children wanting a small gentle Birthday squeeze, to huge body builders needing some very deep sport remedial work, to straightening up the desk based workers or the elderly and loosening up everyone in between! I find myself treating patients coming with a variety of medical conditions or injuries. For example, someone who is a migraine sufferer or someone suffering with hyper mobility which both equally require pain management.

I have a lot of patients with injuries coming to the clinic from having completed a marathon or triathlon to a more moderate 10K run! Some with hamstring strains to some with ankle sprains. I have treated many patients post surgery as I am a Scar Therapist. This allows me to work on knee and hip replacement scars, lower back surgical scars and breast mastectomy surgeries or abdominal scars post hysterectomy or cesarian birth surgeries. This is to help break down adhesions to help my patients regain functionality, to get back to being more active again. (I also offer treatments for Primary and secondary Lymphoedema patients. This goes hand in hand with my Scar therapy work.

Something a little different along my massage career path, I have played a very special role in offering gentle massage treatments to cancer patients in order to help support their healing journey which has been so fulfilling as a therapist on so many levels.

In the past I have also taught Baby massage which I loved doing, having come from a teaching background and having worked with children for many years. I intend to restart classes hopefully next year.

I have also qualified as a Personal Trainer but specialised in neuro rehab mainly for Stroke, MS and Parkinson patients.

I have now achieved over 40 certificates in various massage and rehab related courses. So as you can see a day in the life of a massage therapist is always so varied and extremely rewarding. Seeing a patient coming to you in pain and walking out taller, straighter and almost pain free makes every bit of my career as a Massage Therapist worth it. I have loved every day of my massage journey and still continue to learn and enjoy giving my healing touch to everyone who crosses my path. It’s a real honour to be able to help so many people and bring a smile to most on a daily basis. On my day off I enjoy massaging my Fluffy cat and offering her some healing as she appreciates and enjoys the benefits and the power of healing touch.

Please feel welcome to contact the clinic if you have any postural issues, injuries or need some management post surgery. I look forward to meeting you soon!